Benjamin Omoike l Wednesday, May 29, 2019
LAGOS, Nigeria – Babjide Sanwo-Olu was today sworn-in as the 6th democratically-elected and 15th governor of Lagos state. The event, which took place on Wednesday, at the Tafawa Balewa Square, was attended by top All Progressives Congress, APC, members in the state, government functionaries, captains of industry and key stakeholders.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his family
According to the new governor, in his inaugural speech tagged: ‘Awakening A Greater Lagos’, he stated that he has been a part of the progressive story of Lagos, sating that he would continue to build upon the blueprint laid down by the preceding administrators.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that he believed he had been placed here at a momentous time, and as such, would make the most of what God had given to him. According to him, ‘we cannot afford to do less than that’.
He vowed that, as governor, he will serve the public cause with his utmost ability and commitment. He said indeed, the best days of Lagos were still very much ahead.
“This inauguration symbolises such an awakening. This day marks the beginning of a new chapter in our journey to greatness. Today, I ask you to join me on this journey to awaken a Greater Lagos. When we speak of a Greater Lagos, we speak not empty words. It is a deep and profound assertion we mean. We intend to make history by making for ourselves and our children a better future. Therefore, on this day, on this precious land we call our home, let us stand together in the very face of history.
“As your governor, I know fully well who I am, because I know from where I came. More importantly, I know where I am headed. I have been a part of this progressive journey since its very inception. I was there at the conception of the developmental blueprint if the state. In serving in all the three previous administrators, I have contributed to the creation, design and implementation of this masterplan.
“I know firsthand the concerted efforts that went into planning so many of the innovations we now see and enjoy. It will be my job to continue that process by refining and perfecting the foundation laid by the preceding administrators. In this regard, I shall remain forever loyal to the aspirations of the people and to the developmental blueprint that has brought so much success to our dear state.
“The Babajide Sanwo-Olu you see today shall not change and try to become something I am not. My prayer is only that I grow and improve as your governor to implement good policies and bring the prosperity you deserve,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He added that his goal is to advance the social and economic progress of Lagos and its people regardless of faith, social class, or origin of birth.
“As I said in my acceptance speech, I am too focused on moving Lagos forward to give a second thought to where a person may have come from. As long as you are animated by the spirit of achievement, cooperation and tolerance, then you are Lagosian. This is my motto. This is how I see our home and this is how I shall run my government. I shall select the best and most qualified people to hold positions in our government.
“My door shall remain open to all. I shall seek the advice of the learned, the wise and the ordinary Lagosian, for in the common man resides much wisdom and fairness of thought. While one cannot help but hear the kind words of friends, I must pay even closer attention to the voice of my critics. In constructive criticism lies the seeds of improvement. With these things in mind, let me quickly outline my goals for a Greater Lagos.
“The Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and I, are single-minded in our desire to bequeath to our successors a far Greater Lagos than the one we inherited today. And to do so, we have formulated a concise framework that encapsulates our collective vision for the state and ensures that our undertaking remains focused and our communication remains clear as we endeavour to build a Greater Lagos we can all be proud to call home.
“The framework, as our six pillars of Development Agenda, is captured by the acronym, “T.H.E.M.E.S, which I will briefly talk about:
T – Traffic Management and Transportation
Here, we must act with urgency to execute a transport masterplan that will fully integrate road, rail and water transportation into a multi-modal transport system that makes commuting easy for Lagosians. H – Health and Environment. Because we know the significance of a clean environment in preventive healthcare, we have a moral duty to provide basic health care for our people, especially those who cannot afford it. Under our comprehensive health program, we will place special emphasis on maternal healthcare, malaria and water borne diseases. We will also focus on sanitation and waste management, by ensuring that our drainage systems are functional and kept clean.
“E – Education and Technology. We will invest in the education of our children and young adults. By increasing the budgetary allocation to education, this government will empower teachers in every local government and strengthen their capacity to deliver quality education to our children. We will ensure technology is integrated into our school curriculum and empower our youths with the much-needed skills for the jobs of tomorrow. M – Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy. By investing in critical infrastructure, we will accelerate the growth of our economy and empower the private sector who are the real engines of growth. We must break the deadlock that shackles our power distribution, provide sustainable urban settlements that addresses the current deficit; while at the same time building a smart city that achieves urban harmony and sets a new bar in our nation.
“E – Entertainment and Tourism. We will nurture and showcase our cultural heritage and unique hospitality, support our entertainment, visual arts and sports sectors, and inspire the kind of creativity from our most talented individuals that will enhance our reputation at home – and abroad. S – Security and Governance. The last of these pillars of development is Security and Governance. It is important to ensure that we set the right tone for good governance and accountability at the top. To this end, my administration will ensure that we walk the talk as far as transparency, the rule of law and fiscal discipline are concerned,” he said.
The governor stressed that the ultimate goal would be to ensure that Lagos remains one of the top destinations on the African continent to live, work and invest in.
“These six pillars of development represent our response to the yearnings of the people. They constitute the foundations that must be restored for future generations. And should we fulfil our promise and deliver on these pillars, we are most confident that we will have succeeded in setting Lagos on a new trajectory of economic growth and development that would be unprecedented in our entire history,” he concluded.
