Sanwo-Olu hails Oniru business council as blueprint for leadership development

By Zika Bobby

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has lauded the Oniru Business Council and Cultural Day as a premier model of how traditional leadership can responsibly drive modern development.

Speaking at the council’s formal inauguration and the celebration of Cultural Day at the Oniru Palace on Saturday, Sanwo-Olu commended Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal for his purposeful leadership and dedication to his people.

The Governor, represented by Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, noted that his administration remains committed to the T.H.E.M.E.S+ development agenda. He emphasised that strengthening economic foundations is particularly vital as the nation approaches an electoral cycle, where discussions on leadership and the future of the economy take center stage.

“In Lagos, we have deliberately embraced the principle of an inclusive economy. The transformation of the Oniru axis tells a powerful story. What was once largely residential has become a prime destination for hospitality, real estate, and creative enterprise. This is the product of strategic planning and investor confidence in the stability of Lagos,” the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu assured the business community that Lagos remains “open for business” and forward-looking, citing state-led programs supporting SMEs, digital entrepreneurship, and vocational training designed to ensure growth is broad-based.

Echoing these sentiments, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, described the traditional institution as a vital pillar for community-driven development.

In his remarks, Oba Lawal described the council as the institutional realization of a vision matured through years of consultation.

“Over the past five years, one message from our stakeholders has been consistent: growth must be coordinated and prosperity must be inclusive,” the monarch said.