Connect with us

BIG STORY

Sanwo-Olu: If You Find Good Governance, Keep It — Kemi Akinyemi

Published

on

Good governance is hard to find. I mean the one with the right-based approach, the one that empowers the citizenry, making them a part of decision making, transparency, access to information and all what not without making a fuss about it.

Naturally, the people expect miracles to happen instantly. That is why they start putting the leader under pressure barely 100 days after they mount the saddle.

Lagos as a smart city has always been lucky to have men who are willing and capable of delivering benefits of such type of city as they relate to people, government, economy, mobility, environment and living. Despite ambitious goals and high stakes, little is always known about the work the men at the helm of affairs perform in undertaking such transformation. Denmark, Holland, USA, Australia and New Zealand have all walked through this path.

Forget about the Ambode debacle which ended his tenure abruptly after just one term, the crop of men who have managed Lagos State lately have been carefully selected, apparently to maintain the tradition of the kind of quality the state is known for. Name them, Lateef Jakande, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Raji Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode.

The man of the moment, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is no exception. Although his mien might deceive one, he is a natural leader who believes more in action than words. Imagine putting all those structures here and there and Lagosians were hitherto not informed about. That is what a transformational leader is made of. Transformational not only in resources and men but also in infrastructures, but not making so much noise.

The best of Governor Sanwo-Olu must have manifested during the 2020 pandemic, but that was just a part of his best. Ever since, he has not relented in making all sectors feel his Midas touch of some sorts, be it education, transportation, housing, tech or health. Look around everywhere. He has put his marks. The handling of the ENDSARS must have dented his sparkling clean records, but that has been explained away successfully. That also must have warranted the need to open his portfolio of achievements, which had before now advertised themselves naturally.

Does Governor Sanwo-Olu have any close – as in so close- rival in the 2023 elections as far as Lagos is concerned? Naaaah!! Though the presidential elections activated the panic button and brought everyone out of their shells, good governance is non-negotiable and, by extension, irreplacebale . Not until after eight years. Any attempt to wish Babajide Sanwo-Olu away at this point when Lagos is wriggling itself out of all its sore points will not do Lagosians any good.

You see, Lagos has a developmental masterplan which has been followed to the letter since the heyday of the now president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The plan is gradually rearing its beautiful shape and there should not be any interruption at this moment.

Sanwo-Olu’s dossier matches Lagos dream to a fault. Born on June 25, 1965, Sanwo-Olu has a BSc in Surveying and Geo-Informatics and an MBA from the University of Lagos. He had earlier attended Government Demonstration School, Gbaja, Surulere and Ijebu-Ife Grammar School, Ogun State.

He has had stints in both private and public sectors. He started out at the defunct Lead Merchant Bank before joining the United Bank for Africa as head of Foreign Money Market. He later moved to FCMB when it was known as First Inland Bank Plc.

For the public sector, he became an aide of the then deputy governor of Lagos State, Mr Femi Pedro, before serving the then governor Bola Tinubu in the same capacity of Special Adviser on Corporate Matters. He also served as commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Commissioner for Commerce and Commissioner for Establishments under successive governments in Lagos. Before becoming the governor, he was the managing director of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, LSDPC for short.

So, Governor Sanwo-Olu knows Lagos inside-out and remains the people’s choice. The people know what they want. They have seen good governance at its best and they want to keep it because it is so hard to find.

Another four years is loading for an intelligent, meticulous and focused man of the people. Let’s rally behind him and achieve a greater Lagos.

BIG STORY

My Only Regret In Life Is Bleaching My Skin — Toke Makinwa

Published

on

Toke Makinwa, famous Nigerian media personality, has revealed that bleaching her skin is her only regret in life.

Toke made this known during a recent interactive session with her fans on the X (formerly known as Twitter) platform.

A fan had asked, “If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?”

In response, the media personality noted that regret is exhausting and bleaching her skin was the ‘dumbest’ thing she ever did.

She, however, said she is grateful for her good genes and money, which suppressed the side effects of the skin bleaching.

Toke said, “Nothing. Regret is so exhausting! Wait, maybe bleaching my skin. It was the dumbest thing ever and I’m just so thankful for good genes and money cos….”

