Lanre Gbajabiamila: A Living Legend Celebrates

By: Bosun Olatunji & Macbeth Ojugbeli

Life becomes only sweet when you look back and see the impact you have made; sweeter when you find yourself affecting the society positively. This is one distinguishing factor that separates people in the society; breeding class, status and legendary.

On this day, a living legend celebrates his birthday. An iconic man of reputation, a man every focused administrator strives to reckon with, a goal getter whose action speaks volume more than a million words. He is the pioneer Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of Lagos State Lotteries Board and the appointed yet to be confirmed Director General (D.G.) of Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission.

Friends from far and near have joined the dogged fighter of good causes as he celebrates today, and he is overwhelmed by words of encouragement and prayers.

Lanre’s positive mindset and attitude to work has shaped attitudes of many at work; most especially the youths have testified that that forms part of their prowess.

His ideology is not about the time spent during working hours but how you make everyday count, adding value to the organisation hence, positive growth is his area of interest.

No one is indispensable but  Lanre had made a remarkable difference in the gaming industry and this had earned him respect and accolade. In a decade, Lanre had shaped the Lagos state lottery sector; a tested, trusted and reliable Lanre, no wonder his profile attracted Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari to appoint him Director General of the lottery commission at federal level.
The Nigeria lottery no doubt needs a wonder person to be restructured, the wonder man is available to serve and to take his nation to international level on lottery matters and to compete with the emerging market.

Lanre’s unusual contributions to Lagos state government in terms of internally generated revenue will continue to build generational infrastructures. Yes, he is a man who believes in infrastructural development in all facet of life and not personal gains. His wealth of experience and his capacity as the General Manager (G.M.) of Lagos State Infrastructure Assets Management Agency were part of the legacies he left in the state government.

Lanre was the first to restructure all Assets belonging to Lagos state with a structured manner, with software launch,  which informs the state government when an assets is due to be renovated or to be sold if need arises.

He went further to monitor platforms created to ensure there was reduction in government spending and he succeeded. His creative idea led to the reiterating of the slogan ‘Itesiwaju Eko Loje wa logun’, meaning ‘Lagos will not get spoilt,’ at the entrance of the newly renovated Onikan Health Center in Lagos Island, that was done during the renovation of the health center for the populace under his purview for the Lagos state government.

As he celebrates a year older today, one will only pray for long life, prosperity and wisdom in his chosen career, gaming system, and to add more knowledge to the gaming intellectual wisdom bestowed on him by God, to uplift the sovereign nation Nigeria.