Raji Rasaki | |
|---|---|
| MilitaryGovernor of Ogun State | |
| In office 1986 – December 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Oladayo Popoola |
| Succeeded by | Mohammed Lawal |
| MilitaryGovernor of Ondo State | |
| In office 17 December 1987 – July 1988 | |
| Preceded by | Ekundayo Opaleye |
| Succeeded by | Bode George |
| MilitaryGovernor of Lagos State | |
| In office July 1988 – December 1991 | |
| Preceded by | Navy CaptainMike Akhigbe |
| Succeeded by | Michael Otedola |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1947-01-07)7 January 1947 (age 79) |
| Party | Peoples Democratic Party |
| Spouse | |
| Education | |
| Occupation |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch/service |  Nigerian Army |
| Years of service | 1970–1993 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
Raji Alagbe RasakiListenⓘ(born 7 January 1947) is a retired brigadier general in theNigerian Army who served as military governor ofOgun State,Ondo State, andLagos State between 1986 and 1991 during the military administration of GeneralIbrahim Babangida.[1][2]
Raji Alagbe Rasaki was born on 7 January 1947 inIbadan, Nigeria. He received his elementary education at Christ Apostolic Church Primary School, Ita-Olugbode, Ibadan between 1955 and 1960. For his secondary education, he attendedNigerian Military School, Zaria between 1962 and 1966. He then enrolled as anofficer-cadet at theNigerian Defence Academy in September 1967 and graduated in March 1970, when he was commissioned an officer in the Nigerian Army.[3] He held many command and staff positions: he wasAdjutant, LagosGarrison SignalRegiment (1970–71), Commanding Officer Second Signal Regiment, Commander Signal Support Brigade (1978–79), Commander ArmySignal Corps,Commander Army Headquarters Garrison & Signal Group.[4]
Raji Rasaki was a one time military governor ofOgun State (1986–87) before his re-deployment to the nation'seconomic nerve center,Lagos State, becoming that state’s militarygovernor in 1988. Soon after, he embarked on a massivedemolition exercise of illegal structures to rid the State of shanties. That singular act resulted in the re-vitalization of Lagos, and a boom in the real estate market.[5] It also earned him the nickname of "acsion governor" (action governor), a mockery of the way in which he referred to himself.
A member of the armed forces ruling council, he gained national prominence during the 22 April 1990 unsuccessfulcoup against theIbrahim Babangida regime. The plotters led by the late MajorGideon Orkar had attempted to overrun the then seat of the Federal Government,Dodan Barracks, and in that process killing Babangida’sAide de Camp, Major U.K. Bello. Late Major Orkar had announced many far-reaching declarations, which included radical restructuring of the federation bordering on the excision of five core northern States until the coup was foiled by officers loyal to Babangida. The first announcement to this effect came from the then military governor of Lagos state, Col. Raji Rasaki, who declared in aradio broadcast that therebellion was already being contained.[1]
Following his retirement from the military in 1993,[6] Rasaki wrote several policy papers and memoirs. In addition he pursued a career as astatesman, participating in numerousconferences and forums. As a public speaker, he addressed audiences across the country and abroad. In 2005 he joined the NigerianPeoples Democratic Party (PDP).[7]
In 2016, he celebrated 40 years of his marriage to SenatorFatimat Olufunke Raji-Rasaki.[8]
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| National | |
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