Sanwo-Olu. |
There is more progress to come as Lagos State steadily journeys into the unfolding dispensation, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reassured Lagosians as he took the oath to kick off his second term, on Monday.
The
morning downpour could not water down the Governor’s will and determination to
renew his pledge to Lagos citizens before whom he stood at the amphitheatre of
Tafawa Balewa Square, where the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Kazeem
Alogba, administered the oath on him.
Sanwo-Olu
was sworn in at exactly 11:50am, after which the Governor stepped forward to
give thorough account of stewardship of his first term. Enumerating
transformations recorded by the State since 2019 under his leadership, the
Governor noted that Lagos had lived up to its billing as the Center of
Excellence. The State, he said, became the first sub-national to deliver an
intracity rail network from its balance sheet to aid mass mobility in the mega
city.
This,
the Governor said, has further advanced the State’s development course, just as
the completion of Lekki Deep Seaport has enhanced socio-economic growth and
turned the State to a new logistics hub of West Africa. He said the delivery of
largest rice mill in Imota by his administration was a game changer that would
make Lagos a key player in food production chain on the continent.
Sanwo-Olu
said Lagos had remained on the track of sustenance and prosperity, pointing out
that his Government’s financial engineering led to the upgrade of the State to
AAA(nga) status in financial sustainability and resilience by Fitch
International - a feat unprecedented in the State’s annals.
The
Governor, sharing his catalogue of achievements, also listed other notable
progress made by Lagos, especially in expanding infrastructure to enhance intermodal
transport system, healthcare services, education, aesthetic environment, social
interventions and other areas across his administration’s development agenda.
“In
my first term, we set the stage for transformative change. We confronted
significant challenges, from improving our infrastructure to ensuring adequate
social services, from grappling with economic downturns to navigating a global
pandemic. Yet, we never faltered. Our challenges became stepping-stones and our
trials, the foundation of our resilience,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Despite
fulfilling some of his pledges, the Governor said there would be much more to
be accomplished in the coming days as his final term begins. He said the
swearing-in offered him an opportunity to acknowledge expectations of the
electorate, and to rededicate his administration towards meeting and surpassing
the people’s expectations.
Sanwo-Olu
said his vision was beyond provision of physical infrastructure and working to
attain good economic indicators for the State; he said he would govern to make
Lagos a beacon of cultural vibrancy, intellectual prowess, and humanistic
values.
The
Governor, in his inauguration address, expanded the scope of his
administration’s governing T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda. He announced three additional
areas of focus which the State Government would intensify intervention in the
next four years, including Social Inclusion, Gender Equality and Youth.
He
said: “That tradition of progressive governance, of enlightened leadership, has
consistently yielded fruit for us, and set Lagos up as a model State. We have
lived up to our designation as Centre of Excellence, and a day like this is an
opportunity to celebrate. Our people still expect a lot more from us in several
areas; today is another opportunity to acknowledge our citizens’ expectations
and to rededicate ourselves to meeting and surpassing those expectations. I
pledge, as your Governor, to unleash greater energy in the service of Lagos. I
will work tirelessly for the well-being of every Lagosian and will strive for a
Lagos that we can all be proud of.
“It
is in line with our resolve, I am pleased to announce that we are taking our
governing agenda to the next level in this our second term. Henceforth, it will
be known as ‘T.H.E.M.E.S Plus’, representing the incorporation of an
intensified focus on Social Inclusion, Gender Equality and Youth. We are strengthening
and reinforcing our governance agenda in order not to leave anyone behind on
account of their social status, gender or young age; we will design all our
policies and programmes to ensure that everyone is carried along and catered
to. This is our solemn promise to you.”
Sanwo-Olu
said his second term would be more rewarding for the residents, as the State
would witness consolidation of his reforms and governance at higher levels. In
the coming weeks, the Governor will be delivering another intracity rail
network, Red Line Rail, which is at the completion stage. Lagos will also be
witnessing development of a new airport in Ibeju-Lekki, Deep Seaport in Badagry
and Fourth Mainland Bridge in addition to other capital projects in the
pipeline.
The
task ahead, the Governor said, would be a collective responsibility of the
Government and people, noting that he would always seek partnership with the
citizens in line with his administration’s mantra. He assured that his
administration would continue to foster a culture of transparency,
accountability and participatory governance.
“The
greatness and strength of Lagos lie in the collective spirit of our people;
whether those paying taxes, or those treating public property with care and
respect, or those speaking about something when they see something going wrong
or someone breaking the law. For us as government, I would be the first to
acknowledge our own side of this social contract. I will not let you down,” the
Governor said.
Sanwo-Olu
eulogised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for laying the foundation for the
development of Lagos, which, he said, made it easy for the succeeding
administrations to strengthen transformational governance and keep the State on
the path of progress.
The
Governor also thanked the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari for
dedicating kindness and support for Lagos, which enabled his administration to
record many successes in the last four years.
Sanwo-Olu
said he was ready to continue to offer transformational leadership to the State
in collaboration with his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, whom he described as
“loyal friend, partner-in-progress”. He promised Lagos would remain a city
united by its diversity, while pledging to work till his last days in creating
better future for the citizens.
He said: “At this moment of our history, it has fallen upon me to steer the ship and to move us closer than ever to the Greater Lagos of our dreams. Like I promised four years ago, the glitz of office will not change my personality and I will not try to become something I am not. I have strived to serve excellently, with humility, compassion, with a listening ear, bending where necessary to demonstrate that people’s welfare is at the centre of our actions.
“I
am sending reminder to Lagosians that this land belongs to all of us, and all
of us who call it home must partake in its goodness. Regardless of what
language we speak, or where we trace our ancestry to, or where in Lagos we
live, or what religion we profess; regardless of age or gender or political
party, and regardless of how long we have called this land home; we are all
united by something deep and immutable, which is our aspirations to make
tomorrow better than today for us and our children.”
Thousands of residents across the State, clad in colourful attires, defied the rains to witness the historic event held at Onikan. The inauguration was well-attended by members of the corporate sector and diplomatic community.
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