Sanwo-Olu to Agbaje: Lagos not in bondage, vows to revive Badagry’s tourism

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said Lagosians are free citizens and not in bondage in what seemed to be an overt response to the campaign theme of his opponent.
Sanwo-Olu stated this on Sunday at the Palace of the Akran of Badagry, Aholu De Wheno Menu Toyi 1, during a consultative visit to the traditional rulers in the Badagry division.
In a direct response to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Jimi Agbaje, who said Lagosians were in bondage, Sanwo-Olu said Lagosians had not been enslaved under the APC-led government, noting that the state had achieved accelerated prosperity since 1999 due to the tenacity and purposefulness of the ruling party.
 
Highlighting the numerous infrastructural needs of the Badagry division, the APC standard-bearer promised to speedily address some of the listed concerns of the people.
 
He said: “Some have started talking about freedom and insinuated that Lagos is in bondage. Unfortunately, we cannot begin to talk about freedom in the 21st century. This is insulting to humanity and the people of Lagos especially because slavery and bondage were abolished in Badagry several decades ago. When they talk about freedom, we ask them freedom from what? We have had our freedom and everyone in Lagos is free. We have since moved away from the era of slavery, to era of prosperity with deep-seated aspiration for greater Lagos.
 
“We are aware of the challenges facing the people of Badagry on the rehabilitation of the expressway and we are promising that our administration would immediately hit the ground running and ensure the completion of that important road immediately we assume office by your votes.”
 
Sanwo-Olu reminded the royal fathers of the economic importance of tourism to the GDP of the state, maintaining that he would ensure a speedy completion of all projects that will improve the quality of lives of the people. 
 
“It is no brainer that once we fix infrastructure, it will automatically jump-start development in the area. That’s why it has become expedient for us to look critically into this before we can even think of other things. I am promising you today that Badagry will assume her pride of place in tourism if you give us your votes,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Sanwo-Olu also said there is a concise policy document to revive tourism of Badagry division if elected 
The APC candidate said the potential of the division to drive economic growth through tourism had not been fully harnessed, promising that his administration would restore the glory of the ancient town and make it economic viable.
To drive economic growth in Badagry, Sanwo-Olu said rehabilitation of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway became pertinent. He said his administration would prioritise the repair of the highway, promising to rebuild infrastructure in the division.
 
While addressing the residents from the Akran palace, Sanwo-Olu craved for the support of the enthusiastic multitude who had trooped out to welcome him and said: “We will not be far away from you.”
 
The APC candidate said: “Having listened to your wishes and expectations, I am assuring you that we will take all the points raised and incorporated them in our manifesto. We will prioritise the repair of the Badagry Expressway and open-up the entire West African nations to economic growth.
 
“We are coming out to create a Lagos where our children and their children would be proud of. We will restore Badagry as the topmost tourism destination in Nigeria. We have developed a strategy to achieve this aim and we will implement the plan with the commitment it requires.”
 
The traditional rulers of the division, led by the Akran, unanimously endorsed the candidacy of Sanwo-Olu and pledged their support.
 
Other traditional rulers in Badagry division, who led their chiefs and subjects to the meeting, included Aholu of Ajijo Kingdom, Aholu Whenton 1 De-Yeyi of Ajaka Topa Kingdom, Aholu Agano Toniyon 1 of Ajara Agamathen, Aholu Thazunwo of Ajara Vetho Kingdom, Alapa of Apa Egun Awori Kingdom, and Aholu Sejiro Kwemeh Kingdom.
 
The APC candidate and his entourage also stopped at the palace of the paramount ruler of Awori in Ijanikin, the Onijanikin of Ijanikin, Oba Muhammadu Ashafa, to seek the support of Awori traditional leaders and people.
 
Addressing the crowd at the palace, Sanwo-Olu said his government, if elected, would not sit back and bark out orders from the Government House in Alausa. He said impact of governance would be felt across the state.
 
He promised that his administration would repair public amenities in Awori land, pledging that he would incorporate the repair of Ijagemo Road and link bridges in riverine areas.
 
He also promised to build additional General Hospital in the Iba area to add to the existing two hospitals in the area, adding that there would be free Internet for students of tertiary institutions.
 
Oba Ashafa hailed the APC candidate for keeping to time, noting that Sanwo-Olu arrived an hour before the meeting. The monarch urged the APC candidate not to forget traditional rulers in the state.