It is rare and out of political disposition but passion for the downtrodden, average Lagosians and residents of Lagos state, as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu rolled out palliative measures to caution the hardship occasioned by naira redesign or swap and the unabated fuel crises bedeviling the country build up to 2023 general elections.
Lagos Governor, not perturbed by the terse and tense political atmosphere across the country with Lagos state not left out, believed strongly that governance is a continuous process and the welfare of the people remained paramount towards building a continuous egalitarian society.
The recent introduction of 50% slash in the cost of transportation and patronage of Lagos state transport company was a pointer to his selfless services to the people of Lagos state, amidst scarcity of petroleum products and cash crunch occasioned by the ongoing naira redesign.
This has gone a long way with the establishment of ‘Food Bank’ to reach out to the vulnerables in Lagos state and by extension the middle class, so as to reduce to the barest minimum of the crises of money and possession of essential items to various homes in Lagos state.
The genuine singular gesture of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pioneering a succour program in Lagos that is the hub of businesses in Nigeria had already stands him out as a leader that deserved continuity, so as to ensure a seamless programs for the people of Lagos state.
With the dreaded activities of shylock Point of Sales POS operators across the country through exorbitant charges, resulting in Banks epileptic performance, the Lagos Governor did not relent in procurement of official POS machines across the state to drive Lagos economy through continuous assessment of funds by patronizers at a normal charges, against the exorbitant charges embarked upon by commercial POS operators in Lagos state.
The ridiculous amount been charged in Lagos state by POS operators equavelent to foreign exchange operators had been reduced to the barest minimum, reduced hardship and lack of money been witnessed across the country, with Lagos state not in exception.
The multiple approach embarked upon by Lagos state government not to ground the economy of the state through shylock and emergency/ artificial situations created by the current order was a wise decision by government who concentiously represented the people and it’s intentions to continue from the outcome of March 11 , 2023 governorship election.
The aborted crises of naked poverty, hunger and starvation nipped in the bud through the establishment of ‘Food Bank’ by Lagos state government charged with distribution of foods and other essential items in a designated areas of Lagos state, will be a selfless services rendered in the current context of Nigeria in recent times.
This is a way from many of the present administration’s success story which ranges from empowerment, charity, skill development and enterpreneurial training and advancement among many other programs in the last three and half years, inspite of the natural and artificial occurrences was the right step at the right direction.
These among many other empowerment and encouragement to artisans through donations of funds, equipment, machines and lands to encourage, stabilize various artistic establishment in Lagos state in the current dispensation.
The introduction of ‘Humane Handshake’ by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos state had had a quantum impact on the lives of ordinary Lagosians and Nigerians resident in Lagos state without discrimination and stigmatisation of any sorts.
The yearly program organised by the state government was consistent with the administration’s desire to eradicate poverty, create an enabling environment towards ressolving social problems and guaranteeing social security.
The post COVID environment that retarded many businesses and activities and Sanwo-Olu’s government intervention was still fresh in the memories of average Lagosians both in Health, Education, infrastructure among many others.
This is away from the ENDSARS distractions that left quantum of damages to Lagos activities with government taking the chunk , but unperturbed with both personal and official loss, as it quickly settled down to the business of governance across the state.
With the current initiatives and leadership acumen, there is no doubt that when reelected as Lagos Governor in March 11, 2023 , more people oriented programs introduced by the present administration will be rejigged along with many more innovations and initiatives to the betterment of the cosmopolitan Lagos state.
ABUBAKAR YUSUF writes from Abuja and he can be reached on [email protected].
