Thank you, Lagos!

IN January 1969, during the early days of the Government of Lagos State, I took up my first job in life as a Third Class Clerk in the Office of the Military Governor Mobolaji Johnson.

Chief Adeyemi-Bero was the Principal Secretary to the Military Governor, and a certain Ayo was the Executive Officer. An elderly man from East Central State was the Chief Clerk – and my direct boss.

The new state had its own Coat-of-Arms, with the words “Eko Akete, Ile Ogbon.”

I travelled to the United States in June 1969 for my university education. On my return in 1976, uniformity had been stamped, in military fashion, on the 19 states at the time, and every state then adopted the national Coat-of-Arms.

This was understandable, because of the emphasis on unity, after the civil war.

In 1992, as a co-opted member of the Governing Council of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), we proposed the idea of having reflective vehicle number plates to enhance visibility.

The proposal was approved. Each state was asked to give a phrase describing its uniqueness. We received the submissions from the 21 States at the time and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. I spoke vehemently against Abia State’s submission of “God’s Own State”, but was over-ruled, as my colleagues “could not understand why Jacob took the issue so seriously.”

This appreciation of Lagos, however, draws on an event (way back in 1983) that made me realize the contribution of Lagos to Nigeria. The programme of Ethical “Re-orientation”, begun by the military government after the civil war, was being implemented by the Government of President Shehu Shagari.

The Ministry of Information was re-named Ministry of National Guidance, while under it, there were the Ministry for Youth and Sports, and the Ministry for Social Development and Culture. Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, returned from the United Nations and was appointed the Minister of National Guidance; Dr. Simi Johnson was selected, apolitically, as the Minister for Social Development and Culture.

She nominated me as her Special Assistant. After security clearance, I attended meetings every Thursday of the Federal Executive Council in Doddan Barracks.

In November 1983, the Minister of National Guidance was billed to pay a courtesy call on the Oba of Lagos, Adeyinka Oyekan. Dr. Johnson, as the Lagos State representative on the Council of Ministers, was to be in the delegation. Alhaji Sule called me to his office, and told me: “I want to say ‘Thank You, Lagos.’

“Years ago, I travelled all over this country, on the Committee for National Ethical Re-orientation. I discovered that all these statements about our differences were exaggerated because there were more things we had in common in every ethnic group. We should harp on these things that unite us.

As you move from one group to another, you will find that the people at the “boundary” speak both languages. Such borderline people are the essential links in the chain of national unity. And Lagos is the number one link.

“All over the world, there are, but few cities, which welcome non-indigenes without protesting when the visitors prosper. Lagos is one such city.

Lagos has been good to all Nigerians. We have come from every nook and corner of this great country. We have prospered. We have grown in wisdom and understanding.

The indigenes (the Nucleic Omo Eko) have welcomed all. In the colonial days, all those born in the Crown Colony of Lagos were granted citizenship of Lagos, by Law. Lagosians have rejoiced at the success and prosperity of non-indigenes. This is rare. Even I, from Kano, have a street named after me, in Ikoyi Lagos.

“I want to say, Thank You, Lagos; thank you Lagosians. And as we are building a new capital city in Abuja, I want to sound a note of warning. Let us take a cue from Lagos, and realize that roads and buildings alone do not make a city. Unless a city and its indigenous people embrace all who come from far and wide, and also rejoice at the success of non-indigenes, the city will not grow. Thank you Lagos Now, Mr. Akindele go and put it in speech form.”

As fate would have it, Dr. Johnson had to deliver that speech because Alhaji Sule was summoned, at the last minute, to see the President. After the military take-over of government on the eve of January 1, 1984, my copy of that great speech was lost in our hurried exit. I still lament the loss till this day.

The contents of that speech are as relevant today, and will remain topical tomorrow, especially with recent developments in the political landscape of the greater Lagos metropolis and the xenophobia in the Republic of South Africa.

This is a time for Lagosians to count their blessings; of having a nucleus island that has permitted, within and around it, learning, growth, development and prosperity.

Deservedly, Lagosians have the greatest metropolis in black Africa, and on the continent. Here, we have the fortunes of many beneficiaries of the Lagos largesse.

We have all learnt from the dignity, the refinement and the simplicity of Lagosians, and from the great families of this isle. Need we enumerate? Years ago, my good Egbon and friend, Demola Edu, in addition to constantly reiterating that his school, Igbobi College “is better than King’s College”, once said: “Give everyone land to build. Let them build. No one carries building to heaven.”

There is deep meaning in those words. It is what may be called the Hong Kong principle, as the world observed in 1997.

On a serious note, however, it is true, as stated in the Sacred Book, the Quran that we brought nothing material into this world, and we will take nothing physical away from here.

As the mind and spirit survive the death of the earthly body, self-consciousness, enlightenment and maturity are what we take away from this world.

In this sense, the two great schools, like all others founded on imparting lasting values, have a message for all. The motto of Igbobi College: Omni uno in Domine (all are one in the Lord).

Certainly this is the spirit evinced by Lagosians in their cultured civility and enlightened simplicity. This must be complemented by the quest for truth, the devotion to the eternal values that we take away from this world.

The motto of King’s College: Spero Lucem; Strive for Light (encapsulating enlightenment, truth, knowledge, maturity, wisdom, the unending recognitions of the greatness of Almighty God). Do we not now see why Lagos is the place for learning: “Ile Ogbon”?

The easy-going nature of Lagosians underscores strength, tremendous power. Science has revealed that the nucleus is the life of a cell.

It is the stillness from which all activity is generated. If man can contemplate the utmost motion, will it not end up in a seeming stillness? There are great lessons in this for us, humans. The nucleus exists for the activity around it.

This is the essence of love, which is a fundamental qualification and motivation for leadership that facilitates an environment for self-actualization and unfolding. This is the proper appreciation of what Lagos has done for Nigerians and for Nigeria. Lagos has been fair to all.

In the law of balance, those who have come from far and wide must appreciate and reciprocate the Lagos largesse by not attempting to do in Lagos what they would not permit where they came from.

Fairness is a demonstration of justice that is inseparable from love. Lagos is the centre of excellence; setting standards for Nigeria. Lagos enjoins balance in national issues. Balance, justice, and love are the practical elements of fulfilling the Will of Almighty God.
•Akindele is a visiting member of The Guardian editorial Board.