Press Releases

Fashola Urges Show Of Concern For The Underprivileged

Nov 28, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Saturday reiterated the importance of showing concern for the underprivileged in the society.

According to the Governor who spoke at the 50th birthday celebration and launch of Mike Igbokwe Foundation for the less privileged in honour of Lagos lawyer, Mr Mike Igbokwe (SAN) at the Billings Way, Oregun, showing an awareness of the plight of this group strikes at the challenges that undermines our common humanity.

He added that when men of means acknowledge the mercy of God in individual lives by showing compassion and are concerned about providing shoes, clothing, food and housing for the less privileged, they have in a way played God in such people’s lives.

He said while some people are honoured without deserving it and some are deserving but never get honoured, the celebrant is one who deserves all the honours he is getting.

Governor Fashola described him as one of those he looked up to as a role model in the Bar, adding that for some lawyers who missed the opportunity of taking tutelage under the stable of lawyers like late Chief F.R.A Williams and Chief G.O.K. Ajayi, Sobo Sowemimo, those times would be rekindled with lawyers like Mr Ebun Sofunde and Chief Wole Olaonipekun as well as the celebrant.

The Governor said he often wonders which is the bigger business enterprise between the Lagos social scene on Saturday and Sunday or the English Premier league, adding that several of such gatherings are taking place in Lagos simultaneously offering employment to young men and women and creating businesses.

Said he: “I am also a victim because there are some that I have to attend, one of which is this one to come and honour a big brother”.

He commended the gesture of Mr Mike Igbokwe and promised to support the programme.

In his address, Mr Mike Igbokwe (SAN) said he was prompted to put in place a foundation for the less privileged by virtue of the experience he had about the level of poverty in the land.

He added that this prompted him to think of what he can do with what God had blessed him with in concert with some friends.

The event was attended by many respected lawyers including Chief Wole Olaonipekun (SAN) and other dignitaries.