Sanwoolu's Lagos: REACTING or GOVERNING 2 Concluding Part
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I am Babatunde, born, bred and brought up in Mushin. Just
one person do always call me Algebra. I am a bonafide and loyal member of APC
and a patriotic citizen of Nigeria. 08038193742, babsozone@gmail.com, SANWOOLU’s LAGOS:
REACTING or GOVERNING
Concluding part.
My deceased Mum, use to tell me this Yoruba Proverb; “Ori
bibe ko ni Oogun Ori fifo, koda to baje Ori tuulu” (Beheading is not the
Medicine for Headache laden Head even if it is Migraine). Migraine is the worst
kind of headache that anyone will ever pray for not for enemy too. Migraine was
added to indicate worst case scenario in this write up.
Just recently, Governor Sanwoolu announced Ban on Okada
riders in more Local Governments and their LCDAs, virtually all now. I want to
believe that there’s very good reason for his Excellence’s decision, I know it
is for the protection of the Lagos and Lagos Residents and it is to help
strengthen our security architecture.
Fine! As a Governor, you have the constitutional right to do so but if I
were you I won’t make that call. Because that call came from FEAR of UNKNOWN,
another reaction to FEAR! Just that! FEAR!
If the whole world ask you why proscription of Okadas,
you’ll have your reasons; Lack of Identity of Okada Riders, Bridge of Traffic
Law by Okada Riders, Influx of Northerners and Southerners into the state using
Okada as their mean of livelihood, Porous in our Security System, Fulani
Herdsman in Rampage, Boko Haram Terrorist, Kidnapping and so on and so forth,
all boils down to Security of the State. But come to think of it, I believe
Lagos State has every resources to combat all these security challenges poised
without banning of Okada Riders, measures could also be established to, not
only control but check every excesses. Agreed many may not be satisfy with my
propositions, I am of opinion that nothing good comes easy unless with some
effort, my propositions is achievable.
I want to digress a bit, Mr. Governor have advisers,
Commissioners, PAs what role(s) do they
play by at this unimaginable decision. What analysis do they give to arrive at
such conclusion of banning Okada Riders? It is necessary because that’s why
they were included in the taxpayers payroll and not as celebrity in the office at Alausa
walahi! Their input is not only vital but also necessary, it is incumbent on
them because all of them, I mean all, including Mr. Governor, have been in the
same scenario. Scenario, as in call on a bike man, negotiate the price as to
the destination, climb the bike, the bike man move to their destination and on
alight from the bike, the bike man was paid. If only once in their life as a
Lagosian, we can’t take that away. So what was their contribution? You’ll agree
with me that we lose value in Africa once we attain the position of Power.
Unfortunately, at the upgrade of our Personalities is when we should uphold our
Value. What an IRONY!
The security challenges poised by Okada riders may not be
limited to those I mentioned, there may be more but to my understanding, I still believed that it can be surmount. Let us
go round briefly some measure to mitigate our challenges now.
Identity Problem:
Influx of people into Lagos is not today, not a decade ago far more in ages,
Lagos is known as Land of opportunity, every one coming to Lagos should be
identify with who they are planning to stay with, even if it will involve their
tribe elder in Lagos, Igwe or Obis in different Area, Serkis of hausa must be
identified with all their kinsmen. Mosques or Churches are other avenue for
identity. They are to be identified with the work they want to do be doing.
Most Ibos use to come for Apprentice, has to be identified with their boss, If
Hausas, with their Mallams etc. Enforcing this will help Governor Fashola’s
LASRRA registration to be effective. In Okada riding case, they have
association, parks etc. their Excos will do the job even with LASRRA
registration. In fact, I see influx of people into Lagos as advantage in
economic sense if only we can harness that opportunity.
Crime: I believe
to some extent, few brawl of crime is everywhere, Lagos not an exception. In
fact, Lagos as National Economic hub of the Nation, will experience more crime
rate like New York City in USA. That is
the responsibility that comes with being Governor of Lagos State. Regardless of
who affect who, safety is the Responsibility for all, Police, LNSC, Task Force,
all of us. There must be reason(s) for crime activities, Fighting, Killing,
Robbing or anything crime. So no define solution to such activities, only
records, facts and information on environment where such activities do occur
regularly can help finding the cause and
possible solution to such societal menace. Law enforcement agency will do their
work with Governors support. I think such a situation is what gave birth to OP
MESA during Governor Fashola Administration. Please, what operation has Mr
Sanwoolu employed on Okada Riders menace before their outright proscription,
even if it is failed one?
