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Sanwo-Olu and Infrastructural Revolution in Lagos – By ABUBAKAR YUSUF
In the history of Lagos state from the days it was occupied as the seat of Nigeria’s government, the level of infrastructure rejuvenation and innovations across all sectors from 2019 when Babajide Sanwo-Olu/ Hamzat administration came to the mantle of leadership, it had witnessed another genuine commitment towards it’s advancement and major reformation.
With concerted efforts to building of more roads, reconstruction and expansion of the existing ones across the nooks and crannies of the state, patriotic efforts was been deployed to partner with neighborhood states and the private sector to develop other infrastructures that had positive multiplier effects of the citizens of the affected states.
This had led to the convening of major bilateral and multilateral discussions across the neighboring states like Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Edo States along other local and foreign investors to promote not only the economic, social and infrastructural development, but social , economic growth of the states.
Sanwo-Olu passion for motorable and access roads for Lagosians was non- negotiable as the reconstruction, expansion, remodeling and rehabilitation of all roads across the state received highest priority.
Since ease of movements across the state was the bane of stable economy that attracted both local and foreign investors, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ensured all routes are giving adequate attention in the areas of road construction, as contractors worked all round the clock to rebuild Lagos roads.
The administration also embarked on massive construction and remodeling or government establishments so as to compete with the current realities as well as provided mass housing estates both for all cadres of the civil service and private conglomerates.
This development led to the construction of mass housing estates across the state numbering over 500,000 at various categories by the state government under its Public Private Partnership PPP arrangements.
The Mass Housing projects by Babajide Sanwo-Olu was comparable and compatible with the good old days of Jakande’s administration when aside mass roads and housing estates was constructed across Lagos state that reduced to the barest minimum the problems of accomodations in Lagos for a reasonable period.
The Sanwo-Olu housing projects gained prominence like the construction of many decades Jakande estates spread across length and breadth of Lagos, that attracted not only development but resolved perennial problems of accomodations in the ancient Lagos state that metamorphosed to the current order under Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Construction of bridges and flyovers across the state had become a continuous occurrences to further opened up more access by both vehicular and human movements in the state, by the nature of the state, initiation of flyovers and high capacity bridges is a continuous process to continue to provide alternative routes and ease of movements to the people of Lagos state.
As at 2023, Lagos state government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu/ Hamzat had invested a whopping trillions of state resources to the building, reconstruction, expansion and remodeling of bridges and flyovers across Lagos state.
These among many others included the acquisition and remodeling of federal government properties in Lagos state through a well thought out between Lagos state and the federal government to avoid subsequent abandonment and den of disgruntled elements that could pose as security threats to the state.
The convening of Ehingbeti, the economic and industrial hub of Lagos was a major milestone and efforts towards enhancing a better Lagos state in the current dispensation and subsequent years, as the foresight of the present administration was unique in all ramifications.
To crown his efforts in the infrastructural breakthroughs of Lagos state among many other achievements , the ground breaking ceremony of the 4th Mainland Bridge by the present administration is a dream that must be allowed to come true by only re-electing the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Hamzat leadership, through a massive vote come Saturday March 18, 2023.
Known for his record breaking in all areas, the third Mainland Bridge constructed over four decades ago by the military administration to ease movement from the Lagos Mainland to the Lagos Island was introduced by the current administration with a targeted completion when commenced.
To allow the gigantic investments and all round development of Lagos state to fruition, efforts must be redoubled to support the governor irrespective of creed, religion, extraction or political differences to extricate the cosmopolitan Lagos from the unabated movements and gridlocks.
Aside easing up movements across the state, it will promote not only economic,social and other relevant activities in the state, but encouraged more local and foreign investors as well as influx of other relevant activities into the state.
With the giant achievements, no doubt, when re-elected , the present administration under Babajide Sanwo-Olu/ Hamzat will not only see to the early completion of the projects, but ensured it’s utilisation and introduce many more to the betterment of Lagos state.
Written By ABUBAKAR YUSUF and can be reached on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.