Hard work, Loyalty and diligence are three core values for the growth of anybody on earth but for Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN; he took extra effort and multi-dimensional cerebral prowess to get to where he is today. As he glides into the leagues of Sexagenarians on Wednesday 28th of June, the former minister has butterflies roaming around his tummy.
Adjudged as an active person who is also a workaholic; he has shown the trait of a great man from his formative years. Those who grew with him averred that he is a stickler for success and he also maximizes opportunity at any given time.
His trajectory in the political space is divine. When most of his peers were struggling, he had already set a path for greatness when he was the poster boy for the Action Congress as Governor of Lagos. With his giant strides, performance and governance style, he won the heart of many as he became a reference point with his “no-nonsense” style. As Governor of Lagos, or ‘Class Captain’ as he is fondly called by his intimate friends and political associate, he ensured discipline was instilled not minding whose Ox is Gored. Lagosians became the best of their behaviours as he signed and implemented the Lagos State Road Traffic Law, which aimed to improve road safety and traffic management in the bustling metropolis, Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lagos-Badagry Expressway expansion, construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and a host of others. With the immense work rate as Governor; he singlehandedly became a model that won most south-west states for his party because he made sure Governance was a serious business and as a trained lawyer with years of experience post-bar; he was fearless, witty, knowledgeable and armed with native intelligence. He was a total package as his indelible footprints in the history of Lagos cannot be shoved away with a wave of the hand.
After displaying so much capacity as Governor of Lagos; President Buhari immediately absorbed the University of Benin trained Lawyer as a pivotal member of his cabinet blessing him with 3 portfolios Power, Works and Housing. He became the first and only minister to head such a position. When detractors were concerned that he was not going to perform; BRF outdid himself by ensuring he optimized his performance delivering from all aspects. As a minister, he also became the cynosure of all eyes as he made frantic efforts in ensuring his ministry never lagged behind as he facilitated the construction and rehabilitation of many roads. In celebration of his 60th birthday, many would have thought the enigma would be caught up in the web of the Owambe bandwagon but rather; he believes all his success in life is made possible by his creator and all praises must go to him. He is not a flamboyant person who loves to throw parties in celebration. He is a vintage and modest person who believes attaining such age should not come with much noise but rather with praise. The walking encyclopedia has forever crested his name in Gold and he will remain a political model to many upcoming politicians.