Accident Rate: Around
mid-August 2022, I read about announcement by Commissioner for Transport,,Dr.
Fredrick Olasehinde, the extension of Okada proscription to another 5 local
government and their LCDAs. My thought was these people has plan for outright
ban but taking time in implementation to ease out of Okada Rider in Lagos. I was damned right! According to him, “He
mentioned Accident rate caused by Okada riders is reducing by 63.7% in the their previous phase. As quoted “…and having critically access
these resolution and the challenges of Okada operation on the Security
Architecture of the state, recommended to Mr. Governor not to go back on the
already laid down phase ban in a bid to sustain the gains…”. What they pose as
solution to help millions of affected Riders and other Business under Okada
Business is according to him “…urged them to embrace the intervention
programmes which are being coordinated by six Government ministries and also
Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF)”.
He mentioned very important point which catch my interest, He said “…
Okada riding remained alien to the State’s integrated transportation master
plan”. This is 18th of August, 2022.
My response to Mr.
Commissioner is this, on your Recommendations Sir: I want to believe your
statistics for arriving at 63.7% was right, otherwise I would have ask for
details. But Please sir, what was the Okada
Accident rate in Lagos State during President Obasanjo’s Administration,
that’s the era of Okada Business growth in Lagos. That was when full down
importation of Motorcycle into the country and the birth of another means of
public movement, a new source of livelihood boomed. Can you relate then the
rate of Okada riders accidents? It was huge, enormous and unthinkable. People
dies, bone fractured, Orthopaedic Hospital Gbobi was filled and many adversity
follows but along the line, as the experience in riding comes by and some input
by Goverment, it naturally reduce, to faint inevitable, Yes! Compare to what
happened then, we are in era of FAINT INEVITABLE now, as far as Okada Accident
rate is concerned. So, if your statistical reduction is as bogus as 63.7% now,
considering the span of 20 years of Okada riding in Lagos then Federal
Government would have stopped Okada importation before now.
My point is claiming
an Accident rate as a reason for proscription of Okada was an alibi to your
recommendations. This is inevitable we can’t run away from, with proper
measure, regulations and restrictions it can be reduced to the barest minimum. In
addition to that, the solution you poise for the directly affected people not
only all is impossible but also a mirage. If you know the number of people that
are benefitting from that mode of Transport alone you won’t suggest a platform
like Bursary for Lagos indigenes. Can LSETF bankroll all Okada riders in Lagos,
if yes, on what stable and readily available businesses, what period can you
estimated as Gestation Period and who is going to be responsible for feeding
and up-keeping during the Gestation period? Sir, if Plane do crashes with no single soul that is sure to survive,
the airport will open for businesses the next day…
Your point that catches my interest is about “alien”, I love the use of that
word. I believe for something to be
alien in a place, then there must have been an existing world. Please Sir,
where is the existing world, where is the Master Plan, the Metro, The Light
Train, where please? Why can’t we just face the reality and shun the illusion, we
have to try and be Here, Here and now and not futuristic Master plan. Have you
experience how long people que at bus-stops waiting for full seated and
standing BRT buses, especially at mid bus-stops (Obanikoro, Ojota, Onipanu,
Barrack etc) between two ends at the peak hours? Have you experience such daily
trauma? It is excruciating experience! Remember Sir, those on the que are all
Human being like all of you. That’s where morality in Governance comes in, when
you see yourself in a position you put others, doing right thing will naturally
flow (For those with conscience though).
With all BRT buses, Small buses (Korope), Danfos, White
Molues (enroute; Ketu, Ojota Mile 12 Ikooodu oo) and all Okada join, can you agree with me that the Transport business in Lagos is still high demand? If you do not agree, why
exploring Inland Water Ways? Why is our Railway Trains filled to the extent
that people sit on the roof of the train every mornings and evenings? Those
people are Human Beings. Hmmmm… The more we human are expanding in population (which is
positive thing for me) the more we will explore to serve as means of surviving,
that’s why we got brain, to ease our burden in a legitimate way and the Government should help masses and not
compounding it. Haba!
My last Question sir,
who do you think will climb Okada, when a furnished, cold and well-spaced metro
system is arriving as scheduled? The
truth is, all excuses or facts(it depends), that help you facilitate your
decision and support proscription of Okada cannot I mean CANNOT outweigh the
suffering you guys impose of Masses, including Children, aged and physically
Challenged who resides in Lagos.
