“We will work and work to meet the aspirations of our people and make the state better for everyone.”
— The new Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
To believe again?
He seems so knowledgeable, he seems so confident, he appears so capable. So, what more? We want to believe, but ghosts of our past do bid us pause!
For the invisible lives speaking unheard; for our brothers and sisters with no home but here (Lagos); for our children born without a silver spoon; for the voters who put you in office, I ask:
Can these promises made be promises kept?
Will this public trust be sacredly held?
Can you pluck drowning dreams from depths of despair?
Can you be the winning bet on faith so nearly spent?
Can you be the answered prayer to hope so long deferred?
Uneasy lays the task ahead; but don’t forget the words you’ve said.
My hope from far away is that real, measurable actions succeed these promises. That the Governor, at all times, see the state of this state as his report card. That he, being the beacon of statesmanship that we believe him to be, not complain, not relent, but with vigour and conviction, make his legacy—a Lagos in green and not in red; a shining example of African excellence.
Our problems have an easy peculiar trait: they are neither shy nor are they in secret. Our people are resourceful in this way — they ask only little, to accomplish much. What is now needed is the wisely-directed power of the state to serve the people of Lagos.
Congratulations, do us proud!
