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One Year Of The Sanwo-Olu Administration: A Review Of The Lagos First Lady’s Contributions
By Olubukonla Nwonah
“There is no jewel in the world so valuable as a chaste and a virtuous woman” – Miguel del Cervantes.
This quote by Cervantes, widely regarded as the greatest Spanish writer and one of the world’s pre-eminent novelists, fit the invaluable contributions of Lagos State First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu behind the scenes in the last 12 months.
Come May 29th 2020, it will be exactly one year that her husband, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu took the top driver’s seat in the journey to birth a greater Lagos State.
Back in 2019, Governor Sanwo-Olu had pledged to work assiduously to address the myriad of issues confronting Lagos State. The record of his impressive and stellar performance in critical sectors is there for all to see.
In her capacity as First Lady of Lagos State and Chairman of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has been massively supporting the efforts of the State Government to make life comfortable for the teeming populace. These efforts cover health interventions, protecting the rights of women and girls, supporting the needy, among others.
Upon assuming COWLSO Chairmanship, Dr Mrs Sanwo-Olu introduced a novel initiative of recognizing and appreciating the contributions of elders to the body’s past successes and achievements.
Tagged ‘Senior Citizens’ Visit’, The initiative was basically to visit and identify with senior citizens in their current situations.
The office of the First Lady had also been deeply involved in advocacy against all forms of sexual abuse and domestic violence against women and children. For the First Lady, such acts must be routed out from the State. This she demonstrated on several occasions by personally leading advocacy walks against the scourge.
A thoroughbred medical practitioner, Dr Sanwo-Olu had served meritoriously for 25 years rising to become Chief Medical Director within the Lagos State government health sector. Her impressive wealth of experience had been useful in support of the present administration’s development agenda.
With the acronym : T.H.E.M.E.S, the agenda encapsulates the vision of Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy; Entertainment and Tourism; as well as Security and Governance.
The First Lady actively supported the agenda’s second pillar of Health and Environment. She also promoted the Lagos State Healthy Bee Project, a free health initiative in July2019. This was carried out by the State Government in partnership with the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu/Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (BOSKOH) Health Care Mission International, an offspring of Sanwo Cares and Independent Campaign Group (ICG).
Designed to positively impact a critical mass of Lagos’ population through specialized medical services, it achieved remarkable success in bringing healthcare to the less privileged.
It significantly contributed to the Sanwo-Olu administration’s bid to revamp, rejuvenate and reposition healthcare delivery in the State.
Procedures including Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Eye Surgery, Dental Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Adult Eye Surgery were carried out at the General Hospitals in Lagos, Badagry, Onikan, Randle, Gbagada, Orile Agege, Ikorodu, Epe and Massey Children’s Hospital.
Screenings were conducted at Primary Healthcare Centers across the State including Ajara, Badagry; Akerele, Surulere; Iga-Iduganran, Lagos Island; Epe in Epe; Ikotun in Alimosho; Onigbogbo in Ikeja; and Ita-Elewa in IKorodu.
Over 21,000 people received free health screening and treatment out of which 3,157 surgeries were carried out as needed.
The First Lady also supported another medical mission carried out by the State Government in partnership with the Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation to mark the 100 days of the Sanwo-Olu administration. Through that intervention, free surgeries were carried out for 150 residents suffering from Lipomas, Breast Lumps, Hernia and Fibroid, with additional Free Consultation and Free Dental Check at General Hospital, Ijede.
Under the environment, the First Lady was at the vanguard of advocacy for residents, especially women to embrace the Blue Box Programme of the Lagos State Government, among other initiatives to engender clean, healthier, liveable and sustainable environment. The Blue Box Program, which is being implemented by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), encourages waste sorting, especially from the source of generation.
Prior to the hosting of the 2019 National Women’s Conference of COWLSO, the First Lady and members of COWLSO embarked on a special walk to create awareness for the conference. She unveiled plans to launch an Endowment Fund to defray the cost of pediatric surgeries for needy babies at the Ayinke House of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.
