{"id":463994,"date":"2011-07-19T11:26:59","date_gmt":"2011-07-19T11:26:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/07\/19\/85-years-on-nostalgic-reflections-from-a-political-son\/"},"modified":"2011-07-19T11:26:59","modified_gmt":"2011-07-19T11:26:59","slug":"85-years-on-nostalgic-reflections-from-a-political-son","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/07\/19\/85-years-on-nostalgic-reflections-from-a-political-son\/","title":{"rendered":"85 Years On – Nostalgic Reflections From a Political Son"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Daily Independent<\/a> (Lagos)<\/p>\n

Sina Ogunbambo<\/p>\n

17 July 2011<\/p>\n

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opinion<\/p>\n

However through maturity, deft political calculation, wisdom and regular caucus meetings, Sir Otedola wriggled out of any controversy with the legislature.<\/p>\n

In fact, his cabinet members were made of NRC and SDP and there was no factionalisation or oppression of the opposition party through the nearly two years of his administration before late General Sani Abacha hijacked power from the democratically elected people in November, 1993.<\/p>\n

Within this short period, Sir Otedola was able to commence Jubilee Housing Scheme for mass housing of Lagosians and Jubilee Transport to ease transportation difficulties.<\/p>\n

Though his administration was the first to feel the impact of movement of the Federal Government from Lagos to Abuja as capital, Sir Otedola’s constant communication with the Police, Army, SSS and other Security agencies prevented to a large extent the incidence of crime.<\/p>\n

But the fact that a ‘pampered’ Lagos State no longer enjoys the financial support which the Federal Government has been expounding to ensure good road infrastructure in the state, made the roads (especially federal roads) to suffer decay.<\/p>\n

However, Sir Otedola rose to the challenge and mandated Lagos State Public Works to embark on road rehabilitation during the day and night.<\/p>\n

Critics of Sir Otedola opined that he was slow and could not move Lagos at a very fast tempo expected of him.<\/p>\n

Sir Otedola did not take their criticism in bad faith, remarking that he has to exercise prudence in the way government fund is being spent, which necessitated a careful scrutiny of memo and prayers before approval, tend to make his red ink not to flow as fast as it should.<\/p>\n

However, when he has finally got a very good grinding in government and was moving at the jet speed required of him, the military struck.<\/p>\n

Technocrats, who were sent to Germany for training in a scientific approach to housing where thousands of housing units could be achieved in a record time and reasonably affordable prices, just came back from training for execution before the military intervention.<\/p>\n

If there is one Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of Sir Otedola, it was to ensure that he was not a kobo richer when leaving the government and he followed this principle religiously.<\/p>\n

When there was protest in Lagos State, organized by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to protest the annulment of the June 12, 1992 Presidential election, the military authorities asked him to call the people to order.<\/p>\n

Sir Otedola told them that he employed dialogue with them and he has counseled them on the need to avoid violence but cannot fold their hands if they are fighting injustice.<\/p>\n

To him, his exalted position as Governor of Lagos State meant nothing to him than the interest of his people and the need to ensure justice.<\/p>\n

A few days before the military took over, Sir Otedola, myself and a then Director in the Ministry of Environment were having a three day stay in London, before proceeding to Shanghai in China for an international conference on Aquapolisis.<\/p>\n

A day to our departure, Baba Otedola asked me and the Director to proceed to Shanghai to represent him at the conference, joking that London is closer to Lagos than China in case anything happens.<\/p>\n

Three days later we heard on CNN that the military had taken over.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, we just ended the conference and were to proceed back to London to join Sir Otedola on his two weeks holiday and brief him on the conference.<\/p>\n

On our arrival, we learnt that Sir Otedola has gone back to Lagos so as to hand over to the military. We had to rush back to Lagos to join him.<\/p>\n

