Fashola Advocates Hard Work, Integrity As Panacea To Rescue Nation’s Economy

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Friday advocated the virtues of hard work, perseverance, honesty and integrity as the panacea for the nation’s economic woes.

Governor Fashola, who spoke at the Oriental Hotel,Victoria lsland venue of a Book Presentation to mark the 20th anniversary of the call of Chief Wale Olanipekun to the Inner Bar, said there was no other road to economic success adding that Chief Olanipekun represents a living evidence of that assertion.

He told the distinguished audience consisting of governors, both serving and former, eminent jurists and professionals including Law students, “If anyone of you is still in doubt, if any one of you is still taken in by the argument that it does not pay to work hard, that there is a life of short cuts, if you still need evidence, Chief Olanipekun is evidence that straight and narrow path is the most rewarding path”.

The Governor, who said he knew Chief Olanipekun before he was called to the Inner Bar, described him as “a hard working and straight lawyer who kept the straight and narrow path of industry, hard work, perseverance, honesty and integrity,” adding that these virtues were currently in short supply.

Governor Fashola called on young and aspiring lawyers and other youths, whom he said represent “a critical factor and value that sadly is in short supply”, to imbibe the virtues of hard work and honesty in order to save both themselves and the nation from the pains of economic stagnation.

Congratulating Chief Olanipekun for his successes and valued contributions to the Law profession and the society at large, Governor Fashola said even though the celebrant is from Ekiti State , Lagos could as well claim him as hers because she provided the opportunity for him to attain the heights.

Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Ernest Shonekan called on Nigerian professionals and those in the private sector not to shy away from offering themselves for service to the country, saying it is only through that way that the nation’s economy could be rescued.

Extolling the virtues of Chief Olanipekun who, according to him offered himself for public service in 1991 under the administration of Bamidele Olumilua of Ondo State as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Shonekan declared: “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to worthy individuals and distinguished professionals not to shy away from offering themselves to serve our country. I believe strongly that people will always get the government they deserve. If these worthy individuals do not show interest in our country’s affairs, unworthy people will take over and we all will suffer.

“I appeal to you all to take interest in the affairs of our country by offering your services at all levels of public service. By so doing, you will be expanding the frontiers of our country’s successes.”

In his response, Chief Olanipekun thanked everyone who had honoured his invitation, especially the elder statesmen and jurists, saying he had been taught a lesson in humility by the occasion.

Olanipekun, who described Law as the profession recommended by God Almighty declared: “Without law and order, there will be chaos and anarchy. It is law that regulates all the activities of mankind.”

Present at the occasion were, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Mohammed Tambuwal, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and his Edo State counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an array of eminent jurists and members of the Bar and Bench, traditional rulers and other top government functionaries.