Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday said he will re-launch ‘One House, One Tree’ campaign across the state.
The move, he said, would ensure every house in the state plants one tree to intensify the green project.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at the flag off of a Green Campaign to plant 350,000 trees across the state in response to changing ecosystem and climate conditions.
The campaign with the theme: “Clean and Green is our Perfect Dream”, kicked off in Lekki Phase 1 to commemorate the state’s Tree Planting Day – an annual programme initiated 10 years ago by the administration of Babatunde Raji Fashola, with the objectives to galvanise policies and actions towards mitigating the effects of climate change.
The commemorative tree planting activity was held simultaneously across the state, including Costain area of Ebute Metta where the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, anchored the exercise.
The Governor, represented by his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said maintaining green environment was a cardinal agenda of his administration, reiterating his commitment to achieve cleaner and greener ecosystem.
He said tree planting remained an effective strategy to combat the effect of climate change and global warming, stressing that the sustenance of the initiative was a testimony to the foresight of the previous administrations to ensure Lagosians live in a healthy environment.
He said: “We cannot keep on ignoring the effects of climate change, which is the most significant material risk to our future; it is also the world’s most devastating threat to human survival. As we increase effort to rid the state of waste, all hands must be on deck to also improve the aesthetics of the environment by adorning it with ornaments, plants, beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees.”
The governor praised the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) for the mileage it had achieved in helping the government to realise the green objectives, noting that seven million trees had been planted out of the 10 million targets by 2020. He observed that achieving a green credential would help the government to improve healthcare and sustain the environment.
Chairman of Iru/Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Princess Rasheedat Adu, said tree planting had become a ritual in her local council.
She said: “We are passionate about keeping the environment in its natural form. We believe that whatever we take away from the environment should be returned to keep it natural. Victoria Island is below the sea level and because of this, all hands are always on deck to ensure that we clear our drainages and keep the environment safe. We regularly roll out programmes that sensitise residents on how properly to dispose of refuse and maintain a healthy environment.”
Adu’s Ojokoro LCDA counterpart Hammed Tijani described tree planting as the most reliable and cheapest means of combating the effect of global warming and climate change.
Other importance of tree planting, Tijani said, include providing oxygen, control erosions and provide shades and foods, amongst others.
He advised residents of Ojokoro to plant a tree when marking memorable occasions such as child dedication, birthday, graduation and many more.
LAGOS State Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat on Tuesday ordered the arrest of five drivers for driving against the traffic.
Four were apprehended on Lagos-Badagry Expressway; the last person was nabbed at Iponri.
Hamzat said their vehicles should be impounded, while the offenders should be made to face the wrath of the law for their actions.
The deputy governor was on his way to the flag-off ceremony of continuation of the reconstruction of Lagos-Badagry Expressway when he caught the drivers.
Hamzat expressed displeasure at the antics of the motorists, urging residents and road users to always obey the traffic laws.
He said: “It is important to note that on our way, we saw a lot of vehicles facing one way. In the process, we stopped some of them and their excuse was that `there is no road’.
“Unfortunately, on that same road, we saw a young man that was hit by an ‘Okada’ rider who was riding against the traffic. That young man can be somebody’s brother, son or cousin.
“So, we cannot say because the road is in bad shape, we will now break the law.’’
Fifty-four-year-old Emmanuel Onwuegbu, who was apprehended at Iponri told The Nation that he regretted the action.
According to him, the trucks and trailers blocked the road and he wanted to make a detour to follow another route.
The businessman said he was trapped in the traffic for about three hours at the same spot on Sunday.
“When I came out of Bode Thomas Road yesterday and faced Iponri. Trailers have blocked the two lanes. I decided to make a detour Under the Bridge. A car in my front followed a one-way by facing oncoming vehicles. Shortly after I followed him, a commercial tricycle driver blocked me while dropping his passengers. Not quite long, a motorcycle in the convoy of the deputy governor blocked me till the deputy governor arrived about two minutes later,” he said.
Onwuegbu said he would not have followed the vehicle but he was pressed to urinate.
He said he regretted his action.
Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) General Manager Olawale Musa said the apprehension of the traffic law violator by the deputy governor is to show the commitment, the determination of the current administration to eradicate all impunities and violations of law from Lagos State.
“This administration is committed to ensuring sanity on our roads so that we can have peace; people can travel within the time framework and also feel safe when driving on the road. All eyes are on traffic violators in Lagos State. It is no longer business as usual and anybody caught violating the law, will be made to appear before the appropriate court,” Musa said.
The only regret of his family and associates is that the great politician died 17 days to the inauguration of his son, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, as deputy governor of Lagos State. He led a life of honour, dignity and service to the political class, Lagos and humanity.
The progressive family in Lagos and Southwest will continue to cherish the contributions of the late Oba Muftau Olatunji hamzat, Olu of Afowowa Sogade, Ogun State, and member of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor’s Advisory Council. He was 86.
Many party members, who held him in high esteem as a mentor and role model, received the news of his death with a mixture of shock and understanding. It was with shock because his demise was not preceded by long or protracted illness. However, it was with understanding because he left at a ripe age.
His last public outing was the conferment of a honorary doctorate degree on him by the European-American University. The event took place at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos, Akoka.
Oba Hamzat was a principled politician, a courageous leader, incorruptible actor, an Awoist, and consistent player who never defected from the progressive camp.
Paying tribute to him, Lagos APC GAC member Alhaji Mutiu Are noted that the hallmark of his political career was loyalty. “He was a believer in party supremacy, party discipline and the pre-eminence of gerontocratic monitoring,” he added.
Hamzat’s exit trailed the demise of some of his contemporaries in the GAC, including Chief Mumuni Adio Badmus, Chief Rafiu Jafojo, Senator Sikiru Shitta-Bey, Chief Whenu Hundeyin, Hon. Odunsi and Pa Suarau from Ojo.
Hamzat will be greatly missed by his community, Afowowa Sogade, where he was the monarch, his ancestral Ajiborisa family of Epe and the wider political class, particularly the progressive bloc, which retained the fond memories of his involvement in the Action Group (AG) politics in Mushin in the days of Timithy Abiona, I.O Adeyemi, M.B Shillings, F.O Okuntola and S.A Ojo; his compatriots in the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) and APC.
He left behind a formidable ruling party, APC, a peaceful and potentially greater Lagos warming up for a new dawn on May 29, and surviving gerontocratic compatriots in the Lagos State GAC, who will continue to guide the process in the wider interest of Lagosians.
One of the lessons of his life was that Hamzat was not a politician without a second addres. He was a successful banker before entering politics. He was also a businessman.
Hamzat is survived by worthy and promising children who are doing well in their chosen fields; as technocrats and politicians in his footsteps.
The deceased politician was an outstanding and experienced politician, who moulded the lives of younger generation of political actors who subscribe to the progressive creed. He was a successful technocrat, who was fortified by the dignity of labour and involvement in community service before becoming a full-time politician.
In the First Republic, he entered politics as a member of the Action Group (AG) Youth Association, led by Pa Ayo Fasanmi, nicknamed the revolutionary chemist. The national secretary of the group was the late Sikiru Shitta-Bey, who later served in the House of Representatives and Senate. The motivation for joining the party was the captivating progressive ideas espoused by Awolowo, who presided over the pioneer administration in the defunct Western Region that has remained a reference point in Africa.
Late Muftau Hamzat
His first encounter with the sage, Obafemi Awolowo, was when he was part of the association’s delegation to the Broad Street Prison, where he was detained when his son, Segun, died in an auto crash. While they were there to sympathise with Awo, the great man started counselling them about the reality of life and inevitability of death. “I can never forget the very first encounter I had with Chief Awolowo, which taught me about the necessary iron resolve without which political leadership is vacuous and untenable,” Hamzat recalled in his memoirs.
