Speeches

Inaugural Session of The Lagos State House of Assembly After Due Proclamation By The Governor That The House Stands Legitimately Constituted and May Begin Its Sitting

Jun 4, 2007 - The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Sarah Adebisi Sosan; The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Adetula Alabi; The former Speaker, Chief Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his wife Chief Mrs. Mayowa Ikuforiji; Members of the National Assembly; Members – Elect of the Lagos State House of Assembly; The Head of Service; Chairman of our great Party, Action Congress, Chief Henry Oladele Ajomale; Body of Permanent Secretaries; Former Members of the State Executive Council; Chairman and Representatives of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Lagos State; Eminent Citizens and Leaders of our Party; Wives and family Members of the newly elected Members; Press; Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is with a profound sense of honour and privilege that I stand before you today, this distinguished assembly of the
representatives of the people of Lagos State. I would like to congratulate you, the elected members of this house, on your victory at the polls.

It was barely a year ago that I appeared before this House, praying your confirmation of my nomination as Commissioner in the Government of my distinguished predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which was graciously granted. Today, I stand before you as his elected successor. Truly, life is unpredictable and full of pleasant surprises.

Today is no doubt historic in the life of our dear State as we begin the journey of great expectations together with the 40 legislators elected to represent 20 constituencies in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the State. Most significant is the fact that the numbers of female legislators has gone up from 2 in the 5th Assembly to 5 in this 6th Assembly. This clearly confirms that Lagos State is leading the way in complying with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in empowering its women. (It is also important to note that by mere
coincidence of history, today, June 4th marks the anniversary of the death of one of our nation’s greatest women, Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, who paid the supreme price in her quest to advance the ideals of democratic governance in Nigeria).

To the 17 honourable members who are returning to this august assembly, I say: “Welcome Back!” To the 23 newly elected members, I say: “Welcome on Board!”.

Unarguably, we are acknowledged locally and internationally as having established and maintained the best traditions and deepest roots of constitutional democracy over the past eight years. By the conduct of its affairs over that period, this house has been an inspiration to all who believe in representative and participatory democracy.

Distinguished Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, in the conduct of government businesses in Lagos State, we struck assiduously to the letters and spirit of the law in asserting our rights as a federating unit. We have relied only on due process with the clear understanding, to quote my predecessor in office, that “democracy is never served a la carte”. It has to be fully appreciated, believed in, imbibed, fought for, practiced constantly, and never disdained in substitution for arbitrariness. Only then, will democracy become a way of life rather than a distant and utopian ideal. It must be underscored that the only enduring means of preventing dictatorship and political extremism is to establish and maintain
healthy institutions of civil society. But that is no easy task especially in our own environment. It is hard work to be a true democrat, and to have faith in the process. Slow though it may sometimes appear, especially in a country that
has no long standing tradition of democratic culture, the rewards of democratic governance are all the more satisfying when we adhere to these ideals.

The relationship between this Honourable House and the Executive has been exemplary since the return to civil rule in 1999. This has resulted in a productive synergy that has fueled comprehensive reforms in the appropriate process, the justice sector, financial management, land administration, budget control, traffic management, infrastructure development, the health sector, education, private sector participation and many other areas (And we must maintain this tradition and even improve on them).

Lagos State, through its democratic institutions: the executive, the legislature and the courts, has taken full advantage of these democratic ideals in its conduct of governance. The understanding of this house on the need for legislative dynamism in support of various executive initiatives that was key to the success we have achieved in the developmental areas mentioned above. The executive bills that you considered and passed on a range of issues, and after wide consultations and robust, yet civilized debates were critical to the advancement our goals. Your requirement at each annual budget cycle that the executive justify its expenditure of the preceding year has compelled a culture of accountability and transparency which is now entrenched in the system. And so we can stand proud in Lagos, and rightly thump our chests, that our commitment to the democratic process has been unmatched anywhere and has yielded true dividends.

My commitment to this Honourable House and to the people of Lagos State is to continue in the traditions and practices of liberal democracy that have been adopted and entrenched these past eight years. My further commitment is to maintain these positive values of governance in recognition of the fact that our obligations to the people for the improvement of their quality of life can only be achieved when we adopt a collective approach to solving the
problems of the day. But someone must lead this approach, mostly by example and by clear and well-articulated policies. In my view history, even religion has thrust that role upon governments.

We are indeed privileged to have been elected into our various offices to preside over the affairs of the greatest human footprint on the continent of Africa. Lagos State is the home to the fastest growing metropolis in the world. By now, no-one is deceived into thinking that it will be an easy task, but with the quality of membership of this distinguished house combined with the energy of a dynamic private sector, an informed civil society, and my passion for progress and desire for change, we shall certainly succeed, by the grace of God Almighty.

I call on all persons who have a stake in the progress of Lagos State: its citizens, its public services, the Federal Government and its agencies in Lagos, the business community, the international community, NGOs, professional bodies, trade unions, academic institutions, the elite, traders, market men and women, to join hands with us to continue the positive transformation of this State.

Ladies and Gentlemen, an African proverb has it that, “if you wish to go quickly, go alone, but if you wish to go far, quickly”. I will be reaching out to all of you for support, as we gird our loins to address Lagos State’s mammoth challenges of the environment, rapid urbanization, rural-urban drift, public transportation, greening the city, tourism, education and research, health services, crime, security, public order, destitution, infrastructure, the waterways, rural areas and other critical areas of mutual concern.

I am indeed lucky that I inherited a State that has already started along the path of sustainable change under the leadership of my predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; but it is also a State with a peculiar and cosmopolitan nature, bearing every stripe and tone of ethnic, political, religious and cultural diversity and facing urgent/pressing challenges.
I am aware that expectations are extremely high, I shall try my utmost to live up to those expectations. My task is to re-energise the on-going process; pick the best men and women to support me in this demanding project; and tap from the extraordinary innovative capacity of both the public and private sectors.

In seeking to achieve the kind of success we desire, certain attitudes and actions must give way for the collective good, for it is ironic indeed that many of the citizens who complain the loudest about the state’s problems are themselves the greatest contributors to those problems. Democracy does not mean freedom from responsibility. On the contrary, it means building a consensus of responsibility in tackling our problems and re-engineering for the future.

Enforcement of the laws and regulations passed by members of this Honourable house, the elected representatives of the people, must take a front seat in the affairs of the State. I intend to run the government as a Chief Executive Officer would run a company, with a clear vision, strategic planning, and tight quality control, realistic targets, discernible benchmarks and products that can be assessed. We must give real value for tax payers’ money. I believe that this is what the citizens voted for when they expressed their overwhelming support for us on the platform of the
Action Congress on April 14th. I am therefore obliged to justify that support. I shall be proactive and responsive on matters of security and intolerant of any action that tends to offend the general public will.

Honourable members, Ladies and Gentlemen, we are at the cusp of great and momentous change. To quote the great Mahatma Gandhi, “Together we can be the change we want to see”. We can and will be the “bridge to the future”.
I am delighted and honoured to proclaim and inaugurate the First Session of the Lagos State House of Assembly in accordance with the provisions of Sub-Section (3) of Section 105 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Distinguished members of the House of Assembly, once again I thank you for giving me the opportunity to address you on this important occasion when you begin your deliberations over the future of Lagos State. As we go forward into history, I pledge my full support and commitment to the progress and economic advancement of our people and to the further deepening of genuine democracy in Nigeria.

I wish you fruitful, progressive and successful deliberations in the days ahead.

May the Good Lord empower us all to achieve His will.

“Eko o ni baje o!”

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
Governor of Lagos State