Recently, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos State visited Governor Akinwumi Ambode at the Government House. It was a most telling visit.
The encounter was not only timely and auspicious for the in-coming governor, it also re-enforced in many ways, Sanwo-Olu’s increasing influence and acceptability as candidate of choice in Lagos. The photo news and behind-the scene comments by the governor, his august visitor and those who accompanied him show that all hands are on deck as victory is already assured.
Lagos State, no doubt, will benefit immensely from a seasoned administrator and technocrat like Sanwo-Olu who is coming to the job fully prepared. This new face of Lagos obviously has everything it takes to reposition the state with a view to realizing the aspirations of both Lagosians and earlier administrators and leaders who wish Lagos nothing but the best. Those who doubted his good intensions following the little fracas shortly before his emergence are now convinced of a greater Lagos under this governorship candidate.
What distinguishes Sanwo-Olu is excellence, and Lagos, being the state of distinction, would not have asked for a better candidate this time around. Apart from his relatively young age and superlative records, both in the public and private sectors, the APC governorship candidate will also bring competence, continuity and courage to an office that is clearly the strongest among governors of the federation. But there are Lagosians who are also willing to flaunt his good Christian background, his generosity, his liberal nature, his humility, candor and cerebral disposition.
Already, this governor-in-waiting is currently engaging the people of Lagos State across age, tribe, sex and creed. He is also reaching out to professionals, business men and women, traders, non-indigenes, students and ordinary people. His mission is to reinvigorate Lagos State and make it work for everyone irrespective of status or party affiliation. For him, APC is only a vehicle open to take in anyone who shares in his mission of massive infrastructural development, education for all, security, inclusiveness, social welfare and peace, among other great things in the offing. So far, he is doing a fantastic job meeting the people at the grassroots and sharing his vision for a new and prosperous Lagos. For a candidate who received awe-inspiring support and endorsement from both the high and the mighty in the APC, Sanwo-Olu’s attitude is not only humbling and inspiring but also a lesson for politicians especially in this part of the world were honesty is a scarce resource.
This is the reason he continues to enjoy the support of not just ordinary Lagosians but the high and the mighty in his party and even beyond. Long before he threw his hat into the ring for that epic contest which pitched him with the incumbent governor, Sanwo-Olu was already a preferred aspirant because of his virtues. He has promised to be faithful to the people of the state when elected governor come 2019. Today, he is the toast of citizens, traditional rulers, party men and women, students, the less privileged and everybody who wants to be part of a government that will truly be for the people.
Born 53 years ago, the candidate obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Lagos and an MBA in surveying from same university. He attended the Kennedy school of Government, USA; the London Business School as well as the Lagos Business School (LBS).
Before joining the public sector, he had distinguished himself as a renowned banker and a big player in the boardroom of many blue-chip companies both in Nigeria and outside.
He was appointed special adviser on corporate matters by the then Deputy governor, Femi Pedro in 2003 before emerging as Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in 2007 during Bola Tinubu glorious years. He also served as Babatunde Fashola’s commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pension between 2007 and 2015.
Sanwo-Olu is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personal Management (CIPM) and fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD). He has also won numerous awards which include the symbol of excellence award from the Civic. He is married to Dr C. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and their union is blessed with 4 children.
