Sanwo-Olu Unveils Expanded Development Agenda For Lagos

The governor has expanded the scope of his administration’s governing T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, encapsulating three additional areas of focus that the state government would intensify intervention in the next four years to include social inclusion, gender equality and youth.

Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed this to Lagosians on Monday when he took the oath to kick off his second term at the amphitheatre of Tafawa Balewa Square, where the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, administered the oath on him.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos had remained on the track of sustenance and prosperity, pointing out that his Government’s financial engineering led to the upgrade of the State to AAA(nga) status in financial sustainability and resilience by Fitch International – a feat unprecedented in the state’s annals.

The governor, sharing his catalogue of achievements, also listed other notable progress made by Lagos, especially in expanding infrastructure to enhance intermodal transport system, healthcare services, education, aesthetic environment, social interventions and other areas across his administration’s development agenda.

“In my first term, we set the stage for transformative change. We confronted significant challenges, from improving our infrastructure to ensuring adequate social services, from grappling with economic downturns to navigating a global pandemic. Yet, we never faltered. Our challenges became stepping-stones and our trials, the foundation of our resilience,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Despite fulfilling some of his pledges, the Governor said there would be much more to be accomplished in the coming days as his final term begins. He said the swearing-in offered him an opportunity to acknowledge expectations of the electorate, and to rededicate his administration towards meeting and surpassing the people’s expectations.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said his vision was beyond provision of physical infrastructure and working to attain good economic indicators for the State; he said he would govern to make Lagos a beacon of cultural vibrancy, intellectual prowess, and humanistic values.

He said: “That tradition of progressive governance, of enlightened leadership, has consistently yielded fruit for us, and set Lagos up as a model State. We have lived up to our designation as Centre of Excellence, and a day like this is an opportunity to celebrate. Our people still expect a lot more from us in several areas; today is another opportunity to acknowledge our citizens’ expectations and to rededicate ourselves to meeting and surpassing those expectations. I pledge, as your Governor, to unleash greater energy in the service of Lagos. I will work tirelessly for the well-being of every Lagosian and will strive for a Lagos that we can all be proud of.

“It is in line with our resolve, I am pleased to announce that we are taking our governing agenda to the next level in this our second term. Henceforth, it will be known as ‘T.H.E.M.E.S Plus’, representing the incorporation of an intensified focus on Social Inclusion, Gender Equality and Youth. We are strengthening and reinforcing our governance agenda in order not to leave anyone behind on account of their social status, gender or young age; we will design all our policies and programmes to ensure that everyone is carried along and catered to. This is our solemn promise to you.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu said his second term would be more rewarding for the residents, as the State would witness consolidation of his reforms and governance at higher levels. In the coming weeks, the Governor will be delivering another intra city rail network, Red Line Rail, which is at the completion stage. Lagos will also be witnessing development of a new airport in Ibeju-Lekki, Deep Seaport in Badagry and Fourth Mainland Bridge in addition to other capital projects in the pipeline.

The task ahead, the governor said, would be a collective responsibility of the government and people, noting that he would always seek partnership with the citizens in line with his administration’s mantra.

He assured that his administration would continue to foster a culture of transparency, accountability and participatory governance.

“The greatness and strength of Lagos lie in the collective spirit of our people; whether those paying taxes, or those treating public property with care and respect, or those speaking about something when they see something going wrong or someone breaking the law.”

For us as a government, I would be the first to acknowledge our own side of this social contract. I will not let you down,” the Governor said.

He eulogised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for laying the foundation for the development of Lagos, which, he said, made it easy for the succeeding administrations to strengthen transformational governance and keep the state on the path of progress.

The Governor also thanked the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari for dedicating kindness and support for Lagos, which enabled his administration to record many successes in the last four years.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said he was ready to continue to offer transformational leadership to the State in collaboration with his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, whom he described as “loyal friend, partner-in-progress”. He promised Lagos would remain a city united by its diversity, while pledging to work till his last days in creating a better future for the citizens.

He said: “At this moment of our history, it has fallen upon me to steer the ship and to move us closer than ever to the Greater Lagos of our dreams. Like I promised four years ago, the glitz of office will not change my personality and I will not try to become something I am not. I have strived to serve excellently, with humility, compassion, with a listening ear, bending where necessary to demonstrate that people’s welfare is at the centre of our actions.