State-of-the-Nation @ 61: No reason to lose hope — Sanwo-Olu tells Nigerians

By Moses Adeniyi

…assures Lagosians of security of lives, properties, economic virility

As Nigeria wades through the storm of  various challenges, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has charged citizens of the Country to remain strong and resilient, stating that despite the clogs of challenges, ‘there is no reason to lose hope.’

Governor Sanwo-Olu in his Independence speech delivered at the occasion of the State’s Independence parade  to commemorate Nigeria’s 61 years of independence held at the Agege stadium Lagos on Friday, said while the Country has been faced with various challenges since independence, yet she has not remained stagnant, “where she used to be.”

According to Governor Sanwo-Olu,   a new positive mindset is needed to surmount the various challenges confronting the Country.

“We are mindful of the various challenges confronting us as a nation and as a State. But as we are equally mindful of the various viscars of problems that have opened up to us, I wish to continue to give us support that we can achieve the Nigeria and the Lagos of our dream.

“Even in the face of the many challenges confronting us as a people and as a nation, my message to every Nigerian at this time is that we have no reason to lose hope.

“There is a enough evidence around us of the fact that while we are not yet where we would love to be as a Country and as a people, we are also no longer where we used to be,” he said.

Calling on the need to unite towards surmounting the clogs of prevailing national challenges, he said it was essential not to view the diversity of the Country as a ‘stumbling block’ but as ‘an energising force’ to drive development against all odds.

Stating that Lagos ‘affirms a perfect example of unity in diversity,’ housing various persons from diverse ethnic  and cultural background, Governor Sanwo-Olu averred that greatness is possible from the benefits of living in unity amidst diversity.

“More than ever before, it is time to close ranks and to view our differences not as a stumbling block but instead as an energising force and unite with renowned determination and commitment to move this Country forward against all odds.

“The challenges we have been confronted with within the last 61 years have been, and are no doubt, daunting but certainly not insurmountable. A new mind set is required to overcome them. A new conviction that is possible and our strength truly lies in our diversity.

“I’m proud to affirm that Lagos State provides a perfect example within the Nigerian nation of the level of  greatness a people of diverse ethnic, religion and cultural background can attain if they resolve to live in peace and harmony,”  he said.

Lagos security

Speaking on the fear of many over recent security situations in his State, Governor Sanwo-Olu said there was nothing more important to his Administration at the moment than ensuring security of lives and properties across the State’s metropolis.

Stressing that security remains core and a precaution to driving a reliable economy by robust investments, he said the State Government “is leaving no stone unturned” at concerted efforts with security agents to arrest situations under firm control.

“At this time, even more pressing issue to the people of Lagos is security and security related issues. Let me use this  opportunity to assure you all, at this very moment, nothing is very important to this administration than ensuring the security of lives and properties across the entire metropolis,” he assured.

Governor Sanwo-Olu mentioned that the Government would not relent at ensuring culprits are brought to justice “to nib crimes and criminality in the bud.”

According to him, the State’s Smart City initiative, which involves the utilisation and installation of internet enabled security cameras across the metropolis, was part of the Administration’s initiative to leverage on modern technologies to foreclose all forms of security threats.

“Our goal therefore, is to use modern technologies and tools to make Lagos inhospitable for robbers, kidnappers, cultists, bandits and all forms of criminal minded people,” he said.

The Governor disclosed that the various elements of the State’s security architecture were under review and “are  currently being strengthened,” adding that he has received assurance of security agencies to ensure safety and security are not compromised in the State.

He further called on all residents of the State to continue to abide by the COVID-19 protocols to foreclose the possibilities of uncontrollable spread of the virus.

Economic empowerment

The Governor who stressed the significance of youth empowerment saying they “are the greatest asset God has blessed these nation and our State with”, said his Administration was scaling up youth targeted initiatives in the journey towards strengthening the State’s economy.

He mentioned that such special empowerment interventions as financing provisions to aid small, medium and large businesses, with investment in agriculture, startups and technological innovative businesses, skill and capacity building across sectors, were directed at creating enabling environment for the economy to thrive in the State.

He stressed that the provision of over   N8billion made available to about 15,000 businesses through the Lagos State Empowerment Trust Fund, and the  training of no less than 8,000 youths in entrepreneurship, were all borne by the necessity to keep the economy running on a virile trajectory.

He added that the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council “has made available, hundreds of millions of Naira as grants to assist various technological start up businesses in the State.”

On the Administration’s city wide fibre optics project, he assured that about 3,000km of the fibre connectivity would be made operational before the first (1st) quarter of 2021.

According to him, the iconic project would bring into bear, “unleashing high speed internet connectivity in public and private establishments.”

He added that the Eko digital initiative set to impact no less than a million lagosians with emphasis on primary and secondary school students as targets, the Eko excel initiatives and other technological driven initiatives, were interventions borne by the need to vitalise learning processes in the State’s education sector.

Oath of commitment

Governor Sanwo-Olu who assured his Administration would not relent at developmental courses in the trajectory of the move towards a 21st Century class of a Smart City, however called for the support of all citizens to keep the Government on the track of the dream.

“We would not relent in our ambition to create an ever increasing opportunity for economic growth and prosperity for all the people of Lagos State, including our youth and our various citizens.

“I therefore, call on all Lagosians to continue to susport our Administration, as we strive to achieve a greater Lagos of our dream, a 21st century economy in which all our citizens have equal opportunity to realise their full potentials.”