7 Years in office: Lagosians hail Sanwo-Olu over achievements, appointment of Oki

By Paul Iyoghojie

Concerned yet elated residents of Lagos State, along with motorists plying Lagos roads, have showered encomiums on the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his monumental achievements across the state during his seven years in office.

Residents interviewed in Lagos Island, Mainland, Ikorodu, Okokomaiko, Badagry, and Abule Egba acknowledged that while past governors contributed to Lagos’ progress, Sanwo-Olu’s unprecedented achievements—particularly in the construction and expansion of the blue and red railway services—set him apart as one of Nigeria’s most impactful leaders. These projects have eased traffic congestion in areas such as CMS, Eko Bridge, Orile, Mile 2, Oshodi, Agege, and Alagbado. They appealed to the governor to extend railway services to Badagry before leaving office in 2027.

Mr. Ndubishi Okeke, a resident of Okokomaiko, stated: “Governor Sanwo-Olu has performed creditably well in all sectors, but the Blue Line railway from CMS to Mile 2 is the most impactful. It has relieved us of the daily stress of traffic gridlock, as many residents now leave their cars at home and commute via the fully air-conditioned trains.”

Similarly, Mr. Adisa Olarewaju of Alagbado described the Red Line railway from Iddo to Alagbado as “the best dividend of democracy gifted to residents of Ikeja, Agege, and Alagbado. It has drastically reduced our transportation challenges, and we thank Governor Sanwo-Olu for his foresight.”

Residents also praised the governor’s visionary leadership in appointing Mr. Bakare Oki as General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). They described him as incorruptible and the best LASTMA GM since the agency’s creation in 2001.

Within three years, Oki has transformed LASTMA’s battered image through innovations such as retraining personnel, introducing free toll lines for motorists to report grievances, banning the use of “Korope” buses and towing vans for operations, prohibiting personnel from chasing fleeing vehicles, and eliminating the dangerous practice of puncturing tires with iron spikes.

Before Oki’s appointment, negative reports about LASTMA were a daily occurrence in the media. Residents noted that these complaints have virtually disappeared under his leadership, making him a blessing not only to the Lagos State Government but also to motorists across the metropolis.

Bus drivers including Mr. Elija Obioma, Okey Okechukwu, Kingsley Obiabuchi, and Godwin Agada also commended Mr. Oki’s excellent work, describing his tenure as transformative for Lagos traffic management.