By Funke Cole
With credit crunch still biting hard there is no better time to offer succour and relief to Lagosians especially those suffering lots of privation more than they are willing to admit.
Interestingly, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu the workforce in the state and the entire populace have continued to enjoy lots of freebies in form of concessions, rebates, and other such gestures that have made life meaningful.
From Ounje Eko, to slashing of transportation fares, to remote working opportunities and other poverty alleviating measures, enhanced bursaries for students, Illera Eko -the health insurance scheme, free tuition and registration for students in post primary school, to mention just a few, Lagosians have enjoyed and still enjoying them all!
Speaking with a cross section of residents in some parts of the Lagos metropolis and its environs they were all effusive with praises for the Sanwo-Olu administration over what they described as Mr Governor’s milk of human kindness.
Firing the first salvo, Mrs Fatima Alani, a petty trader at Lafiaji, Lagos island, recalled that her family and many others within her neighbourhood cannot forget the multiple benefits they derived from getting food stuff and other household items in rock bottom prices especially during the tough times.
Speaking in staccato English, Mrs Alani, said, ” Governor Sanwo-Olu dey try for us in Lagos in many ways. We get food for cheap price. When we sick I go to the hospital and get treatment for cheap price too. The governor dey try well well, no be smoll.”
Like Mrs Alani, a few others who also raised their voice above the din, and tried to outdo each other in heaping praises on the Sanwo-Olu led administration.
Chidinmma Okoye, a POS operator in Oshodi, said she can attest to the fact that she’s made good fortune since she arrived the city three years ago.
Ms Okoye, who came into the city in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic recalled with relish how she got free treatment at the hospital during her admission in one of the primary healthcare centres.
Besides she said through the help of one of her neighbors, she was able to secure her kiosk where she now plies her trade.
“I’m a widow and mother of three kids, all teenagers. I know how it’s been surviving all alone with no helper but I can say without mincing words that under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu things have been looking up for us a bit.
“My kids attend public schools in Lagos and it’s all free. They get books and other stationary from the school and I haven’t paid a dime so far. My girl sat for the last senior secondary school examination and I didn’t pay a kobo. If I was to enroll the kids in a private school for instance, how do I cope with them? I always look forward to the Ounje Eko food promo too because it’s a good poverty alleviating measures by the Lagos State government. I can go on and on. Lagos State is really trying and I pray that the Good Lord continue to bless their every cause and endeavours.”
Musbaudeen Bishi, a teacher in one of the private schools in Agege axis of Lagos was particularly thrilled about the low bus fares.
Bishi who commutes from Sango-Ota in Ogun state to his workplace, said that has been made easy with the Cowry card from the BRT buses in addition to the freebies which comes in form of cheap fares from time to time.
To him, it’s good gestures such as this that makes Lagos State what it is as a Centre of Excellence.
It is instructive to note that since the exception of the Sanwo-Olu administration he has left no one in doubt about his commitment to the socioeconomic growth and development of the state and that is why he spares no efforts at all as far as making the state liveable for all.
Working with T. H. E. M. E. S+ agenda, a template initiated by this administration, and which has continued to guide its action plans, this has led to lots of development strides in different areas of governance and Lagosians have been the better for it.
According to analysts, the unwavering commitment of Sanwo-Olu to his agenda has helped him not just to remain focused but also ensuring that he delivers on his mandate which has been his focus since his first term till date.