Creation of Lagos state

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

…..I caught Gowon, Kam Salem, Akinwale Wey on camera in 1967 – Pa Davis, 83-yr-old former cinematographer

I was also the cinematographer that shot the inauguration of Lagos State as one of the 12 states just created by then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, in May 1967, with IGP Kam Salem; Navy chief, Vice Admiral Akinwale Wey, among others in attendance.”

With these words, Chief  Ganiyu Davies, a veteran journalist and former NTA Chief Cameraman, relieved the creation of Lagos State 50 years ago.

Davies, 83, also recalled a documentary film on road development titled, Changing City, he shot  for LEDB, now Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), with the main actor, Orlando Martins, to develop Lagos Island, Apapa and Oluwole area of Lagos. He paid glowing tributes to Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (retd), the first Military Governor of Lagos State, who, according to him, set the pace for other governors who came after him.

The former cinematographer recalled that road development in Lagos started in 1960 when he was commissioned to shoot a documentary film for the LEDB now called LSDPC, titled: “No Road No Houses” and “Strange Tenant”.

The Baba Oba of Ojoduland praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for constructing a befitting road and pedestrian bridge at Ojodu-Berger to link Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

For many years past, traffic hold-ups on Ojodu-Berger Road had been a source of concern for  motorists using Ogba, Agidingbi area as short-cut to the expressway.

He gave glory to God that such development is taking place in Lagos during his lifetime. He also congratulated Ambode’s government on the 50th year anniversary of the state.

Davies,who is also the Chief Executive Officer, LAGOSOGUN Mineral and Farm Resources Limited, Gabovies Oil & Gas Limited, and war correspondent during the Biafran war, showered encomiums on Ambode for the developmental projects in all parts of Lagos, which he described as continuation of former Governors Bola Tinubu and Raji Fashola’s development plans.

According to him, the road and pedestrian bridge built by the state government has turned Ojodu Berger area into a city comparable to those in America, Britain and other advanced countries of the world.

Davies urged Governor Ibikunle Amosun  to take a cue from developments now going on in Lagos, in order to boost the economic prosperity of  Ogun State. “The governor  should expidite action on the ongoing construction works on Sango Otta – Ajuwon – Alagbole – Akute – Ojodu Berger Road to alleviate the suffering of  motorists  in the area”.

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