Project commissioning in eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) highlights the series of activities marking the second term inauguration of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat. The 11-day programme begins on Sunday, 21st May, according to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.
The activities are lined up in all the five divisions of the state – Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe. Omotoso, who is also the Chairman of the Media and Publicity sub-committee of the inauguration ceremonies, said that the events would celebrate the pair, “as they embark on the promise of improved performance with the aim of effectively achieving ‘A Greater Lagos Rising'”.
At a media briefing in Ikeja on Friday, the commissioner said that the programmes would include project commissioning in eight Local Government Areas – Ajeromi/Ifelodun, Alimosho, Ikeja, Kosofe, Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland and Surulere – for three consecutive days from 24th May.
According to Omotoso, Youth Carnival and Robotic competition, involving People Living with Disability, will hold on Day One simultaneously in all the five divisions, while a public lecture on “The Making of a Beacon: Lagos and the Consolidation of a Democracy that works for all” will be delivered by former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Adigun Agbaje on Day Two (23rd May).
The activities also include Book Launch and Photo Exhibition, as well as a Stage Drama performance on 23rd May at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Children’s Day activities, which will hold at the Police College in Ikeja, and Novelty Match to be played simultaneously in five divisions of Lagos are scheduled for Day Six on 27th May, while the pre-inauguration rehearsal will hold on Day Seven (28th May).
Omotoso said that the two events scheduled for Day 10 are a Cultural display at Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan, and an Inauguration Dinner at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.
Inauguration Day will hold on 29th May, while post-inauguration Jummat and church services will hold simultaneously in the five divisions on Day Nine (2nd June) and Day 11 (4th June) respectively.
Omotoso said that the Sanwo-Olu administration had fulfilled the promise of “a Greater Lagos in many areas of life through the delivery of several life-impacting projects, social investments in our people as well as economic development of our dear state”.
He said that the social contract between Sanwo-Olu and the people of the state in the last four years was never taken for granted, adding that the Governor and his team proactively tackled head-on all the challenges that confronted the State within the four years.
He said: “The administration in line with its campaign promise, ensured that all abandoned/ongoing projects too numerous to mention here, were completed; started and completed new projects and worked on a sustainable and enduring future for the State through several bold and audacious policies and projects.
“We can safely state here that it is not by accident that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration continued the Blue Line Rail project and completed it. It also started the Red Line Rail project that is nearing completion amid global economic challenges.
“The Sanwo-Olu administration completed 970 roads – 34 roads in Kosofe, Somolu, Victoria Island and Ikoyi – and 15 bridges. In Ojokoro, 31 roads were completed. It trained 18,000 teachers under the EKOEXCEL programme, set up two varsities and our varsities never went on strike when it was fashionable to do so. We also built four Mother and Child Centres.
“There are several road projects spread across Lagos State, such as the Agege Pen Cinema bridge, the Eleko Junction to Epe rigid pavement roads, the Oba Sekumade and Ijede roads in Ikorodu as well as several hospital projects spread across the State. We completed 18 housing projects.
“This administration also prioritised technology, entertainment and arts and the preservation of our historical and cultural heritage. The Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat administration changed the face of governance in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
“The Blue Line has been commissioned and any moment from now passenger operation will begin. The administration began the Red Line on August 15, 2021. It is almost completed now, with engineers putting the finishing touches to the iconic project. There are 21 ferries on our waterways, which more Lagosians are embracing to commute from one part of the state to the other. The Lagos Rice Mill Imota is in operation. The achievements are, no doubt, numerous and significant because they touch the people’s lives directly.”
The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Hon. Seye Oladejo said the party is proud of the Sanwo-Olu government in the last four years because the administration is committed to the people of the State.
He urged Lagos residents to continuously support the APC government.
