Fashola made the remarks while speaking at the Yoruba Tennis Club in Lagos. The governor was not specific about the month in question but said that the question that should agitate the mind of anyone is how much of the drinks or rice consumed at the parties were made in Nigeria or even the samosa or spring rolls consumed as small chops at such events were locally made.
He stated that once Nigerians resolve to say they will only patronise Made in Nigeria drinks, part of the problems of unemployment would have been solved since the local manufacturers will have the opportunity to expand and hire more hands who would be local people adding that all those who only patronize choice imported wines by their actions are limiting the opportunity for employment for coming generations.
Fashola added that even the so called “poor” people manage to send their children to overseas schools to get the best education and in spite of all these; the Nigerian story continues to be one of grass to grace for many.
“Yet we deny the Nigerian Dream in a country that does not have the record of any rich man or woman ever leading it. Yes, our industries, our governments and many institutions have been in the hands of those who started out as very poor but made outstanding successes out of them”.
He posited that nothing that we build will change the people’s perception of happiness unless they change themselves, adding that there is no country in the world where everybody owns a house, a car and has a job.
“The driving inspiration of those societies we want to be like, is the belief and the hope that many more will climb up the ladder of happiness and acknowledge it when they do so”, he emphasized. The governor said there are so many dreams that Nigerians have subscribed to but the nagging question is how many people have lived or experienced the Nigerian dream.
He stated that on its part, the present administration in Lagos is working hard to live up to the people’s expectation as it has kept its promises to the people despite having to operate from a difficult environment.
He recalled that last year, the Chairman of the Yoruba Tennis Club had whispered to him at the Christmas Eve Dance that the Club wants to benefit from uninterrupted electricity supply from the Lagos IPP, a task which the administration has already delivered on thus saving the Club a lot of money that would hitherto had gone into purchase of diesel for generators.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Bro. Babaseyi Sigmund Joseph said as everyone prepares to go into a new year with hope and determination that things will get better economically and otherwise, people should search their conscience and ask what positive roles they have played towards the changes they are expecting.
He added that overall the year 2013 has been another great year for the Club and with its new look and larger Greetings Hall.
Also speaking while welcoming the Governor and his entourage to the Island Club, the Chairman, Prince Ademola Dada commended the Governor for the infrastructural development around the state as well as his security agenda.
He said since the introduction of the State Security Trust Fund, the fund has in conjunction with security agencies come to grips with the Herculean task of beating back criminals .He gave a commitment that the members would continue to support all the programmes of the present administration in the State.
The Governor was accompanied to the two Clubs by members of the State Executive Council including the Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal ; Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed; Information and Strategy, Mr Adeeremi Ibirogba and had in attendance traditional rulers like the Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi and several other dignitaries from all walks of life.
