• Vows to resist proposed fuel tax
Lagos
State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday faulted the centenary celebration by
the Federal Government. Fashola also vowed that the state government would defy
any plan by the Federal Government to tax petrol through the FERMA Act.
State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday faulted the centenary celebration by
the Federal Government. Fashola also vowed that the state government would defy
any plan by the Federal Government to tax petrol through the FERMA Act.
He
spoke at a public lecture in commemoration of the 80th birthday anniversary of
the former Federal Commissioner of Works and Housing, Alhaji Femi Okunnu.
spoke at a public lecture in commemoration of the 80th birthday anniversary of
the former Federal Commissioner of Works and Housing, Alhaji Femi Okunnu.
Also
at the celebration were former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former
Governor Bola Tinubu of Lagos State and the former Commonwealth
Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who extolled Okunnu’s virtues and the
role he played in the country’s development.
at the celebration were former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former
Governor Bola Tinubu of Lagos State and the former Commonwealth
Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who extolled Okunnu’s virtues and the
role he played in the country’s development.
Speaking
at the lecture held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA,
Lagos, Fashola queried the rationale behind the celebration of the 1914
amalgamation, which was done without consultation by the colonial lords.
at the lecture held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA,
Lagos, Fashola queried the rationale behind the celebration of the 1914
amalgamation, which was done without consultation by the colonial lords.
He
said: “What is the historical benefit of celebrating the day and year that a
colonial Governor General merged us together without consultation in a bondage
that lasted 46 years; until October 1st, 1960.
said: “What is the historical benefit of celebrating the day and year that a
colonial Governor General merged us together without consultation in a bondage
that lasted 46 years; until October 1st, 1960.
“I
raised this question because I really seek answers and understanding because we
have never celebrated the amalgamation day or the 99th year of amalgamation. So
did the centenary just become attractive?
raised this question because I really seek answers and understanding because we
have never celebrated the amalgamation day or the 99th year of amalgamation. So
did the centenary just become attractive?
“My
worry today is that after we rolled out the drums in 2010 to celebrate 50 years
of freedom from colonial rule; why then is the country celebrating amalgamation
day? And this worry is heightened because I have been privileged to read the
confidential memo by Lord Lugard containing the proposal on the amalgamation of
Nigeria submitted in May 1913. It seems clear that the imperial interests were
more of the compelling reasons rather than our interest.
worry today is that after we rolled out the drums in 2010 to celebrate 50 years
of freedom from colonial rule; why then is the country celebrating amalgamation
day? And this worry is heightened because I have been privileged to read the
confidential memo by Lord Lugard containing the proposal on the amalgamation of
Nigeria submitted in May 1913. It seems clear that the imperial interests were
more of the compelling reasons rather than our interest.
“I
think we should ask ourselves, which other African state has celebrated such an
event or the Berlin Conference that balkanised our continent. What specific
example are we setting for Africa?”
think we should ask ourselves, which other African state has celebrated such an
event or the Berlin Conference that balkanised our continent. What specific
example are we setting for Africa?”
Fashola,
who delivered a lecture entitled: “The Essence of Patriot and Federalist,” also
described the attempt by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, to embark
on repair of the road the state was already rehabilitating as misplaced
priority.
who delivered a lecture entitled: “The Essence of Patriot and Federalist,” also
described the attempt by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, to embark
on repair of the road the state was already rehabilitating as misplaced
priority.
Source: National Mirror
