Press Releases

Let's Evolve Unique Nigerian Way Of Generating Endless Possibilities
…Says Fashola at 50th Independence Parade In Lagos

Oct 1, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Friday took the salute at a colourful parade and march past by a detachment of members of the Military, Paramilitary agencies, voluntary organisations and school children at the 50th Independence Parade, charging Nigerians to evolve the unique Nigerian way of generating endless and positive possibilities from now.

Governor Fashola who spoke at the Tafawa Balewa Square main bowl, Lagos declared: "So many years lie ahead of us to make the future what we want starting from today. If we set forth at dawn, we can make this journey before dusk. …..Truly believe that inspite of the clamour about the good old days, Nigeria's best days still lies ahead".

Continuing he said: "I am a Nigerian, I remain proud to be one I believe Nigeria will rise to the most unthinkable heights if we persevere. Success is defined by how we react to our opportunities and not how we lament about lost opportunities"

"I belief there are many more opportunities ahead than the ones we have left behind and it is our duty as leaders and the led to seek out those opportunities and to work hard to make them count. Our past would be useful if it helps us to reflect of the sacrifices of our founding fathers", he emphasized.

He said the past must remind everyone that the soil of the beautiful city state and island of Lagos were the battle ground for a liberty pursuit of the nation's heroes and that the Race Course was the site where the British flag- the Union Jack flew for the last time.

According to Governor Fashola, "This is a national monument belonging to this State and we hold it as a symbol of pride for free people of this country as a memorial of where we came from and how we got here"

"Nothing is impossible. What is possible in Lagos is possible in all parts of Nigeria. What is needed is to make the choice and find a will to make it work".

The Governor explained that it will require patience from the leaders and restraint from those being led, adding that everyone must exercise their rights but with the understanding that it comes with corresponding duties.

He affirmed his dedication to continue to lead the people of Lagos in the pursuit of a prosperous future for as long as the people belief in it.

"I am certain that we can do it. Against all the pessimisms that we will never be free, we made it and we survived a bitter civil war and resolved that we will build without victor and vanquished. We have proved every pessimist wrong by successfully transiting first from military to civilian and later from civilian to civilian governments".

Governor Fashola who admitted that though the expectations are high, called for deep reflection on how many times we have got up as a people when we stumbled, how many times we have confounded those who wrote us off because of the innate ability in Nigerians to make things work when they decide to do so.

In Lagos, that decision has been made, we have excluded and actualized seeming impossibilities, Lagos is now safer than before inspite of epileptic public power supply. Our streets are being lit up at night by a committed people and government to create job through a 24 hour economy.

He said the city which some cynics have called concrete jungle has become a land of green parks and gardens with what used to be one of the dirtiest cities becoming the cleanest as well the challenges of flooding which has been put behind in several parts of the State.

"Against all odds, Oshodi is now safe for pedestrians and motorable for commuters and Oluwole area has yielded its unpleasant notoriety to an urban shopping complex in commerce, economic prosperity and the creation of jobs", the Governor said.

He informed that the State Executive Council has recently approved a State Ignite Enterprise and Employability project which focuses on addressing the job creation and employability challenges of the people who fall within the age group of 20 -35 who constitute 70percent of the nation's population.

A pilot scheme of the programme will involve 30 schools from all divisions of the State. The project will be very practical and result oriented as I look forward to us building the economy of our great State together"

"Nothing is impossible. What is possible in Lagos is possible in all parts of Nigeria. What to do is to make the choice and find a will to make it work", Governor Fashola affirmed.

He asserted that though the nation is free from imperialists, the people have not freed themselves from underdevelopment and its challenges, saying there are many battles ahead to be fought and won.

He listed them as battles for security, economic prosperity and the security of the people's future all of which lies ahead and remains to be won, adding: "It requires all of us to live in peace, in religious harmony and unity, dictated by tolerance and mutual respect to achieve this".

The Governor emphasized that it is only on a foundation of peace and harmony that the nation build political stability, starting from a free and fair elections as a precursor to the quest for a Brighter Rewarding Future.

The Governor had earlier inspected the guard of honour mounted by the various detachments in an open military Landrover before taking the salute at the dais while all the parade and march past lasted.

Among those who witnessed the well attended Parade ceremony were the Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Inumidun Akande, members of the State Executive Council, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, Commander 9th Brigade of Nigerian Army, Brigadier Sanusi Muazu, Commander Air Base services, Air Commodore Ayo Abdulsalam, Commissioner of Police, Marvel Akpoyibo and many distinguished personalities.