This question had started bugging my mind since watching the recent visit of the Odua team led by my egbon Otunba Bimbo Ashiru to visit him recently.
In a jiffy, he would soon complete his second term and I have not been hearing of any rumour as to his next destination.
Maybe I am not listening well. I have heard stuff on Ambode, I have heard stuff on Senator Aburi, I have even heard stuff on Obasa the larger than life speaker but I have not heard anything on Sanwo.
https://newsextra24.com/osoba-urges-more-investment-in-investigative-journalism/
To be fair to him, I have not really dug deep and may from this morning start working my Alausa contacts to see if I would hear anything
But before then, let me try an offhand analysis of his person, engagement with Lagos and what or where I think he would be headed after such a topsy turvy ride in Lagos
Sanwo came on board at the end of a major upheaval. His predecessor was uprooted and this didn’t really sit well with most Lagosians on the street.
But as its the case with Lagos, the people on the street, really have no say in these things.
Those that own Lagos had spoken and the rest of us could go and jump into the Lagoon as once recommended by the highly respected Oba.
Personally, I didn’t like the decision and joined the famous trek on Ikorodu road in favour of Ambode
Ambode to my minds eye remains one of the most instructive of individuals who have ever governed Lagos
His stride in infrastructural development remains world class and would be very difficult to surpass.
He also opened the entertainment space very massively, getting it ready for the huge december landfalls that brings billions as revenue and has put Lagos on the global entertainment map
This and more made Ambode very popular amongst the people hence their shock and initial resistance at his not being allowed a second term.
When it was inevitable that he was not going to come back, I decided to go thru SANWO-OLU ‘s resume and found peace.
https://newsextra24.com/crude-for-loans-nnpc-allocates-8-million-barrels-monthly-for-8-8-billion-debt-repayment-report/
Hate or like his Baba, the man knows how to spot talent and maximally utilize it.
From Fashola, thru Ambode and now SANWO-OLU, the man hit pay dirt in identifying talented technocrats and empowering them.
SANWO-OLU’ s resume was quite impressive as he had traversed Finance, Real estate and public service.
His stint at the LSDPC and LSSTF were quite instructive as these areas coincidentally recorded spikes in their performance during his journey there.
So we relaxed. If all local Government Chairmen of Lagos had signed off Ambode, the GAC had signed off then the inevitability of SANWO-OLU must then dawn on us whether we liked it or not.
SANWO-OLU’s 8 years have been that of a put pourri of High performance in some sectors, average in others, lethargic in a few but massive in his engagements especially with the youths.
In all his topsy turvy ride, his relatability, opennes, willigness to engage, his sunny diposition to life and service all has made him one of the most popular Governors of Lagos.
At some point, his image enjoyed relative immunity against the dour disposition of his party and its leadership
This gave him the confidence to jump into the crowd during the initial days of the Endsars which later blew in his face.
I thought this was a brilliant thing to do as he rolled up his sleeves and joined in the marches.
He even took a letter to the then tone deaf President and by the time, he came back the colouration of the protest marshalled by the evil machinations of his leaders had turned the spirited cry by the youths for reforms into a massive orgy of violence which almost consumed his political career
Thankfully, he came back stronger engaging much more with the youths, attending mass social events which helped him rebuild his image and connection with the people
SANWO-OLU’s high point as Govenor remains his heroic handling of the Covid pandemic.
I shudder to think of what would have happened to Nigeria if we were not exposed to the kind of hands on experience he brought to bare.
He literally wrestled down the menace and working with Prof Abayomi led the global community in the fight.
Covid was SANWO-OLU’s moment in the sun. He did well and preened amidst the adulation of the world.
Health has not been the only place he has struck gold. Infrastructure with the launching of the modern metro system, agriculture with the rice farms and other such initiatives, education has witnessed good growth, security has been massive.
His support of the Nigerian Police Force thru the Dr Balogun led LSSTF has made Lagos literally the safest state in the country.
His LIRS led by the superbly brilliant Ayo Subair continues to win accolades in bursting its targets, in its efficiency in administration thereby fueling the administration in meeting its responsibility to the people
Administration at the level of civil servants have been above par with the covid welfare scheme, his revolutionary work hours, his rush to implement the minimum wage and other such things that make the Lagos Civil service an envy.
His quick resolution of the cold war between his team and that of the legislature which could have slowed him down is another point of note.
It’s not been all uhuru for him as he has had some blackspots.
https://newsextra24.com/inec-security-operatives-the-octopuses-in-nigerias-electoral-system/
He has scored poor in race relations as he seemed to have folded his hands in the heat of the igbo ‘carnage’ during his re-election.
He lost the opportunity to attain statesmanship with his silence and appeared to stay aloof since it appeared to run in his favour.
Till date, he has not been able to take a strong position in defending the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos and have only just continued rebuilding frayed nerves at the elitist levels without really coming out strongly in public where it mattered the most.
SANWO-OLU’s major strength is in relatively safe guarding his public image in the midst of a public roasting of his party, its leaders and his godfather.
He has shown massive loyalty to the structure that has brought him up and its leaders but somehow has been able to seemingly escape the public roasting of those ones in the face of a woeful performance in central governance.
Now this throws up a unique opportunity for a post Lagos SANWO-OLU.
The first wave of pilgrims that followed the leader to Abuja have all been overwhelmed.
Corruption, inadequate capacity, primordial engagements and more have buried the careers of most of them throwing up opportunity in leadership for him.
He would be very good in the chief of staff office- I don’t find trouble, his interactive skills, networking, loyalty and above average resilience to corruption puts him in good stead.
He would be good in works, information, budget office and any in the many think tanks that make up central government.
https://newsextra24.com/three-endbadgovernance-protesters-regain-freedom/
He will be perfect in international multilateral assignments, woeful in sports, terrible in women’s affairs and floating in defence.
Now would I prefer him in private business? This will be a strong possibility as he would bring to bare the massive experience he has garnered in Lagos to the space creating opportunities for job creation and all.
For me, I think judging from his age, aptitude and outlook, public imagery and engagements much as I am not supporting a second term for his godfather, the inevitability of that sad occurrence cannot be discounted judging from the Edo elections and the rest, then SANWO-OLU should be drafted NOW to the centre to strengthen that team especially if they want to redeem their public imagery, restore confidence in their integrity, put a serious and capable face in front of international monetary community and possibly prepare him for a well deserved positioning for succession at the top.
How are you my friend?
Duke of Shomolu
