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| Jide Sanwo-olu, Lagos Guber aspirant |
City Hall on the
Island in Lagos witnessed the presence of big shots in the ruling party as Babajide
Sanwo-Olu announced his bid to seek the ticket of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) in the 2019 Lagos governorship election.
Sanwo-Olu made his intention known
on Sunday, 16th September, while addressing his supporters at City Hall, Lagos.
The governorship aspirant says he intends to make Lagos the “Greatest, most
vibrant city on the African continent, taking its rightful place in the comity
of states around the globe”.
He said: “I have a vision for a
Lagos with modern and affordable transport system, impeccable public health
facilities, world class educational institutions, where we succeed in educating
and skilling our youth, especially our children.
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| With some Party Chieftain |
“A vision for a Lagos where our
children are educated and our youth are highly-skilled, healthy, free of
hunger, illiteracy, disease and destitution. There’s a lot of work to be done
to achieve the Lagos of our dream.”
The gubernatorial aspirant said he will
be a good party man and run an inclusive government while he also commended
Babatunde Fashola, former Lagos governor, for his efforts while leading the
state.
The former banker is believed to
have the backing of Mandate Movement, a group loyal to Bola Tinubu, national
leader of the party.
THE MAN BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU
WHO WANTS TO TAKE LAGOS FROM AKINWUNMI AMBODE
He
is a former Special Adviser to Mr. Femi Pedro as Deputy Governor of Lagos State
as well as Special Adviser to former Governor Bola Tinubu before becoming a
full Commissioner for Establishment in 2007,
SANWO-OLU
Babajide Olusola is widely regarded as a public sector expert in human
resources and policy formation a power sector consultant per excellence, an
astute banker, a compelling public speaker and an inspirational leader. Apart from
a robust public sector service experience which spanned over eight years during
which he was Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Honourable Commissioner
for Budget and Planning and Honourable Commissioner for Establishments and
Training, Lagos State, at different times, the very dynamic Babajide also has
an enviable background in the private sector and close to ten years of
exemplary banking experience during which he contributed immensely to the
growth and development of Lead Bank Plc, UBA, and First Atlantic Bank (now
First City Monument Bank) in various critical capacities.
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| ...at City Hall, Lagos |
He
has distinguished himself as a boardroom guru and has since become a widely
recognized force in both the private and public sector, serving as Board
member, Department for International Development, DFID/DEEPEN Fund; Member of
the Board Audit Committee of Caverton Offshore Services Group, PLC and as
Director, Light Level Nigeria Limited, the foremost digital signage company in
Nigeria.
As
Treasurer at Lead Bank Plc between 1994 and 1997, Babajide managed the liquid
asset of the bank and general funding requirements on a daily basis. At United
Bank for Africa, UBA, he was Senior Manager (Head, Foreign Money Market)
managing the bank’s stability. He was also responsible for articulating and
implementing the bank’s strategy in Investment Banking activities and Issuing
House and liquidity position vis a vis pro Portfolio
Management.
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| Both in the race for the Alausa seat of power |
Subsequently,
Babajide rose to the position of Deputy General Manager (Divisional Head) at
First Inland Bank Plc, where he was Corporate Financial Advisor to several multinational
companies. He also supervised the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) privatization
projects including the concession of the National Arts Theatre, and the Lagos
Trade
International Fair Complex.
His
meteoric rise within the system of the Lagos State government is particularly exemplary;
testament to his unique leadership abilities and exceptional contributions to good
governance within the State.
Babajide’s
appointment, in 2003, as Special Adviser on Corporate Matters to the Deputy Governor,
took the government circles by storm. However, the consequent recognition which
he quickly gained, coupled with his outstanding performance earned him the same
job
title and description again, this time, with the Executive Governor himself
after only one year.
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| ...addressing his teeming supporters |
Working
directly with the Governor, he was responsible for creating an environment that
fosters private sector participation and was instrumental to the present
situation where members of the private sector see themselves as stakeholders in
the governance of the
State.
He also formulated policies and programmes to improve the relationship between
government and Organized Private Sector (OPS).
In
conjunction with other agencies of government, Babajide was able to initiate,
identify, promote and structure new projects and programmes in areas like the
Environment, Transportation, Commerce, Finance and Infrastructure while also
preparing and tracking the Internally Generated Revenue from various agencies
including the BIR and analyzing same for the Governor.
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| ...still seeking for the almighty blessings... |
He
was also responsible for the preparation and publication of the Lagos State
Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LASEEDS).
While
still serving in this capacity, Babajide was appointed acting Honourable Commissioner,
Economic Planning and Budget, owing to his hard work and attention to details.
He became responsible for the preparation of the annual budget for the State Government
and the processing of the annual budget of the different parastatals; a duty he
performed judiciously.
It
was no surprise therefore, when in 2007, he became the Honourable Commissioner
for Commerce and Industry until the end of that administration. At the start of
the next administration, Babajide was again appointed Honourable Commissioner,
this time, for Establishments, Training and Pensions.
Babajide’s
stirring team playing ability was evident in the critical roles he played
within. For instance, in conjunction the government in
partnership with several units and of with the Head of Service, he was
responsible for timely review of salaries, wages and allowances while he also
articulated the state government’s Conditions of Service. As a
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| With his brand slogan for Lagos |
security
awareness expert, he helped set up the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and subsequently
became a board member for over four years.
Although
he holds an MBA and a B.Sc in Surveying from the University of Lagos, his quest
for knowledge has taken him to several courses and trainings in several
continents of the world, including Europe, USA, Asia and Africa. He is an
alumnus of the prestigious Kennedy School of Government, USA; the London
Business School as well as the Lagos
Business
School, LBS.
Babajide
is also an associate member of The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management
(CIPM) and fellow of The Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD).
