The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, praised President Bola Tinubu for creating “the origin of modern Lagos,” adding that to date, the state is still running on the developmental ‘blueprint’ that Tinubu designed about 20 years ago.
Sanwo-Olu, who made the declaration when he played host to the President at the Lagos House, Marina, on Wednesday, also thanked Tinubu for accepting to represent Lagos at the federal level.
“We want to thank you for your leadership. We want to thank you for the origin of modern Lagos that you created and started for us. But more importantly, we want to thank you that you accepted to go (and) represent Lagos at the federal level.
“I want to thank you because indeed you have continued to do this state proud as an indigene, as a son of the state.”
While appreciating the President for providing leadership for the State Executive Council, the governor stressed that his administration was building on the legacy established by Tinubu.
He said, “Let me thank you on behalf of the 43 members of the State Executive Council for shaping us, for working with us, for directing us, and for always ensuring that that legacy, that blueprint that you worked on, that I was privileged to have worked on with you over 20 years ago, that is still a living document that we’re working with. It’s still a life document that will continue to ventilate and speak to and realise the yearnings of Lagosians.
“Just to mention, early this month, one of your setups at that time, LAMATA, was 20 years old on the 5th of December. This was a creation of yours 20 years ago.
“LAMATA has moved beyond just being a Lagos story. It has moved beyond an African story. LAMATA is a worldwide story. LAMATA is now referenced as one of the foremost transportation, and urban transportation infrastructures in the world.”
“I want to thank you for your leadership because we still have the working document that you have bequeathed to us,” he added.
In his response, Tinubu thanked the governor and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, “for holding the fort strongly and committing yourself to the value that you cherish together.”
He added, “Lagos was not easy for many of you, but you went through it and today, Lagos State is the most viable state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
