Human right activists and pro-democracy enthusiasts numbering over 70 under the umbrella of the Campaign for Dignity in Governance (CDG), have rolled out drums and trumpets to celebrate former Governor of Lagos State and current Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), on Sunday June 12, 2022.
Leader, Convener and National President of the coalition, Comrade Razaq Olokoba in a telephone chat with our correspondent in Lagos said, “Fashola’s performance in office both as governor and minister has given meaningful interpretation to democracy with his performance and achievement that have guaranteed dividends of democracy to the generality of Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country.”
According to the youthful youth leader, the way the gangling Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is handling the infrastructure issue vis a vis its development appears as if his life solely depends on it, “hence we give him the a befitting name, Mr Infrastructure, reminding that, no nation in the world progresses without standard infrastructure, the feat Fashola is performing in the country with the ease with which fish swims in the water.
The renowned public affairs commentator informed that, “our Mr Infrastructure is so engrossed in the duty his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari assigned him to do with vigour and full concentration without any room for distraction,” submitting that, “no wonder he has become the cynosure of all eyes across the country.”
Speaking further on the phone, the Ilorin, Kwara State born political observer of global repute, reminded that, having realised the priority Mr President gives to the infrastructure development, Fashola reasons that, it would be a disservice to the man (Buhari), who reposes much confidence in him (Fashola), by being found wanting, adding that, “in the same vein, it would also be a graet disservice on our part as monitors of goings on in the government in accordance with the meaning of our name, Campaign for Dignity in Governance (CDG).”
Olokoba, who said activism is not only about criticism and condemnation stressed the need to also commend those who do well in their own areas of operation with a view to encourage them to do more, asserting that, “though, criticism is part of democracy, it should however be constructive and corrective and not intended to bring down operators down unjustly.”
The get-together to celebrate Fashola, Olokoba disclosed was made a low key one without taking permission from anybody and any quarter so as to avoid unnecessary meaning into their activities, assuring that, “it is however our resolve to periodically celebrate our celebrities even without their knowledge because our members are working class who have second addresses and can comfortably fund such events.”
In conclusion, the Convener promised that, in due course, other Nigerian celebrities in other spheres of human endeavour living in the country or in the Diaspora would be singled out for recognition without minding their political leaning, religious affiliation, ethnic background or social status within the society.”
