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 ofces.

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.