Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-Recount how they were empowered through govt’s programmes
Professionals, who are mainly youths that have been empowered through the various schemes by the Lagos State Government, have declared their support and commitment towards ensuring the re – election of Mr Babajide Olushola Sanwo – Olu.
They professionals, whose hundreds of members spread across the five Divisions in the state, made declaration on Monday, stating that there is need for the continuation of the laudable and impactful programmes of the governor, to enable more youths to benefit.
The group, under the aegis of BOS (Babajide Olushola Sanwo – Olu) Youths Professional Support group (BOSYOPS), was formally presented to the public by its Convener and Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Bisola Ruth Olusanya, at the Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria.
The presentation gave the young professionals, comprising of farmers, IT experts, social media influencers, artisans, community experts and educationists, the opportunity to share their experiences energized by what they called the ‘Spirit of Lagos’, and sought for widening of the platform for more prosperity and positive engagement for the youths.
The group was not only presented within the four walls of the Adeyemi Bero Hall, but also embarked on a rally in a long convoy of branded campaign cars and buses, from Alausa secretariat through Awolowo Way, Oba Akran Road to Agege Stadium where they converged.
Explaining the idea behind the formation of the professional youth group, Ms. Olusanya said that it is important for youths to come together as an independent body devoid of any partisanship and decide who they want to govern Lagos.
She stated that movers of the idea of continuity of Sanwo – Olu as governor of the state, are people that have been empowered through schemes introduced under his administration agenda and now advocating for his re – election so that such opportunities can be sustained for more youths to benefit.
“The reason for convening here today is essentially to say, as youths, that we need a platform that is devoid of personal agenda; but that is transparent; where our voices can be heard, and that we can drive. This is not a platform setup by a structure that has been existing and just plug and play, it’s not”, Ms. Olusanya said.
“It is essential that all of us coming together should harness our energies and skills and say this is the way that we are going to go deciding who runs for the next four years and beyond.
“These are people not connected to us by anybody; majority of them are not what we called indigenes of Lagos, but they are Lagosians. Some of them will be sharing their stories with us and why they want Mr Sanwo – Olu to return.
“The zeal and passion with which you come to do these jobs in Lagos, I want you to be able to tell the people your experiences. The truth of the matter is that we, the youths, don’t want stories that seem rehearsed, crafted.
“These are young people that I have known from nowhere and nobody in the Ministry of Agriculture knows their parents. Majority of them are CEOs of various businesses. The fact that they are CEOs means that we are all CEOs. That you are selling something in your shop means that you are a CEO. When we regard someone here with a blazer on as CEO, he doesn’t mean that that person is so far away from you. We are all CEOs in our rights, doing what we know how to do best”, she said.
“This is a group for the youths, by the youths and for the youths. It is devoid of hierarchy, political inclination, section, placement and financial status. It is a group for the youths”, Ms Olusanya said.
The Commissioner, who described Lagos as Canada to many Nigerians and other Africans, said that Governor Sanwo-Olu has made the state attractive, and a place where people can invest and earn a living.
“Look at Lagos today, it is not the same Lagos that we have known 20 to 30 years back, and this is not peculiar to Lagos alone as a state, the entire Nigerian and global landscape have changed. COVID came and we know how it is still ravaging lots of areas around the world. Till today, China is still facing the effects of COVID”, she said.
“We all know the ripple effects of that have extended to the economy leading to higher insecurity across board.
“In the scheme of things, the country, as a whole, is also facing issues pertaining to migration and lots of people are leaving the country. The rate at which people are leaving the country is the same rate at which people are coming into Lagos.
“The same way people are leaving Nigeria for Canada and UK are the same rate they are coming into Lagos because what Canada and UK are to those leaving Nigeria, is same to the people coming into Lagos. Lagos is the Canada of Nigeria.
“If people can choose to come into Lagos, it is because somebody has been holding it down to all of us. Lots of things like entertainment and others are happening in Lagos because it is one place that afford people the platform to market their goods and services”, Commissioner for Agriculture said.
“All these things happening in Lagos are not privilege, it is because some people have been working to ensure that Lagos is safe. We are here today and not afraid to gather, it is because some people sat somewhere to put a security framework together to secure our lives and properties. It is not every state in Nigeria, that has this privilege”, she emphasized.
“The only reason that everything is happening in Lagos; that you can go to owanbe on Saturdays is because somebody is holding it down for us as a state and that man that is holding it down today is Mr Babajide Olushola Sanwo – Olu”, Ms. Olusanya added.