In 1979, Pa Hamzat became a chieftain of UPN, led Awolowo, and was elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly, where he aspired to serve as Speaker. His opponent in the Mushin Constituency 11 was Alhaji Nurideen Alowonle of the banned National Party of Nigeria (NPN). But, he lost the principal legislative position to the late Hon. Oladosu Osinnowo. Hamzat’s godfather was Pa Rafiu Ishola Solomon, associate of Alhaji Lateef Jakande and father of Senator Ganiyu Solomon. Pa Solomon was a grassroots operator who, in Hamzat’s view, was a disciplinarian who also liked to reward political loyalty.
In later years, Hamzat expressed displeasure in the behaviour of the son of his mentor, saying that he portrayed a blatant disregard for civility and ideological temperance, yielding to combative, licentious thuggery and display of gangsterism. The younger Solomon disagreed with the submission.
Hamzat’s colleagues in the House of Assembly included Chief Busura Alebiosu from Kosofe, Oladimeji Longe, Longe Oyediran from Somolu, Clement Awoyelu from Amuwo Odofin, Oluwole Awolowo from Apapa, Hon. Ayiyoh from Oshodi/Isolo and Hon. Odunsi from Surulere.
However, shortly after the inauguration of the House under Speaker Osinnowo, Pa Hamzat was appointed as Commissioner for Transport by Governor Jakande, following recommendation by the Mushin UPN leader, Solomon. In 1983, he was reappointed into the same position after Jakande was re-elected. His compatriots in the State Executive Council included Olorunfunmi Basorun (Secretary to Government), Olawale Idris (Commissioner for Health), Daniyu Dawodu (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs), Afolabi Ege, Hundeyin (Works), P.O Fagbeyiro (Agriculture), Agbabiaka, Alhaji Masha, Hon. Shobowale, Arokodaro, and Prof. Femi Igbalajobi, who later became Secretary to Government.
Immediately he was appointed, he ran to the universities of Lagos and Ibadan to brainstorm with experts in related fields of Transportation Geography to keep himself abreast of the technical requirements and challenges.
Hamzat’s ministry pioneered the introduction of the light rail in Lagos under the Jakande administration. The project was approved and launched by former President Shehu Shagari. The project, which was approved and launched by former President Shehu Shagari, was one of the casualties of military intervention of 1983. “The Metroline,” Hamzat said, “was to run through a 28.5 kilometre stretch of incredible twists and turns, ferrying more than 40,000 commuters every hour from the Yaba originating terminus to Marina, with a vaulting extension back to Agege. It was to involve 19 modern coaches hauled along rail-gauge viaduct conduit, propelled in most fast-moving fail-safe metronomic precision. “
The project was one of the first casualties of the military intervention in 1983.
Following the violent change of government, Hamzat and many of his colleagues in the Jakande cabinet were hounded into detention by the military. After extensive investigations, nothing in ruminating was found against him.
However, the coup did not draw the curtains on Hamzat’s political career. He returned to his business. Also, he enrolled for a writing course at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba.
In the Third Republic, he bounced back as a chieftain of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). The Lagos chapter split into two, following the struggle for the ticket between Dapo Sarunmi and Agbalajobi, both from Epe.
While Jakande and his group supported Agbalajobi, Primose Circle, which was made up of other progressives-Oluyole Olusi, Shitta-Bey, Oladele Ajomale, Bola Tinubu, Tola Kasali, Basorun and Hamzat, supported Sarunmi.
However, both Sarunmi and Agbalajobi were disqualified by military President Ibrahim Babangida. Therefore, Jakande camp nominated Abiodun Ogunleye for the rescheduled primary. Sarunmi’s group supported Yomi Edu. Although Edu won the ticket, he lost the governorship election to Michael Otedola of the defunct National Republican Party (NRC).
Hamzat was one of the supporters of Chief Moshood Abiola, presidential candidate of the SDP. When the historic June 12 poll won by him was annulled, the group demanded for its de-annullment. In fact, Hamzat, Olusi, Tinubu and others had to leave Sarunmi’s group when he accepted to serve as minister(secretary) in the Interim Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan. Later, the Third Republic went with the wind.