When he was handing over to General Patrick Aziza (rtd), the then acting Military Administrator, Sir Otedola remarked that though he is saddened by the military takeover of government from the democratically elected people, he has no regret as he has fulfilled his promise to serve the people with all honesty.<\/p>\n

His decision to return to Lagos without any fear of what might happen to him showed a great attribute of bravery and a proof of the fact that he has no skeleton in his cupboard.<\/p>\n

When he returned to his hometown, Odoragusin, his spacious compound and modest house which had no major transformation than ordinary re-painting, could not contain the overwhelming crowd that held a carnival to receive him.<\/p>\n

His people rejoiced that he has come back alive with his integrity.<\/p>\n

The rousing reception accorded him was not unexpected as he was a man of the people who fully identify with the ordinary people.<\/p>\n

An evidence of this was displayed on the first Eid-El-Kabir (Sallah) celebration on his assumption of office as Lagos State Governor. He joined his fellow Muslim brothers and sisters at Odoragusin near Epe, on the praying ground and observed all the rules involved in praying.<\/p>\n

When the Catholic authority challenged him over this act, he replied them that he was born a Muslim, before converting to Christianity and even as a Christian, he has never failed to pray along with his people, Christians and Muslims alike as he believed we all serve one God and should demonstrate tolerance in religion.<\/p>\n

Sir Otedola has also done a lot in rural development providing good roads, drainages, potable water, hospitals and electricity for the people of Lagos State.<\/p>\n

He convinced the military to handover their underutilized barracks at Epe to Lagos State Government for the takeoff of Lagos State University (LASU) Engineering and Agricultural Campus and constructed the Festac Link Bridge alongside other projects.<\/p>\n

His wife, Lady Doja Otedola had through the Better Life for Rural Dwellers trained and empowered women in several trade and agriculture.<\/p>\n

A father of successful children and several grand-children, Sir Otedola, though no longer active in partisan politics, has not forgotten to relate with his political associates, monitoring their progress.<\/p>\n

One of his sons, Mr. Femi Otedola, a chip of the old bloc and one of the most successful and philanthropic Africans, has taken over his father’s scholarship scheme for indigent students and enlarged further the list of beneficiaries.<\/p>\n

I consider myself lucky to have come across this accomplished statesman, who till today remains humble, caring, generous in assisting people but prudent in his spending<\/p>\n

I join millions of his admirers worldwide in wishing Sir Michael Otedola who clocks 85 on Saturday, July 16, 2011 a happy birthday and many happy returns.<\/p>\n

Heroes like Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola, are worthy of being celebrated while alive and when also they are no more.<\/p>\n

Kudos to former Military Administrator of Lagos State Brigadier General, Mohamed Buba Marwa, who completed the Jubilee Housing Scheme and renamed it as Sir Michael Otedola Housing Estate.<\/p>\n

Other succeeding Lagos State Governors who have honoured Sir Otedola also deserve a pat on the back.<\/p>\n

Sina Ogunbambo, CEO, Damo Solid Concepts was Otedola’s Chief Press Secretary in Lagos State.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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Read More:
\n85 Years On – Nostalgic Reflections From a Political Son<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Daily Independent (Lagos) Sina Ogunbambo 17 July 2011 opinion However through maturity, deft political calculation, wisdom and regular caucus meetings, Sir Otedola wriggled out of any controversy with the legislature. In fact, his cabinet members were made of NRC and SDP and there was no factionalisation or oppression of the opposition party through the nearly two years of his administration before late General Sani Abacha hijacked power from the democratically elected people in November, 1993<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-463994","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n85 Years On - Nostalgic Reflections From a Political Son - Ghanamma.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/07\/19\/85-years-on-nostalgic-reflections-from-a-political-son\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"85 Years On - Nostalgic Reflections From a Political Son - Ghanamma.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Daily Independent (Lagos) Sina Ogunbambo 17 July 2011 opinion However through maturity, deft political calculation, wisdom and regular caucus meetings, Sir Otedola wriggled out of any controversy with the legislature. 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