Yesterday, the governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, gave up his seat at the state executive council chamber, Lagos House, Ikeja, to 17-year-old Iniodu Akpankpan, the one-day Governor of Lagos for 2011.

Mr Akpankpan emerged winner at the grand finale of the Spelling Bee Competition in April, a competition organised by the state’s ministry of Education and New Era Foundation, to earn this honour. He was received at the Lagos House by Mr Fashola and other members of the state executive council.

Acting as his cabinet members for the day were the competition’s first runner-up, Kayode Ikumelo, who took over the deputy governor’s role, and John Okorie, the competition’s second runner-up, who was the commissioner for Information and Strategy for the day. Other runner-ups in the competition acted as commissioners for the day. Sola Bello acted as commissioner for Environment, Oluwatoyin Adeyemi was the commissioner for

Education and Temilade Adesanya was the commissioner for Transportation.

The proud teenagers’ first stop was the State House, Marina, where they were received by the Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire. Then they visited Mr Akpankpan’s school, Baptist Senior High School, Obanikoro, where they got a rousing welcome by students and teachers of the school. They also visited the office of Honeywell Superfine Foods Limited, Boys Remand Home, Oregun, Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Office of the Head of Service, The Secretariat, Alausa, Office of the Ministry of Education also at the secretariat and Educational Resource Centre, Ojodu.

At every stop, they were given the royal treatment, several gifts and Mr Akpankpan was addressed as ‘Your Excellency’. It was indeed a memorable time for them as they basked in the euphoria of the privilege bestowed on them for the day.

Mr Akpankpan will not let the day end without making a governorship demand, on behalf of his school. He demanded ‘urgent attention’ for the rehabilitation of the school library, renovation of the school hall, building of school toilets for staff and teachers and provision of school bus; all of which got a promissory note from the state’s commissioner for Education, Olayinka Oladunjoye.

For him, it was a great day that he would never forget. He commended Mr Fashola on the development in all sectors of the economy his administration has achieved, describing him as the best and only working governor in Nigeria.

“We are not unmindful of the giant strides your administration has recorded over the last four years. Lagosians would forever be grateful to you,” he said.

He also noted some development in the education sector of the state such as increase in teachers’ salaries, renovation of school buildings and the Eko Project.

“Education sector of Lagos state in particular has worn a new look as we now see teachers and students smiling,” Mr Akpankpan said.

In his response, Mr Fashola congratulated the students and encouraged then to: work hard, listen to their parents, and seek to be the best always. While recalling the success achieved by the past winners of the Spelling Bee Competition in their various Universities, Mr Fashola told them to “go out to excel and exceed the achievement of predecessors.”

While stating that the one-day experience would remain with them as long as they live and inspire them to greater heights, he added that he hoped it would lead them to pursue a course in public service. “I believe the exposure of young people in this way begins to excite their interest in the working operations of the government and dynamics of public service,” he said.

As a gift, Governor Fashola gave Mr Akpankpan a desktop computer, one year Internet subscription and a generating set. He also gave Mr Ikumelo a laptop computer and consolation gifts to the other winners.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5735641-146/the_day_fashola_gave_up_his.csp

bashy_demy:

Yesterday, the governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Fashola, gave up his seat at the state executive council chamber, Lagos House, Ikeja, to 17-year-old Iniodu Akpankpan, the one-day Governor of Lagos for 2011.

Mr Akpankpan emerged winner at the grand finale of the Spelling Bee Competition in April, a competition organised by the state’s ministry of Education and New Era Foundation, to earn this honour. He was received at the Lagos House by Mr Fashola and other members of the state executive council.

Acting as his cabinet members for the day were the competition’s first runner-up, Kayode Ikumelo, who took over the deputy governor’s role, and John Okorie, the competition’s second runner-up, who was the commissioner for Information and Strategy for the day. Other runner-ups in the competition acted as commissioners for the day. Sola Bello acted as commissioner for Environment, Oluwatoyin Adeyemi was the commissioner for

Education and Temilade Adesanya was the commissioner for Transportation.

The proud teenagers’ first stop was the State House, Marina, where they were received by the Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire. Then they visited Mr Akpankpan’s school, Baptist Senior High School, Obanikoro, where they got a rousing welcome by students and teachers of the school. They also visited the office of Honeywell Superfine Foods Limited, Boys Remand Home, Oregun, Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Office of the Head of Service, The Secretariat, Alausa, Office of the Ministry of Education also at the secretariat and Educational Resource Centre, Ojodu.

At every stop, they were given the royal treatment, several gifts and Mr Akpankpan was addressed as ‘Your Excellency’. It was indeed a memorable time for them as they basked in the euphoria of the privilege bestowed on them for the day.

Mr Akpankpan will not let the day end without making a governorship demand, on behalf of his school. He demanded ‘urgent attention’ for the rehabilitation of the school library, renovation of the school hall, building of school toilets for staff and teachers and provision of school bus; all of which got a promissory note from the state’s commissioner for Education, Olayinka Oladunjoye.

For him, it was a great day that he would never forget. He commended Mr Fashola on the development in all sectors of the economy his administration has achieved, describing him as the best and only working governor in Nigeria.

“We are not unmindful of the giant strides your administration has recorded over the last four years. Lagosians would forever be grateful to you,” he said.

He also noted some development in the education sector of the state such as increase in teachers’ salaries, renovation of school buildings and the Eko Project.

“Education sector of Lagos state in particular has worn a new look as we now see teachers and students smiling,” Mr Akpankpan said.

In his response, Mr Fashola congratulated the students and encouraged then to: work hard, listen to their parents, and seek to be the best always. While recalling the success achieved by the past winners of the Spelling Bee Competition in their various Universities, Mr Fashola told them to “go out to excel and exceed the achievement of predecessors.”

While stating that the one-day experience would remain with them as long as they live and inspire them to greater heights, he added that he hoped it would lead them to pursue a course in public service. “I believe the exposure of young people in this way begins to excite their interest in the working operations of the government and dynamics of public service,” he said.

As a gift, Governor Fashola gave Mr Akpankpan a desktop computer, one year Internet subscription and a generating set. He also gave Mr Ikumelo a laptop computer and consolation gifts to the other winners.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5735641-146/the_day_fashola_gave_up_his.csp

Very thoughtful Man.

On a serious note, I have not seen any outright display of ethnic/religious bias in the way he governs. Nigeria needs more of him!!!

Nigeria really need more him and i hope he become the president 2011