As the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, celebrates his 65th birthday this week, Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU revisits his legendary welfarist legacy as governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, which his successors have continued to build on in the Centre of Excellence.
He had a vision for the city state. Thus, he planned well and laid a solid foundation for its future. He assumed the reins at a very challenging period. Therefore, he resolved to make a difference. His two terms of eight years have remained a reference point. Ten years after leaving office, former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu has remained a factor, not only in the Centre of Excellence, but throughout the country.
The Tinubu years in the Round House, Alausa, Ikeja, the seat of government, were memorable. Sixteen years after former Governor Lateef Jakande was forced out of office, Lagos heaved a sigh of relief, following a new dawn. The onus was on Tinubu, a Third Republic senator and pro-democracy crusader, to fulfill his campaign promises to Lagosians who were thirsty of dividends of democracy.
To change the face of the metropolis, he needed an action plan and competent people to drive the vision. Tinubu assembled a cabinet of talents. It was reminiscent of the Awolowo years when the best brains were mobilised to lay a good foundation for the take-off of the most dynamic government the Western Nigeria ever had. Also, Tinubu fashioned out a 24-year Development Blueprint for Lagos, which his successors-Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Akinwunmi Ambode-have successfully built on.
However, his greatest achievement was his triumph over the inevitable succession crisis. Tinubu handed over to Fashola, who built on his feats. After eight years, Ambode received the mantle of leadership. In the last 17 years, Lagos has been working. To other states of the federation, it is a model. The credit goes to Tinubu, a great thinker, financial surgeon, mobiliser, organiser and strategist, who a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Jide Jimoh, has describd as the Tutor-General of Nigerian politics.
In his tribute to the pathfinder during his 60th birthday, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who is now the governor of Ondo State, noted that Tinubu’s achievements brought back the nostalgic memories of the good days of the Southwest. “Since the commencement of the current democratic experience in 1999, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been the issue in Nigerian politics. From his position as the governor of Lagos State when he was able to display to the holders mendacious mandates that the people must be at the central focus of consideration in government, through the period of intense persecution by the “mainstreamers” to the current struggle for the emancipation of the region from the destructive influence of the locusts, which descended on the land, especially in the Southwest, Tinubu remains a major factor in Nigeria’s politics,” he added.
Before emerging as the champion of the Southwest and a national colossus, Tinubu had, first of all, put his house in order in Lagos. He worked hard to turn around the critical sectors and succeeded in evolving a benchmark for good governance, transparency and accountability in Lagos. Tinubu was a dynamic administrator and workaholic. As noted by his Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dele Alake, “Asiwaju Tinubu has no apologies for pushing his health to an edge. He says he applied for the job. He begged Lagosians to give him the job, to give him a place to stand so that he could move their world forward. And if the people identified him as the person for the job, he has no option, but to put in his very best.”
Reflecting on the giant strides of the administration, Tinubu’s media aide, Kehinde Bamigbetan, said: “Governor Tinubu’s philosophy of governance was welfarist. He believes the state must serve the interest of the poor and the underprivileged by encouraging the rich to subsidise the poor. He believes that government, as the agency set up to do this job, must be efficient in raising revenue and dispensing services.”
Tinubu inherited a state that has suffered under the military interlopers. Lagos roads were an eyesore. Rehabilitating the bad roads and building new ones to link communities for trade and commerce became a major priority.
In five years, Tinubu had completed over 308 roads projects out of 422 were completed. The former governor had an ally, Chief Rauf Aregbesola, an engineer, as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure. Road projects completed include Ijegun, Ojo; Oshifolarin, Somolu; Rhythm 93.7, Eti-Osa; Arufa Olugbemi, Ojo; Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island; Agege Motor Road (Idi Oro to Ilupeju Byepass),Mushin and Ojuwoye, Eko Akete, Abaronje-Okerube, Ikotun-Igbado; Alakuko, Ojokoro; and Aniyaloye/Edidi/Adegboyega/Fatai Bello, Ifelodun. Othere were Irede, Amuwo-Odofin; Owuto Ajaguro, Ikorodu; Ekoro, Agbado Oke; Aboru, Agbado Oke odo; Okun Alfa, Ibeju; Agunji Ajiran, Eti Osa West; Old Ota, Ifako Ijaye; Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Maroko-Epe Bye-Pass, Eti Osa West; and Oterubi Ogidan, Agboju. A memoranda of agreement was signed with reputable construction companies for the construction of Ajao/Ejigbo Road/Bridge, LASU-Iba-igbo Elerin-Agboroko-Badagry Expressway, and Isheri Osun-Isolo Housing Estate-Ago Palace Way.
