Press Releases

Fashola Gets Martins Luther King Leadership Award

Jan 17, 2010 - It was a day of glory for the Lagos State Government and the residents of the Centre of Excellence on Sunday, 17th January as Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) was conferred with an Award of Excellence In Leadership by the Martins Luther King, Jnr Foundation as part of activities marking the 42nd anniversary of the assassination of the Civil Rights leader in Atlanta Georgia.

Out of the several people who were shortlisted from around the globe, the foundation ended up conferring award on only 3 people who were described as exemplary and outstanding leaders.

One of the three recipients, Dick Gregory was post humus honouree, and one of the contemporaries of late Martin Luther King Jnr, who had contributed immensely to the growth of Civil Rights Movement in the United States.

The second honouree was Congressman John Lewis, who is one of the longest serving members on the United States Congress and then Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN).

The occasion also witnessed the special celebration of Alfred Daniel King, the younger brother of Dr King, who took over the leadership of the Civil Rights Movement following the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King in 1968, who himself was killed in 1969 as well as the inauguration of the Alfred Daniel King Foundation.

Presenting the award, Mrs Barbara Naomi King, the surviving wife of the Civil Rights leader, described Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) as an example of how to be a leader in the contemporary world of ideas, issues and programmes and people in the face of new global challenges.

She congratulated the people of Lagos State for electing such a focused and determined person at a time the world was becoming conscious of the need for the emergence of serious leadership figures in different parts of Africa.

In his response, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, who received the award on behalf of the Governor expressed the gratitude of the Government and people of Lagos State for the award, promising that such recognition could only further energize the State Governor and members of his administration, and to further dedicate themselves to the service of the people in implementing people – oriented and progressively inclined programme and policies.

Bamidele further expressed the hope of Governor Fashola that members of the Civil Rights Movement in United State to emulate the philosophy and commitment of Rev. Martin Luther King Jnr, warning that the election of President Obama as the first black President should never be seen as a final triumph of the Civil Rights Movement but as just the beginning of the actualization of a broad based dream that would enhance good governance, racial equality and equitable national and foreign policy aimed at enhancing human progress and overall development.

Also responding on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian Consul – General in the United States, Hon Chudi Okafor thanked the Martin Luther King Foundation and the entire king family for the award conferred on the Lagos State Governor, describing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) as a source of pride to the entire Nigerian nation and assuring that the international community that the Federal Government would continue to work closely with the Lagos State Government to ensure that Lagos continue to excel in all ramification.

The award was well attended by dignitaries from around the world as well as members of the United State Congress and leaders of the United State Civil Rights Movement hosted by the Mayor of Atlanta.

There were also several representatives within the Nigeria community in the United State including the Eko Club International, the Egbe Omo Yoruba in United State and Canada, the Arewa Group, Igbo Community and Action Congress, United State chapter.