Till date, many are still basking in the euphoria of the 2019 COWLSO Conference held from October 22 to 24 with the theme: “Unlearn, Learn and Relearn: 21st Century Women’s THEMES Approach/Perspectives. The conference recorded a massive attendance of over 3,000 participants in three days of mind shifting trainings and brainstorming. It also equipped women with the skills to key into the emerging opportunities in Lagos State.
Participants benefited immensely from the life changing experiences, true life stories and case studies presented by accomplished professionals in various fields.
It was also on record that for the first time, two houses were won during the gala nite’s raffle draw.
Other prizes won included cars, cash rewards, return air tickets, deep freezers, cooking gas, television, washing machines and exquisite bed.
In the 2019 edition of the annual Lagos Women Run, Dr Sanwo-Olu broke Nigeria’s road race record as the first governor’s wife to finish an athletic road race. The First Lady not only flagged off the race as scheduled at the Tafawa Balewa Square, but also ran the whole course of the 10km race to the finish point at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
In December, the annual Children’s Party and Christmas Party of the State were also held with remarkable improvement.
In sustaining the annual first baby of the year celebration, the First Lady improved on the year 2020 edition. She visited for the first time, some general hospitals that has not benefited from the initiative since it started 18 years ago. These included General Hospital, Ijede; General Hospital, Agbowa; General Hospital, Ketu Ejinrin and the regular beneficiary, Lagos Island Maternity Hospital. Exciting gifts including mum’s packs, baby essentials, cash rewards and other baby items were presented by to the first babies and their mothers.
As a follow-up to the COWLSO conference, a three-day retreat was organised to equip to equip COWLSO members with requisite skills in Protocol, Etiquette and Security. The retreat, which held at Eko Hotels and Suites, had in attendance Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; the wife of former Governor of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola, among others.
In March, before the State encountered the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Mrs Sanwo-Olu had commenced Special Sanitation Visitations to Markets in the State. It was COWLSO’s effort to inspire market men and women to maintain a hygienic environment within markets. This will protect and promote the health of citizens who patronised the markets daily.
Speaking at the Tejuosho Ultra Modern Market in Yaba, the First Lady said maintaining high level of hygiene was critical to fighting the virus, among other diseases.
“Coming in to the market this morning, I saw a banner placed at the entrance gate to educate the people about CoronaVirus and I must commend you for that because it is important for the markets to be clean. It is also important for people to imbibe the habit of regular washing of hands with soap and water.
“It is very important that we should all be aware that as long as we are eating clean and healthy vegetables and fruits, we would be able to increase our immunity so that we will be strong to fight the virus.
“As a matter of fact, this time around we need double dose of clean vegetables; double dose of fruits and for the doctors we would recommend Vitamin C to build your immunity and even when you have any of the attack like cough and so on, it would run its course and not stay in your body.
“By the grace of God, we are going to ensure that everybody fortifies their body by eating well, eating clean food and being in clean environment and that is why we are starting with the markets because most people come to the market to buy things and there will also be reward for cleanest market,” she said.
She added that in line with the ongoing campaign to end Tuberculosis, it was equally essential to educate the people that they should use handkerchiefs to cover their mouth when coughing and in case that is not available, the hand or elbow should be used to prevent the spread of the disease, as well as regular medical checkup.
Another critical area which the First Lady has commendably intervened is in reaching out to various segments of the society during and after the lockdown necessitated by Coronavirus. Since Lagos recorded the index case about three months ago, the State and indeed Governor Sanwo-Olu have been commended locally and beyond the shores of the country for the way the pandemic had been handled so far.
At the last count, 27 secondary health facilities across the State, three custodial centres (Prisons) of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Kirikiri, Badagry and Ikoyi, had been visited by representatives of the First Lady to assist with palliatives to cushion the effect of the lockdown. Also, various Non-Governmental Organisations, Orphanages, special schools and homes for children and adults with special needs in all the five administrative divisions of the State were equally visited and assisted with food palliatives, among other essentials to lessen the difficulty experienced by the people considered to be most negatively affected by the lockdown.
