Known as the center of Excellence and the economic arsenal of Nigeria, the struggle to become the first citizen of the state is usually one that is intense. Lagos state is not just a state in Nigeria, it is the heart of Nigeria. Though by landmass, it is just a small island but one that is always bubbling with activities both day and night. During election seasons in Nigeria, political parties go head to head to come out on top as a result of the importance Lagos wields as one with the highest internally generated revenue in Nigeria. In 2019, a government resumed and went straight into delivering on her campaign promises. Popularly known as Sanwo eko, his excellency Babajide Sanwo-olu became the governor of Lagos state.
Born on June 25, 1965 to Pa Simon and Madam Omotunde Sanwo-olu, Babajide Olusola became the pride of his parents. As a parent highly interested and invested in the growth of their child, Babajide attended Government Demonstration school, Gbaja Surulere before proceeding to Ijebu-Ife Grammar school, Ogun state for his secondary school. To further his education, he gained admission into the University of Lagos where he studied surveying and geo-information and thereafter ensured that he also got his Master’s degree in Surveying from the same University. He then also attended the Kennedy school of government, USA; the London business school as well as the Lagos business school.
As a career oriented individual, in 1987, he joined the Seismic United Geographical Nigeria limited where he worked as a surveyor for two years before becoming an associate at the Kenneth Michael and company Nigeria limited in 1993. From 1994 to 1997, he became a onetime treasurer for Lead bank Nigeria plc and later on worked as the head of department at the United Bank for Africa, a position he occupied from 1997 to 1999. As a result of his track successful records in the private sector, from the year 2004 to 2007, Mr Babajide was appointed as the acting commissioner in charge of budget and Economic planning of Lagos State government. In 2007, he became the Lagos state commissioner for establishment, training and pensions. He was also appointed as the managing director of the Lagos sate development and property cooperation (LSDPC). He has also sat on the boards of various companies like Calverton offshore service groups, Chairman of the first-class group limited, power cap consulting company limited, Beryl shelter company, Chairman of Baywatch group limited and a few others.
In 2019, Hon. Sanwo-olu became the executive governor of Lagos state and immediately set out to fulfilling his election promises. All around Lagos, there have been robust implementation of his policies to ensure that Lagos State remains the economic hub of Nigeria. In 2020, Lagos state’s response to the global pandemic of the Corona virus has received global praise and admonition. His Excellences had taken it upon himself to ensure that the spread of the virus is contained and to achieve this, there have been daily directives and press conferences given by him to ensure the safety of Lagosian. The response of his administration and the continuous hard work put in place by his administration has received commendations from the World Health Organization.
This article was written for Fatherland Gazette by SOLA ALOGBA
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