Lagos commissioner extols Sanwo-Olu’s leadership virtues in Covid-19 fight
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, has extolled the sterling leadership qualities of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, especially in the fight against the Covid-19 global pandemic.
During an interview with MARKETING EDGE on the occasion of his first year in office, the commissioner attributed the resultant progress made in the fight against Covid-19 to the enigmatic qualities of the workaholic governor. He noted that the governor had been proactive even before the first case was announced in Nigeria on February, 27, 2020.
“As far back as December when the global pandemic broke out in China, the commissioner for health had alerted the state executive of the impending danger of the pandemic. The governor swiftly responded and hit the ground running. He knew Lagos was going to play a major role in the eventual battle against the pandemic considering the fact that 70% of international travelers coming to Nigeria enter through the mega city. When the first confirmed coronavirus case in Nigeria was announced on February 27, Governor Sanwo-Olu led from the frontline and has been up to the task in managing the pandemic.”
“The governor, apart from taking right decisions as incident commander, also ensured that other sectors in the state did not suffer as he steered the ship of the state successfully during moments of crisis,” he added.
The commissioner stated that the governor had been well prepared for his present position having served in different capacities as a commissioner and head of a government agency. He noted that the previous experiences garnered at serving the state in different capacities was the tonic needed to excel.
“His Excellency (Governor Sanwoolu) is so amazing. He is confident, energetic and visionary. How he manages to keep track of all the activities around him during this period of pandemic still baffles us. He listens to medical experts and reels out facts and figures like a medical doctor. He is a hands-on manager who is actively involved even when he assigns responsibilities,” the commissioner noted.
Many analysts have commended the Lagos State government in showing responsibility and leadership amid the Covid-19. The veteran journalist turned public administrator believes other states in Nigeria should be humble enough to reach out to Lagos or any other state achieving novel feats. He believes every state should learn and copy great feats.
In his words: “Lagos as a centre of excellence learns from other great cities of the world.”
On the performance of the media in Nigeria in the reportage of the Covid-19, Omotosho opined that the media has done creditably well. He recalled that the media had a long history of living up to expectations during crisis. Even during the days of the military junta, he noted that the media was irrepressible.
“The Nigerian media have been remarkable. At the risk of their lives, they have made sacrifices to be at the front line even at the risk of being exposed to the pandemic. They have been involved in sensitization campaign informing the public about the dangers of the pandemic.”
It would be recalled that Lagos has been at the forefront in the fight against the global pandemic since the first case was reported in February this year.
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