Roadmap to Badagry's greatness

 Aliu Akeem

Having identified the problems in the last published article, there is no need to enmesh oneself in pity party or engage in further analysis, other than the way forward. 

If these points can be worked on, Badagry will rise again and rise forever. 

THE SOLUTIONS:

1. Education: I  hinged a large portion of the problem on education, the last time I wrote. It is also the tool needed to change it. Because, you can not experience a change in the society without the change in psychology. According to the words of Socrates, " the treasure of a land, is in the hands of its scholars." Those who are well informed will be the solution providers and will not be a burden, rather a blessing to the society. Secondary school leavers should be encouraged and supported to attain university education. Let's break the hegemony tied with getting university education. This will make me to applaud the contributions of Hon. Bonu Saanu, the SSA to  Governor Sanwolu on Tourism. He did a scholarship program for 100 students to pursuit higher education last year in Badagry. If Badagry can get three more people to do this, then the narration will no longer be the same. The effects of this, is not instantaneous. It's a future project which is very germane. 

2. Youth Synergy: The bulk of work on Badagry's development falls on the youth, which I'm inclusive. All youths in Badagry, must defy their differences in : politics, tribes, family background, geopgraphical location, clan, ego, inner motives, beareucracy and all that, then work for a single course, which is to transform the society. The elders are already in the climax of their achievements. Some are even at the anti-climax stage. So realistically, the development of the society may not really be in their hearts as it is to the youth. It means more to us than them now. Most of them have seen their tomorrow and what do you expect?

The Youth should be actively involved in politics. Nigeria is currently shouting for more youth in representation. Even the youths are aspiring for  2023 presidency and Lagos governor with the Team JANDOR movement. But I have a contrast with this in Badagry. Is it pertinent for youth to become the next Local Government Chairman, Vice or Secretary? No! The angle that needs our impacts more significantly is the law making process. The first change in the society, comes from the legislative house. Their conclusions is what the executives implement. So if the law making houses are bad, then the society is expected to see nothing. What is killing the youth of this nation is the LAW. let's go and change those archaic laws. Those laws that limit our freedom of aspirations. What I'm  saying here is that, we should occupy the seats as senators, House of Rep members, State House legislators, and councillors with the society in mind. After this, the ladder of becoming the 01 comes with much ease. 

3. Worthy Political Dividends: When the Youths have synergized and settle their differences, then together with the elders, traditional leaders, political Representatives, can work to table their grievances and requests amicably before the state Governor and his cabinet members. 

Under this, there should be agreement on what Political dividends is Badagry going to enjoy in the next years? 

Badagry is the only Local Government in Lagos that has not produced a governor. Aside governorship, all other worthy dividends in Political appointments in Lagos State have escaped Badagry. Badagry people also need to be appointed as: Deputy Governor, Speaker of the House, Secretary to the State Government, key commission appointments, senators, ministers and more. It's all the faults of political games. Badagry has people who are qualified for these! 

4. The Essential Amenities: The cries of every Badagrian in the last fifteen years is the dilapidated structure of the Mile-2 to Badagry road. This is the most pressing on the scale of preference. If this road is done, everyone knows the benefits attached to it. 

Aside this, Badagry deserves a university from the federal government and one from the state government, as a thank you for the gift of education. Let's say, Lagos State University of Agriculture Badagry, and C.D. Akran University, by Federal Government. Isn't this amazing? All indigenous local government in Lagos has a university except the Badagry. 

Other amenities needed are: Seaport, airport, stadium, organizations that can employ large numbers of workers and every other amenities that Lagosians are enjoying. The requests here are not much. Ibeju Lekki has all and more. Badagry needs it too!

5. Support for Innovations and Economic Sustainability Programs: Not everyone will get a white collar job.  Infact, when a person gets a job, he helps himself and his nuclear family. But when he innovates, he helps the entire society. On this, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, CEO RAK Foundation, has proven to be a blessing to humanity. He is an icon in this regard in the whole of Badagry today. He has supported several innovative programs. He can not do it all alone. If at least three more people can join him, the changes will be magnanimous and instantaneous. 

6. The Media: According to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, " the party which gains the favor of the media in electioneering becomes the party of the people and eventually wins."this is to show how powerful the media is in influencing, repositioning and correcting things. There should be constant reporting of the Badagry events in the media. The more the media coverage an area gets, the more popular it becomes, while more people get to know her values and problems. Let's keep the media abreast in providing constant Badagry coverage. Thanks.

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