I congratulate Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, our energetic and pro-youth governor, and Dr. Kadiri Hamzat, his deputy, on their well-earned re-election as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, respectively.
We can be sure that your outstanding accomplishments, which span all sectors, will continue as evidenced by the fact that you won this gubernatorial election, which shows how much the people of Lagos believe in you to lead Lagos to greater heights.
You have demonstrated empathy, and exceptional leadership traits, making you a deserving leader and administrative expert. Your illustrious background and great qualifications have distinguished you as the people’s Governor.
No doubt, a greater Lagos is rising.
Congratulations Sir!
Owolabi Falana, Permanent Board Member, Lagos State SUBEB.
As part of the efforts to combat problems of gridlock and wasted man-hours in Lagos, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu after his assumption into office on May 29, 2019, expressed his commitment to bring the Blue and Red Line projects to completion during his first term in office. In order to fulfil this promise and reach this milestone, our amiable governor was able to deliver this project and get it opened in December 2022, giving Lagosians a remarkable Christmas gift.
It is imperative to note that men will always make their own history in life, but they do not make it just as they please neither do they make it under circumstances chosen by themselves, but under circumstances directly encountered, given, and transmitted from the past.
In this instance, the vision of Governor Sanwo-Olu for a greater Lagos through the Lagos Blue and Red Line Rail project has resulted in the making of history at the Centre of Excellence, adding a significant step to his list of illustrious accomplishments.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the 15th governor of Lagos state has built on the legacy of his forebears in the highly sought-after position of the chief executive officer of the Centre of Excellence, creating history and breaking records in the process.
History has been made in Lagos state with the completion of the 13km electronic-powered Lagos Blue Line Rail Phase 1 Scheme (Marina to Mile 2) infrastructure, which was tested on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, and officially commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 24, 2023.
The Blue Line rail project of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit being constructed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) 27-kilometre rail route designed to run from Okokomaiko eastwards to Mile 2 and then proceed to Marina via Ijora. The 13km of Phase One of the Blue Line rail project is fully ready for operation with five stations, which are Marina, National Theatre, Orile, Suru-Alaba, and Mile 2. The Phase Two of the project is from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko.
This project which is coming just exactly 120 years after the first tramway system was launched here in the city of Lagos in 1902 is expected to transport 250,000 passengers daily and, when completed, the entire 27km will transport about 500,000 passengers daily with each train comprising four coaches and each coach taking up to 180 passengers conveniently.
Given that Phase 1 of the Blue Line, which is the first segment of the network was supposed to be completed in 2011, but construction has been delayed due to a lack of funds and a change in government, there is no doubt that the start of this project’s operations last year sparked new hopes for an improved transportation experience. It is however expedient to remind us that the Lagos state government began talks with potential investors for the line’s operation and maintenance in May 2012.
Historically, the monumental idea of building a Rapid Transit System (RTS) in Lagos dated back to former Governor Lateef Jakande’s administration’s proposal of the Lagos Metroline network in 1983, as well as the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s significant reforms of the Lagos state transportation system that began in 1999 while he was the governor of the State.
In line with the aforementioned, traffic management and transportation, which is the first pillar of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s six pillars’ THEMES agenda, outlines his vision for an integrated transportation system and a multimodal transportation strategy that seamlessly brings together all the various transportation components which include road, rail, and water systems. It is therefore important to emphasise at this juncture that the fact that our working governor has accomplished so much since his assumption in office testifies to his love and enthusiasm for the socio-economic advancement of Lagos and its residents.
The governor understands that investing significantly in entrepreneurship skill development, innovation and creativity, public finance management, and human capital development is the one major way to realise the greater Lagos dream, more reason why education is also a key component of the THEMES agenda.
We have hundreds of our teachers, as well as many traders and business operators, coming from these border towns to work in Lagos, and with the completion of the Lagos Blue and Red Line Rail System, I believe that their disposable incomes and productivity will greatly increase and their stress levels drastically reduced to a bearable level. Additionally, students living near the axis will be able to commute freely and more quickly from and to their various educational institutions. As a result, this will significantly aid in the teaching and learning process and lead to better learning outcomes.
