Encomium as Fashola exits office

By the end of today, Friday, May 29, Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF) would have passed the baton to the next Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode.

But for many days, months and years to come, he will remain in the hearts of Lagosians and the guests who frequent Lagos, as the man who brought sanity of mind and sight to Nigeria’s most economically important state.

While recognizing that there is no such thing as a perfect government or leader, Fashola-led eight-year government surpassed, by many miles, that of his predeccessors.

Anyone who had lived in Lagos in the years before BRF assumed office will attest to the terrifying sight of Oshodi, the hoodlums and their nefarious activities, the stockpile of refuse dumps by the road sides, the lawlessness of commercial bus drivers, the craziness of Okada riders on the highways, the primary/secondary schools and their classrooms and many more – Fashola changed it all.

Hours to his final exit as the Governor of Lagos, residents and visitors of Lagos have continued to shower encomium on the man of the moment.

Thousands of social media users are showing gratitude to him for transforming Lagos. With the #ThankYouBRF, Fashola is already trending on microblogging site, Twitter.

The big questions many are asking however is, will Ambode’s feet fit Fashola’s shoes? Can he do the job? Will he not run every decision by Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, who many believe is his Godfather?

In the coming days and months, answers to the pertinent questions will begin to emerge.

See some of the 'thank you' tweets below: