Of the sterling attributes of good leaders, lies competence – the ability to deliver policies and execute projects that will positively impact the lives of citizens. Another flex would be to achieve this, bereft of the usual pomp, loud ovation or hype which often accompanies such achievements in this clime. This is the stuff of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, a silent achiever, who would rather let his works speak for him, and loudly so.
Since his election in 2019, Governor Sanwo-Olu has consistently shown grit and commitment to the development of Lagos state, engaging strategic interventions and meaningful executions.
Marshalling the collective dream for a Greater Lagos – one of the most functional and habitable cities in the world, Sanwo-olu has initiated and completed innovative policies and meaningful infrastructural projects across various sectors.
To improve transportation, he has prioritized improving road networks, embarking on massive constructions and rehabilitation of roads and bridges across the state, including over 1000 inner roads via the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LPWC), network of roads in Ojokoro, Ikorodu, Lekki, Badagry, Kosofe, Ojo and other parts of the state.
Understanding the essence of continuity in governance, Governor Sanwo-Olu has also focused on completing hitherto abandoned projects in the state, like the 1.4km dual carriage Pen Cinema Bridge, which has left residents and motorist plying the route, full of praises for him. Many more infrastructural projects are currently ongoing across the state, including the fourth mainland bridge.
His commitment to easing the traffic congestions that have plagued the state in recent times has inspired his drive for a multi-modal transport system to give Lagosians the options of commuting by Water, Road and Rail.
Lagosians now easily move across different parts of the state via the Lagos waterways with the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) and the Boat Water Transport Service, a product of a partnership between the state government and world-class ride hailing company, Uber. When completed, the ongoing Blue Line Mass Trail project will provide the first passenger rail system that will reduce the current travel time by half.
Human capital development remains a key focus of the Sanwo-Olu administration, evident in his numerous interventions in education including the completion of over 1,000 school projects, construction of six new secondary schools and the donation of over 100,000 chairs and tables, beds and academic materials to schools across the state. Over 2,000 qualified teachers have been recruited to provide cutting-edge academic training to public schools students, with further training and support from the Eko Excel project.
In the area of health, he has made significant strides to deliver quality healthcare to Lagosians, including but not limited to the comprehensive renovation of medical facilities at various Health Centres and General Hospitals in the State. In addition, the state is also developing new facilities, such as the New Massey Children Hospital, New General Hospital, Ojo and a Rehabilitation and Mental Health facility in Ketu Ejinrin, Mother and Child Centres (MCCs) in Eti-Osa, Igando, Badagry and Epe, to improve maternal and child health, as well as 300-bed Isolation Centre and a Research Institute at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba to improve preparedness in the event of the outbreak of epidemics.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s approach to security has improved the safety of the lives and properties of Lagosians. With the active support of the private sector, his administration has procured and deployed security assets including 200 motorbikes, 180 vehicles, 8 armed personel carriers, 2 water cannons, bullets-proof vests and communication devices, which along with concerted efforts of security agencies has significantly reduced criminal activities in the state.
However, these successes have not been without significant challenges. With the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic came characteristic disruption, confusion and uncertainties, and as for many leaders around the world, it unleashed an unusual burden of responsibility on the Lagos State Governor. But like the saying goes “it takes a crisis to show the man.”
Sanwo-Olu showed battled ready capacity, trouncing the widely-held opinion that hardly gave him a chance. An ardent team player, he assembled healthcare professionals, putting world-class measures in place to curb the spread of the scourge and saving the lives of Lagosians. With support from organized private sector, he set up an incident command system which facilitated easy and speedy resource mobilization to manage the outbreak.
Despite the harsh economic climate occasioned by the pandemic, Sanwo-Olu braced up to the challenge, investing heavily in several interventions to minimize the health and economic impact of the pandemic. He set up food kitchens and distribution centres across all 20 LGAs of the state, in addition to the distribution of relief items and stimulus packages to vulnerable residents across the state, to cushion the effect of the extended lockdown.
It is important to note that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was able to grace these achievements even without any existing response model for such a novel issue, thus, earning him the confidence, trust and support he currently enjoys from the citizenry.
In his usual calm poise and levelheaded character, he has continued to show capacity and excellence with his leadership style, delivering the dividends of democracy to Lagosians, even as he furthers the collective dream of achieving a Greater Lagos.