In 1999, Hamzat became a founding member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Lagos State. The party nearly ran into turbulence because of the contest for the governorship ticket. In the race were Tinubu, Funso Wiliams, Dr. Wahab Dosunmu, Kofo Bucknor Akerele, Uthman Shodipe, Tawa Williams and Dapo Durosinmi-Etti. While Afenifere leaders supported Tinubu, one of them, Ganiyu Dawodu, opted for Funso Williams of Network Alliance. Tinubu won the ticket and the election.
Reflecting on the tempestuous primary, Hamzat said: “Dawodu’s preference for Williams who had served in Abacha government over his own comrades who suffered in the trenches with him remains a puzzle.” On Tinubu, he said: “Tinubu had stood in the favouritism of the Justice Forum because of his daring role during the struggle against Abacha.”
Hamzat had wanted to serve as commissioner in Tinubu cabinet. But, the former governor objected, saying that he could not order an old man around. Therefore, Hamzat recommended the young and promising University of Lagos teacher, Dr. Muiz Banire, for a cabinet position. Although Tinubu never met Banire before, he made him a special adviser, and later, commissioner.
Reminiscing on the appointment, Hamzat said: “Though I wanted to serve in Tinubu’s cabinet, fate prevailed against it. The governor summoned me to a meeting and declared: “my leader, I will like you to nominate anybody you want as your replacement for the transportation ministry.
“But, I had not expected that I would be given a carte-blanche to nominate my replacement. Almost without reflection, I mentioned the name of Muiz Banire, the young man who had associated with me politically for close to 15 years. The governor never heard of him. Tinubu never met him, never recalled the name or connected such name even in the remoteness of any political association or linkage. He squinted his face, removed his glasses and glared at me in quixotically unspoken declaration:” who is that?”
“The governor did not know Banire and was naturally curious about my choice. Tinubu, in his typical straight-laced confrontation, told Banire he did not know him from Adam and that the sole privilege of what he was being offered totally resided in the recommendation made by me. That was all as he urged him to uphold the weighty honour reposed in him.” Banire served in the Lagos State Executive Council for 12 years.
Although Hamzat’s two children, Ganiyu and Olatunbosun, won the House of Representatives tickets at Mushin and Ifako Ijaye, the family had to make a sacrifice by surrendering the Ifako Ijaye ticket. Instead, Femi Onimole was given the ticket to represent Ifako-Ijaye.
Hamzat was the National Auditor of AD. In that capacity, he witnessed the inclination of the party to support former President Olusegun Obasanjo for a second term, although, as he put it, even, if AD members were going to abide by the sacredness of an agreement to protect AD’s interest in the Southwest, “one could not trust the faithfulness of the ruling party.” Only Lagos, under the leadership of Tinubu, survived the 2003 political earthquake that swept across the region.
To the consternation of party members, the National Chairman, Ahmed Abdulkadir, accepted defeat on behalf of five AD governors before accepting to serve in Obasanjo administration as Special Adviser on Manufacturing.
Hamzat was also a witness to the controversy over 60:40 formula proposed for the sharing of elective and appointive positions by a committee headed by the late Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, following irreconcilable difference between the AD factions led by Abiodun Ogunleye and Dawodu. While Tinubu/Ogunleye/Hamzat/Tajudeen Olusi group were to take 60, Dawodu camp was to take 40. Tinubu tactically rejected the proposal, urging the Afenifere leader, Pa Abraham Adesanya, to give him the opportunity to consult with his group, which was in a clear majority. The proposal could not be implemented.
Hamzat later succeeded Pa Ayo Fasanmi as National Vice Chairman of the AD(Southwest).
He was also a leader of the Action Congress, which worked for the victory of Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) in 2007 and 2011, and APC which worked for the victory of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in 2015. Hamzat was the leader of the Justice Forum.
As a mark of respect and in recognition of his contributions to community development, Pa Hamzat was installed as the Olu of Afowora Sogade, few years back.
Paying tribute to him, Lagos State APC Publicity Secretary Comrade Joe Igbokwe said Oba Hamzat will be remembered for his discipline, loyalty to the party, contributions to the welfare of Lagosians and commitment to the development of the Southwest.”
