Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has stated that the State has made enormous progress in terms of governance and infrastructure since the return of democracy to the nation in 1999.
Speaking at the Special Jumat/thanksgiving organized by the state government in commemoration of the 3rd Anniversary of Sanwo-Olu Administration held on Friday at the Lagos State Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, Dr. Hamzat stated that there is the need to be thankful to Almighty Allah for the progress and peace in the state.
According to Hamzat, Lagos, more than any states in the federation, has done excellently well despite all the available challenges, that include large population, scarce resources, among others.
He said, “Not to be self-serving but to say the truth, Lagos State has done well. I am not saying this because I am the Deputy Governor, no; the State Government since 1999 has made a lot of progress in comparative to other states in the country though it is not enough, but have made enormous progress.”
Looking back to 1999, the Deputy Governor said the “public hospitals in Lagos State then had no public ambulance, garbage was all over the places and of the 9,219 roads in the State then, only 7% were motor-able. But now, 39% of roads in the state are motorable and we now had LASAMBUS among other infrastructure. This means we have made progress.
Speaking further, he said the state government is not resting on its oars as its has incurred constructive debts to develop infrastructure that will last for a long time in the state to meet the yearning of the people of the state.
While stressing the needs for everyone to do the right thing for the nation, Dr, Hamzat urged citizens to report and condemn any act that is culpable of destroying or vandalizing infrastructure meant for the development and use of the society.
Speaking on the forthcoming 2023 general elections, Dr. Hamzat urged Nigerians to vote right and carefully elect good leaders that will move the nation forward.. He added that great countries like United Kingdom and United State of America have been fortunate to have the right leaders at the right and crucial time and this time around, Nigerians must get it right.
Hamzat stated that no President, Governor or even local government chairman would like to fail while in office, that everyone in place of authority usually ensures that they put in their best to succeed but that some when they get the power are usually overwhelmed by the responsibilities.
He advised Nigerians to stop spreading wrong and unverified information on social media, that we must work together and make sacrifice to move the nation forward.
Also speaking at event, the Wife of the State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, First Lady of the State, thanked Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and his wife for their unflinching support to the first family.
She also expressed her appreciation to everyone for the support given to the current administration, while solicting for more support so as to move the state forward to an enviable height.
Earlier in his admonition, Shiek (Dr.) Sa-eid Ahmad stated that Lagosians has reasons to be grateful to Allah since inception of the Sanwo-Olu’s administration in the state owing to the various challenges witnessed in the past three years of the administration.
He cited the challenges faced by the government to include Covid-19 pandemic which crippled activities in the country, the End Sars Protest and the aftermath of the protest.
He stated that a government that overcame such challenges should be thankful to Allah at all times and must learn from the past challenges and put in place preventive measures against such incidents in the future.
The cleric further prayed that Allah should guide the leaders, teach and help them make right decisions for the good of the state and Lagosians in general.
