Sanwo-Olu: Courage Under Fire

TEMITOPE AJAYI

Regardless of my association with his administration where few of my friends are important aides and my personal sentiment for him, i will pick Governor Sanwo-Olu as the Public Officer of the Year 2020.  

 He has exhibited what the venerable Ray Ekpu called “Visible Leadership” in the administration of Lagos State since he assumed office. That visible and hands-on leadership became more foregrounded in the management and his government’s response to the Covid-19 Pandemic when the first case was reported in February.  

When Lagos came under vicious attack in October occasioned by the #EndSARS  protests he showed courage even when he was under fire. Despite the challenges of governance of an intensely cosmopolitan city-state, the Governor has been a steady hand.  

In his 582 days in office he has hardly had a straight one month respite without a major incident. The administration has been buffeted by various disasters from pipelines fire, gas explosions, collapse of buildings, fire disasters and other man-made tragedies. In all of these, Governor Sanwo-Olu has discharged the burden of his office with temperance, compassion and presence of mind expected of the occupant of his office.  

I am sure Governor Sanwo-Olu will say, in his private moment, that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Well, he asked for the crown. May God give him the wisdom to bear the uneasiness.  

Two National newspapers – Leadership and The Nation already named him as the Governor of the year. I will say the two newspapers made the right call.