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Babajide Sanwo-Olu: The Prolific Anglican in Lagos Government House
By Eric Elezuo
May 29, 2019 was just an anti-climax to a series of events and activities that pointed to one direction – the Lagos House, Alausa, which doubles as the official residence and office of the number citizen of lagos state and his family. It was for Anglican born and raised Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
The technocrat’s journey to the seat of power did not just start, as widely reported, when the Mandate Group of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said to be loyal to the former governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, chose him. It started long before then, back to the days of his infancy, youth and career handling and dispositions as an adult. Sanwo-Olu paved his own way by being dutiful, expressing integrity and going the extra mile in every of his endeavours. This is coupled with a background training given to him by the Anglican church, with special mention of the Lagos Diocese. It was a touch of divinity that assisted his defeating an incumbent in the party primary by a huge margin.
To express his zeal in the service of God and humanity, Sanwo-Olu has been in the forefront of showcasing the Anglican Church to the greater world, and has not failed, with his wife, to participate in every activity the church is involved in, his tight political and industrial schedule notwithstanding.
For 12 uninterrupted years, between 2004 when the 29th Synod was held and 2015 when the 32nd Synod took place, Sanwo-Olu was one of the delegates representing the Lagos Diocese at the Synod, which is the highest meeting body of the Anglican Church. Coincidentally, in 2007, he qualified to be a delegate with his wife.
This year, the Diocese celebrated 100 years of untainted activities to the glory of God. The activities marking the centenary landmark is still ongoing.
Consequently, the technocrat has been a Synod delegate for such intimidating number of years, signifying his Anglican heritage and attachment.
It is therefore, imperative for those who erroneously associate him with other leanings to take correction. He is a prolific and professing Anglican.
Sanwo-Olu is widely regarded as a public sector expert in human resources and policy formation, a power sector consultant per excellence, an astute banker, a compelling public speaker and an inspirational leader.
He carries within him a robust public sector service experience which spanned over eight years.
His meteoric rise within the system of the Lagos State government is particularly exemplary; testament to his unique leadership abilities and exceptional contributions to good governance within the State.
Sanwo-Olu’s appointment, in 2003, as Special Adviser on Corporate Matters to then Deputy Governor, Mr Femi Pedro took the government circles by storm.
With Bank executives
In recognition of his abilities coupled with his outstanding performance, within one year, he earned the same job title and description but this time working with the then Executive Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Working directly with the Governor, he was responsible for creating an environment that fosters private sector participation and was instrumental to the present situation where members of the private sector see themselves as stakeholders in the governance of the State.
He also formulated policies and programmes to improve the relationship between government and Organized Private Sector (OPS).
In conjunction with other agencies of government, Sanwo-Olu was able to initiate, identify, promote and structure new projects and programmes in areas like the Environment, Transportation, Commerce, Finance and Infrastructure while also preparing and tracking the Internally Generated Revenue from various agencies including the BIR and analysing same for the Governor.
He was also responsible for the preparation and publication of the Lagos State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LASEEDS).
While still serving in this capacity, Babajide was appointed acting Honourable Commissioner, Economic Planning and Budget, owing to his hard work and attention to details. He became responsible for the preparation of the annual budget for the State Government and the processing of the annual budget of the different parastatals; a duty he performed judiciously.
It was no surprise therefore, when in 2007, he became the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry until the end of that administration.
At the start of the next administration, Sanwo-Olu was again appointed Honourable Commissioner, this time, for Establishments, Training and Pensions.
Babajide’s sterling team playing ability was evident in the critical roles he played within the government in partnership with several units and ofces.
For instance, in conjunction with the Head of Service, he was responsible for timely review of salaries, wages and allowances while he also articulated the state government’s Conditions of Service. As a security awareness expert, he helped set up the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and subsequently became a board member for over four years.
He also distinguished himself serving on the Board of the Department for International Development, DFID/DEEPEN Fund.
His last stint in Government was as General Manager, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC).
With immediate past governor, Ambode
In the prrivate sector contributed to a number of thriving organisations, including Baywatch Group Limited – a multi-faceted company with interests in construction, property development and human capital development – where he has served as Chairman/CEO since July 2011.
First Class Group Limited, a cooling, power and maintenance solutions provider recognised widely for providing critical support for all major telecommunications company in the area of specialised cooling.
Powercap Consulting, a leading power consulting boutique with vast experience in power privatisation exercise.
Beryl Shelter, an estate management rm that specialises in research, marketing intelligence and sales of high end properties. Wow! Interiors, an interior design services and luxury furniture retail store for high end corporate and residential clients.
He was also member of the Board Audit Committee of Caverton Offshore Services Group, PLC and as Director, Light Level Nigeria Limited, the foremost digital signage company in Nigeria.
The very dynamic Sanwo-Olu also had a close to ten years of exemplary banking experience during which he contributed immensely to the growth and development of Lead Bank Plc, UBA, and First Atlantic Bank (now First City Monument Bank) in various critical capacities.
As Treasurer at Lead Bank Plc between 1994 and 1997, Babajide managed the liquid asset of the bank and general funding requirements on a daily basis. At United Bank for Africa, UBA, he was Senior Manager (Head, Foreign Money Market) managing the bank’s liquidity position vis a vis profitability. He was also responsible for articulating and implementing the bank’s strategy in Investment Banking activities and Issuing House and Portfolio Management.
