Valentine Okafor
The Diocese of Lagos West, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his administration’s giant strides in road infrastructure, education, health, urban development, housing, environment, job and skill acquisition.
The Bishop of Lagos Diocese, The Rt Rev’d Dr Ifedola Senasu Okupevi, spoke about Governor Sanwo-Olu’s achievements while delivering a Presidential Address at the First Session of the 36th Synod of the Diocese, held at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on Monday.
The Diocesan said Lagos State continues to experience significant growth and development across various sectors, particularly under the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.
He said, “We commend the Lagos State Government in the area of roads and infrastructure. In the last 12 months, we observed that infrastructure initiatives in the State reflect a commitment to modernising the city’s transportation networks and cultural landmarks. Yet more still needs to be done in ensuring these developments benefit all residents equitably.
“We observe Blue Line Rail Development, Red Line, John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, road and bridge projects as significant infrastructural projects aimed at enhancing transportation, urban development and cultural preservation.
“The education sector in Lagos State in the last 12 months shows a pattern of strategic planning, increased investment and collaborative efforts. The Church affirms that Lagos State has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing its education sector with appreciable progress in the academic calendar and compliance, budgetary allocations, literacy rates and education challenges, quality assurance and monitoring.
“The State’s healthcare system has seen notable developments in spite of significant challenges plaguing the sector. We applaud the ILERA EKO Health Insurance Scheme managed by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, enhance service accessibility and expand healthcare access to the underserved.
Speaking during the synod, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was received with fanfare by the Synod delegates, said his administration is committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to Lagos residents in all sectors.
He said the intervention of Lagos State on the issue of electricity is based on the recent decentralisation of the power sector and it will bring a lot of relief to the residents. He said the intervention will unlock additional investments into the energy space for a new life in power generation and power distribution.
Sanwo-Olu, while stressing the need for a healthy environment, advised people against dumping refuse on the road and blocking the drainage system.
He disclosed that his administration has increased the number of state-owned universities from one to three, and there is a plan to establish another university for medical sciences.
The Governor said his government is currently building many hospitals in different parts of the State, among which is the Massey Children Hospital, which will be the largest paediatric hospital in West Africa once it’s completed. He also disclosed that his administration is currently building a psychiatric and mental rehabilitation hospital with about 1,000 beds in Ikosi-Ejinrin.