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Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State Deputy Governor, has said that it is important for Nigerians to know that Nigeria is a developing country and as a people, they need to talk positively about the country and discuss facts and issues that are relevant to the growth and development of the country rather than diminishing it.
He stated while speaking at a media chat organized by the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
He also called for collaboration between government and media practitioners, stressing that such collaboration becomes imperative given the important role the Fourth Realm of Estate plays in nation-building.
While emphasizing the need for objective reportage, Hamzat noted that it would be counter-productive if the media is expounding the negatives in their reports.
Citing the example of the narrative that Nigeria’s education is decaying, Hamzat argued to the contrary. “We should not succumb to the negative narrative that the Nigerian Education system is going down. If our education is going down, why are the Western world, particularly, the British and America recruiting our teachers, our doctors, and our nurses?”
“This is the kind of label given to us and we are gullibly imbibed. I wish the practitioners should engage more in the positive in our activities, but also report when we are failing.
“As we know the government does a lot of things. There is a bouquet of things that we do, including; roads, drainage, education health, transport waste management, various things. A lot of things that we do in Lagos seem not to be well disseminated to the public.”
Speaking further, the Deputy Governor stated that In line with the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat administration’s commitment to foster a Lagos that is inclusive and investor friendly, the government is undergoing over 189 projects that are aimed at enhancing the welfare of Lagosians, the younger generation, and streamlining business operations.
He noted that the projects are designed to have a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the people and mitigate against rural-urban migration, adding that in Lagos, the government has done over 198 roads across all the Local Governments in the state.
The Deputy Governor also stated that the “Lagos Citizensgate” – a Mobile Application developed for better grassroots participation and to strengthen governance, remains a game changer in the administration’s commitment, as it has remained a veritable platform for citizens to engage the government, air their grievances, and government to provide solutions to such problems.
Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Political, Legislative & Civic Engagement, in his opening remarks said that the State government will not relent in its effort to bring relief to residents of Lagos and ensure a peaceful and harmonious working relationship with all stakeholders towards achieving the ‘Greater Lagos Rising’ vision of the present administration.
He said that the Office of Political, Legislative, and Civic Engagement is committed to promoting inclusive governance through engagements, encouraging participation of the people in civic activities, democratic processes, community building, and peaceful cohabitation amongst the residents of Lagos.
Highlighting some of the key initiatives of the present administration to cushion the effect of the economy, he noted that the “Sanwo Olu Listens” a Financial Assistance Program is a comprehensive and impactful social welfare programme launched by the Governor, aims to directly address their financial and social challenges being faced by the vulnerable due to the economic hardship.
According to him, “under this initiative, over N700,000,000 was disbursed in 2024 alone, to over two thousand vulnerable residents in the state to assist them in meeting their health, accommodation, business, and school fees challenges, among others.”
He said in the context of the ongoing economic difficulties that many Nigerians face, the programme has continued to alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life for those in need.
“Those that have benefitted from the programme include the elderly, low-income earners, persons living with disabilities, indigent students, small scale business owners, and the down-trodden, among others.
Speaking on the Lagos Citizensgate Mobile Application which was developed for a better grass-root participation and to strengthen governance through electronic process and digital effective communication, as well as promote transparency and citizen participation, which is one of the key pillars of successful open government reforms.
He said the interactive Lagos State Citizens Gate Mobile App can be accessed irrespective of the kind of phone one uses.
