GOVERNOR SANWO-OLU: A DOYEN OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

Opinion:

BY WOLE OLADIPO

The two erstwhile Lagos State Military Governors, before 1999 – Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a retired general, (later, became the Osun State civilian governor), and Buba Marwa, a retired brigadier general, (the present performing NDLEA Chairman), were diametrically sterling, and excellent, but opposites, in that Oyinlola created wealth for Lagos State, but kept it, unspent, in the state treasury, until his successor, Marwa, became the military Governor, created his own wealth, too, but spent it, alongside the one earlier kept by his predecessor, Oyinlola, all of which made Marwa to be so popular, with one of his adorable projects appellation, then- KEKE MARWA, till date- I presumed, Chief Oyinlola later made use of his Lagos experience, as the Osun state civilian Governor!

In one of my write ups, recently, I expressly stated that, complaining of meeting an empty treasury by any new government- Local, State, or Federal, could be tantamount to a flimsy excuse for incompetence, and failure.

The main reason being that every government, that knows her onions, is supposed to create her own wealth to spend on security, and general welfare, and wellbeing, of the people.

At the inception of the fourth Republic in 1999, Lagos state civilian Governors, right from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have been outstanding, performance wise, till the present Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

I have, always, been a keen observer, and watcher of so many of our political leaders, including Governor Sanwo-Olu, whose recent viral unique style, and pleasantly disposed ways, of mingling with his State Corp members, further aroused, and rekindled, in me, the latent potential innermost silent admiration of His Excellency sterling leadership qualities, which made me to make some scant comments, on some social media platforms, then.

And, later inspired for public consumption, and knowledge…contrary to our laying much emphasize on the negative, lookwarm attitude, and antipathy aspects, of our political leaders, to the people’s yearnings, and governance, in general.

Sincerely, from my personal insightful observation, all along, and of recent, #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, Governor Sanwo-Olu is a doyen of good governance, judging by his other people’s oriented welfare programs, generally,

Apart from Lagos government workers, he recently paid the pensioners gratuity, and gave the Corp members 100k each, without prompting, including other lofty packages, to cushion the effects of the nation’s present economic hardship, amongst other laudable projects in the state.

Related to the above is the matured, skillful and diplomatic ways, he often handles crises in the state, by putting his body, mind, heart, and soul into making peace.

His both physical and emotional involvement, therein, have always been awesome, inspiring, and source of admiration to the discerning minds, indeed!-#ENDSARS, COVID’19, and #ENDBADGOVERNMENT protest-which he quickly set up a dialogue engagement committee, before, and after-are all in view!

Big KUDOS to a performing Governor – The sky will not only be the limit for your Excellency, but the starting point!

*oladipooluwole21@gmail.com 08033598528.