The Lagos Island Central Business District Road upgrading and renewal project in the most crucial economic zone were undertaken. The roads targeted were Broad Street/Lagos Western outer Ring Road/ Marina/ Third mainland Ramp; Nnamidi Azikiwe/ cater Bridge; Cater Bridge/ Ereko martins/Balogun and Idumagbo/Third mailand Bridge and inner adjoining roads.
The administration also acknowledged the need to reposition the health sector, which was at a low ebb. Tinubu invested heavily in the sector, owing to his belief that health is wealth. Apart from establishing more General Hospitals and rehabilitating the existing ones, the administration also built more health centres at the grassroots. Modern medical equipment were procured for the health hospitals and helath centres. New medical laboratories were also set up. “Taking a large share of the health costs of the citizenry was one of the elements of the government’s welfare package,” recalled Bamigbetan.
It is an understatement. The administration introduced free health policy for children below 18 and adults above 65 years. The drugs for patients were heavily subsidized. Under the Blindness Prevention Programme, millions of Lagosians were saved from sight problems. There was a festival of eye surgery and free glasses (Dingi Bola) were distributed. To reduce the scourge of HIV/AIDS, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency intensified its enlightenment programme targeted at youths. The adminisration’s “Roll Back Malaria” programme complemented the Eko Free Malaria Treatment programme under which millions of people were treated. Government also combated the dreadful diseases, including tuberculosis by setting up clinic devoted to the disease and polio through the immunization of millions of children.
The LASAMBUS scheme was initiated to attend to emergency medical cases. Dozens of ambulances were provided to ease rescue operations in the nooks and corners of the state. Some reforms were also carried out in the health sector, which led to the decentralization of the Health Management Board, the revatalisation of the Primary healthcare System, the establishment of the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency to ensure quality assurance, the establishment of Hospital Services Commission and the promotion of partnerships in health between the government and the private sector.
To Tinubu’s consternation, Lagos had become a city of fifth in 1999, making its urgent transformation into a clean and safe environment devoid of epidemics more compelling. The former separated the Ministry of Environment from the Ministry of Physical Planning and repositioned it to combat critical challenges, including flooding and coordination of waste disposal operations.
Also, the administration was confronted by the rot in the education sector. Lagos is a mini-Nigeria playing host to citizens from other states of the federation. A discriminatory education policy was incompatible with the spirit of Lagos. Tinubu believed passionately that education was the antidote to poverty. That was why his administration decided to shoulder the burden of parents by paying WAEC and NECO fees and fees for internal examinations. The administration kicked-off the Millennium School Projects as part of efforts to guarantee a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning in public schools. In 2001, Tinubu returned the missionary schools to their owners, thereby enhancing private participation in the critical sector.
The youth development programme of the administration led to the annual “One Day Governor” event . Also, the former governor converted the dreadful Ita Oko prisoners camp into a youth skills acquisition centre. There was also a programme of women empowerment targeted at women to enable them cope with the harsh economic realities. More importantly, women were reoriented towards self-employment.
In the housing sector, Tinubu administration facilitated access to quality accommodation and succeeded in making the Lekki corridor the fastest growing estates. The former governor was taken aback by the Federal Government’s failed housing policy and the neglect of the housing needs of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He restructure the Ministry of Works and Housing by upgrading the Housing Department or directorate into a full fledged ministry. The ministry was mandated to provide 5,00 housing units yearly and coordinate the activities of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) and the lagos Building Investment Company for more effective management. More importantly, the sector was repositioned to attract private sector participation.