Subsequently, Sanwo-Olu rose to the position of Deputy General Manager (Divisional Head) at First Inland Bank Plc, where he was Corporate Financial Advisor to several multinational companies. He also supervised the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) privatisation projects including the concession of the National Arts Theatre, and the Lagos Trade International Fair Complex, the acquisition of Ikoyi Hotels Limited as well as the Federal Government Debt Conversion Programme.
Although he holds an MBA and a B.Sc in Surveying from the University of Lagos, his quest for knowledge has taken him to several courses and trainings in several continents of the world, including Europe, USA, Asia and Africa. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Kennedy School of Government, USA; the London Business School as well as the Lagos Business School, LBS.
Sanwo-Olu is also an Associate member of The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and fellow of The Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD).
A man of admirable social skills, he also creates some time for leisure and social activities amidst his demanding itinerary, as he is a member of the Ikoyi Club, the Island Club, as well as the Clear Essence Health Club.
Babajide’s laudable achievements have not gone unnoticed. He has received several awards in recognition of his tremendous contributions to society.
They include the Symbol of Excellence award from the Civic Enlightenment Association of Nigeria, a Gold mentor award from the National Association of Nigeria Nurses & Midwives (NANNM), a Platinum award from the Lagos State Public Service Club and the 2009 Best in Human Capital Development award from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). He has also received several merit awards from the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management in Nigeria (CIPMN) amongst others.
He is happily married to Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who has divinely been dabbed with the cloak of First Lady of Lagos state, and they are blessed with glorious children.
Fast-growing Lagos-based Entertainment and hospitality hub, Avalanche has announced the birth of its educational arm, The Avalanche Creative Academy.
The academy is designed as a top-notch platform dedicated to nurturing creativity and innovation among aspiring creatives.
The Academy aims to provide comprehensive training through various programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities, all designed to inspire and equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the creative industry.
It offers the following courses: Music Production, Sound Engineering, Photography, cinematography, 3D,graphic designs, motion graphics, Business Management, Creative copywriting, and Creative Strategies.
The Academy’s first set of intakes is scheduled to resume on the 17th of February 2025, while application opens from 13th of January 2025, on a 12-week basic course.
“Together, we can create invaluable experiences for our students and contribute to the creative community.
Follow the link below to register
The Christmas/End of Year party of the Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA) was filled with excitement, pomp and pageantry as the 84-86 set celebrated its 40th anniversary of leaving the school.
The highlight of the event was the donation of N20 million from the set’s endowment to serve as a seed fund for the national body’s endowment through the National ICOBA. The donation was received by Mr Femi Banwo, President ICOBA International and Mr Kunle Elebute, Chairman ICOBA National Endowment Committee
The 84-86 set’s Board of Trustees Endowment Committee had established an independent endowment in 2009 with a vision to create a lasting legacy for the set. Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the ICOBA 84-86 Board of Trustees and Endowment Committee, Dr. Falil Ayo Abina, expressed his delight, stating that it was a dream come true.
Dr. Abina explained that one of the core lessons learned at Igbobi College was “self-denial.”
He reminisced about the Self-Denial Fund (SDF), where students were taught to contribute their weekly “widow’s mite” to share with the less privileged in society. Dr. Abina emphasized that when the endowment committee conceived the idea of the endowment 15 years ago, they had this legacy in mind, aiming to serve a purpose greater than self.
The donation of N20 million to the national endowment is expected to inspire others within the alumni and other school alumni associations to follow suit.
This generous donation is the first in ICOBA’s history and arguably in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
The 13-member endowment committee, also include Demola Ipaye, Fola Laguda, Gbenga Aina, Demola Oladeinde, Jimi Onanuga, Abayomi Alabi, Kwami Adadevoh, Bayo Ayoade, Tunde Sadare, Wole Ogunbajo, Tunji Akinwummi, and Lanre Olusola, worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality and it was indeed mission accomplished for the ‘Nobles Nigerians ‘ as Igbobians are called.
The recent US presidential election should be praised for its credibility and peaceful conduct. The election serves as a model for Nigeria, highlighting the importance of free, fair and transparent polls, according to the publisher of online platform, Bluefames Media, Mr. Victor Udoh
The US election saw Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, emerge victorious over Democrat, vice president Kamala Harris. Trump secured 270 electoral votes, surpassing Harris’s votes.
While congratulating Trump on his victory, Udoh noted that the election’s smooth process, devoid of issues like ballot box snatching, violence and technical glitches.
In contrast, Nigeria’s electoral process often faces challenges, including delays, vote-buying and disputes over results, he lamented. Udoh emphasized the need for Nigeria to learn from the US example, ensuring credible elections that reflect the will of the people.
He said: “Nigerians and the international community monitored the outcomes of the US election. You could see that the US electoral process demonstrates the value of credible and peaceful elections, which experience Nigeria can draw lessons from to improve its own electoral system.
“By embracing transparency, accountability and peaceful conduct, Nigeria can strengthen its democracy and ensure governance that truly represents the people’s will.”
Udoh, a publicist and motivator, pointed out that learning from the US experience, Nigeria can address its electoral weaknesses and foster a more robust democracy, which in turn, can lead to better governance, economic growth and improved living standards for Nigerians.
“Nigeria must prioritize electoral reform and transparency to ensure that its citizens’ voices are heard and valued,” he stressed.
He, however, warned that “a second Trump term may have significant implications for global issues like dollar value, immigration, energy and geopolitical stability.”
Victor Udoh is the publisher of online platform, Bluefames Media
