My Government Agency of the Year - 2016

Something happened on the 27^th of July, 2016 that marveled me to a point that I was wondering if I was still in Nigeria. At about 10pm while trying to keep tab with all that happened at the office when I got home, I put a call through to my friend and colleague, Joshua Ekeh to get update on things, and I was bumped by the emergency he had at hand. Apparently a lorry fell down with a pregnant woman and her husband inside. He told me they were trying to save the couple’s life when I called. He asked me if I know any SOS or emergency number I could call to respond to the distress at hand.

I reluctantly said yes, because of the nonchalant attitude some of these agencies are known for. I however, scroll through my phone and called the Lagos Emergency Service number, with a faith that was nothing close to the size of a mustard seed, because really I was not expecting much from them. But I got my first shock when I dialed the number. Before I could say ‘jack’, someone had pick my call. Initially, I thought it was automated machine answering me, but as I engage the lady who picked the call further, I realized it was for real mehhnnnnn…. No one was kidding anyone here.

I quickly gave details of what had happened, but couldn’t tell which lane of the road the accident had occurred when I was asked by the lady from the emergency unit, because I was not at the scene, and didn’t remember to ask my friend. Then I dropped the call in order to call my friend Joshua again to confirm the lane. After confirming the lane, I called the Lagos emergency service back, and again my phone went through on the first dial without waiting a second, and this time a guy responded so I reported more details of the incident to him, and again I was assured of prompt response.

In less than 20 minutes later, I called my friend to inquire of the state of things, I was told they (I.e. LASEMA) had arrived the area but was stuck in traffic, and where a few meters away from where the incident had occurred, as the lorry that fell had caused traffic jam on the lane. While the pregnant woman and her husband had been rushed to a nearby medical centre.

I must confess I have never experienced anything of such before in my life, I was amazed at the response of the ladies and gentlemen behind the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). Much more stunning was the manner and the amazingly caring attitude they displayed when attending to my distress call, you could perceive in their voices passion, empathy, warmness, genuine concern and utmost seriousness to save life. I’m still amazed anytime I remember this event.

My point in this story is that, some of us don’t think things like this can happened in Nigeria again. I mean we have so lost faith that nothing makes us proud of our country anymore. But the lesson I learnt in this is that, things can still work in Nigeria if we come together, and decide with a singleness of purpose and mission to make it work. We just need to be deliberate that’s all.

This is also a model for other states in Nigeria to pattern after, they can learn from state like Lagos which is leading in terms of places in Nigeria where things are working already. Don’t get it twisted, Lagos is not there yet, she is nowhere near 100% yet in my own judgment, but definitely we are on the right path.     

This article will not be complete without a big shout-out to the helms man, the governor of Lagos State, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the only governor who refuses the title of His Excellency, in an era where some government officials uses their title to sew shirt and trouser. Lolzzz. He has definitely shown that amazing leadership is driven by ideas, imagination, creativity, vision, ingenuity and content of character.

This is not to mention other areas that he has been doing awesomely well. Lagosians, do you notice that security in Lagos today is top-notched? I’m almost going to say Lagos is becoming the most policed state in the world right now. Isn’t that amazing people?

And just recently, some whispering birds told me that there is a rice program with Kebbi state that will soon be unveiled. The rice called Lake Rice, meaning Lagos/Kebbi – LAKE. Whereby rice that is supposed to go for prices like 20K and above due to the present economy, will now be sold for as low as 13k or less. I personally do not have much detail to this yet, but I can perceive what a great and timely initiative it is already. I will however update you when I have full detail.

What about the road maintenance and repair project of the governor, and then how he has taken care of them without blowing trumpet about it. Like solving one of the major issues in Lagos, which is heavy traffic jam with a simple idea of creating and expanding the commercial vehicle terminals is just amazing. The disappearance of the infamous traffic jam on 3rd Mainland Bridge is a testimony to this fact.

Alright people, let me not deviate from what primarily led to my writing this article in the first place, which is to commend the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) for a job well done this year 2016, and challenging them to do far better next year. They are undoubtedly and unapologetically my Government Agency of The Year. Kudos to you guys, to all the people from the top to the seemingly least person there, you guys rock!

And as hardworking as they are, they know how to be social and trendy, how to unwind and catch fun you know. They find a way of making light their burden for saving lives, with their recent participation in the on-going viral campaign – the mannequin challenge. Go see it people, it’s just cool.

Thank you Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

“Ite si iwaju Eko ni oo”.