Explaining how the governor has been holding forth the state for improved activities and economic prosperity, the Convener said that the administration has been creating more roads; improved transportation generally; bringing about the security of lives and properties; developing industries and ensuring quality health services among others, for Lagosians.
“Why do we need to support him? And like I said, no man is an Island, but it is the youths that can push him for his second term and his re – election bid. For that reason, the group BOSYOPS was formed”, she asked
“In the last three years and nine months, he has been pushing the THEMES agenda – transportation management, health and environment, education and technology, making Lagos a 21st century economy, entertainment and tourism and security and governance. On this platform, this man has initiated projects and activities that have taken Lagos to greater height which is why the theme overall is ‘Greater Lagos’, she said.
“He has achieved various projects in transportation –there would be a launch of the rail project this week and subsequent commissioning for other projects like the Imota Rice Mill, the LASTMA Bus project, jetty and waterways projects with boats purchased. We have hospitals that have been constructed and roads that are under construction – Lekki Epe Corridor, Ishawo Road and so many other projects, especially along the Badagry Corridor.
“He deserves everything that we can give towards him coming for a second term”.
She also highlighted how the Gov. Sanwo-Olu led administration ensured that Lagos State University now operate without any strike affecting the institution even when the entire Universities were home for months.
“Lagos State government ensured that LASU didn’t join the strike because BOS is deliberate about every sector, one good turn deserves another”, she said.
“Sanwo-Olu keeps showing us how and what leadership is about, we are here to give support by going to the grassroots”.
While stating that the group has between 12 to 13 weeks window to mobilise the majority of the youths and Lagos residents in general, to vote for the governor’s re – election, the Commissioner of Agriculture said that BOSYOPS which is made up of dynamic and technologically savvy minds, will be deploring technology to advance and propagate its campaign.
Mr Ayowande Adelemo, Chief Executive Officer, Wave5Wireless, an IT and communication company, who said that his vision is to ensure that every bus stops in the state has Wifi, recalled how he walked into Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), on the advice of a friend and presented his idea to the company’s Managing Director who gave him a chance.
“I walked into the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) office and asked to see the Managing Director, but I was told that I can’t see the MD because I was not on an appointment but I laid out my plans to them for commuters who are waiting at bus stops. She said okay, this makes sense and asked me to try it and see how it works”, he said.
“I thought it was a joke, until I got a letter directing to test run the idea at the two busiest bus stops in Lagos – Ikorodu bus shelter and TBS and after running around, we did that at the two shelters in I50 days, we recorded 1million connection on the wifi network. We had 40terrabite of data downloaded. We saw people at bus stops at 12midnight, 1am and POS operators connecting every single day. Ikorodu was transformed in 150days.
“Imagine this at every single bus stop in Lagos. We did this without even knowing anybody. Mr Governor, through the agency of LAMATA and its MD, Mr Bimbola, supported me and that is just my story but it’s the same story for every single young person that I have spoken with. Over 40 professionals in Lagos that do not know anybody just walked into ministries with their concepts and ideas and were giving opportunity”, Ayowande said.
The co – founder, Corporate Farmers, Mr Akinwale Alabi, also sharing his own encounter with the Ministry of Agriculture which transformed his life and business, said:
“This administration has empowered and given us the opportunity to train young agro-entrepreneurs around different agricultural value chains and these trainees, today, have become CEOs and farm owners; all because one of the Ministries of the government, the Ministry of Agriculture, gave us that opportunity to work with them and today, we have been able to build young and active agro-entrepreneurs and educate people about where their foods are coming from.
“This administration will give youths in Lagos who believes in the spirit of Lagos and has a dream in the spirit of Lagos and that cann see opportunities irrespective of what you are doing, be it technology, transportation, the needed opportunities”.
A successful agro – entrepreneur and chieftain of the BOSYOPS, Adeniji said that Lagos made him a successful farmer and facilitator.
“Lagos has made me a successful farmer and facilitator. Speaking before you is a man that has trained over a thousand people under the World Bank Project and over 2000 under the Lagos State Agropreneurship Program. We are here to support the governor.
“We are talking about ‘Mr Talk and Do’, the man that has brought all of us together. Look at what he has been able to do with roads, light, wireless, food among others. We must appreciate Mr Governor”.
Azeez Jimoh Olosugbo, who is coordinating the group speaking with THE IMPACT said that the movement is providing platforms for young professionals to be part of the process of electing who becomes the next governor of the state.
He added that the incumbent has proven himself and won the hearts of many youths in the state who have been empowered and turned into job providers.
Olosugbo also stated that it’s important for the governor to be returned so as to provide more opportunities for other youths with dreams and spirit of Lagos to excel.