Various political groups, interest groups, associations, foundations, among others also benefited from the palliatives, while the Office of the First Lady also collaborated with some food vendors to daily feed hundreds of people in several communities across the State while the lockdown lasted.
Specifically, the relief items included bags of rice, beans, garri, packs of noodles, spaghetti, macaroni, and semovita. Protective equipment, toiletries, sanitizers, disinfectants, cleaning, sanitary and personal hygiene materials were donated to frontline health workers across the State to support ongoing efforts to combat the community transmission of the virus in the State.
Prior to setting out to deliver the items, some religious and professional bodies as well as some corporate organizations had donated some items to the State Government through the Office of the First Lady. The items donated included Sanitary and Personal Hygiene materials, 4,000 bottles of Sanitizers and 500 food packs, bags of rice, beans and cartons of noodles, 60 protective gowns and 100 face shields, among others.
As the office of the First Lady continues with its invaluable contributions to the bid to engender a greater Lagos, the people of the State can only look forward to more interesting times ahead in terms of delivering good governance and making the State work for all.
News
‘If You Want It Dirty, You’ll Get It Dirty’, Benue Diaspora DG Escalates Threat Against National Record Reporter
By Our Reporter
The Editor-in-Chief of National Record, Iduh L. Onah, has raised alarm over what he described as ‘grave threats’ issued against one of the online newspaper’s reporters, Mr. Amos Aar, by the Director-General of the Benue State Directorate of Diaspora Linkages and Investments, Professor Abraham Tartenger Girgih.
In a letter dated June 25, 2025, addressed to Prof. Girgih and made available to the press, National Record condemned what it called “unwarranted threats” following the publication of a report on the funding challenges being faced by the Directorate under the DG’s leadership since its formation in 2024.
According to Onah, while the publication welcomes robust engagement in the form of rejoinders on stories perceived to contain among other things misinformation, misrepresentation or distortion, no one has the right to issue threats.
“While it is within your right to respond to perceived misinformation or misrepresentation and distortion or outright fabrication, in any publication, it is, however, beyond that right to issue a threat as grave as “dire consequences”, Onah stated.
The Editor-in-Chief further noted that the situation escalated after the publication of a follow-up report when Prof. Girgih called the correspondent and made what the paper considers to be a further threat.
“After the publication of the threat and other claims in your rejoinder, you again went ahead to issue what we deemed to be further grave threat when you stated: “…if you want it dirty, you will get it dirty”, among other words perceived as veiled threat, in a telephone conversation you had with our correspondent shortly after you may have read our follow-up report,” stated the Editor-in-Chief.
The management of National Record expressed deep concern for the safety of its correspondent and other staff, especially given the hostile tone of Prof. Girgih in his conversation with the reporter.
The media organization said it is taking steps to notify security agencies, the Benue State Government, and professional journalism bodies about the threats, while also demanding a written assurance from Prof. Girgih that no harm will befall Mr. Aar or any member of the newspaper’s staff.
“We demand from you a written assurance of Mr Aar’s safety from harm and that of our other staff, and a further commitment to desist from harassing, heckling, intimidating or bullying us in whatever manner,” Onah wrote.
While no official response had been received from Prof. Girgih as at press time, National Record expressed hope for civility going forward and reiterated its commitment to its constitutional mandate as a stakeholder in the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
The letter reads in full:
Professor Abaham Tartenger Girgih
The Director-General
Directorate of Diaspora Linkages and investments
Makurdi, Benue State.
Dear Prof. Girgih;
THREATS ON OUR PERSONNEL AND ORGANISATION
On behalf of the Management of Contest Communications Limited, publishers of National Record, I bring you warm fraternal greetings.
We wish to express our dismay and concern over your threat on our Benue State Correspondent, Mr Amos Aar, in particular, and generally, our entire organisation, as contained in your rejoinder to a report we had published on challenges being faced by the agency which you head.
