Press Releases

Fashola Calls For Commitment To Sustenance Of Democracy

Feb 9, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Tuesday called for commitment to the sustenance of the nation’s democracy saying the country needs men and women who are ready to stand up in defence of the Constitution.

Governor Fashola who spoke at the Lagos House, Alausa, while playing host to members of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, who paid him a courtesy visit, said the nation also needs peace which, according to him, is the platform and foundation of national development.

The Governor told his Guests, led by their President, Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd.), “What we need is the contribution of men and women with unyielding commitment to the sustenance of our democracy, the defense of our Constitution and the upliftment of our people, giving us the hope that all will be well”.

“This is something we cannot afford to toy with; something, which for me, has become a life cause, to demonstrate that nothing is wrong with us; that if given the chance, we will do it”, the Governor said noting that each time Nigerians have the opportunity to travel out of the country on any endeavour, they have always excelled.

Governor Fashola said it is left only for the leadership of the country to provide the opportunity for the people here adding, “This country has seen prosperity before. She must see it again and it must happen in our lifetime”.

Pointing out that it is not something that is far-fetched or impossible, the Governor further declared, “It only needs men and women working and praying. With a lot of work, we can turn things around”.

The Governor stressed the need for peace in the development of the country saying, “We must, first of all, resolve to live together peacefully. It is peace that is required as a platform, a foundation and a building block for national development”.

Governor Fashola commended the NIPSS for its role of human resource development in the country saying graduates of the institution who are currently in the employment of the Lagos State Government have continually demonstrated commitment, innovation and a disposition to confront challenges.

“These are the characteristics that, I think, we need in leadership; those are the character traits I have seen in those of you who are working with us”, the Governor said adding that the country will be better for it if the men and women being turned out by the institution manifest such traits.

Earlier in his opening remarks, president of the NIPSS Alumni Association and leader of the delegation, Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni, said the Association was in Lagos on the first leg of its nationwide tour to revitalize its state Chapters some of which, according to him, have become redundant.

According to Gen. Useni, some of the Chapters are no longer playing any relevant role in the issues concerning the country and the purpose is to rekindle the spirit of the Association in them in order to make them relevant. General Useni commended the Governor for his focused leadership in the State which has yielded the heartwarming and notable development in the State.

Commenting on the constitutional crisis in the Presidency of the country, Gen. Useni said the stand of the Association is that the Constitution of the country must be obeyed as it concerns the absence of the President from the country.

Also present at the occasion from the State Government side were the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Barrister Opeyemi Bamidele, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Lanre Babalola, the Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Lanre Balogun, and Special Adviser, Governor’s Office, Mr. Sunny Ajose, among other top Government functionaries.