Are said: “The greatest tribute we can pay to him is to emulate his virtues; his philosophical calmness, power of reflection and analysis, extreme caution and strategic reservations, his political maturity and composure, self-esteem, his capacity for thinking before acting, his sense of tolerance and justice and belief in the collective welfare of people.”
Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat will on April 27 unveil key road map to adopt in actualising the vision for a greater Lagos at a special dinner to appreciate Lagosians for massively voting for them at the recent governorship election in the State.
Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled a total of 739,445 votes to defeat their closest challenger and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimi Agbaje who got 206,141votes.
The appreciation dinner, according to its organisers Vision LOUD, is designed for the governor-elect and his deputy to thank residents of the state for the overwhelming support they received at the poll, and to also unveil the strategies to be adopted in achieving the set objectives for the state.
Vision LOUD, a socio-political group championing the Lagos of higher dreams, in a statement on Wednesday by its National Coordinator, Owoseni Olukotun, said aside Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat, the event, which is billed to hold at Civic Centre, Victoria Island by 6pm prompt, would also be attended by APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who is to serve as father of the day.
Other eminent Nigerians that would grace the event, according to Owoseni, include APC chieftain, Chief Pius Akinyelure (Chairman of the day); former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith (Co-chairman); former Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Majority Leader of House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi; renowned finance expert, Mr Wale Edun; former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake; and Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Hakeem Fahm.
Olukotun particularly expressed strong optimism in the ability of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat to place the state on sound footing for upward trajectory across board, saying that it was evident that the state would be in good hands with the duo, adding that they would be speaking more about their plans for the state at the event.
“The manifesto of the Governor-elect as captured in the five pillars of developmental agenda for the state aptly presents a clear vision and roadmap in critical sectors including Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy; as well as Entertainment and Tourism.
“From a careful appraisal of the manifesto and the eloquent manner with which the Governor-Elect and his deputy presented the agenda to Lagosians at various platforms, we know that Lagos is in for a great time which is in tandem with our vision for the State.
“So, at this upcoming appreciation dinner, the Governor-elect and the Deputy Governor-elect will be speaking more to their plans and also specially thank the people for the massive support at the poll,” Olukotun said.
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has inaugurated the state transition committee to ensure a seamless transition to the next administration on May 29.
Ambode lauded Lagosians for remaining steadfast and committed to the progressive ideals, which the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), has sustained in the last two decades and still continuing.
The governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello, at the ceremony at the Cabinet Office Conference Room, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, added that a smooth transition to the next administration was imperative to ensure that the machinery of government continues to roll smoothly.
He described Lagos as a delicate state with very significant importance in the economic importance in the economic and social stability of the nation.
The governor said in about seven-week time, the tenure of this administration would come to an end with a new administration under the leadership of the Governor-elect Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He added that the gathering was to formally inaugurate the members and kick start the process.
The governor expressed his profound appreciation to Lagosians for the rare privilege to serve them and keeping faith with his administration. “Government is not a spirit or a short distance race. It is an unending race in which every successive administration builds upon the achievement of the past administration.
“For us in Lagos State, it has been a progressive race in which every successive administration build upon the achievement of the past administration,” Ambode said.
He urged the committee jointly to be chaired by the Deputy Governor-elect Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and Secretary to the State Government and members of the committee to accord the assignment the diligent and commitment it deserves.
The Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, stated that putting in place the committee members was important for continuity.
He added that the members would put in their best to achieve the best results.
Also speaking, Hamzat noted that a seamless transition is very necessary between the present administration and the incoming one, adding that it is in the best interest of the state.
He gave a commitment that the committee members would hit the ground running and would work hand in hand for the progress of the Centre of Excellence.
The 20-member transition committee also include: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem as the Dep, Co-Chairman, the Head of Service as Dep. Co- Chairman, Commissioner for Finance Mr. Akinyemi Ashade – member, Commissioner for Works, Ade Adesanya – member, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Fela Bank-Olemoh – member, Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule – member and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Olujimi Hotonu – member.
