“Excuse me Ma, Lagos is duly present“
By Olalekan Adepoju Olagunju
The history of Lagos is copious, splendid and eventful. The State’s history can be traced through the centuries from a colonial trading outpost, to the first capital of an amalgamated Nigeria, to its enviable status currently as the commercial and financial/economic nerve centre of the nation.
Lagos State came to existence in the year 1967 owing to states creation by the Military Government headed by Retired General Yakubu Gowon. It had served as the nation (Nigeria) capital till until 1991, when the seat of federal government was moved to Abuja, in central Nigeria. Its maiden Military Governor was Retired Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, followed by, Commodore Adekunle Lawal and Commodore Ndubuisi Kanu and a string of other military personnel until October 1979.
A new down of democratic rule was bestowed on Nigeria in 1979 with the administration of Chief Lateef Kayode Jakande fondly called Baba Kekere. It is interesting to note that Lagos State has been fortunate to fall into the hands of visionary, courageous, committed and pragmatic leaders. The leadership race has been characterised by people delivering on their promises (manifestos) has exemplified in the Lagos State administration.
In the year 2012, during the administration of former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, while Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, now the Director General of World Trade Organisation (WTO), was serving as the Minister of Finance, she was billed to superintend and close an international exhibition Grand Finale in Lagos.
At the event, Lagos State demonstrated exemplariness in the exhibition tagged “Maker Faire Africa” held at the Blue Roof Events Centre of the Lagos State Television at Alausa, Ikeja. Lagos State Technical College, Agidingbi, made the nation proud with its display of an inverter locally produced and attested to be of international standard by United States of America – based programme coordinator, Mr. Emeka Okafor (TED Global). The device came with circuit diagram which lends credence to the creativity and innovative skills of the students. The organiser of the epoch making exhibition an illustrious son of Nigeria, African-American Mr. Emeka Okafor was highly impressed at the efforts Lagos State is making in order to train youths in the State through sound education and skills acquisition.
In Public-Private Partnerships, the state government is equally partnering Samsung, SLOT Systems Limited etc., in developing technical colleges in the state.
Other outstanding exhibitors were Lagos State Educational Resource Centre at Ojodu, designers and producers of Instructional Materials; FIRRO at Oshodi which came up with various fabricated agricultural machines such as cassava processor, nut crushers and baked cassava bread of which Dr. Okonjo-Iweala bought and tasted, even invited people to have a taste. Artisans too were not left out with various innovations and myriads of secondary schools and tertiary students displayed products and equipment; Doregos Private Academy exhibited electric generator that could be powered with urine among others.
Going by the development strides and exploits Lagos State is making in education among its THEMES Agenda that is, Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology for people in the state; education has been in the front burner.
As the country aspires to become a major player in the world economy, it is evident that a vital instrument needed for attaining such height is skilled manpower development and competent workforce. This is necessary for the effective implementation of national development projects and for attracting foreign investors. Current studies have shown that universities, polytechnics, technical/vocational colleges, educational institutions need to be largely coherent with industrial and socio-economic needs; and elimination of continuous neglect of technical/vocational education incompetence and undue emphasis on ‘paper qualification/certification’. This move will further accelerate scientific and technological breakthroughs in Nigeria and Africa.
Equally, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), through its skill acquisition programmes, provided at the Women Development Centre, as well as Vocational Centres across the state, has equally been empowering youths and adults alike to be self-employed and also be employers of labour, rather than seek non existing white collar jobs. Interestingly, Ogun State is currently emulating this initiative.
For Nigeria to really move ahead, the time has come for us to promote Nigeria and Africa made products and services. The recently upgraded educational institutions in Lagos State and Polytechnics and Universities should create synergy with right-minded stakeholders to promote African talents on a global spectrum.
Maker Fair Africa attracted people and participants from Nigeria and outside. Then as Lagos State official, I was directed to be actively involved in the coordination of the exhibition as a representative of the State. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala moving round the exhibition stands, she was highly impressed at the magnitude of the talents and innovativeness behind the various items and equipment on display. Perhaps owing to late arrival from Abuja and targeting retuning same day at the close of the exhibition or due to exigency of her duties, she was unable to tour all the stands; but was satisfied with the outcome of the fair. Here, she would have been acquainted with other efforts and waves Lagos State was making in education sector worthy of emulation by other climes or States. Alas, time was not friendly as it was getting dark.
In her response to questions from the media at the success of the exhibition and the need to promote and sustain local ingenuities in Lagos, Nigeria and Africa, she said “Lagos State is trying, but where is Lagos State now?Probably thought Lagos State was not represented or whatever. With due respect, allowed her to finish her comment, then I replied, saying “Excuse me Ma, Lagos State is duly present”. Agape, I said yes Ma. And that was the end of the story.
As a reminder, the aim of Maker Faire Africa was to create entrepreneurship as an avenue to showcase products and talents in Africa, such as Innoson Vehicles manufactured at Nnewi, in Anambra State, Nigeria and Katanka Automobile in Ghana among others; where Africa inventions, innovations and gadgets could be sought and patronised. Gladly Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been fortunate to be first woman and an African as the Director General of World Trade Organisation (WTO), it behooves on her to employ the virtue of her good office to exert on the thinking of African Leaders in order project Nigeria and Africa contents, innovations in technological advancement for the benefit of all. Let’s wish Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala God speed at WTO as she marks one year in the office on March 1st 2022.
Olalekan Olagunju writes from Crawford University.
