On September 15, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State delivered a lecture titled "Democracy, Governance, and the Lagos Spirit: A Century of Excellence" at the Yoruba Tennis Club (YTC) in Onikan, Lagos, as part of the institution's centenary anniversary celebrations. The YTC, established in 1926, has become an iconic institution in Lagos State, with a rich history and influence that has endured for a century.
In his lecture, Sanwo-Olu highlighted the significance of "the Lagos Spirit," which he described as a combination of values and attitudes that have driven the city's growth and prosperity. He cited examples of Lagos' resilience, including its decision to build its own tennis club after being excluded from colonial clubs, and its leadership in the pro-democracy movement in 1993.
The governor emphasized the importance of continuity in governance, citing Lagos State's transformation from virtual insolvency to prosperity since 1999. He noted that the development blueprint produced in 1999 had remained the foundation for successive administrations, leading to major projects such as the Blue and Red rail lines. Sanwo-Olu also cited the state's internally generated revenue reforms as an example of self-reliance.
Sanwo-Olu's lecture was seen as a rebuke to opposition parties, who have promised to reverse some of President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the harmonization of parallel foreign exchange markets. The governor warned against the dangers of calling for change simply for the sake of it, urging opposition parties to present credible alternatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor's remarks were also seen as a reference to the 2027 presidential elections, with opposition candidates such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi promising to restore subsidy or introduce new economic policies. Sanwo-Olu called on opposition parties to provide concrete blueprints for their economic policies, rather than making empty promises.
The lecture was informed by the development economist W.W. Rostow's "non-communist manifesto," which identifies five stages of economic growth, including the Take-Off stage, which is critical for sustained prosperity. Sanwo-Olu's administration has been credited with creating a safe and clement condition for the secure take-off of the flight to sustained prosperity, with Lagos State ranking among the five largest economies in Africa.
In conclusion, Sanwo-Olu's sermon on continuity and progress at the Yoruba Tennis Club centenary emphasized the importance of building on existing foundations, rather than abruptly changing course. The governor's remarks have been seen as a call to action for opposition parties to provide credible alternatives to the APC, rather than simply promising change for its own sake.
Key points
- Sanwo-Olu emphasizes continuity in governance as key to Lagos State's transformation.
- The governor warns against the dangers of calling for change simply for the sake of it.
- Sanwo-Olu urges opposition parties to present credible alternatives to the ruling APC.