With this fantastic development and other notable initiatives to raise the standard of living for every Lagosian, Mr Sellable and our working governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu has set a remarkable record for a greater Lagos and he is undoubtedly poised to do more. I think the Lagos state government under our amiable governor deserves a resounding clapping ovation for this unprecedented achievement.
On Friday, 17th February 2023, Jide Sanwo-Olu Youth Movement in partnership with Mushin and Odiolowo APC Youths organized the GREATER MUSHIN YOUTH MEGA RALLY. The success of the campaign walk across our dear community, Mushin can not be overemphasized. The rally offered the opportunity of a direct contact with the electorates at the grassroot.
They were able to reel out the incumbents’ scorecard, especially that of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while also preaching the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential agenda, the senatorial aspiration of Dr. Idiat Adebule, House of Representatives aspirations of Hon. Yemi Alli and Hon. Toyin Fayinka, and the House of Assembly aspirations of Hon. Nureni Akinsanya and Hon. Yinka Eso for Mushin constituency 1 and 2 respectively.
Falana urged people to vote massively for Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, and all APC candidates because Mushin since the beginning of the current Fourth Republic in 1999 has always been having it good under the ruling party.
He said: “As you are aware, Mushin is the second largest populated local government in Lagos State and we always come up with large numbers of votes.
“We have a large concentration of young people in Lagos State and we want to contribute our quota toward the advancement of our party, the All Progressives Congress.
“We are embarking on this walk and rally to let people know that our youths are not just on social media, our youths are on the ground; we are voters and we have PVCs.
“We are committed to APC and committed to the ideal of our party.
“We are in support of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr. Idiat Adebule, all our House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates.”
The groups encouraged the masses of Moonshiners to endure the current cash crunch challenges, while shunning any form of violent protest against the government of the day.
A permanent board member of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr Owolabi Falana recently, has urged Nigerian youths to take active role in politics and governance.
Owolabi, made this known, on his verified Facebook this morning that, in response to an invitation from the Asiwaju Grassroots Talk – Directorate of Student Affairs, where he attended the LASU and LASUED Evangelical seminary.
“The program which was well attended by thousands of students from both universities attended held, at Buba Marwa Auditorium, Lagos State University, Lagos.
The seminar tagged “Reawakening the Political Consciousness of Students of Tertiary Institutions and their Indispensable Participation in Politics and Governance.”
Falana, who speaks at the event, said, “the LASU and LASUED students present to take an active interest in how their future is being shaped. I advised them to read the manifestos of the presidential candidates as well as their track records.”
According to him, “he reminded the students that Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu’s supportive policies for the education sector made it possible for our higher institutions in Lagos to compete favorably on a global scale and that the governor isn’t resting on his laurels to ensure that students receive the best possible education that would prepare them for the global space.”
Therefore, all that is required of them to make wise political choices even as the elections draw closer is for them to comprehend the passion of Mr. Governor, which is reflected in his themes agenda and his various accomplishments since he assumed office.
While appreciating, Comrade Kappo Samuel, the program’s coordinator, and used the opportunity to visit the President and Speaker, respectively, of the LASUSU and the SPC, Adelakun Adeoye and Opemipo Bamgbopa of the university union.
“Being with the motivated students of the center of excellence was a wonderful experience.”
The leadership of the Mushin Local Government Education Authority has just named a quiz competition after Mr Owolabi Falana, a permanent board member of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board.
This competition which was tagged “OJ Falana Quiz Competition in Social Studies and Civic Education” is in commemoration of the feat achieved by Falana twenty years ago as the best in social studies during his secondary school days.
The inaugural annual Owolabi Falana Quiz Competition was hosted by the Mushin Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) to encourage reading culture and provide civic engagement amongst the pupils.
It was launched by the honoree himself on 6th December 2022 and serves as a quiz competition for indigent pupils in his local government, Mushin LGA.
In his address to the pupils, Mr Falana recounted to how after leaving primary school, he was not only one of the best students at AUD Model College, but also graduated with first class honours, at the university in Ukraine.