Others are: Permanent Secretary State Treasury Office/Accountant General Mrs. Abimbola Umar – member, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget Mr. Yomi Kadiri – member, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi -member, Mr.. Sam Egube – member, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin – member, Tayo Bamgbose-Martins – member, Mr. Bayo Sodade – member, Mrs. Solape Hammond – member, Mrs. Bunmi Fabanwo – member, Mrs. Bukola Odoe -member and Mrs. Toke Benson -Awoyinka, member.
Lagos State Gov.-Elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu says he has documented the challenges facing the state and will come up with solutions without delay.
Sanwo-Olu made this known to State House correspondents on Monday after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The governor identified the challenges before that state as youth unemployment, insecurity and building collapse.
According to him, his administration, when inaugurated, will quickly embark on programmes aimed at improving the quality of lives of residents and address all of the challenges facing the people.
He said: “We are very excited that we have seen all the challenges and we will certainly be bringing about solutions that will very quickly solve all of our various challenges in Lagos.
“We know that with a mega city of our status, it comes with a lot of challenges but we are lucky that we have been part of it before now.
“So, we are excited that we are bringing solutions to problems that we identified on the campaign trail.
“We will very quickly bring about positive development that would improve the quality of lives and ease all of the challenges that we currently see in Lagos.’’
While describing recent collapse of some buildings in the state as most unfortunate, Sanwo-Olu lauded the current administration for its quick response to the issue of building collapse.
“It’s an unfortunate incident. Incidentally when I was in government before, I used to be the Vice Chairman of the building collapse committee.
“It was something that happened about 8 to 10 years ago, which was what led to the creation of an agency which we called Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) at that time, which was meant to begin to identify structures way ahead before such incidences occur.
“But it’s an unfortunate thing, extremely very unfortunate and it is not something that we would like to see happen again.
“So the current government has started very quickly, ensuring that they test the integrity of a whole lot of properties we have there.
“You know Lagos State is part of the old colony of Lagos and it is not unexpected that you see houses that are over a century old and in their numbers.
“So, we need to be real and know that Lagos truly, really needs regeneration, especially Lagos island,’’ he added.
Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied by his Dep. Gov.-Elect, Obafemi Hamzat, said that they were in the villa to congratulate President Buhari on his re-election for another four-year term.
Youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state on Monday urged Lagosians to vote massively for Babajide Sanwo-Olu,in the Saturday gubernatorial election.
At a largely attended meeting held at Ajeromi area of Lagos, the Youth Organizing Secretary, Aregbe Idris, enjoined the youths in the state to throw their massive weight behind Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat by coming out en masse to vote the duo and the party’s candidates across the state, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds.
According to him, a win for the APC is a blow struck for a grander and vibrant Lagos, as he strongly believes in the intellectual capacity of Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat to drive Lagos to a greater height, create opportunities for all and strengthen the fabric of unity existing in the state.
‘And these are the breeds of leaders that we need and not some misguided elements with uniformed sense of reasoning,” Argebe stressed.
In the same vein, the youths condemned the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Jimi Agbaje, noting that Lagos is too sophisticated to propagate unholy sermons of discord and enmity against the backdrop of personal gains.
“A man who lacks loyalty, who sees politics as a business transaction shouldn’t and must not be taken seriously. There’s absolutely no doubt that some people do not mean well for Lagos and Jimi Agbaje is certainly one of them. One of the sadistic unruly elements stirring discord in the state with his failed political ambition.
“In the last decade, the disgruntled politician hasn’t pulled off any significant achievement and no single soul has been able to substantiate or benefit from his political aspirations for twelve years. He noted
Team 30, a group of Lagos-based businessmen, artisans and contractors, have endorsed and committed themselves to supporting Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, ObaFemi Hamzat.
The group is lending its voice to the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat ambition because it believes they have the required character and qualities, above all others, to further elevate Lagos to a standard that rivals other notable cities like J’burb, Dubai, New York, and Paris.
They team believes that as a former Director of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat have the experience to propel an economy that pays over N20 million to the zenith using the blueprint already laid down by APC National Leader and former governor Bola Tinubu.