Boko Haram and All
Terrorist act: I don’t pray for such act in Lagos and I never rule out the
act happening in Lagos either. But if this is the reason for banning Okada
riders in Lagos, I think it’s a mistake. If they advise Mr. Governor that
banning Okada rider as been proactive, I say it again it is wrong. It comes
from REACTION to FEAR rather than been Proactive. The reason is simple,
Terrorist act in Lagos for now is an assumption, not happening yet. How can you
let Assumption denies some people’s lifeline, what if nothing like that
happening, many families would have gone impoverish, economic activities would
have crumble and life will have been
indirectly lost due to Okada proscription. How can you justified that, letting
future fear determine the fate of the present masses. I may not know what the
legal implication of such decision is
but I do know arguably it is morally bankrupts. If we can set our course well,
if we can put things right I think preparing for such an act is not far fetch.
One, we can’t die before death itself shows up (A le ku de iku). Secondly, we
can’t be smarter than someone monitoring us (A o le mon araso bi eni to so ni)
I think there’s good reasons for these proverbs from our Elders, things like
that has happened, hence such proverbs. Kindly remember, United State of
America was hit in multiple attack by world known Terrorist group in September
11, 2001. Does the attack break US? Does that mean American Government Security
System was a joke? The answer to both questions is No! It makes America People
Stronger and their security is not a joke, just that second proverb here is at
play.
We can have a morality check, let us change the table. Let
us mask the Governor ,the Cabinets and others, we pretend as if they are with
us as Masses, which they once were. A family member of anyone of them need to
urgent medical attention, this time around, think of the Hospital in a street
like Folarin Street, think of the fact that no Car for transport or fund for
Uber,No Ambulance in place think of the person as elderly as 60year old woman living
in a place like Alasalatu street. You decision to ban Okada rider will
determine the fate of such woman who is family member of any of you. Just an analogy…..smile. In reality many
people have met their death in a situation like the analogy above.
Dear Mr. Governor, among those who voted APC in 2019 are Men
and Women with Ailment like High Blood Pressure or Asthma, whose your decision
to ban Okada has been projected to them, a fear emotion, which worsen their
ailments, the Aged women and men whose Okada has been their cheapest form of Transport,
middle class Men and Women who has kids that goes to school with Okada, Market
men and women, even People with Disabilities use this mode of Transport as means
of Movement. Those who invested in Okada as Business, they want profit, Okada
Mechanic, Petrol Stations, Part Sellers, Oil Sellers etc these group of people
will not be happy, there’s sorrow in the society for that singular decision.
Lastly, did you know, the estimated number of People making
their daily means through Okada riding? These
people have faces and families that depend on them. Think of the Education of
their Children, to feed their wife and medical care etc. I can’t imagine what
population of people you are affecting by banning Okada and you know what, you
forgot this group of people has the highest vote during any ELECTION.
On the Transport fare inflation, result from banning Okada,
just on Sunday, September 4th 2022, Cele bus-stop Along Mile 2 to
Iyana Ejigbo was N500, I still can’t fathom how we are going to reconcile that
fact. Can you all work through the consequence of
that decision and its effect on next coming Election?
As for me, this is a Decision made out of Fear, Reacting to
Fear instead of Preparing to have a stand in front of the FEAR itself. Reacting
to Fear is a Weakness, my mission here is to put us back to on the path of
Strength and Confidence. I believe we can survive any adversity as a state, we
have pass through worse in Business melt down, Ethnicity war and Protest in
Lagos, Federal Government intimidations and every time we come back better due
to the kind of Moral Leadership we have then, the kind of Leader that swallow
their FEAR just to protect the masses. That is what make us what we are today,
our peculiarity, what makes Lagos, Lagos.
I think it would not be fair to see just negative in
Sanwoolu’s Lagos alone, in the last
three years, there are positive input too. Like Addressing Traffic along Lekki-Epe
Road, Agege’s Pen Cinema Bridge, Quick response to desilting of our drainage
path, Agege Motor Road Rehabilitation etc and many good administrative inputs
but I insist, all came out from REACTING to External Influence and not as a
Principled administrator.
Let me share a bit about our peculiarity as human because if
we fail to recognise our uniqueness, there can’t be confident. I want us to
know that Lagos is Special, so are
Lagosian and Residents. One thing we have to understand in general sense is
that, Lagos cannot be like any other place, I don’t expect Lagos to be New York
or New Delhi today. Lagos is a whole Nigeria in a state of Nigeria. As major
economic hub of the country, we should expect influx of all tribes and
hardworking Nigerians, as we do expect foreign investors. Be it a Yaro from
Kano or omo Ibo from Enugu or our own Billionaire Dangote all are flowing in,
seeking the same purpose, OPPORTUNITY.
