The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled a book, titled: “Sanwo-Olu: Against All Odds – A Photo Story of Resilience in the Face of Adversity,” which captures the transformation of the state.
The book is a photographic documentation of his administration’s journey through some of its most defining moments during his first term as the governor of Lagos State.
Governor Sanwo-Olu described the book, authored by his Executive Assistant and official photographer, Ademola Olaniran, as a visual account of resilience, leadership, continuity, and the enduring spirit of Lagos.
The book captures key moments from Governor Sanwo-Olu’s first term and the early years of his second term, including the COVID-19 pandemic, EndSARS protests, infrastructure development, economic reforms, and social interventions.
The ceremony was attended by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Governors Hope Uzodinma (Imo) and Babagana Zulum (Borno); Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Lagos StateFirst Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; members of the Lagos State Executive Council; political, traditional, and religious leaders; captains of industry; and members of the diplomatic community, among others.
Speaking at the official unveiling and presentation of: “Sanwo-Olu: Against All Odds – A Photo Story of Resilience in the Face of Adversity,” the governor said the publication is unique because it documented an administration while it is still in office, adding that the book tells more than the story of a governor, Lagos, and its people.
He said: “I find myself in an unusual position because books about leaders are usually written when the story has ended, when the man has left the stage and history has had time to render its verdict.
“This one is different, and deliberately so.
“Look closely, and you will find the true subject of this book: Lagos itself.
“The market woman rebuilding her store, the nurse who had not seen her family for weeks during the pandemic, the young person demanding to be heard, the engineer on a bridge project, the school child walking into a classroom that did not exist a year before.
“This is the Lagos story.”
Reflecting on the challenges that defined the first term of his administration, Governor Sanwo-Olu recalled the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, EndSARS protests, Abule-Ado explosion, building collapses, and other emergencies that tested the resilience of both the government and residents.
He said: “Trial upon trial, grief upon grief, any one of which could have defined an entire tenure, yet we were given all of them in a single term.
“But Lagos never stopped building.
“Lagos never stopped moving forward.”
The Governor also highlighted key achievements of his administration, including the completion of the Blue and Red Rail Lines, commencement of operations at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, investments in housing, healthcare, education ,and food security, as well as efforts to preserve the state’s cultural heritage.
He described continuity in governance as the greatest secret behind Lagos’ success.
Sanwo-Olu that successive administrations had built on the achievements of the previous ones rather than dismantling them.
He acknowledged the contributions of President Bola Tinubu, former Governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, describing them as key architects of modern Lagos.
He said: “There is one photograph in this book that I treasure above all the others.
“It shows four Governors of this State: the 12th, the 13th, the 14th, and the 15th, jointly holding a single model of a single train aloft.
“Four administrations.
“One dream.
“Eight hands.
“That image is the deepest secret of the Lagos success story, and it is called continuity.
“In this State, we do not tear down what our predecessors built; we build upon it.
“I inherited dreams, and I have laboured to hand over foundations.
“The rail lines, the port, the homes, the schools — these are proud achievements.
“But if you ask me what I most want my legacy to be, it is this: that the relay continued; that the baton was carried at full speed and passed on unbroken; and that the trust between the people of Lagos and their government left this administration stronger than it met it.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also praised Olaniran for his commitment and passion, saying: “No photograph can capture what I owe you.