While it is within your right to respond to perceived misinformation or misrepresentation and distortion or outright fabrication, in any publication, it is, however, beyond that right to issue a threat as grave as “dire consequences”.
After the publication of the threat and other claims in your rejoinder, you again went ahead to issue what we deemed to be further grave threat when you stated: “…if you want it dirty, you will get it dirty”, among other words perceived as veiled threat, in a telephone conversation you had with our correspondent shortly after you may have read our follow-up report.
While we intend to take steps to formally note these threats before the appropriate security agencies, the Benue State Government under which you are serving, as well as our professional organisations nationally; we wish to inform you that the life of our Benue State Correspondent, Amos Aar, and our entire personnel, remains insecure in the context of your threats.
In that regard, we demand from you a written assurance of Mr Aar’s safety from harm and that of our other staff, and a further commitment to desist from harassing, heckling, intimidating or bullying us in whatever manner from carrying out our constitutional mandate as key stakeholders in the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
As we look forward to relating with you in formal, civilised manner, and prompt action on our demands, please, accept the assurances of our esteemed regards.
Iduh L. Onah
Editor-in-Chief
National Record (https://nationalrecord.com.ng)
The Enugu State government has inaugurated a steering committee to eliminate Gender-Based Violence, GBV, in the state, declaring zero tolerance for the social malaise.
The inauguration took place at the Government House Enugu.
The panel, which is chaired by the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, draws its membership from the Nigeria Police Force, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry of Human Development and Poverty Reduction, Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education as well as the Civil Society.
Inaugurating the panel known as the Steering Committee for Strengthening Institutional and Community Responses to End Gender-Based Violence/Domestication of Enugu State Gender Policy using the Oputa Panel approach, Governor Peter Mbah restated his administration’s commitment to not bringing perpetrators of GBV to book, but also putting in place proactive measures – activities, infrastructure, and systems in place to prevent them.
Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said, “We take gender-based violence seriously. We have zero tolerance for it, and in Enugu State, we are ready to go the extra mile to deal with it.
“If you notice, the government has selected people that are very committed to this goal. This is not an activity where we just want to check-off the list. We will track this. We will monitor this, and we will have quarterly engagements on the successes that this particular committee has achieved in terms of reference that we are going to send.
“We will tighten those terms of reference indicators, so that we monitor what we are doing both in terms of cost input and the value added. It’s very important to us. Many people will be involved – civil society, the police and various ministries.”
He however, said that the effort was to protect everyone, men and women alike, as GBV was not restricted to any gender.
“The whole idea is to hold people responsible that are involved in matters relating to gender violence and deter people that by culture or by association get involved in that, protect women, protect our children, and in the case of violence against men, protect our men because most times we misconstrue gender violence to mean women, but it can also be men too.
“We encourage our men to speak out and to make sure they understand that the policy that Enugu State is soon going to domesticate is for everyone, and not only for the female gender,” he stated.
In her remark, Mrs. Enih, explained that the Oputa Panel approach was inspired by the need to cover all local peculiarities in domesticating the policy on GBV, restarting government’s confidence in the members of the panel.
“The approach we are going to use is the Oputa Panel approach, and in the Oputa Panel approach, we are going to tour the 17 Local Government Areas to get firsthand information about what our people are going through because policy is meant for the people, and a policy should suit the people.
“Again, every community has its peculiar problems, so that’s why the government decided that if we have to domesticate the gender policy, we have to hear from the people who own the policy and know the changes that they desire to see. That is the reason we are using this approach.
“The committee members are to also serve as judges. As we gather this information from our people, we will come back to tailor it in a way to suit the people of Enugu State, and then our policy is ready.
“We want the people to know that there is a gender policy for them. I can assure you that when the people are aware that there is such a policy, they will seek for the enforcement of that policy. So, this is not going to be one of those policies that will just lie on the shelf,” she said.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
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