Heads will roll for Dangote in Lagos to achieve is business idea but Okada
people can be banned. Why? Though Lagos
is in southwestern state, if other tribes are flowing in, my take is, that
strengthen us, it make us special. Expecting Lagos to be like London of
overnight is like expecting Lizard to behave and live inside pond/lake like a
crocodile at least both has a scaling body and structure.
We can look at our peculiar grand, ranging from citizen’s
behaviour to design of our roads, houses and in fact inland water advantage.
All these make us special as a State. If Lagosian or residents of Lagos behaves/talk/respond
to things/dress, probably outside Lagos, people knows the difference. What made
us different is that we are exposed, we are confident and we are Bold. I use to
hear people say, If Lagos Sneezed, Nigeria will shake, let me add to it, Benin
Republic will shake. We are like USA of Nigeria, exposed, matured and grow. No
state can be compare to match that. I am proud of that!
The way our road was design and used can’t be compare with
Transport system design in Ohio or Alabama. These are well design road and
settlement that fulfilled a corresponding Transport system. We are not a curse,
we are human, and we are peculiar. So we live in our “Peculiarized” way just to
have benefit and gift of living. Due to a different Topography, the way they
build houses in Istanbul is different from the way we build in Lagos and you
know what? The Turkish are proud of it!
I believe roads are meant for easy Transport, otherwise
there won’t be path to trend. There are Primary Roads, Secondary Roads and
Tertiary Roads. If Lagos Government have Buses, Cars, Tricycles Danfos on
Primary and Secondary roads, what of those of who have their daily activities
spread across Tertiary Roads that just through Okada is their only means of
cheap transport.
What I want you all to know is that, eventually Okada Era
will still fade out, why are we competing with wheel of time? There was a time
without Motorcycle, Okada (As business) or Tricycle on our roads, as the
population expand, Nigerians sort out a
way of surviving and with time it will fade out when some form of Transport
would have been in place and more job would have been created through that. It
is natural law and we have to trust the process. We have to understand the
principle of ERA, we can’t jump it otherwise we prepare for catastrophic
environment.
This is the time we have, we are now and now is us. Let us
manage what we have as human, if Okada riding is a means of Transport in some
part of Lagos, so be it. What’s the big deal, why the Ego? People do not
complain, we all understand the risk part of life, why the fuse? Allow those
who find it convenient and cheap to ride on Okada and allow those that are
making direct income for themselves and family to earn their living, at least
for now. Both or all are contributing to the GDP of the state and Nigeria as a
whole.
It is good to understand our behavioural way, our lifestyle and
work along with what we have to have peaceful live rather imposing some certain
type of life that all might not be able to live with. Kindly know that, there’s
consequence to every decision made and we should prepare to face it.
I am Proud to be
Lagosian, Mushine and I want Okada rider to be restored.
My Advice, to Mr. Sanwoolu is just simple, kindly own up and
step on your power and start Governance and let the masses see that what they
entrusted you with, their most precious power, their vote, is justified.
Listening to this advice might be a catalyst of returning you back to that Top
sit of Lagos State, otherwise, you might forfeit APC long hard work to the
opposition. Because people will start asking questions…
We cannot help ourselves without helping others
We cannot enrich our lives without Enriching others
We cannot prosper without bringing prosperity to others
Nanette Cole, Spellman College
This goes to the PAs, SAs and other cabinet member, kindly
do the job by doing the right thing. We all know the right thing to do, right
advice and most especially an advice that will be from the heart and not from
the head. Let us face reality and consider where we are coming from… To me is
like Lagos Government pretend to support Illegal business and ban legal one
that provide food for millions of families. Don’t let us open the can of worm
on this…
Resolve to be Tender with the young, Compassionate with the aged,
sympathetic with the striving, tolerant of the weak and wrong. Because some
time in our lives we would have been all of these ourselves.
Lloyd Shearer, 1986
For us, the affected Lagos masses, regardless of Gender, Age
or Ethnicity, please be patient, I know due to recent events of Proscription of
Okada, it is like time of uncertainty and that live with us more humanly
question than answers, I believe we would be put back to the path of strength
and confidence very soon. I do believe also that we can survive this period
till when our Government will resolve to restore back our mean of livelihood,
our conveniences and our peculiarity! But we can strat asking questions?
To err is human. Failure due to inexperience, to experiment that didn’t
work, to possible unintentional or intentional wrong choices due to the four
characteristics of our age-Uncertainty, Complexity, Adversity or Novelty is
FORGIVEN.
Babatunde Kolawole 2022
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