There was a turnaround in the fortunes of the LSDPC, whose account was red before Tinubu assumed office. In his first term, the moribund Michael Otedola Low Income Housing was completed. The Jubilee Housing Scheme-q 1,300 units of low income housing designated as Abraham Adesanya Housing Estate, was completed. The project was undertaken directly by the ministry. Also delivered were the Lekki Scheme 1, named after the late Eleko of Lagos, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, the Oko Oba units, Oregun Estate, Ikeja, Femi Okunnu Housing estate, Leki and the Mile 2 Housing Estate. Also, concerted efforts were made to develop the proposed estates in Gbagada 1 and 2, Ibeshe, Ikeja 1 and 2, Oko Oba/Alaba and Ewu Elepe. There were proposals on “Teachers’ Village,” “Civil servants’ Village” and “Judges Village.” The mortgage system was strengthened and foreign investors were encouraged.
There were also novel initiatives in transportation, including the development of modern water transportation, BRT and LASTMA.
Under the visionary administration, Lagos blazed the trail in the Independent Power Project (IPP), which continually supplied 270 mega watts of electricity to the national grid. The project demonstrated the capacity of some states to generate electricity, if the power to legislate on it is on the Concurrent List. Tinubu electrification project covered over 100 communities. In his first term, 53 rural communities were targeted. The projects were completed in Egan, Atewolere, Ifesowapo, Aboru, Agbado Ayetoro, Akorede, Isheri Ikosi, Orile Aguntan, Rofo, Borokini, Omologbede, Araromi, Oke Agbo, Erekusu, Logberu, Okegelu and Ebute, Lekki. Others were Origanringan, Onigbolakowe, Oke odo Elemoro, Ipaja Isale odo, Agenuba, Ajelogo, Mutaku, Egansando, Ayanfe, topo and Ikola Agbenaje.
Tinubu created additional 37 councils, following the legitimate agitations of Lagosians for improved governance at the grassroots. The number of the councils rose to 57. However, the National Assembly has refused to list the councils in the constitution, despite the fact that their creation by the House of assembly followed the due process of law at the state level. The threat by the Obasanjo administration to scrap the councils failed. Although the allocations to the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) were withheld by the Federal Government, they survived the federal onslaught.
For the former governor, necessity became the mother of invention. When the allocation for Lagos was seized, Tinubu put on his thinking cap. He embarked on a novel and aggressive revenue generation drive, which halted the dependence on federal allocations to the state. His successors have built on the success. Today, Lagos has been able to implement laudable people-oriented projects funded largely from its soaring Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
For eight years, Tinubu also agitated for a special status for Lagos State. Up to now, it is still a dream.
For living up to expectation as governor, Tinubu was showered with accolades by individuals, groups, communities and reputable institutions. The awards of excellence include: Best Governor of for 2001 by the Nigerian/Belgian Chamber of Commerce, Winner of 2002 Best Practices Prize in improving the living environment (by the Federal Ministry of Works and UN habitat Group), 2000 Best computerized Government in Nigeria (by the Computer Association of Nigeria), 2003 Green Crystal Award for Enhancing the Value of the Environment (by Clean-Up Nigeria (CUN), 2002 helath care Award as the best provider of best health services in Nigeria, Presidential Merit Award for technological Development by the Nigerian Society of Engineers, 2001 National Literacy award for outstanding contribution to mas literacy, Co-winner of 2002 Outstanding Alumnus award of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), 2001 Distinguished Alumnus Award by Chicago State University, Distinguished Service Award for Exemplary Leadership by the Lagos State Economic Summit Group, Certificate of Commendation by the national Conference of Black mayors, Silver Jubilee Anniversary Award as Labour Friendly Governor by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural gas Workers (NUPENG) and Award of Recognition by Nigerian Berge Limited for the initiation of the Independent Power project (IPP).
Tinubu was also conferred with a Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree by the Abia State University. He was honoured with chieftaincy titles by some communities. Apart from being the Asiwaju of Lagos, a title that was conferred on him by the late Oba Oyekan, Tinubu is also the Akinrogun of Lagos, Agba-Akin of Ikorodu,
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