Making a case for Sanwo-Olu's re-election



By Prince Quam Owolabi Animashaun 


When Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu took over the reins of leadership of Lagos State in 2019 on the heels of an impressive campaign, many wonder how this relatively unknown former commissioner with impeccable credentials would fare in governing one of the largest economies in Africa. But four years later, even Sanwo-Olu's biggest detractors can attest that Lagos has recorded tremendous progress under his watch. I daresay that only a few of the 'Class of 2019' governors can boast of a long string of achievements like Sanwo-Olu. Little wonder he is called Mr. Sellable, as his achievements already precede him. 


From the moment he was sworn in as governor, Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, another former commissioner armed with a rich resumé, hit the ground running in line with their THEMES Agenda, which covers six pillars of the administration's development agenda: Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, and finally, Security and Governance. Thanks to Sanwo-Olu's forward-looking and proactive leadership, each of these pillars have been sufficiently addressed, and Lagos is in a much better shape than it was four years ago. 


No fewer than 970 public schools have been upgraded just as 1,000 teachers were recruited, introduction of digital learning in public schools, among other achievements in the education sector. On infrastructure, massive road construction/rehabilitation has been undertaken in every LGA in the state: these projects are either completed or underway. On transportation, he commissioned the first phase of the Lagos Blue Line Rail project. When completed, the 27-kilometre rail system will serve more than 500,000 passengers, thereby decongesting our roads. On housing, over 4,000 housing projects have been completed to address the housing deficit in the state. On health, his administration has commissioned four Mother and Child Centres (MCCs) alongside renovation of health facilities across the state. Security wise, Lagos is much safer than before, thanks to the massive investment in the security architecture of the state by the Sanwo-Olu administration. These are just some of his achievements. 


Admittedly, the journey hasn't been rosy. Unforeseen challenges rocked the state at some point. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it was thanks to Sanwo-Olu's methodical handling that the state was able to manage the spread of the deadly virus. Not only did he rise up to the occasion like a true leader by beefing up the health architecture to respond to COVID-19, he provided relief packages and support to Lagosians during the lockdowns. Similarly, the #EndSARS protest and its unfortunate hijack by unscrupulous elements was another test of leadership for Sanwo-Olu, but the governor weathered the storm and helped the state heal from the ruins. 


If anything, Sanwo-Olu has proven to us that the unbroken structure of progress in Lagos is working, and we shouldn't make the costly mistake of breaking this chain of development. As we head to the polls on Saturday, March 18, it's only proper that we sign up for sustained growth by re-electing Sanwo-Olu as Lagos State governor. We can't afford to place our future in the hands of rookies when we already have a tested and trusted one piloting our affairs. 


Prince Quam Owolabi Animashaun, a politician and entrepreneur, writes from Lagos.

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