Sanwo-Olu’s 57th birthday: The compassion of a pilot sailing stormy tides

 

 

IBRAHIM QUADRI

 

One of the excellencies of a man is to show compassion and admirable care for the less privileged in the society. These endearing qualities are much more pronounced if a leader exemplifies the attributes of a concerned captain whose unalloyed dealings is to pilot followers to a promised land devoid of rancour.

 

In the course of the voyaging, the pilot steers the ship, despite encountering storms and sea current, he manuovres, striving to take risks, yet conscious of the safety of the occupants.

 

Born in June 25th 1965, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu marked his 57th birthday last Saturday. In line with his known tradition of being compassionate, the birthday was to celebrate the downtrodden. He has always been a leader whose manner of steering the ship is against the storms for the betterment of Lagosians.

 

Until his emergence as the executive Governor of Lagos State in 2019, Sanwo-Olu was the Managing Director/CEO of Lagos State Development Property Corporation (LSDPC). He was also a three-time Commissioner in Lagos State, having served in the Ministries of Economic Planning & Budget, Commerce & Industry and the Ministry of Establishments, Training & Pensions.

 

As an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government, London Business School and the Lagos Business School. Sanwo-Olu earned a Bachelor’s degree in Surveying & Geo-Informatics and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos.

 

Interestingly, the Governor is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). He also boasts membership of the Nigerian Institute of Directors (IOD), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), and Fellowship of Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD).

 

Additionally, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu was a Treasurer at former Lead Merchant Bank from 1994 to 1997 before moving to the United Bank for Africa (UBA) as the Head of Foreign Money Market. He subsequently moved to First Inland Bank, Plc (now First City Monument Bank, from where he retired as a Deputy General Manager and Divisional Head.

 

Aside Sanwo-Olu’s stint in the private sector, his public service career began in 2003, when he was appointed Special Adviser on Corporate Matters to the then Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro, and later Special Adviser on Corporate Matters to the strongman of Lagos politics, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu- the All Progressives Congress, APC presidential candidate for 2023 elections.

 

For his outstanding performance, Mr. Sanwo-Olu was appointed acting Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget. In 2007, he became the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. After the General Elections in 2007, he was appointed Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions by former Governor of the State, Mr  Babatunde Fashola (SAN) who is currently the Minister of Works and Housing.

 

His meritorious service to Lagos State continued when he was appointed as the Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos State Development Property Corporation (LSDPC) in 2016. Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu assumed office as the 15th Governor of Lagos State on 29th May 2019.

 

To demonstrate his benevolence as a leader who cares for the residents, no fewer than 5000 Lagosians are to be enrolled in the Ilera Eko Social Health Plan – courtesy of the Lagos State Executive Council.

 

This humanitarian gesture was to celebrate Governor Sanwo-Olu’s 57th birthday on June 25 and in the spirit of his compassion for the indigent and vulnerable.

 

Beneficiaries will have access to quality health care services and drugs under the ILERA EKO Standard Plan at no cost to them. The selected beneficiaries will commence access to care from July 1, 2022.

 

 

ILERA EKO is the State Social Health Insurance Plan managed by Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), which offers the basic minimum health plan that provides quality and affordable healthcare for all Lagos residents, especially the middle and low-income earners as well as the vulnerable.

 

In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, nominees will be selected from the Lagos State Social Protection Register. An equal number of the 5000 eligible beneficiaries are to be selected from the five IBILE divisions of the State and will enjoy Universal Health Coverage.

 

According to the Commissioner, these beneficiaries have been identified using a multi-dimensional poverty index tool, which includes the poverty means-testing to ensure accuracy, reliability and validity of the data generated.

 

He added, “Services on the Plan include: General consultations; Specialist Consultations; Management of uncomplicated chronic diseases (Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma); Maternal and Newborn Care; Normal Delivery and Caesarean Section; Dental Care (with Composite filling) and Eye Care, including glasses.

 

“There are also minor and major surgeries; laboratory tests and scans; HIV/TB Testing services; Emergency Health Services; Cancer Care and the provision of prescribed drugs.

 

“A policy cycle under the ILERA EKO Health Insurance Plan runs for 12 calendar months in which an enrolee’s policy is due for renewal before the 25th day of the 12th month to enable such subscribers have access to care the next month (Start of renewed policy cycle).”

 

Having realized the challenges face by the indigent to access medical care, the Governor has taken a giant step to incorporate the 5,000 residents into the laudable insurance health care delivery service of the State.

 

Nonetheless, Mr Governor would have to take cognizance of the fact that as commendable this lofty idea is, coming as a way of marking his 57th year on the mother earth, millions are still languishing to eke out a living in the State. The Governor must therefore still dig deep to put smiles on their faces in terms of socio-economic welfare.

 

All the same, Sanwo-Olu is an administrator with exemplary attributes for other leaders to emulate. He is no doubt, a pilot sailing stormy tides.