Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday declared that his administration is committed to building a Lagos where “no citizen will be left behind on the path to progress.”
Speaking at the 65th Independence Day anniversary held at Lagos House, Marina, the Governor said the THEMES+ agenda, an expansion of his government’s flagship development framework had been deliberately designed to protect the weak and uplift the vulnerable.
He stressed: “The addition of social inclusion in the THEMES+ Agenda has compelled us to be deliberate about protecting the weak and uplifting the vulnerable. In Lagos, we believe that no citizen should be left behind on the path to progress.
“This is why we have expanded the Lagos State Social Register, which now captures over one million households across all local governments. This register has become the backbone of our welfare interventions, ensuring that support truly gets to those who need it most. It has also been instrumental in advancing the directive of Mr. President that poor and vulnerable households should receive N75,000 in support, as well as the Federal Government’s direct cash transfer initiative.”
Mr Sanwo-Olu further noted: “We have also advanced the Ilera Eko Social Health Insurance Scheme, which guarantees affordable healthcare for children, pregnant women, and the aged, while maternal and child health services have been strengthened across our State.
Through the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), thousands of Lagosians living with disabilities have benefitted from grants, scholarships, assistive devices, and vocational training, affirming our commitment to inclusion.”
He continued: “To ease the burden of rising costs, we launched the Ounje Eko food markets and large-scale palliative programs that reached millions of households with subsidized food staples. In education, free schooling at the primary and secondary levels, complemented by bursaries and scholarships, has ensured that children from low-income families can continue to dream and achieve without financial barriers.”
The Governor added: “Our low-cost housing schemes, such as LagosHOMS, have provided decent accommodation for civil servants and first-time homeowners, while women and youth empowerment programs through skill acquisition centers have given thousands the tools to earn a living and support their families.”
While outlining interventions across welfare, health, education, housing, and empowerment, Mr Sanwo-Olu insisted that governance cannot succeed without citizens’ commitment.
He charged Lagosians to set aside political, tribal, and religious differences, warning against the misuse of social media to spread division. “The task before us is to build, not to tear down; to unite, not to divide; and to inspire hope, not despair,” he said.
The Governor also recalled how Lagos had consistently supported residents during crises from the COVID-19 pandemic to the economic shocks of fuel subsidy removal through relief packages, transport fare subsidies, and direct cash support.
Mr Sanwo-Olu urged citizens to recommit themselves to the ideals of unity, hard work, and mutual respect, stating that the truest measure of independence lies in safeguarding the dignity of every citizen.
