Jimi & Sanwo-Olu. |
God
in the moment makes things happen Beyond ourselves. Progress is a road
that forever extends itself the more we travel it. It never ends but continues
to urge us forward .Genuine progress weds the finer aspects of our past to the
possibilities of our greater future. As we approach the Governorship election,
I believe Lagos is ready to keep faith with its strong tradition of progress.
This is a tradition of excellence that has served us well during the past
20 years. Our state has been on a journey of improvement of our infrastructure,
our public transportation and roads, physical security and law enforcement, the
judiciary and administration of justice, health care, and our educational
system. The state has become a welcoming home to business innovation and
investment. Lagos drives the national economy more than any other states.
It sets the standard by which all others are measured.
As excellent a city as Lagos is and as
profound as its journey has been thus far, Lagos is ready to become
its greater self.
For us to reach these heights demands
the best possible leadership. During the past 20 years, the state has
benefited from such leadership. This leadership has guided us on our collective
journey to progress and toward a greater lagos. Under the progressive
leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a team of able and innovative
minds joined togehter to articulate and then to begin implementing a blueprint
for the revival, modernization and improvement of this state, its governing
institutions and its economy. The improvements we see today are the seeds
planted and germinated by that team.
After Tinubu, Tunde Fashola followed and
held close to the strategic plan. Lagos continued to flourish under him.
Governor Ambode came on board and tried to the extent he could understand the
collective and overarching vision.
The people who served Lagos during the
Tinubu /Fashola period have distinguished themselves in sustained service
to the state and nation.
One such exemplary person is
Babajide Sanwolu, a leader but also a team player with the rare talent of
making things greater than how he met them. He is my friend and brother.
During the many years we have known each other, he has always amazed with with
his wealth of knowledge and deep understanding of the working of government. He
is a man equipped with strategic vision as well as an eye for detail and a able
hand to implement even the most complex task.
During
this time, I come to know Jide as someone who does excellently whatever he
commits his mind to.And he has always committed himself to the wellbeing of the
people of Lagos. He was always ready for a task or assignment. Also ready
to pitch in or to give advice. Always ready to team up to get things done.
Always on the look out for others. he is someone who quickly comes to the aid
of a needy friend or extends a helping hand to a stranger in distress. That is
the Babajide Sanwo-Olu I know.
His grasp of issues was uncommon. His
networking ability unprecedented.
Exactly 3 years ago, I made a remark
that first startled him but now has proved to be prescient.
Jide
as I love to call him had developed the habit of checking up on me at work.
Working with Asiwaju Tinubu one had no need for a clock because work never
ends. You just keep at it. Weekday, weekend, holidays -- they are all the
same. they are workdays. He was always there to encourage and support me.
We discussed many issues. Our hopes. Our dreams and desire for a better
country. He never stopped to remind me of two things. One.
That he was older than me by several months and calling him “egbon"
was it. Albeit jocularly. And two, that it was always better to level
with people you deal with and seek to build relationships. On this point
he was serious. Even though I loved his finesse and the sure footednesss with
which he walks I did not like the fact that he never let me win an
argument. Once when I thought I had won and got home to pour myself my usual DP
drink my phone suddenly rang. Lo and behold it was Babajide.
Having
excavated more information about what we discussed he called to let me know
that he was right and I was wrong. I thanked him and promptly returned to
Savour my drink Anyway.
He
is studious with an attention for details.
But back to that conversation by the
pool where I told him. “Jide, you know you will make a good governor some
day,". I blurted. He waved it off in a philosophical
manner saying he would leave everything to God.
Well 3 years later, fate has thrusted
him forward. Promotion cometh not from the West or the East but From
God. In Babajide’s case the fact that God is Never late readily comes to mind.
Many
will say the moment found the man. I will say because God was in the
moment the man was found to lead Lagos forward. Sanwo-Olu is a gift to
Lagos. Remember that. Therefore On March 9, 2019, Lagosians will have the
chance to decide between moving their state to the next logical phase of its
development or to go backwards. The opportunity to sustain the trajectory
of growth and development in Lagos state presents itself this Saturday.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide
Sanwoolu holds the key to great possibilities. Babajide Sanwo-Olu possesses
the right qualifications for the job and is moved by a passion to see the
state excel.
Where other contenders for the
governorship speak in nebulous generalities and abstractions that have no real
life application, Jide is a man of concrete proposals and of ideas with eminent
and practical application. It is of note that he initiated many projects at a
time when he served in the Tinubu and Fashola administrations. Showing such
initiative and drive while serving two governors, just imagine what
he can deliver when provided the mandate as the chief executive of the state.
Managing Director Lagos State
Development and Property Corporation, Special Adviser on Corporate Matters,
Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry,
Commissioner for Establishments and Training are just a few of the important
positions Sanwoolu has held and has excelled in. Few have had his well rounded
experience. Even fewer have the versatility and talent he has. By far, his
track record distinguishes him from the rest of the field of candidates. there
is no question as to who is most able. The only question is whether we want
Lagos to progress further by voting for Jide or do we vote for another
candidate who will make Lagos stagnant.
The
most vivid assurance of his deep understanding of what is required to
generate more progress is the Master Plan unveiled as the core of his campaign.
The pillars of development encapsulated under THEME confirms he knows how to
get the job done.
This perhaps explains the spontaneous
connection that Lagosians shared with him from the moment he announced his
candidacy. In a departure from the usual, whereby people have cause to fear
that a candidate will isolate himself once elected, Sanwoolu has sufficiently
demonstrated that he can be counted upon to remain accessible to the
electorate.
His door-to-door campaigning and
engaging Social Media handles tell of a man that will explore all available
avenues to ensure feedback and input from citizens of Lagos state. One only
needs to interact with those that have worked closely with him to appreciate
his passion for getting direct feedback from stakeholders.
This Saturday Lagosians must make a
choice. A choice between continuing on a journey of progress with a clear road
map or to be satisfied with a PDP candidate that will run an inferior
government that will take Lagos to an inferior future. We must decide
between a journey toward our greater selves or a step toward failure and
setback. Lagos has always had the wisdom and courage to select the right way.
Let us remain true to our progressive tradition by electing Jide Sanwo olu as
our next governor. With Jide at the helm, a greater Lagos not only will come
into clear view it will be within ourcollective reach. Let us be bold
enough to reach for it.
Sunday Dare is former Chief of Staff to
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and currently Federal Executive Commissioner, at the
Nigerian Communications Commission. Abuja.
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