Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet and the greater Lagos journey

In his book, ‘What is History?’ Historian, E.H. Carr, attempted to put in perspective the role of people and personalities in defining and shaping events in the society. While Carr agrees that the society offers the platform for individuals to achieve set goals, he, nevertheless, argued that there are personalities whose vision and strength of character have significantly shaped, defined and influenced their respective societies.

No doubt, Carr’s position is supported by numerous empirical facts. Through the ages, the history of several societies has been massively influenced, if not entirely altered, by the actions of certain individuals or a group of people. For instance, personalities such as Adolf Hitler, Mikel Gobachev, Nelson Mandela, to mention but a few, have radically modified the course of history in their respective societies and, by extension the entire world.

In the same vein, in the current political dispensation (1999-date), the socio-political landscape of Lagos State, the nation’s Center of Excellence, has been significantly enhanced by the thoughts, visions and activities of some personalities who toiled endlessly to ensure that Lagos retains its status as the nation’s destination of choice. These men and women, who have been privileged to be members of the State Executive Council, have, no doubt, remarkably contributed their quota to the growth and development of the State.

In order to really underscore the strength of character as well as the profundity of their contributions to the evolvement of a modern Lagos, today, many of them occupy various prime positions across all strata of governance in the country. For instance, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Minister for Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice President, Mr. Ade Ipaye, Chairman Asset Management Company, AMCON, Mr. Muiz Banire, Chairman Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, Mr. Ben Akabueze, Director General Budget Office and a host of others are among men who had once served as cabinet members in the State at one time or the other.

The bottom line here is that Lagos State, especially since 1999, has always been renowned for putting in place sophisticated cabinet comprising hardworking, competent and visionary individuals with knack for achieving greater results and accelerated progress. This is the path that Lagos has been following and that is the road that has translated into a huge success for the State.

The result has been sustained policy consistency and resultant remarkable strides in continuous improvement in revenue generation and fiscal performance, infrastructure modernization, renewal and expansion, social service delivery, improved judicial system, enhancement of security and implementation of poverty alleviating and job provision programmes to succor the most vulnerable segments of society in Lagos State.

It is, therefore, not surprising that Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has decided to follow in the same noble pathway as he recently put in place a cabinet with an intricate blend of professionals, administrators, scholars and politicians. On parade in the Sanwo-Olu ‘Greater Lagos’ cabinet is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, first class economist, a distinguished professor, veteran administrators , shrewd accountants, experienced politicians, successful entrepreneurs, world-class bankers, trail- blazing transport consultant, accomplished engineers, reputed journalists and knighted surveyors, among others.

From their antecedents, there is no doubt that the new cabinet membersunderstand the challenges of the State and are prepared to key into the present administration’s vision of a engendering a Greater Lagos.