Renewed Hope: Let your people enjoy dividends of democracy, Sanwo-Olu charges fellow govs
Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged state governors to support President Bola Tinubu’ renewed hope agenda by ensuring people in their states enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke on Sunday evening at the 25th annual thanksgiving ceremony for 2025 organised by the Office of the First Lady and the Ministry of Home Affairs held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Marina with the theme ‘Harvest of Thanksgiving.’
Sanwo-Olu said that the work of bringing renewed hope to Nigerians should not be left for the President alone adding that state governors also have the responsibility to touch the lives of their people.
“We must continue to make it clear that this work is not for the President and the Federal Government alone. At the subnational level we have a lot of work and responsibilities as well, to ensure that the dividends of democracy touch as many of our people as possible,” the governor said.
He said Lagos State has keyed into the renewed hope agenda and is committed to the welfare of Lagosians.
“In Lagos State we are very mindful of this shared responsibility, and we will redouble our efforts in every sector, setting the pace for the rest of the country. We are keying into the President’s Renewed Hope agenda, and by synergizing our own efforts with it, we will ensure that peace, progress and socio-economic prosperity are guaranteed for the good people of Lagos State.”
Sanwo-Olu admitted that In 2024, the country and the state faced tough and difficult times caused by some economic decisions made by the President . He, however, noted that the decisions were necessary in order ‘to lay the foundation for the country of our dreams.’
“We will not shy away from the fact that these reforms have produced, in the short term, challenging times for many of our people. But we are confident that the immediate pain will very quickly make way for lasting benefits,” he added.
He assured Nigerians that a time of harvesting awaits them as the reforms are yielding positive outcomes.
Speaking about Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu said his administration commissioned some projects in 2024 such as the first phase of the Red Line, the commencement of work on the second phase of the Blue Line, ongoing construction of food hubs and the new children’s hospital.
He further said the state witnessed an influx of tourists who came for tourism, and entertainment. Sanwo-Olu further said the commencement of production of petrol by the Dangote Refinery, and the groundbreaking on the 12,000-seater Lagos Arena, has placed Lagos in the consciousness of the world.
He assured that in 2025, his administration will ‘vigorously push ahead with efforts to mobilize the needed financing for ambitious projects like the new International Airport, the expansion of our municipal rail system, and construction of our food logistics hub.’
The governor further said the new Lagos State Electricity Law of 2024 will be implemented, local government autonomy strengthened while election will be conducted in all the 57 local governments and councils.
“We will continue to walk in the footsteps of our forebears, who were driven, ambitious, entrepreneurial, and who never allowed themselves to be disconnected from their rich and proud cultural heritage. We are Lagos, bold, proud, yet warm and welcoming, offering a chance to all and sundry to pursue their biggest dreams and to become part and parcel of the evolving fabric of the land,” the governor said.
