Press Releases

Only Ideas Can Be More Enduring - Fashola
...One Day Governor, Miss Adesope, takes office, commends LASG

Jun 29, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday asserted that the State Government has sustained the Spelling Bee Competition that produces the One Day Governor because it believes that only ideas can be more enduring as people are transient.

The Governor spoke at the Executive Council Chamber of Lagos House, Ikeja when he received the One Day Governor for 2008, Miss Adesopo Olaide who emerged as winner of the Spelling Bee Competition organized by the New Era Foundation.

He added that while people are transient, ideas live, adding that late Chief Obafemi Awolowo is dead but his free education policy lives on as many beneficiaries are today policy makers.

He acknowledged the initiative of former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu who introduced the Spelling Bee Competition, adding that it is a programe that has lived up to expectation and produced great leaders.

Governor Fashola who vacated his seat as Chairman of the State’s Executive Council for Miss Adesopo Olaide, said as a Chief Of Staff, he was deeply involved in the schedule and itinerary of each One Day Governor for the duration of the time in the office.

Governor Fashola told Miss Olaide and her cabinet members that the executive council chambers serves as the venue where policy ideas such as provision of free textbooks and desks, the beautification exercise and the reintroduction of voluntary organizations in schools were always debated.

He went on to add that the chamber serves as a theatre of debates where consensus is reached by majority while ensuring that conclusions are premised on getting the best for the greatest majority.

Governor Fashola told Miss Olaide Adesopo that before her arrival, the State Executive Council had debated on the implementation of Universal Basic Education (UBEC) programme and some classrooms which needed uplift.

While commending her for making some requests on behalf of her school, Governor Fashola said it reflected her sense of leadership, saying it is just another way of asking the Government to put back a little into the institution that made her.

He promised that the State Executive Council would address the request of Miss Adesopo at her school, Estate Senior Grammar School, Odi- Olowo and which include the provision of a school hall, the rehabilitation of two bungalows as well as provision of furniture for teachers.

The Governor congratulated the parents of the One Day Governor and prayed for long life for them to see many more years of wonderful exploits by their children.

Speaking earlier, the One Day Governor, Miss Olaide Olasopo said it is indeed a great pleasure for her to be on the exalted seat of Governor of Lagos State and seat face to face with the Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) whom she described as the Obama of Nigeria.

She thanked Governor Fashola for the journey he embarked upon so far in the transformation of Lagos State, adding that she believes it is a tip of the ice berg.

Miss Adesopo explained that the beautification of Lagos is a very laudable programme which is a demonstration of the true colours of Lagosians.

She said since Governor Fashola came onboard, he has ensured that Lagos in now not only better but more secured.

Said she: “You have invested so much in education in Lagos. The last Education Summit was an eye opener for everyone in terms of the deliberations. The donation of free textbooks to all pupils in public schools in Lagos was a policy that was well received by the children”.

She encouraged all residents of the State to empower the Government to do more by regularly paying their taxes.

She sought the Governor’s assistance to provide a hall at her school as well as a rehabilitation of two bungalow classrooms with provision of furniture for teachers in the school.

She was accompanied by the One Day Deputy Governor, Miss Ibitoye Funmilola from Ejigbo Senior High School, Oshodi, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Miss Agbolade Ruth from Eva-Adelaja Senior Secondary School, Bariga.

Others on her entourage include Bello Tolulope from Lagos State Civil Service Senior Model College, Igbogbo as the Agriculture Commissioner, Adetunji Joel Hescols from Lagos State Junior Model College, Kankon, Badagry as Education Commissioner, Onwuchekwa Towechi from Abesan Senior High School as Women Affairs Commissioner, Okolie Ifeanyi of Anthony Village Senior High School, Maryland as Finance Commissioner and Olubori Alabi from same school as Environment Commissioner.

Earlier in the day on arrival at the Lagos House, Alausa office of the Governor, the One Day Governor was received by the Permanent Secretary, Chief of Staff Office, Mr Olukunle Ojo who briefed Miss Adesopo on the workings of the Governor’s Office before conducting her round some of the offices.

The One Day Governor later paid visits to the Office of the Head of Service and the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Computer Centre (ABAT), the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), the LTV and Radio Lagos before visiting come corporate organizations.