He said “while in the corporate world, I never had to lobby for job opportunities; I was head-hunted to lead various organizations, and now in the public sector as a Permanent Board member in SUBEB all within 20 years. With these feats; I told the kids that there is no limitation to how far a Mushin child can go in life!”
He further advised the parents to prioritise the education of their wards, just like his father, Mr. Olajide Falana did noting that immense parental sacrifice has engendered the accomplishments that’s being celebrated today.
Following the epoch-making event to celebrate the appointment of Mr. Owolabi Falana to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) by the youth-centric Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Jide Sanwo-Olu Youth Movement (JSYM) appreciated stakeholders who graced the occasion on Sep. 18th 2022.
In consonance with the theme; Youth Inclusiveness; Catalyst for a Lagos Smart City, Stakeholders urge Youths to be resourceful engineers in Nation building, starting from their immediate community, through active participation in grassroots politics, and consistent collaborative measures with the government at all levels, instead of being destructive or being used as agents of violence within the political sphere.
The Celebrant, Mr. Owolabi Falana in his address narrated his journey into grassroots politics, his years of sacrifice and self-funding activities of the Jide Sanwo-Olu youth movement, and the repositioning of the Youth in Lagos State in sync with the T.H.E.M.E.S of Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, all aimed at a greater prosperity of our dear Lagos State.
Speaking Further, Stakeholders at the event used the ambience of the event to reel out some of the achievements of Mr Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, in Transportation, Health, Infrastructure, Education, and giant strides in Governance as a whole.
The Guest Speaker, Hon. Fuad Oki and other stakeholders further urged the Youth to mobilize in millions for the second term ambition of Gov. BabaJide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and consequently the Presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In attendance were, Hon. Alawiye King (Chairman, SUBEB), Barr. Kolade Alabi, (ALGON President), Hon. Razaq Ajala (Odi Olowo LG chairman), Mr. Lekan Fatodu, (SSA to Mr governor on SDG), Hon. Abdulbaqi Ladi Balogun (MD, Lag Ferry), Biliamin Oba (Lagos state Youth council chairman), among other dignitaries.
Lagos Youth for Sanwo-Olu Congratulate Owolabi Falana for his new appointment as Board Member SUBEB, in a press statement by the group
“We at LAGOS YOUTH FOR SANWOOLU were elated upon hearing the news, that one of us from the youth constituency was appointed as BOARD MEMBER at the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board by his Excellency, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu.”
“This has further confirmed our claims, that the Governor of Lagos State is a Youth friendly governor that has marked youth inclusion into is government as a priority, according to statistics youths are of the major percentage of the State population, the country and by extension World over.”
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“We commend this gesture, and it is a charge to other Youths to continue to keep hope alive in the Babajide Sanwo-olu led administration as service to humanity is a clarion call every Progressive youth should emulate.”
“Owolabi j. Falana until his appointment is a leading figure, he contested the position of the APC National Youth Leader alongside others which the rest is history today, he has been engaged in other party activities before now which makes him a recurring decimal in our political discourse. He was the founder ‘ Jide Sanwoolu Youth Movement (JISYM) ‘ a Youth advocacy platform propagating the good works of His Excellency, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu like we are at Lagos Youth for Sanwoolu.”
“We are grateful for this feat of yours at Lagos Youth for Sanwoolu, you’re indeed a right peg in a right hole, Your coming onboard will be of immense value to the Board and the government of the day, Accept our hearty Congratulations!”
The Executive Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appoints Owolabi Falana as a member Lagos State SUBEB, this was revealed in a appreciation message Titled A CALL TO SERVE: MY APPRECIATION TO GOVERNOR BABAJIDE SANWOOLU by Owolabi Falana on his social media pages
“I am happy and humbled to share that I have been appointed as a Board Member of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) by His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. On many levels, I have had to reflect on the import of this new assignment and I am humbled on every furn. AS one ot the youngest ever to be appointed to the Board, the sheer weight of taith reposed in me and expectations held of my generation are not lost on me.”
