Lagos of our dream with Gbadebo Patrick Rhodes-Vivour
By Tee Mac Omatshola
Dear fellow Nigerian.
I was born in Lagos in 1948! Except of the years between 1951-1970 when I studied in Switzerland, and all the months each year I toured with my bands, I lived in Lagos! Lagos was a vibrant, exiting place to live in and I always missed it when I was abroad. My hero is Governor Jakande, who developed Lagos in every aspect; from housing, schools, roads, hospitals. Lagos was a great place to live in.
When Tinubu came in as Governor we all had big hopes. I personally performed with my band free of charge at his and Fashola’s inauguration party. I met with him many times his earlier rule having known him very well as his in-Law. There was little development in his 8 years we can write about. Of course some roads were repaired manly in the area where he lived. Then came Fashola, his chief of staff and actual development came! Lagos was beautified, roads were build and housing estates were erected. He approved for my company (joint venture with “the Jacksons”) “the Motherland project the land in Badagry from “the point of no return to the lagoon.” To build a 5 star hotel and a new museum! “. I raises USD 1.2 billion with a Standard Chartered bank draft for the project and assigned 5% of the shareholdings to Lagos State. ( my dear cousin Ayuli Jemide, Details Solicitors did a marvelous job designing the agreement). The condition given to me by the investment consortium was that the Lagos Badagry road must be finished. They stated the existing roads were not acceptable for tourism to flourish. Governor Fashola promised the road to be completed within two years. (It’s overdue by about 12 or 14 years now)! Fashola’s second term was a disaster! No much development. Then came Ambode and to me, he was after Jakande the best Governor Lagos state had. We all know the reason why Tinubu did not renew his term. Then came the latest Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. By the way, he lived near me at my residence Bode Thomas Surulere in 1977 and as a 14 year old boy came constantly to my house to listen to my rehearsals. I supported him for his 2019 election because he promised me that he will support show business as a very important contributor to tourism.
Unfortunately his first tenure has been disappointment and Lagos became the world’s second worst city. Roads dilapidating; no water supplies to any parts; schools in a terrible state; crime rate at it’s highest level; the corruption in the civil service and the police on a level as never seen before. Unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic did not help, but again it was used as a way to misappropriate large amounts of money. We need a energetic, educated new Governor. Mr Gbadebo Patrick Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party represent that person. The couple of times I have met with him, he has impressed me. He has the class, education and personality to become an excellent Governor and turn Lagos around. I appeal to all to come out on the 11th of March in large numbers and elect him.
Thanks for taking out your time to read my write up.
Respectfully Dr Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli (MFR), member of the Peter OBi elders advisory board
