The Lagos State Government has released an 11-day schedule for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, to be sworn in for a second term.
Gbenga Omotoso, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, unveiled the programs at a press conference held on Friday at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
The commissioner also stated that the 11-day events would take place in various parts of the state, particularly in the five divisions of Lagos – Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe – from May 21 to June 4.
He stated that the Sanwo-Olu administration has delivered on the promise of “A Greater Lagos in many areas of life through the delivery of several life-impacting projects, social investments in our people, as well as economic development of our dear State.”
Omotoso stated that Inauguration Day would be held on May 29, with post-inauguration Jummat and Church services taking place simultaneously in five divisions of the state on Day Nine (June 2) and Day Eleven (June 4).
He also revealed that project commissioning will take place in eight local government areas – Ajeromi/Ifelodun, Alimosho, Ikeja, Kosofe, Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Surulere – over three days, beginning on Day Three (May 24) and ending on Day Five (May 26).
According to Omotoso, the Youth Carnival and Robotic competition, which will include People Living with Disability, will take place on Day One simultaneously in all five divisions of Lagos, while a “public lecture titled “The Making of a Beacon: Lagos and the Consolidation of a Democracy that works for all” will be delivered by Prof Adigun Agbaje, former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, on Day Two (May 23).
The book launch and photo exhibition, as well as a stage drama performance, will take place on Day Two at the Muson Centre in Onikan, Lagos, according to the commissioner.
He stated that the Children’s Day activities, which will take place at the Police College in Ikeja, and the Novelty Match, which will be played simultaneously in five divisions of Lagos, are scheduled for Day Six on May 27, and the Pre-inauguration rehearsal is scheduled for Day Seven (May 28).
The two events scheduled for Day 10 are a cultural display at Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena in Onikan and an Inauguration Dinner at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, according to Omotoso.
Speaking on the achievements of the Sanwo-Olu administration over the last four years, Omotoso stated that the social contract between the governor and the people of Lagos was never taken for granted, adding that the governor and his team proactively confronted all challenges that confronted the state over the four years.
He said:
The administration in line with its campaign promise, ensured that all abandoned/ongoing projects too numerous to mention here, were completed; started and completed new projects and worked on a sustainable and enduring future for the State through several bold and audacious policies and projects.
We can safely state here that it is not by accident that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration continued the Blue Line Rail project and completed it. It also started the Red Line Rail project that is nearing completion amid global economic challenges.
The Sanwo-Olu administration completed 970 roads – 34 roads in Kosofe, Somolu, Victoria Island, and Ikoyi – and 15 bridges. In Ojokoro, 31 roads were completed. It trained 18,000 teachers under the EKOEXCEL programme, set up two varsities and our varsities never went on strike when it was fashionable to do so. We also built four Mother and Child Centres.
There are several road projects spread across Lagos State, such as the Agege Pen Cinema bridge, the Eleko Junction to Epe rigid pavement roads, the Oba Sekumade and Ijede roads in Ikorodu as well as several hospital projects spread across the State. We completed 18 housing projects.
This administration also prioritised technology, entertainment, and arts and the preservation of our historical and cultural heritage. The Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat administration changed the face of governance in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
The Blue Line has been commissioned and any moment from now passenger operation will begin. The administration began the Red Line on August 15, 2021. It is almost completed now, with engineers putting the finishing touches to the iconic project.
There are 21 ferries on our waterways, which more Lagosians are embracing to commute from one part of the state to the other. The Lagos Rice Mill Imota is in operation. The achievements are, no doubt, numerous and significant because they touch the people’s lives directly.