The group urged Lagosians to shun sentiments and grievances to embrace the APC candidate and ensure the state votes them in to continue to enjoy the peace and prosperity that the state is known for.
Hundreds of supporters of All Progressives Congress, APC, under the platform of Pathfinders Group USA staged a rally on Wednesday to mobilize voters living in Ifako, Ijaye and Ojokoro areas to vote for the governorship candidate of the party in Lagos, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other candidates of the party in the 2019 general election.
The rally which kicked off from Excellence Hotel in Ogba took the massive crowd through Ifako-Ijaye APC party secretariat and ended at the party Secretariat in Ojokoro.
The crowd made up of youths, men, women both young and old wearing branded white T-shirts with embossed photographs of Samwo-Olu and his deputy Obafemi Hamzat and APC flag and logo sang solidarity and songs on mounted speakers on vehicles praising Sanwo-Olu and APC.
Speaking with the press, President of the Pathfinders Group USA, Alhaji Hakeem Yusuf said, “as a group we are all over Lagos with our campaign activities with banners, posters and what have you.
“We believe that this rally will be an advantage to mobilize more people and create awareness for Sanwo-Olu, we believe in him, we believe in APC, we believe in Lagos, we believe in Nigeria, it is a party of change that is going to give us the dividends of democracy.
He expressed confidence that Sanwo-Olu would win “Definately with a wide margin and by mass vote because the people believe in APC, and if you see all the development we have been experiencing here, Sanwo-Olu is continuity in Lagos state, you will understand that there are so many rapid development across the state”, Yusuf said.
Another member of the group from the US who said Sanwo-Olu is his cousin, Mr. Akin Allen said Ifako-Ijaye and Ojokoro areas “have a large contigent of members of the APC and we want them to come out enmass to vote for Sanwo-Olu, they are already excited, but we know we need more people to come out.
“There are many registered voters but those who come out on the polling day are usually less, this exercise is to help galvanize and make the excitement for this candidate to really boil over and this would be seen in the result of the election”.
Talking about what makes Sanwo-Olu the preferred candidate, Allen said, “Sanwi-Olu is a good, God fearing and humble person, he is educated and had been in previous administration, he has a wealth of experience under his belt and he is a cousin of mine”, Allen said.
Speaking on the impact of the rally, he said, “this event is organised by people in the US, it is to mobilise voters here, our presence will influence our family members here and our neighbourhood; if we did not come out the energy will be at a low level, what we are doing is going to bring voters out.
“APC has always delivered in Lagos state and if we continue to vote for APC you will see bigger and better things in future, in fact my cousin, Sanwo-Olu will take this state to the next level,” Allen assured.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has declared readiness to participate in the primary election for governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, slated for Saturday across the state.
The party has adopted direct primaries in the state and Ambode is to slug it out with two other contestants namely: Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, the Governor said he is restating his readiness in line with the choice of the party in Lagos State and the validation given to the direct primary preference by the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).
“As our great party approaches Saturday, September 29th, 2018, earmarked for the direct primary election to choose the candidate to fly our party’s gubernatorial flag at the next general election, I am happy to restate my commitment to participate in that process having procured and submitted my nomination form and having formally declared my intention to seek a second term to continue on the path of unprecedented growth and development that our State has witnessed since 2015”.
The Governor expressed profound gratitude to the National Leader of the Party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; party elders and executives; GAC members; all APC members and every Lagosian “whose support, understanding and prayers have assisted me in no small measure in being used as an instrument through which our State has redefined the concept of greatness”.
The statement added that the Governor in seeking re-election is approaching the founding fathers and teeming members of the party with a “grateful heart, open arms and a pledge to open and deeper attention to the concerns of this one, big family”.
It added that a return of the party’s ticket to Ambode will guarantee the stability of the State’s growing economy; ensure the continuation of the growth and development it has witnessed over time and ensure that the opposition does not take root in the State.
The statement congratulates the Governor’s co-contestants for the courage and commitment to the party and urges party faithful to come out en masse and vote peacefully in all the 20 Local Governments and 245 wards where the election will take place.
