SANWO-OLU, HAMZAT AT 2: CHIEF SOLOMON AGUENE HEAP PRAISES ON EXCELLENT GOVERNANCE IN LAGOS … Celebrates Igbos in Lagos for making communities come alive
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
L-R: Governor, Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene.
On 29th May, 2021, the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat will become 2. While developmental activities are going on in top gear, one man has not ceased to heap praises on the men at the saddle in Lagos. The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene is not mincing his words despite the criticisms he has got. ‘When I talk about Sanwo-Olu, some people tell me to keep shut. I am saying to them that I cannot keep shut because I hope in God not men. The good work of God must be commended. These two years is just the beginning of better days in their lives and the lives of those they are leading’, the Igbo sociocultural leader said in this exclusive interview with Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene continued: ‘In works and infrastructure, education, health, housing and other sectors, his administration has done very well. I call him Baba Kekere no. 2 after the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande. He is a leader, a man of destiny, and not a politician. Many politicians have disappointed Nigerians because once politics and business enter the hands of 419ers, you know what to expect. They can steal from A to give B, Sanwo-olu is not like that. Politicians are Maradonas, once they get into power, they forget you. They collect billions but you don’t see what they are spending money on. He is a leader. One of the problems leaders face is gossip but Sanwo-olu is above gossip, blackmail, and propaganda because he is above bribery and corruption.’
President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene (2nd left) raising the hand of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (m) during the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos endorsement of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Governor, Lagos State in 2019.
On the personality and political sagacity of Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu whom he has always praised for his non-sentimental nature, the Igbo cultural leader reiterated: ‘I compare him with Pastor E. A. Adeboye and W. F. Kumuyi in terms of discipline. Whatever they represent for the sake of humanity, you will see them standing there. I have been in Lagos since 1980s and I have seen tribal, ethnic, and religious sentiments but his tenure has not allowed for such.
He has made efforts for everyone including those in opposition. Sanwo-Olu understands humanity. Look at how Sanwo-Olu is managing the challenges that he has had. We had COVID-19 for about a year and then, another big one which is EndSARS but look at how he has managed everyone and the situation. Despite the accusations, attacks, and abuses in order to create wrong impression about him to the whole world, he is still calming everyone down and visiting the victims making sure he can put something on their table. The man is a leader, I feel so angry when people call him a politician. Even the devil who caused all these challenges know that Sanwo-Olu is a great leader.
Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat
Look at the 100 Igbo widows he gave N100,000 to, look at another 250 Igbos he empowered, and the recent palliatives he just gave to me to share to my people.’
Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene did not fail to acknowledge Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat for his supportive role as the Deputy Governor of the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria. ‘Another thing that interests me about Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s government is his deputy, Kadri Hamzat. The man is so calm and quiet. If not because of social media, you wouldn’t even know there is a deputy. He worked during the campaign and is working in this government. If you see them, they do like husband and wife – very supportive of each other. People that have something upstairs don’t make noise. The man has something upstairs and I pray that Nigeria will not lack such men like Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat in our nation. When I see them on the TV screen, I want to listen.’
President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene
The ‘wise Solomon of our time’ as many call him wants all Lagosians to pray for the administration as they progress for the next two years. ‘People should support him more in prayers. Of course, he is a man of prayers but he needs our prayers because leading Lagos State is not easy. This is a state that is wealthier than some countries. Their prayers is for him to have long life to be able to continue the good works. He really needs our prayers, that what I will keep saying. That is the most important thing you can give to a man who is already advising himself. I want every Muslim, Christian and traditionalist to mention the name of Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu in their prayers. He does not have tribal or religious sentiments and has not disappointed Lagosians. As far as I am concerned, I have never experienced a leader that has carried along every tribe and religion.’
When asked about the role of his tribesmen in Lagos, especially as he is the leader of the apolitical Ohanaeze Ndigbo sociocultural group in Lagos, Chief Solomon did not mince his words in praising his people. He described Igbos as persons who come into a place to develop it. That there are dubious Igbos, he hinged on individualism and not ethnicity because all tribes and races have good and bad people. ‘Talking about my tribe for which I am the leader. Igbos have done so well in Lagos. My people are buying properties and bringing communities to life. Those who think otherwise may be that, they don’t have anything to sell, that is why they are complaining. More Igbos are still moving to Lagos because of the development they enjoy. We have honest Igbos, we have dubious Igbos, there is no tribe that doesn’t have such so it is not a tribal thing but an individual thing. I have not seen cases where Igbos will buy land and be reselling it, they usually develop it which gives land owners the confidence that development will come to their neighborhood. Many swampy areas have become developed communities today’, the great Igbo leader concluded.
