In Pursuit of Reason
Writing in the book “The Pursuit of Reason” Ruth Dudley
Edwards opined that the great Englishman James Hunt “founded the Economist newspaper
in 1843 to campaign for free trade, laissez-faire and individual responsibility
through the medium of rational analysis applied to facts: its good fortune is
that both its principles and its methods remain relevant 150 years later.”
The Independent states that - this book is not
only a history of ideas as seen through the eyes of one paper; it is also an
account of a remarkable group of men, and a few women. Starting with James
Wilson, it included Herbert Spencer, Asquith, Arnold Toynbee, Geoffrey
Crowther, Barbara Ward Jackson, Isaac Deutscher and Kim Philby. It was truly a
pursuit of reason which gave birth to a very influential journal and newspaper
that shapes opinion of world leaders today. Great enterprises requires vision,
steadfast pursuit, dogged determination and an unwavering commitment to their
cause. History will always judge men with this kind of conviction as great men
who changed the course of a generation or profession.
Lagos State is reported to have the fourth largest GDP in
Africa. Originally a trading outpost on the fringe of the Oyo Empire, it has
since grown to become a bustling city of commerce and industry. The state
attracts people from all over Africa, with many seeking fortunes, good
education, jobs and other of a big metropolitan city. It has been and continues
to be home to people from all over the world. Governing the state requires
experienced and competent hands who can managed the resources available in a
prudent manner whilst delivering excellent value for money public services.
Since the seat of government was moved to Abuja in 1991,
Lagos has virtually been neglected by the Federal government. More often than
not the PDP Federal government abdicates its responsibilities to maintain
federal infrastructures in the state and this has sadly hinder the growth of
the state. The state has been governed by APC over the last sixteen years,
despite many serious challenges successive APC governments have risen to the
task of delivering the benefits of good governance to the people of the State.
If we examine the performance of the APC government to date,
they score very well in most categories despite the numerous constraints under
which they have had to operate. Some of these major developments includes;
- § Independent Power Plants to power all public service buildings
- § Lagos Light Rail System to provide mass transit transport services
- § Major road projects like the Mile 12 – Ikorodu and Badagry Expressways to alleviate the constant transport gridlock
- § The massive Idiyan water works project to deliver clean drinking water to the public
- § Lekki International Airport (in progress)
The Bola Tinubu administration laid the foundations that the
Fashola Administration has built upon in turning Lagos into a state of
excellence. Between these two administrations, several brilliant and selfless
Nigerians like Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Wale Edun, Ben Akabueze, Rauf Aregbesola and
Muiz Banire have contributed immensely to building the structure of the
development we are seeing in Lagos. In many more years to come, these structure
will continue grow and propel Lagos into one of the leading cities in the
Twenty First Century.
In light of all these remarkable achievements, the reasonable
thing to do on Saturday is to vote for APC so that we can have a government
that will continue this trend of positive progress whilst taking the state to
the next level. Lagos is the major commercial centre of Nigeria, surely we
cannot experiment with such an important place. We need tried and tested hands,
a party with vision and track record for performing NOT people with vague
promises and smooth nothings.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the late American President in that
great speech that kicked off the American quest to put man on the moon in 1963
declared that “we do the things we do not because they are easy but because they are
difficult”. APC has tackled difficult issues and embarked on difficult
paths in Lagos State, striving to uphold the law at every opportunity despite
executive intimidation from the PDP Federal government. Starved of funds by the
PDP federal government, the State embarked on an Internally Generated Revenue
(IGR) project that has become a model for many states and countries in Africa.
This is the time to align Lagos State with the Federal
Government. We have a unique opportunity to have a harmonious relationship,
pursue synchronised policies and drive an agenda of unusual co-operation. This
puts Lagos in a special position to achieve the special status that it deserves
not another era of opposition. Reason must prevail and mediocrity must be
banished, our conscience must be clear that we are rewarding excellent
performance. Let’s keep Lagos working while we take it to the next level.
Please vote APC during the State elections on Saturday.
Vote Akinwunmi Ambode for Governor.
Toibudeen Oduniyi FBCS CITP
muyiwa@oduniyi.com
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