The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, possesses a magic wand that will turn Nigeria around.
Sanwo-Olu stated this when Tinubu and his team, on Tuesday, shared details of his economic blueprint with the organised private sector during an interactive meeting with industrialists, business executives, entrepreneurs and foreign investors in Lagos.
The forum, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, was organised at the instance of the Lagos State Government.
Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, foremost entrepreneur and investor, Tony Elumelu, and founder of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, led the pack of business leaders that graced the event, which was also attended by Tinubu’s running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima, APC governors and party stalwarts.
Sanwo-Olu set the tone for the engagement, noting that Tinubu’s meeting with the organised private sector players way ahead of his fellow contenders in the presidential race demonstrated the APC candidate’s commitment and seriousness to drive the desired change expected in the national economy.
The Lagos governor said his predecessor was no stranger to the needs, concerns and interests of the private sector.
He stressed that Tinubu, as a visionary political economist, understood the pulse of investors and possessed the magic wand to turn around contemporary challenges facing the business community and change their concerns to positive results.
Sanwo-Olu said: “Asiwaju Tinubu is a man that has been able to combine political acumen with the understanding of the economy and economics of every jurisdiction. As Governor of Lagos, Tinubu pioneered several firsts which still stand today. During Asiwaju’s tenure, he initiated the idea of the Economic Summit as a catalyst for economic development. He started in Lagos with the Ehingbeti Summit in 2001. That summit has continued to lead the successive administrations after him into various applaudable economic agendas.
“Under Tinubu’s leadership, Lagos became the first sub-national entity to bring about the Independent Power Project (IPP) and first state to initiate the idea of establishing a seaport. Yesterday (last Monday), that vision came to fruition as we witnessed the completion of Lekki Deep Seaport. This speaks to the sheer doggedness and audacity of this man of vision. Eko Atlantic City is today the biggest real estate developed in this part of Africa through the reclamation of the ocean. All thanks to the vision of Asiwaju to turn problems to opportunities.”
The governor said the immersion of private sector professionals in public governance was an idea fiercely pursued by Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos Governor, stressing that the APC candidate created a first-rated private sector-driven cabinet that remained the envy of every government in the current republic.
Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu would bring his private sector dexterity and acumen to bear in administering the country, as the APC presidential standard bearer understood the pains and concerns of those in the business sector.
“Today, Tinubu is here as a politician and leader of our party. On the other side, you all see a man that is compassionate, intelligent, business-driven and has the acumen to solve the challenges the private sector experiences on a daily basis. I present to you the man that has what it takes to lead this country forward to a prosperous future with Renewed Hope,” the governor said.
