Current Reforms Necessary To Reposition Nigeria For Economic Growth – Hamzat

…We have never had any disagreement before – Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat on Thursday said ongoing reforms in the country are necessary to reposition the nation for economic growth.

Likening the present Nigerian economic situation to an elderly person with fractured leg bones as a result of injury, he said ongoing reforms are necessary surgical operations that if properly executed, would return the country to the path of glory once again.

While averring that “Nigeria is sick” and that times are hard, the Deputy Governor supplicated for patience on the part of the citizenry, for the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, which he says has taken bold steps to embark on wholistic economic reforms to revamp the economy.

Dr Hamzat stated this at a special prayer session organised by the state government to mark his 60th birthday at Community Central Mosque, Alausa Ikeja, urging Nigerians to expect the gains from the current pains and ensure that the country does not disintegrate.

He lauded the Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his,’’ dedication to the state, brotherliness, thoroughness and passion for the job.

“Just about two days ago, Mr. Governor was still telling me that Femi, that fourth mainland Bridge project must be done”, said Hamzat, who added that the passion brought on the job by Sanwo-Olu is uncommon.

Hamzat explained that the passion and hard work has seen the Lagos state, a sub-national government executing big, unprecedented projects like the rail line projects only done by national governments.

In his goodwill message, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the prayer session attended by political bigwigs, traditional rulers, frontline clergymen and members of the state’s executive council, paid glowing tributes to his deputy and described Hamzat as a very hard working, dependable and loyal deputy.

He also stated that, contrary to belief in some quarters that they will not be able to work together, they have both worked perfectly together to transform the state without rancour.

Saying: “We have never had any disagreement whatsoever since I met him for the first time in 2005”.

He said Hamzat’s administrative acumen, erudition and dint of hard work had been noticed by all and sundry including his colleague governors, saying the bond between him and his deputy had transcended the current offices they occupy.

The Governor said this at the sixtieth birthday celebration of Doctor Hamzat at the State Secretariat Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, describing him as a gift to Lagos State who has served the state for about twenty years in loyalty, humility and sense of intelligence worthy of emulation.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, said Hamzat is his elder brother and friend, as their relationship had been cordial, praying that God would grant him his innermost heart desires.

He said the deputy was not just humble but an intelligent person who was passionate about good governance in the state.

Earlier, an Islamic cleric, Sheikh AbdulRahman Lawal called on parents to train their children in the path of God and to lead their family by example for the society to be a better place devoid of moral decadence.

Sheikh Lawal, who is the Amir NADWAT Assembly Worldwide, said the training of children could be divided into three stages between birth and age seven, between age seven and fourteen and between age fourteen and twenty-one.

Sheikh Lawal said parents needed to be close to their children at every stage of their lives and show them the kind of adults they wanted them to become.
In an exhortation, Pastor Femi Fasehun of the KICC, Maryland, Lagos, challenged Dr Hamzat to continue to make more sacrifices for Lagos and for the nation.

He said Nigeria was in need of quality leadership and people with integrity and experience, urging the celebrant not to shy away from leadership.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included Deputy Governors of Ogun and Ekiti States, Speaker of the Lagos State Assembly, Chief Mudashiru Obasa, Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Kazeem Alogba, other political and business leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, among others.