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 a 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 ‘The Food Bank’ to reach out to the vulnerable in Lagos state and by extension the middle class, 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 succor program in Lagos that is the hub of businesses in Nigeria had already stood him out as a leader that deserved continuity, to ensure 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 Bank’s epileptic performance, the Lagos Governor did not relent in the procurement of official POS machines across the state to drive Lagos economy through continuous assessment of funds by patronizers at a normal charge, against the exorbitant charges embarked upon by commercial POS operators in Lagos state.
The ridiculous amount being charged in Lagos state by POS operators equivalent to foreign exchange operators had been reduced to the barest minimum, reduced hardship and lack of money being witnessed across the country, with Lagos state, not the exception.
The multiple approaches embarked upon by the 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 the government conscientious representing the people and its 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 the Lagos state government charged with the distribution of foods and other essential items in designated areas of Lagos state, will be a selfless service 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 entrepreneurial training and advancement among many other programs in the last three and half years, despite the natural and artificial occurrences was the right step in the right direction.
These among many others empower and encouragement to artisans through donations of funds, equipment, machines, and lands to encourage, and stabilize various artistic establishments in Lagos state in the current dispensation.
The introduction of ‘Humane Handshake’ by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos state had a quantum impact on the lives of ordinary Lagosians and Nigerians resident in Lagos state without discrimination and stigmatization of any sort.
The yearly program organized by the state government was consistent with the administration’s desire to eradicate poverty, create an enabling environment for resolving social problems and guarantee 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, and infrastructure among many others.
This is away from the END-SARS distractions that left a quantum of damages to Lagos activities with the 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 on March 11, 2023, more people-oriented programs introduced by the present administration will be rejigged along with many more innovations and initiatives for the betterment of the cosmopolitan Lagos state.
Written by ABUBAKAR YUSUF and can be reached at yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
