Press Releases

Fashola Calls For Greater Vigilance To Prevent Pipeline Explosion Disasters

Mar 11, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Wednesday called for greater vigilance and active participation from all to ensure security along coastal and riverine areas where pipelines run through.

The Governor who spoke at the closing ceremony of the 2009 Conference of Lagos Council of Obas and Chiefs held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja added that there is the need for the Royal Majesties to be more involved in various kingdoms and communities which the pipelines pass through.

While acknowledging the support of the traditional rulers for the present administration in the last 22 months, Governor Fashola said the improvements in the management of security all over the state which has improved in leaps and bounds would not have been possible

He added that now is the time for all Nigerians to allow respect for law, order and decent living to manifest because the nation has paid very dearly in needless loss of human lives whenever this pipeline explosions occur, saying: “If we set our mind to it, we can ensure that the incident becomes history in the state”.

The Governor acknowledged the support of the traditional rulers in tax compliance and advocacy, adding that the success already recorded in the growing up exercise which has transformed the state into a state of best practices on solid waste management and environmental sustainability would not have been possible without the traditional rulers.

The Governor also acknowledged the commitment shown by the traditional rulers to issues and developmental projects going on across the state, adding that he get reports of their visits to projects sites adding that it shows that electoral norms have taken firm root in the state.

Governor Fashola charged Nigerians not to discard the traditional indigenous belief, adding that as a people Nigerians are not inferior to any race, but have been affected by a long experience of colonialism which had subjugated our rights.

Said he: “Our culture is replete with strong values in institutions like marriages, child bearing, burials and are traits that no other culture can assail because they are time tested ones”.

“Irrespective of what some people might say about us, they don’t know us. They only see us in slides and films. Those who know us are those who have lived among us. They know we are very industrious people. I dare say we should not wait for anybody to tell us how we feel about ourselves”, he added.

Governor Fashola added: “Our state has come this far because of all of you who are the custodians of our rich culture. I am a very proud Yorubaman. We would ensure that in consultation with some of our Obas, all those features that distinguishes us as a people and symbolise our reputation as excellent people in the Federal Republic of Nigeria are pursued with vigour”.

Governor Fashola assured that the state Government would ensure that it provides within available resources for the needs of all traditional rulers in the state while asking for the patience of the rulers to make this realizable.

Speaking earlier in response to a question about the improved welfare for the Obas and Chiefs, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu implored all Obas to consider the interest and welfare of their subjects at all times before making personal demands.

He added that it should be the responsibility of the Obas in each community or division to engage entrepreneurs and people of means in such areas about how jobs could be provided for the youths of such areas which would be very beneficial to the whole society instead of making personal demands.

The two day conference was attended by members of the State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs drawn from the five divisions of the state and also featured lectures on tradition and religion, delivered by Professor Adisa Ogunfolahan who frowned at the total relegation of traditional religious beliefs to the background in favour of orthodox beliefs by traditional rulers who are supposed to be the custodians of culture and traditions and Mr Adekunle Alli who spoke on the role of traditional rulers and institutions as mirrors of the society.