History was made across the country, yesterday as no fewer than 29 Governors were sworn-in by the Chief Judge of their respective state. Some of the governors like Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Aminu Masari of Katsina State took oath of office for a second term while others like Babatunde Sanwo-Olu and Seyi Makinde of Lagos and Oyo respectively took the oath for their first tenure in office.ย
ADEBAYO OLODAN compiles reports on what transpired during the inauguration of the governors, yesterday.
I will listen to friends, foes alike โ Sanwo Olu
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at his inauguration on Wednesday promised to listen to friends and critics and ensure his government is inclusive of all.
He said this while delivering his maiden speech as the governor of Lagos State.
โWhile one cannot help but hear the kind words of friends, I must pay even closer attention to the voice of my critics. In constructive criticism lies the seeds of improvement.โ
โI am too focused on moving Lagos forward to give a second thought to where a person may have come from. As long as you are animated by the spirit of achievement, cooperation and tolerance, then you are a Lagosian. This is my motto. โ
โI shall select the best and most qualified people to hold positions in the government. My door shall remain open to all. I shall seek advice of the learned, the wise and ordinary Lagosian, for in the common man resides much wisdom and fairness of thought.โ
He also said his government is for the rich and poor alike.
โOn this day, I speak to young and old, Christian and Muslim, those who trace their earliest ancestry back to this land and those who came last week. I speak to the poor and to the rich. I speak to the danfo driver as much as to the millionaire, to the fruit vendor as much as to the real estate titan. I speak to employer and employee, teacher and student, mother and father. The civil service as well as the private sector โ We are all Lagosians.โ
He appreciated former governors of the state; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola.
โAsiwaju led the team that created the blueprint for development; both their administrations faithfully executed that economic blueprint and built the structures and institutions of progressive governance in the process. This indeed set the ground for future progress.โ
โGovernor Akinwunmi Ambode pushed forward in his special manner. His efforts and actions shall be duly remembered.โ
He added that he has been a part of this progressive journey since its inception.
โI know first-hand the concerted efforts that went into planning so many of the innovations we now see and enjoy. It will be my job to continue that process by refining and perfecting the foundation laid by the preceding administrations.
โI shall never deviate from that which best serves the people of Lagos in our journey for progressive governance and economic development.โ
He also outlined the basic focus of his government as Traffic management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st century economy, Entertainment and Tourism, and Security and Governance.