“l am a proud Lagosian and a product of public education in Lagos State, For all of the modest milestones I may have reached, I am aware of the centrality of the quality of primary and secondary education I received.”
“I had my primary and secondary education at New City Primary School (Mushin, Lagos) and Ansar Ud Deen Model College, Isolo (betore it was returned back to the missionaries), respectively. I would like to extend my profound gratitude to Mr. Governor for the taith in me by this appointment, and more importantly, tor the disposifion of his administration to quality education, which is a major element ot his THEMES Agenda.”
“The successes recorded in this regard are not far-fetched. The state continues to record gains with Eko EXCEL a digital education revolution as well as massive reconstruction of public schools, a testament for visionary leadership and unavering commitment to excellence. The work is not fully done, yet.”
“I look forward to contributing value on this new assignment. And I hope to count on your support and prayers, The work has begun.”
Owolabi Falana Bagged Master of Public Management (Leadership) – MPM from the prestigious University of Babcock.
He penned down his experience on the journey.
“After I earned a Red Diploma in Economic Cybernetics, for various reasons, I turned down an opportunity from my Alma mater to proceed to do my masters immediately.”
‘Several years later, I started asking myself about my true passion. This thought was reinforced by Steve Jobs’ Commencement Address at Stanford in 2005 “You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill large part of your life, and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”
“Today, I am getting close to accomplishing my Vision Statement of helping to facilitate the eradication of poverty in Africa. In my own little way.”
“I am particularly grateful to my dad for always giving a constant reminder on the vision and encouraging me to get actively involved in how our future is being shaped.”
“I appreciate the understanding of my wife and children in this journey. Their constant inspirations clearly show that they are my most precious possession and priceless blessings.”
“I extend my thanks to the school faculty members, friends and family for providing various helping hands throughout the study process.”
“My belief in the progress and development of our dear State informed my dissertation topic – Strategic Leadership and Infrastructural Development in Lagos State.”
“I assure friends and family that my abiding passion towards making a difference in the community will be sustained.”
The meeting which was anchored by the veteran public affairs aficionado Mr Korede Sanya from Ifako Ijaiye started with special prayers both by christian and muslim faithfuls for Mr Governor on his 57th birthday celebration and as well the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila.
The convener, Mr Owolabi Falana highlighted the JISYM journey especially the giant strides, quantum leaps and huge recognition it has gained to become the frontline youth support group in Lagos State.
Some of the leaders who attended the meeting were Mr. Akin Ibesanmi erstwhile Director-General Sanwoolu Foot soldiers And Lagos State Coordinator, Tinubu Support Organization; Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, a former member of Lagos State House of Assmbly from Ikorodu and former Commissioner Arts, Tourism and Culture the present General Secretary Of Indomitable Tinubu Support Organisation (ITSO); Hon Segun Ege, APC House Of Assembly Candidate for Ojo Constituency 1; Mrs. Folashade Onajobi, Director Women Affairs Tinubu Support Organization and Mr. Billiaminu Oba, the Lagos State Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria.
Others in attendance were Comrade Teslim Olusi, Representatives of Disciples of Jagaban led by Mr Idowu Afunimawobe, the General Secretary of Shuwa Arab Progressives Forum, and the leaders of the Lagos APC Deaf Support Group.
Voters sensitization, education and youth mobilization amongst other strategic plans and action were deeply discussed after which an interactive session with the youths were held.
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The Deputy JISYM Coordinator for (Lagos West) Hon. Musa Yahaya who is also the Special Adviser To the Chairman Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government on Works and Infrastructure talked about Arewa youths mobilization and how the northern youths will give bloc votes to the party to ensure victory for all APC candidates in lagos, He was seconded by JISYM Female Leader Hajia Miftiat Bajulaiye who did an in-depth analysis of intense women voters mobilization which is her target audience because she understands that they are more voting conscious and how it will benefit the APC at the forthcoming elections.
Over 490 selected and invited youths attended and filled the program register. They cut across the 20 Local government areas and 37 Local council development areas of the state and it was a very colorful event that had huge print and electronic media presence and coverage.
AjasaInfo 