Turning 60 is a major life event. The celebrator can choose a lavish or religious celebration. Obama turned 60 in August 2021. The world was still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, its lockdowns, and social distancing. Obama, a reserved person, believed he could only turn 60 once.
Obama had a blast with his celebrity guests, including Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Spielberg, George Clooney, and Erykah Badu, despite the hoopla surrounding his 60th birthday party, which required a “scaled back” guest list. Covid-19 is gone.
The latest sexagenarian, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), the former Minister of Works and Housing, is unlikely to host a party. Fashola turned 60 Wednesday, June 28. However, he doesn’t like birthday parties.
When he turned 50, aides and associates threw a spectacular party. When he heard, he cancelled. In a dated interview, he explained, “By nature, I am not a ceremonious person. Partying and noise bother me. I declined my 50th birthday plans after seeing them. Those who love me should let me do what I want on my day. My aides know how I feel about this 50th birthday celebration. I asked if governors in other countries celebrate their birthdays loudly. I can host guests cheaply if I do it myself. I spent a lot on my 40th birthday as Chief of Staff. I’m not sure I can anymore.
Governorship will cost me more. Parties cost too much for me. I don’t like having a birthday at taxpayers’ expense, even if it’s only for 24 hours. I’ll spend a quiet day with close friends and family.”
Vintage Fashola! He is a Nigerian political outlier. Indeed, it seemed like yesterday that a suave and smooth-talking 43-year-old lawyer and then Chief of Staff to former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu entered public consciousness aspiring to succeed his boss as governor of Nigeria’s most important state. He was unknown in state politics until then. How could Tinubu support a little-known lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, over more powerful politicians? Many wondered. Tinubu resisted. He foresaw the University of Benin Law graduate’s potential. In 2007, Lagosians overwhelmingly voted for Fashola. The world would soon see Fashola as Tinubu did.
Fashola would govern differently. Fashola was a breath of fresh air—young, measured, and mild-mannered—with unnerving self-confidence and unmatched oratory skills. He was careful but bold as governor. Fashola bravely revitalised Lagos.
His cleansing of Oshodi, a filthy underworld of all human crimes, is nostalgic. The epicentre of avoidable traffic jams. Oshodi was a marvel after Fashola removed its toga, with orderly traffic. That and other early achievements were enough to show Lagosians that his administration would be different.
Fashola became a top administrator during his hectic, rewarding tenure as Lagos State governor. He also became one of those rare people who rule their world, are not bound by time, and see failure as a launch pad to success. Setbacks make them bootstrap.
Their fortitude in adversity is inspiring. In 2014, Fashola handled Ebola. Fashola should always be considered, even when the odds are against him. He is like a phoenix that overcomes adversity to succeed. He reaches for the moon because he believes a man’s reach should always exceed his grasp. If he misses, he may land on the stars.
Fashola kept his head high through the difficult times of enlightening people about why certain policies or decisions had to be taken, such as banning Okada on major highways to reduce Lagos road accidents despite the loss of jobs, banning roadside trading, and the labyrinthine tax system.
He turned Lagos around, re-engineered its economy, making it one of the fastest-growing continents; fought the 2014 Ebola pandemic like a Trojan; comforted people during adversities; built affordable homes and new roads where there were none.
He believed governance should benefit all, not just a few. Thus, when the All Progressives Congress, APC, took power in 2014, Fashola unwittingly became its face. His star power helped the APC win the 2015 presidential and governorship elections.
Fashola became a Super Minister when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Minister of Power, Works, and Housing. Four years later, President Buhari reappointed him as Minister of Works and Housing, demonstrating his unwavering confidence in him. He left indelible achievement marks in all these illustrious positions, setting the bar for future occupants. A majority of Nigerians believe that former President Buhari revamped national infrastructure more than any other administration. Fashola oversaw that ministry!
After 20 years in public office, Fashola is one of Nigeria’s most beloved politicians. His 60th birthday touches some of us who saw him work at close quarters in those early, tentative days, how he overcame some of the debilitating challenges that faced an emerging mega city like Lagos, how he showed concern and compassion for everyday Lagosians, and how he set Lagos on the path of progress and prosperity.
Despite his punishing schedule, we saw a dedicated and hands-on family man. As his “aburos,” we gained much from his wisdom and encouragement, making him a role model, leader, mentor, and friend for many of us. I’ll always be grateful to him for guiding me through life’s many challenges and helping Lagos Indicator become a true feedback mechanism for his administration.
The former Lagos State governor deserves all the praise he receives, whether he hosts or attends a party. The global outpouring of well-wishes shows that he has impacted mankind in his various political offices and would do more if given the chance!
Skippo, on behalf of the Lagos Indicator Team, I wish you good health, happiness, and many more years of outstanding achievements in our nation’s affairs.
Olatunji Oke publishes Lagos Indicator.