Meanwhile, Toke Makinwa has disclosed that she underwent surgery to remove 13 fibroids from her body.

Makinwa explained that she had always known something was wrong because she had a very big tummy, irregular periods, and a bulge when she lay down.

She narrated that fibroids affected the majority of women in her family and some had to remove their wombs.

Makinwa made the revelation following the release of Stephanie Coker’s documentary titled “Where the Heck is My Period.”

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road: Ohanaeze Distances Self From Peter Obi’s Vilification Of Umahi

Published

on

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Sunday condemned the unfair slander that Peter Obi and other opponents had perpetrated against Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

Obi and his backers had publicly blasted Umahi for overseeing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, claiming it was a waste of tax dollars.

In a statement released by its Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze stated that the organisation remained unwavering in the face of a barrage of unjustified criticism and unfounded insults directed at Umahi’s visionary efforts and the Lagos Calabar Coastal Road.

It said the cacophony of disparagement and negative fervour surrounding these transformative initiatives raised eyebrows and prompts reflections on the true motives behind such aggression; clearly not in the interest of the Nigerian people.

“In response to the recent controversies clouding the Lagos Calabar Coastal Project, Ohanaeze Ndigbo unequivocally denounces the unjust vilification aimed at Senator Dave Umahi by Peter Obi and other detractors.

“Setting the records straight, Ohanaeze calls for private dialogue and constructive engagements rather than resorting to public confrontations that could impede the much-needed infrastructural development in the Southeast.

“The recent expressed interest by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in reconstructing major federal highways in the Southeast is a monumental step towards remedying decades of neglect, exemplified by ongoing projects like the Markudi-Nsukka-Nightmile-Enugu,the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, the Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Calabar Expressway and others, enabled by innovative Cement Technology,” the body said.

Ohanaeze urged Obi to seek diplomacy and engage privately with Umahi to gain firsthand insights into critical national development projects.

The organization stressed the importance of fostering respectful dialogue and discouraged actions that could sow discord among the Igbo community and Nigerians at large.

The body said it is privy to intelligence reports debunking the baseless arrest rumours swirling around Obi, dismissing these as spurious fabrications propagated by malicious elements seeking to undermine the transformative infrastructure strides led by the Tinubu administration under the able stewardship of Umahi.

“It is imperative for Peter Obi to refrain from public acrimony towards Senator Dave Umahi, a stalwart of progress and development in Nigeria and the Southeast, in recognition of the monumental efforts by President Tinubu and Umahi to rectify longstanding infrastructural deficits in the region.

“The Southeast craves an infrastructural revolution that transcends political affiliations, cherishing progress over petty opposition accolades,” Ohanaeze stated.

Ohanaeze emphasised its clarion call for unity and mutual understanding and reiterated support for the contentious Lagos-Calabar coastal road project, asserting that the shoreline falls under the Federal Government’s Right-of-Way jurisdiction.

“Ohanaeze reaffirms the unwavering solidarity of Nigerians and the Igbo community in championing President Tinubu and Senator Umahi’s laudable efforts in advancing national infrastructure, exemplified by the recent allocation of a 2.75 billion compensation fund for affected property owners along the project’s Right-of-Way.

“In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering harmonious dialogues, unity, and progress for all Nigerians. The organization echoes a clarion call for collaborative advancement to ensure a prosperous and united Nigeria,” the body said.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

AY Makun, Seyi Law, Others Grace Dedication Of Ali Baba’s Triplets In Lagos [PHOTOS]

Published

on

Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, had a dedication ceremony for his triplets, and in attendance were celebrities like AY Makun, Seyi Law, Chi Girl, MC Lively, and many more.

Gathering Ali Baba’s friends, family, and business associates, the celebration was held on Sunday at Lagos.

An event at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Christ The Lord Central Parish in Lekki, served as the kickoff for the dedication.

At an event centre on Hakeem Dickson Street in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, there was a reception held after the service.

Other guests at the event included Chigul, Bunmi Davis, Ajebo Comedian, and Adebola Williams.

Ali Baba had on April 1 announced that his wife, Mary was delivered a set of triplets.

Many, however, did not believe the information which they tagged April Fools’ message.

 

See More Photos Here:

 

Photo Credit: The Cable.

Continue Reading

Most Popular