The opinions presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent InTv Media’s editorial position.Thank you.
Dear Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
I am sure it’s safe to say that I speak the minds of most Lagosians and many Nigerians when I write that “it is with great delight that we read that the Federal Government of Nigeria through the ministry of aviation has granted approval for the development of a passenger and cargo airport on the Lekki-Epe axis of Lagos state”.
Having the support of most of your immediate constituency and that of many Nigerians on projects like this one is no mean feat and we shall soon see why. It is therefore important to, before many other things, clearly, publicly and officially offer a truly heartfelt congratulations to you and your entire team for being the ones at the helm of affairs of Lagos at such a historic moment. As usual, Lagos in the context of Nigeria is a special case.
Other states have embarked on airport projects and most of the initiators of such projects and indeed the initiatives were greeted with considerable scepticism when not outright rejection by many in their states and beyond.
Two cases for all: The airport projects in Ekiti and Ogun states. Those who see the need for such airports must appreciate the doggedness of Governors Kayode Fayemi and Dapo Abiodun for insisting on a seemingly lonely journey that appears to be leading to nowhere.
READ ALSO: Achebe’s Metaphor For Nigeria’s Political Culture
A third airport for Lagos amidst applauses and back patting whilst others cannot even get the blessings of the residents and indigenes in the diaspora. Yes, feel free to laugh out loudly. It seems the case of a sort of a Mathew syndrome wherein “for whoever has will be given more and they will have an abundance…”
The points raised against developing airports in other states are exactly the ones used to support the need for another airport in Lagos. Most agree that Lagos state has the population and the spending power to create and sustain enough flow of passengers and cargo for all its airport.
The visible topology of Lagos and the invisible but feelable wall that divides the mainland, with its many populated local governments, from the island with its vibrant growing human and commercial population makes a compelling case for Lagos as a state of two cites, maybe even more, where every city deserves its own airport and many more things of its own.
I have argued elsewhere that we need to replicate and duplicate everything in Lagos in a way that, if not for passion, islanders should not need to go to the mainland and vice versa. It is my view that there should enough art galleries and Museums, hospitals and clinics, institutional and financial offices in every corner so that, though we can, we should not need to travel far from our part of Lagos to the other side for anything. So far, it seems only banks, churches and visa issuing services are following such tips.
Dear Governor, as we offer our heartfelt congratulations to you and your entire team for being the ones to be at the helm of affairs at such a historic moment. It is important we call your attention to the maxim “to whom much is given much is expected”, please allow the cliché but it helps here.
In your usual humility and loyalty marinated style of demonstrating the possession of a sense of history and recognition of the role and fate of forebearers, you have during your acceptance speech of the letter (or is it certificate?) of approval from the aviation minister reminded all that the airport is not your idea but that of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed who initiated the Lagos Economic Summit wherein the idea of the airport was conceived.
Over two decades later, the approval has come and you, dear Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have the opportunity to coordinate and even lead the building of something that all those you looked and maybe still look up to did not get the historical privilege and opportunity of building.
The friendly and committed ones of the many close to you describe you as loyal and focused, bene! Here is your chance to be focused on and loyal to greatness and history.
The Lekki-Epe airport is a pad to fly and shine. It is an opportunity for you to build an undisputable legacy and to write your name in an ink made of clear measurable merit in the Patheon of the unforgettables of Lagos and Nigeria.
To shine and fly you need to set yourself clear some goals relating to the airport. Here are some tips.
The first is that you will do all you can to make sure, not “do your best”, but do all you can do to make sure that the incoming airport is opened under your watch. Let me make that clearer: You need to set yourself the target of being the governor that oversees the unveiling of the new Lagos airport and the first flight from there.
To make that happen you need to engage the best hands and minds. No need to fool ourselves, you are a politician you will have obligations to fulfil, but they do not need to be part of the airport project. The ones that can be part of this project must have something real to offer herein.
Dear Governor, you also need to make sure that the new Lagos airport is not just another airport but the best. Not the best in Nigeria but the best at least in Africa. By the way, there is nothing wrong or too lofty in aspiring to be the best airport in the world, those that built and are managing the best airports do not have two heads, it all boils down to vison.
All you need to do is to decide in very clear terms, before building what kind of airport you want to develop. I suggest one of the best airports in the world with the ability to accommodate not just travel, business, and leisure but also business, tourism, adventures and wellness.
Let us build an airport that non travellers leave their homes just to visit. We have the opportunity of building an aviation temple where people go to explore and marvel at what great minds can be achieve in Africa starting from Lagos if allowed to express their talents.
To do that and much more you need people who understand how airports work. You need people who know what makes airports stand out and what makes them fail. It is reassuring that you noted the new Lagos airport is PPP driven. Yes, let investors and partners come in not at the level or point of choosing what is available but at the point conceiving what is possible in a bid to build an airport wherein every stone laid or wood erected will be part of a deliberated and costed vision.
Dear Governor, with over thirty-five years of experience in aviation let me assure you that with 3,500 hectares of land at disposal all you need is the right vision to build and manage an airport that will not only be a pad for passengers and cargo but a hub for much more.
In building the airport all you need to remember is that this project is your pad to fly and shine. We can and must use this project to generate wealth and create jobs for many in various sectors beyond but related to aviation.
Will all these be easy? No, it will not, the usual suspects that want something for nothing will soon come out if they are not all over you yet but you can overcome them if you keep reminding yourself that this project, like a bespoke space created for helicopters, is your pad to fly and shine and that you will not allow termites devour your path to greatness and your destiny of becoming an unforgettable.
Join me if you can @anthonykila to continue these conversations.
Anthony Kila
