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Sanwo-Olu marks 59th birthday with special children
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday celebrated his 59th birthday with children living with disabilities at the Lagos House in Ikeja.
The event, organised by the State Executive Council, was attended by about 250 special needs pupils and their teachers, who sang various thanksgiving songs and displayed their talents to celebrate Governor Sanwo-Olu.
The Governor, accompanied by his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, cut his birthday cake surrounded by the children from different schools in Lagos State.
He pledged to continue to prioritise the welfare and access of children, particularly those with special needs, to qualitative and free education.
Sanwo-Olu, who clocked 59 on June 25, earlier attended a thanksgiving service at the Chapel of the Lagos House, Marina.
The service, tagged ‘Celebration of God’s faithfulness’, was attended by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hazmat; First Lady Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Chief of Staff Tayo Ayinde and National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dayo Israel.
Also at the event were the Bishop of Lagos Diocese (Anglican Communion) Rev. Ifedola Okupevi; Special Adviser to Governor on Religious Matters (Christian Affairs), Rev. Bukola Adeleke; members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, party members, religious leaders, close aides, families, friends, and others.
The service was also attended by special children from the Army Command School and Ereko Methodist School, Lagos.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, dressed in white traditional attire, read from Psalm 34:1–10.
Presiding Chaplain Revd. Dele Ajayi, in his sermon, said the birthday is worth celebrating because of God’s faithfulness in the life of the Governor and his family.
He prayed that God would grant Governor Sanwo-Olu all his heart desires and give him the wisdom to fulfill God’s purpose for Lagos State.
Mrs. Sanwo-Olu described her husband as a ‘superman’ because of his passion for working for Lagos State.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said the State Executive Council decided to celebrate Governor Sanwo-Olu’s 59th birthday with children living with disabilities because of the governor’s love for children.
Olusanya commended the students for defying the rain to celebrate the governor.
She said: “We are showing our love to Mr. Governor and the first family for their love and care, particularly towards children and children with special needs. Mr. Governor gives so much of himself day in, day out without sleep most times, and we know that at the forefront of everything he does, children are paramount, particularly those with special needs. Year in and year out, he does so much for them, but we felt that on a day like this, there is no better time or better way to celebrate his 59th birthday than with the children.
“The Executive Council put together this event in honour of the man that we serve with and also to show the children that we indeed care for them and we love them.”
President Bola Tinubu, in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, wished Sanwo-Olu many more years of good health, wisdom, and energy in his service to Lagos State and the nation.
It reads: “President Bola Tinubu congratulates the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on his birthday. Governor Sanwo-Olu had a successful career in the private sector before joining the public service, scaling the leadership ladder.
“The President prays for many more years in good health for the Governor and wishes him more wisdom and energy in his service to Lagos State and the nation.”
Prince Kayode Adewale, a contestant for the vacant Owa-Obokun of Ijesa land throne, has urged the Osun state government and traditional kingmakers to rely on oracles and deities in selecting the next monarch of the ancient town.
Prince Adewale of the Owa Bilaro Oluodo Royal Family, made the call during a press conference in Ilesa, Osun State, on Thursday.
He noted that the Ifa oracle, along with the Obokun and Ogun deities, should be the determining factors in the selection process.
The stool became vacant following the passing of Oba Gabriel Aromolaran, who joined his ancestors on September 11, 2024, after a 42-year reign.
As the contest intensifies, an Osun State High Court, presided over by Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, has restrained Governor Ademola Adeleke and others from appointing a new Owa-Obokun from the Haastrup family or any other candidate.
Amid the ongoing legal battles, Prince Adewale reaffirmed his interest in the throne, advocating for adherence to traditional processes to ensure fairness and legitimacy.
He said: “The Owa Obokun stool is not for sale. In Ijesaland when it’s comes to selection of a new King the Ifa, Obokun and Ogun deities will be consulted and the person that has the highest vote from them will emerge as the king.”
Declaring his intention, Adewale said he is committed to standardizing mining practices and implementing robust land reclamation policies.
“Ijeshaland is blessed with abundant natural resources, particularly in gold mining. However, our gold resources must be harnessed responsibly and sustainably. Under my leadership, I will work towards the standardization of gold mining practices, ensuring that this wealth benefits the people of Ijeshaland while preserving our environment for future generations.”
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the extension of the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 budget from 31 December 2024 to 30 June 2025.
Leader of the House, Hon Julius Ihonvbere, laid the report of the report of the bill seeking the extension as the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply to consider it.
It is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation Act, 2024 to extend the implementation of the Capital Component of the Appropriation Act, 2024 from 31 December, 2024 to 30 June, 2025 and for Related Matters (HB.2023)”
Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who announced the adjournment of plenary to January 14, 2025, urged members to work hard in their various to ensure that the prompt passage of the 2025 budget upon resumption.
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) on Thursday condemned in strong terms the suspension of 18 local government chairmen and councillors in Edo state by the House of Assembly.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had accused the suspended chairmen of disobeying his instructions by allegedly refusing to submit their financial records to the state government.
However, the ALGON’s National Executive Council (NEC) and its Board of Trustees (BoT) on Thursday jointly condemned the decision saying the governor and lawmakers did not give the council chairmen fair hearing to defend themselves.
The association at an emergency meeting in Katsina state, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, emphasising the need to respect the autonomy and independence of local governments as guaranteed by the nation’s constitution and recent ruling by the Supreme Court.
“ALGON views this suspension as a setback for democracy and abuse of power, particularly since the chairmen were not given a chance to defend themselves.
“This suspension is invalid. It contradicts the Supreme Court’s judgment granting local governments autonomy,” the ALGON National Publicity Secretary, Hamisu Anani, in a statement said.
Anani stated that if the Edo State House of Assembly’s decision was right, it would not have generated criticisms across the length and breadth of the country.
“This suspension is unconstitutional; it is null and void.
“ALGON is hereby urging the Edo State House of Assembly to reverse the decision and respect the rule of law to strengthen democratic governance.
“ALGON also appeals to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt this abuse of power,” the statement said.
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