Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, reassured residents that his second term would focus more on all-inclusive government through the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda.
He also restated his commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the governance structure with the human-centric agenda, saying that both soft and hard infrastructure will receive adequate attention.
During his inauguration address on 29th May, the Governor announced ‘Social Inclusion, Youth and Gender Equality’ as additional priorities in his governing agenda. Before then, T.H.E.M.E.S represented Transportation and Traffic Management; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos State a 21st Century Megacity, Entertainment and Tourism; and Security and Governance.
Sanwo-Olu spoke on Sunday at the second term inauguration thanksgiving service held for him and his deputy, Deputy Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.
The thanksgiving service, which was held simultaneously in all the five divisions of the state – Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe – marked the end of activities to celebrate the Governor and his deputy’s second term inauguration.
The services took place at Archbishop Vining Memorial Anglican Church, Ikeja; Freeman Methodist Cathedral Church, opposite Oba’s Palace, Badagry; Methodist Church, Ikorodu; Cathedral Church, Marina, Lagos Island; St. Patrick Anglican Church, Epe and Christ The Light Chapel, CBD, Alausa, Ikeja.
The Governor attended the service with his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and wife Oluremi Hamzat; the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; former members of the State Executive Council; Body of Permanent Secretaries; traditional; religious and political leaders, among others.
Sanwo-Olu said the thanksgiving service is important to acknowledge God’s help to individuals, the state and Nigeria, as well as committing the second term of his administration into God’s hand.
He said: “We started by thanking God on Friday at our various divisional mosques and today we are here at church to continue to acknowledge the Almighty God who has helped us as a state and nation. We also want to commit the beginning of our second tenure to ask God for directions and to put everything in front of Almighty God.
“It will certainly be a second term that Lagosians should expect a lot more from us. What we have promised is a T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda which is human-centric. It is an agenda that takes into account everything in T.H.E.M.E.S agenda and adds a bigger flavour to it – a plus component, which itself will ensure that no one is left behind.
“We have learned from the last four years and we want to build a better inclusive governance in which not only will we be doing a lot of hard infrastructure but will also want to do a lot of soft infrastructure since that will touch the lives of our people directly; specifically palliatives that will bring succour and better relief for our citizens even in a difficult time with global economic issues.
“Our citizens need to understand that though the government cannot do everything, we need to be able to bring them out of poverty and speak to what their needs are. So it is a purposeful human-centric agenda that will ensure that no one, no gender, no tribe or religion will be left behind. And we are holding ourselves accountable to that”.
In his sermon on ‘Unity: Catalyst for Godly Possibilities’, the Provost of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Very Revd. Dr. Adebola Ojofeitimi, urged the people to remain united so that things can work effectively.
He urged Lagosians to embrace and work for the unity of the state and Nigeria. This, the Provost said, would help to build a vibrant state and country for the collective good of all.
The cleric said it was through unity that Lagos was able to witness monumental achievements which included the rail projects and robust transportation system in the state among other developmental growth in the first term of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.
He said: “In Lagos, we have noticed progress because we are united. In Lagos, we have peace because we are united. The last state executive council worked with the Governor and that is why we can celebrate a lot of achievements in Lagos State.
“Let us work for the unity of the Church of Christ, Lagos State and Nigeria. We must work for our collective good. Let us come together to build the Church of Christ, Lagos State and Nigeria”.
