Inauguration: Community Leader urges Lagosians to support Sanwo-Olu, Buhari
High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye
…Calls for decisive actions on housing deficit, unemployment
Mojisola Lawal
The Community Head of Apapa road, Otumara 11, Ojo-oniyun and its environs, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye has urged all residents in Lagos State, irrespective of tribe and political affiliation, to support the agenda of the new administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and the second tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari for a progressive Lagos State and Nigeria respectively.
High Chief Kalejaiye, who is also the Chairman/CEO, Kenny Cedar Hotel, Lagos gave the advice at a session with journalists to celebrate the country’s democracy day and 20 years of unbroken democracy on May 29 Which also marks the inauguration of new administrations in Nigeria.
According to him, after the incursion of military in the politics and governance of the country, it is worthy of celebration that self-rule has come to stay with two decades of straight and unhindered rule.
He however advised the new administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu to focus on housing development and bequeath a legacy project to Lagosians to have his name written in gold in the hearts of many homeless and deprived Lagos residents.
He stated, “Hopes are high with the new administrations of Gov. Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Muhammadu Buhari as a second term President of the country. In order not to dash the hopes and expectations of Lagosians and Nigerians who painstaking voted for the duo in the last general election, I want President Buhari to consolidate on the gains of his first term in office. Beyond this, I want to suggest to both leaders to make homelessness an issue and proffer a lasting solution to it. Many Nigerians are really suffering in the hands of shylock landlords. They have no decent accommodations due to their little means. At the centre, it is not enough to be fighting corruption while other sectors seem neglected. Mr President should focus more on unemployment, insecurity and Nigeria’sworkers welfare. The president is trying his best though but he should concentrate on solving housing and unemployment challenges confronting Nigerians. Although he has said he would create 20 million jobs in his second term, I want him to make his words his bond. Nigerians love him for his integrity and honesty and he should let this love and trust reposed in him translate into meaningful lives for both the old and the young.”
Commenting further on the expectations of Lagosians from the newly sworn in Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, High Chief Kalejaiye said he truly needs to take Lagosians to the next level of prosperity by creating employment for the youths and affordable healthcare and housing for all residents in Lagos state.
He added that stamping corruption out of the system is a must for both the federal and state governments as he said the level of corruption that goes on within the civil service outweighs the ones perpetrated by politicians.
He said, “Corruption is bane on our national growth and the earlier it is addressed the best for all of us. What do you expect from a civil servant that had spent his youth serving his fatherland and after his retirement, he is homeless and penniless. They would one way or the other want to secure a better life for themselves and families which is one factor that makes corruption thrives in the civil service. But if government could build affordable housing for civil servants as we had during the administration of Alhaji Lateef Jakande when he was Governor of Lagos State between 1979 and 1983. If education, healthcare and good road network are available the society will be better for it. So , the tasks before Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and President Muhammadu Buhari are so enormous that they cannot afford to disappoint Lagosians and Nigerians respectively. While I want to encourage us to be patient with them, on the other hand, I want to urge them to invest more on capital projects that will have multiplier effects on the economy and on the lives of the masses.”
High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye however congratulates Nigerians and Nigerian government on the successful transition and uninterrupted Democratic rule since 1999.
