Fashola Tasks Public Officers On Documentation Roles

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Thursday urged Nigeria’s public officers to document their roles in the service of the country to serve as an inspiration for future generations of Nigerians.

Governor Fashola spoke at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, venue of the public presentation of MAMORA , Years of Legislative Activism, A Memoir of Senator Adeleke Olorunimbe Mamora, just as encomiums and praises were showered on Senator Mamora for his excellent performance in public service both at the state and national levels.

Addressing a highly distinguished audience consisting of the Senate President, Senator David Mark, state governors, both serving and former, members of the State and National Assemblies, political party leaders and captains of industry, Governor Fashola said such documentations would save Nigerians the embarrassment of looking up to Europe and other foreign leaders for such inspiration.

Governor Fashola declared, “I believe that many more public servants who are serving now or who have left should do more of this kind of work, to document their roles.

“Oftentimes, when we look for inspiration after Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was, perhaps, the most documented public officer in the history of this country, the next place we take flight to is Europe and to America to begin to quote the Churchills and the Abraham Lincolns.”

Commending Senator Mamora for “using the period of your birthday to enrich the public about your story and the high lessons and values that can be derived from it,” the Governor said, “I think that if more of us emulate you, there will be a rich store of knowledge for the next generation of Nigerians to know what the country has been through, to learn from what pitfalls we may have experienced and to prepare to avoid them.”

Noting that though Senator Mamora is a qualified medical doctor who had distinguished himself in public service, Governor Fashola further declared, “It reinforces the need for more of the first elevens of Nigeria to spare a time and thought for public service. A medical doctor has gone to a Legislative House to distinguish himself. That is the quality of men and women we expect to see in our public service. If more of this happens, certainly, the best of Nigeria, truly, is yet to come.”

The Governor praised Senator Mamora for his conduct in both public and private life as well as the leadership role he has played in the development of the country, expressing confidence that the distinguished Senator has more roles to play in future in the service of the country.

“Listening to the review of that book by Professor Yemi Osibajo evoked very deep memories in me about the calibre of representation that the Progressives had in the National Assembly during the Second Republic. As a student, I used to follow the activities of Senator Abraham Adesanya and Senator Jonathan Odebiyi in the National Assembly,” Governor Fashola said.

He recalled that from the time he was Chief of Staff to former Governor of the State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he had related with Senator Mamora officially and could attest to his character, his fidelity and courage, adding, “I do not speak of courage that knows no fear. I speak about courage that proceeds in spite of the fear, with very quiet dignity in pursuit of what is right.”

It was a day of encomiums for Senator Mamora as dignitary after dignitary including his former colleagues in the National Assembly, spoke glowingly of his attribute both as public officer and in private life.

Describing him as a man of history, Chairman of the occasion and Asoju Oba of Lagos, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas recalled the period when Senator Mamora was Speaker of the State House of Assembly, saying he enjoyed the vibrant debates that used to take place on the floor of the House which, according to him, “I visited on two occasions and I was happy with what I saw.

“Even while in the National Assembly, Senator Mamora was never outshone by anybody. The manner he presented himself, the manner he spoke, his comportment during debates, have made him an excellent man. I am proud of him and I am ready to answer to his call any time.”

Also present at the book launch and birthday anniversary of Senator Mamora were Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Bisi Akande, former governors Olusegun Osoba of Ogun and Chief Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti State, former Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, Senator Oluremi Tinubu representing Lagos Central, Senator Ganiyu Solomon representing Lagos West, the Minority leader in the House Of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and many former colleagues of the Senator while he was the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

MAMORA Years of Legislative Activism: A Memoir of Senator Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora was edited by Christopher Elomien and Sylva Emeka Okereke and published by Crossword Publishing in conjunction with the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).