In a bid to promote an inclusive governance in Nigeria, the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has called for collaboration between government and media practitioners.
Speaking at a media parley organized by the Office of Political, Legislative, and Civic Engagement tagged, “Breakfast Media Chat” held today at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Hamzat said such collaboration becomes imperative given the important role the Fourth Realm of Estate plays in nation-building.
The Deputy Governor, while emphasizing the need for objective reportage, noted that it would be counter-productive if the media is expounding the negatives in their reports.
Citing the example of the narrative that Nigeria’s education is decaying, Hamzat argued to the contrary. “We should not succumb to the negative narrative that the Nigerian Education system is going down. If our education is going down, why are the Western world, particularly, the British and America recruiting our teachers, our doctors, and our nurses?” This is the kind of label given to us and we are gullibly imbibed. I wish the practitioners should engage more in the positive in our activities, but also report when we are failing.”
Adding that “As we know the government does a lot of things. There is a bouquet of things that we do, including; roads, drainage, education health, transport waste management, various things. A lot of things that we do in Lagos seem not to be well disseminated to the public.”
He stressed that it is important for Nigerians to know that Nigeria is a developing country and as a people, they need to talk positively about the country and discuss facts and issues that are relevant to the growth and development of the country rather than diminishing it.
Speaking further, the Deputy Governor stated that In line with the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat administration’s commitment to foster a Lagos that is inclusive and investors friendly, the government is undergoing over 189 projects that are aimed at enhancing the welfare of Lagosians, the younger generation, and streamlining business operations.
Dr. Hamzat noted that the projects are designed to have a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the people and mitigate against rural-urban migration, adding that in Lagos, the government has done over 198 roads across all the Local Governments in the state.
The Deputy Governor also stated that the “Lagos Citizensgate” – a Mobile Application developed for better grassroots participation and to strengthen governance, remains a game changer in the administration’s commitment, as it has remained a veritable platform for citizens to engage the government, air their grievances, and government to provide solutions to such problems.
In his opening remarks, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Political, Legislative & Civic Engagement, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen said that the State government will not relent in its effort to bring relief to residents of Lagos and ensure a peaceful and harmonious working relationship with all stakeholders towards achieving the “Greater Lagos Rising” vision of the present administration.
Highlighting some of the key initiatives of the present administration to cushion the effect of the economy, the Special Adviser noted that the “Sanwo Olu Listens” Financial Assistance Program is a comprehensive and impactful social welfare programme launched by the Governor, aims to directly address their financial and social challenges being faced by the vulnerable due to the economic hardship.
According to him, “under this initiative, over =N=700,000,000 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) was disbursed in 2024 alone, to over two thousand vulnerable residents in the state to assist them in meeting their health, accommodation, business, and school fees challenges, among others.“
He said, this is in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda of the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat administration to foster a more inclusive and resilient Lagos, where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.
Dr. Afolabi further stressed that the Office of Political, Legislative, and Civic Engagement is committed to promoting inclusive governance through engagements, encouraging participation of the people in civic activities, democratic processes, community building, and peaceful cohabitation amongst the residents of Lagos, adding that “We are dedicated to working hard to ensure that it delivers on its mandate.”
