By Emma Njoku and Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, in a recent interactive session with the media, highlighted the achievements of the state government.
He stressed the critical role of the media in fostering transparency and effective leadership at the event organised by the Office of Political, Legislative, and Civic Engagement.
During the interaction, Dr. Hamzat emphasised the importance of open communication in tackling the challenges of Lagos, a fast-growing metropolis, and the need to improve the quality of life for its residents.
The deputy governor provided an insight into the state’s ongoing infrastructure projects, economic development efforts, and public service improvements. He specifically highlighted the administration’s focus on urban planning, traffic management, healthcare, education, and broader developmental goals.
Hamzat stressed the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to a robust relationship with the media, recognising journalists as vital partners in shaping public policy and advancing the state’s progress. He also urged the media to focus on disseminating the positive strides made by the government, stressing that many of the state’s achievements were not sufficiently highlighted.
“Unfortunately, Nigerians focus more on the negative aspects of governance rather than acknowledging the positive developments. It’s crucial to have these meetings. A lot of what we do in Lagos are not well communicated to the public,” Hamza said.
He went on to discuss ongoing infrastructure projects, revealing that about 198 road projects are currently ongoing in the state. He added that seven million Lagosians visited public hospitals last year for medical treatment, underscoring the importance of continuous improvements in healthcare.
Dr. Hamzat also addressed three significant existential threats facing Lagos, namely: rising water levels, extreme rainfall, and heat. Drawing a parallel with recent flooding in Spain, which claimed over 300 lives, he urged the media to prioritise coverage of these critical issues.
“As information providers, we must focus on these existential threats and keep the public informed,” he stated.
On education, Hamzat highlighted the state’s efforts, noting that about a million children are enrolled in public schools.
He emphasised the government’s investment in teachers and expressed confidence that Lagos public schools now offer superior infrastructure and quality teachers compared to many private institutions.
Furthermore, he revealed that the state government has developed a 30-year plan to position Lagos as a global centre of excellence. Hamzat also praised President Bola Tinubu’s vision for a trillion-dollar economy, describing it as a transformative path for lifting Nigerians out of poverty.
“This is the direction we must take. We must do things differently,” he said, stressing the need for innovation to realise the ambitious goal. He pointed out the large financial gap between Lagos and global cities, citing New York’s police department budget of $11 billion as a benchmark.
Turning to governance initiatives, Hamzat spotlighted the Lagos Citizens Gate 2.0 platform, which enables residents to directly communicate their concerns to the government.
“Lagos Citizens Gate 2.0 is a game-changer. It allows people to share their problems with us, and we work to fix them,” he said.
The deputy governor concluded by urging the media to project a more positive image of Lagos and Nigeria, stressing the importance of balanced reporting that highlights both achievements and challenges.
“Our education system is often criticised, yet our doctors and teachers excel abroad,” he said, calling for greater recognition of Nigeria’s potential and successes.
He reiterated the crucial role of the media in nation-building, emphasising the need for objective, constructive reportage that fosters national pride and progress.
In his speech, Dr. Tajudeen Afolabi, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Political, Legislative, and Civic Engagement, highlighted several achievements of the current administration, including the Sanwo-Olu Listens Financial Assistance Programme, a key social welfare initiative aimed at providing financial support to vulnerable residents across Lagos State.
Afolabi identified the beneficiaries of the programme as including the elderly, low-income earners, persons with disabilities, indigent students, small-scale business owners, and other disadvantaged groups.
He emphasised that the programme is part of the government’s broader commitments to promoting civic engagement and supporting democratic processes.
“We are dedicated to fostering peaceful cohabitation among residents and fulfilling our mandate through hard work and dedication,” Afolabi stated.
He also called for greater collaboration with the media to effectively share updates and developments in the state.
The governor’s aide also revealed that, in 2024, over ₦700 million has been disbursed to assist 2,344 vulnerable residents across Lagos.
“These funds were allocated to support health needs, housing, business ventures, and school fees, helping beneficiaries cope with various financial hardships”, he said.
Afolabi described the ‘Sanwo-Olu Listens’ programme as a comprehensive initiative designed to directly address the socio-economic challenges faced by the most vulnerable groups in the state. He pointed out that, amid the ongoing economic difficulties in Nigeria, the programme has helped reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for many residents.
He also underscored the alignment of the programme with the government’s THEMES+ agenda, which prioritises social inclusion, resilience, and the well-being of Lagosians.
In addition, Afolabi highlighted other key initiatives, such as the Lagos CitizensGate mobile application, which promotes transparency and encourages active participation by allowing residents to submit complaints, make inquiries, and engage with the government digitally.
Other efforts to promote community development were highlighted, including quarterly sensitisation and engagement programmes, as well as the 18th Executive/Legislative Parley aimed at strengthening ties between the executive and legislative branches of government.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to supporting residents in light of economic challenges, Afolabi said: “This government is committed to alleviating the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Lagosians. We will continue to work tirelessly to bring relief to our people and maintain peaceful, collaborative relationships with all stakeholders to realise the vision of a Greater Lagos Rising.”
He concluded by expressing gratitude to Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat and the media for their support in publicising government programmes.