Posted by By SAMOD BIOBAKU(sixthsense34@yahoo.com) on
His name is Babatunde Fashola, but he is not the governor of Lagos State. Not only that, he has no ambition whatsoever to become governor of the Centre of Excellence.
•The governor's namesake, Babatunde Fashola carrying his baby
His name is Babatunde Fashola, but he is not the governor of Lagos State. Not only that, he has no ambition whatsoever to become governor of the Centre of Excellence.
He is only a namesake of the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). However, unlike his privileged namesake at the Alausa Round House, Fashola is a homeless commercial bus (aka danfo) driver.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, he reveals how disheartening life has been for him in Lagos.
Before July 2007, Fashola used to earn a living as a danfo driver between the hours of 5:30am and 11:00pm. At the end of the day's job, he would retire to his one room shack located at Ajegunle, in the Ikorodu area of the state.
However, on July 28, this bus driver's life took a turn for the worse, as he watched helplessly while flood literally swallowed not only his abode, but also the homes of his neighbours, in the Isheri Kosi part of the metropolis.
What he initially thought would be a passing phase soon got out of control, thus rendering him homeless.
With nowhere to hide and no one to run to, for assistance, he resorted to sleeping in commercial a bus with his wife and three children.
Said he: "I am just a tenant here and I pay N1, 500 every month. If I had money, I would have moved out of the house a long time ago. But as it is, I can't. Why would I borrow money to rent a house? How do I sustain it?
As the days roll by, Fashola continues to hope and pray that God in his infinite mercy would alleviate his sufferings.
"Several times, I have wondered aloud if I would ever be successful in life. It has always been one huge obstacle after another. For how long will I strive? Everyday, I see my mates living comfortably while I wallow in poverty and I keep wondering where I went wrong. They say when there is life, there is hope. So I'll continue to hope that one day, things might change for the better."
Prior the flood, he told Sunday Sun that he used to "live from hand to mouth."
"Before the flood, it was a sad case of making money and spending it on a daily basis. My wife and children have to eat. They must wear clothes. They must remain healthy but all these cost money, which is not coming in as expected. I have three children to look after. I'll never engage in illegitimate dealings because I believe God will one day answer my prayers.
The 25-year-old who used to reside at 15 Baale Street, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, appeals to his namesake, the Lagos State Chief Executive, to extend his magnanimity and generosity to him. "I know we're not related but I'm begging him to show us compassion. I know he has more money, education and authority than I do, and he can help me if he so decides. I'm therefore begging him to help because I have no one to run to. Life is very difficult for me and my family," he pleaded.