Kayode Jakande, a former governor of Lagos State, also
known as LKJ, bares his mind on the demise of Madiba,
corruption, the education sector and leadership.
For Jakande, whose emergence as an upright leader was the
product of his service delivery and the simple life he led in a
country where vanity was beginning to creep in and where
folly had taken the place of virtuous living, it is indeed fitting
that he should speak truth to power on the issue of corruption.
In fact, Jakande pooh-poohed the situation where leaders pay
lip service to the developmental needs of the people. He gave
examples of how his administration in Lagos State was able to
turn the tide.
His words: "I remember that when we came into office in
1979, our priority was to give quality education to the masses.
We had three shifts of learning – morning, afternoon, evening
– and we were able to accomplish it. So if we could
accomplish it during our time in office, why can't they
accomplish those petty projects now? I pray that God should
touch the hearts of our leaders".
For the former governor who was fondly referred to as Baba
Kekere (a reference to him as Junior Obafemi Awolowo),
governance is about determination and the need to serve the
people.
"It is very simple, once you put your mind in the right place,
you will certainly achieve. In public service, the average
Nigerian must come first and that was the reason I was able to
resolve educational problems in Lagos State within a week.
Some people thought it was also impossible when I said we
were going to build houses all over the place, saying the
houses would be poultry houses. I hope the critics are still
alive today to witness what they thought would be poultry
houses. What matters most is determination and clear cut
program".
Excerpts:
How do you see the demise of Dr. Nelson Mandela?
Nelson Mandela was a great man. When he was alive, he
made public service inspiring because he lived his life in all
possible difficulties and I am grateful to God for the enviable
life he lived. What would South-Africa have become today if
not for the anti-apartheid struggle led by him. Apartheid is
now a thing of the past in South-Africa. We have every reason
to thank God for creating a man like Mandela. I pray, may he
sleep well.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has written to President
Goodluck Jonathan saying he is unfit to run for the
presidential race in 2015 and describing his government as
corrupt. Do you share his perspective?
I am not interested in any open letter to anybody neither will I
comment on it, but the level of corruption in this country is a
national tragedy and we have never had it so bad. (In
retrospect, the allegation of corruption which forced the
military to overthrow the Second Republic now appears
misplaced in the context of what is presently going on in the
country).
So many people in this part of the world see you in good light
based on your contributions as an Awoist in terms of politics,
health and education.
What is your take on the education sector in Nigeria today?
I am not quite happy with what is going on.
For instance, I am very sad that university lecturers could stay
out of work for more than five months. It is a thing of shame
on both ASUU and the Federal Government because the
government carries the burden; the government should have
done everything possible to prevent such a situation from
happening.
At the end of the day, it is those who cannot afford private
universities that suffer and this country cannot afford such
situation to happen.
What is your view on dilapidated structures in primary and
secondary schools nationwide?
It is very disappointing to see those who benefited from the
free education we initiated during our tenure doing virtually
nothing to bail out the nation. I would like to appeal to my
friends and colleagues in government to give education
priority; after all, the future belongs to children.
I remember that when we came into office in 1979, our
priority was to give quality education to the masses. We had
three shifts of learning – morning, afternoon, evening – and
we were able to accomplish it.
So if we could accomplish it during our time in office, why
can't they accomplish those petty projects now? I pray that
God should touch the hearts of our leaders.
Nothing is more rewarding than building men of stature. The
other day when I was in a gathering, I met some people that
came to appreciate me saying they were products of my
educational system.
I can never thank God enough for the privilege because I ask
myself every time what would these people have turned out to
be if they had not had such opportunity.
I pray that God will enter the hearts of our present leaders. All
we hear them talk about now is spending billions on projects
that do not add to our progress.
How do you react to the embattled PDP governors that
decamped to APC?
Quite frankly, the idea of moving from one party to another
does not help the country.
People in partisan politics should do it on the basis of
commitment and not moving from one party to another for
any reason. If they have problem in their party, let them
resolve it. Let conservatives be conservatives and the
progressives be where they are and look at service to our
people which is the major thing we need.
I hope they spare us these nagging issues.
What we need is service to the people.
Are you impressed with the performance of today's leaders in
office?
Most of our leaders today are not helping Nigeria, but I pray
God will make Nigeria better.
They should save the country from collapsing. They should
put the interest of the Nigerian people at heart. They should
go into politics with the determination to serve because there
are so many things to be done and this country is greatly in
need of them and I hope that they clear up the mess in order
to get back to the right course of serving our people.
If you have the opportunity to correct anything, what would it
be?
It is very simple, once you put your mind in the right place,
you will certainly achieve. In public service, the average
Nigerian must come first and that was the reason I was able to
resolve educational problems in Lagos State within a week.
Some people thought it was also impossible when I said we
were going to build houses all over the place, saying the
houses would be poultry houses. I hope the critics are still
alive today to witness what they thought would be poultry
houses. What matters most is determination and clear cut
program.
What is your advice for Nigerian leaders?
Nigeria is growing and we have a great future. I am totally
convinced that we shall get there because this is a country
created by God and we will not go back. God has given us all
the resources we need to be a great country, why should we
fail?
Via: Vanguard
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