Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday said that politicians expected him and his deputy to quarrel since they came into power but they never had issues till date.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at the 60th birthday prayer session held for his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat at the Lagos State mosque, Alausa, Ikeja.
The governor said when they came into power in 2019, politicians told him that he and his deputy would quarrel and fight.
He, however said till date both of them have not had issues to the disappointment of those who expected them to fight.
“When we came in in 2019, people came to me and said ‘Governor, you and your deputy will quarrel and fight’. But till date, we have not had any issues,” he said.
He added: “For 20 years, we have been together and inseparable.. When the conversation about me becoming governor came, he was the first person to support me. I can not ask for a better brother and partner than you. Femi and I have never had any quarrel or issues till today. He believes in my leadership. Lagosians don’t know what they have. We are proud of him. You are one of the brightest politicians that has come out of Lagos, “Sanwo eulogised Hamzat.
In his response, the deputy governor commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his passion in leading the state.
He said Lagos State has set the pace in building infrastructure such as building of rails and others. He urged Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu, saying that the president means well for the country.
“I thank you for your dedication and thoroughness to this state The passion that you bring to the job and the state is commendable, “he told Sanwo-Olu.
In his lecture titled “Rearing our children with the fear of Allah, the Amir NADWAT Assembly Worldwide, Sheikh AbdulRahman Lawal, noted that ‘we are in a generation where it is difficult for parents to raise children.’
He said parents should serve as mirror and model for their children, instill the fear of God in them and be pathfinders to guide and guard them.
He added that mothers in particular should bring up their children to be useful to society.
While speaking on the topic ‘Showing gratitude to Allah in relation to our communal interaction,’ Sheikh Zaheed Timehin, an associate professor from Lagos State University, LASU, commended the Deputy Governor for his humanity, humility and courage, attributes he said has helped him to serve in his role as deputy effectively.
Pastor Femi Faseru of the KICC Church urged Hamzat not to relent.
“It’s not yet time for you to wind down. We expect you to refire and re-engage. Our state needs all of your commitment. It’s not yet time for you to hangover,” he said.
Chairman, Lagos State Christian Association, CAN, Stephen Adegbite said since 1999, Hamzat is the only deputy governor that has served a second term in office in Lagos.
Among dignitaries at the event were Chairman, Lagos State Christian Association, CAN, Stephen Adegbite, former commissioners in Lagos, Senator Eshilokun, Members of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, former Lagos First Lady, Abimbola Fashiola, Ogun and Ekiti State Deputy Governors, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, APC stalwarts among others.