As Nigeria marks her 63rd Independence Anniversary on Sunday, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu and all state governments in their efforts to birth a new, prosperous Nigeria.

The Governor also implored Nigerians to continue to live with one another in love, unity and peace, irrespective of their religious or ethnic differences, adding that all the citizens’ support and encouragement are key for a better and prosperous Nigeria.

Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile on the 63rd Independence Anniversary, said Nigerians should unite with renewed determination, hope and commitment to move the country forward against all odds, saying President Tinubu and all the 36 State Governors are committed to addressing different challenges currently being experienced across the country.

"Every October 1st is a time to reflect on the journey of our nationhood, to rededicate ourselves to the task of nation-building, and continue to work hard at building a formidable nation in Africa and the world at large.

"I wish to pay tribute to all of our heroes, past and present, founding fathers, nationalists and those who have laboured and sacrificed and all that continue to labour and sacrifice for peace, unity, growth and development of our country.

"As we celebrate our 63rd Independence Anniversary, I appeal to all Nigerians, particularly Lagos residents, to unite with renewed determination and commitment to move Nigeria and Lagos State forward against all odds. Let us continue to work together for peace in our dear Lagos State and Nigeria. Let us support President Bola Tinubu's government to achieve his Renewed Hope agenda. Let our diversity be a source of strength and not a factor of disintegration.

"I want to use this medium to reassure Lagos residents of our administration’s commitment to the delivery of dividends of democracy, good governance and people-oriented programmes through the THEMES+ developmental agenda for Greater Lagos. We need continuous support from the people for us to achieve the Lagos of our dreams.

"I wish all Lagosians and Nigerians a Happy 63rd Independence Anniversary. May the labour of our heroes past and present never be in vain," Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed.

Palpable excitement enveloped Alausa — the seat of power of the Lagos State Government on Monday, following the judgement of Lagos Election Petition Tribunal, which came in favour of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The tribunal, which sat for about 10 hours, dismissed two petitions filed against Sanwo-Olu’s victory in the March 18, 2023 election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Governor ran on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

The petitions were filed by the Governor’s main challengers - Dr. Olajide Adediran of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of Labour Party (LP).

Reacting to the unanimous tribunal judgement, which was read by the lead Judge, Justice Arum Ashom, Sanwo-Olu, joined by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, described the verdict as “well thought-out and detailed”, noting that the court decision further affirmed judiciary’s commitment to principle of fairness and justice.

The Governor, who said there was no victor or vanquished, dedicated the judgement to all residents of the State, whom, he said, had stood by his administration through the electoral journey.

Sanwo-Olu noted that his re-election was tough, but said the voices of Lagosians were heard loud and clear at the polls, resulting in his landslide victory. 

The Governor said the tribunal judgement affirmed the people’s will and choice.

He said: “I am glad to announce the information I have just received that Lagos Election Petition Tribunal judgements have been given in our favour. I commend the judiciary and the judges that delivered the well thought-out and detailed judgments. They took their time to explain to everyone the reasons that led them to the views and conclusion they gave today. We thank the  judges for their firm commitment to principle of fairness and justice.

“As it is, Mr Deputy and I feel very privileged to have been elected to serve at this important moment in the history of our State. We thank all Lagosians for standing by us all through this journey. For us, this judgement is a victory for all. We are not coming out here to say somebody won or lost. For all of us on this political trajectory, there are no winners or losers. 

“For us, our aim in governance is about service and ensuring that we are not distracted from all the promises we made to Lagosians. This judgement has given us the opportunity to double up our interventions to ensure that we continue to deliver quality dividends of democracy to our citizens.”

Sanwo-Olu extended his hands of fellowship to his opponents, urging them to display spirit of sportsmanship and accept the verdict of the tribunal in good faith. 

The Governor invited candidates of the PDP and LP to come join hand with his Government and channel their passion to causes that would take the State to the next phase of development.

“I still want to give an opportunity to opposition parties’ candidates that contested against us to join hand with us if they share the same passion and commitment that we have to serve. We are ready to sit with them and have conversation around what ways they can channel their ideas in the development of the State. Lagos is big and its challenges are real, while its opportunities are boundless. There is always a room for everybody to contribute,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The Governor said the State Government would not be marking the tribunal judgement with any form of celebration. Instead, he stressed that he would rather divert his energy towards the responsibility of governance.

The party, Sanwo-Olu said, is free to organise events for Lagosians in marking the victory at the court.

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has revealed that he inherited empty treasury from his predecessor, Darius Ishaku.

Kefas stated this on Monday while declaring open a five-day workshop on professional development for secretaries in ministry, departments and agencies (MDAs) in Jalingo, the state capital.

Kefas, who was represented by the state head of civil service, Mrs. Suzie Nathan, said despite the challenge, his administration had been paying workers their monthly salaries as at when due.

“l inherited an empty treasury from my predecessor Darius Ishaku, l met nothing in the treasury for my administration to start governance of the state.”

“Despite the challenging financial situation I met on ground, I made sure that employees are paid their salaries as when due, We also prioritize o payment of pension, and we have also enrolled retiree who were not receiving their pension,” the governor said.

Kefas announced that the state government would soon conduct a thorough biometric data capture to know the actual work force of the state civil service.

He assured that talented young men and women would soon be employed in a transparent manner. while all workers due for promotion would be promoted to their next grade levels.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu, on the occasion of her 63rd birthday.

He described Senator Tinubu, a former First Lady of Lagos State and now First Lady of Nigeria, who will clock 63 on Thursday, as a passionate and kindhearted leader who has impacted many lives positively all through her journey in public life.

Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, described Senator Tinubu, a former three-term member of the Senate, as an advocate of social justice, a philanthropist and a voice of the voiceless.

He said, “On behalf of my wife, Ibijoke, the Government and the people of Lagos State, leaders and members of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), I heartily congratulate Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of our leader and President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on the occasion of her 63rd birthday.

"Senator Oluremi Tinubu deserves to be celebrated, especially on her birthday, given the quality service she has rendered to our dear State and to Nigeria in different capacities both in private and public service.

"Over the years, our Amazon, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has etched her name in gold as an advocate of social justice, a philanthropist, a voice of the voiceless, kindhearted Lagos State First Lady, performing Distinguished Senator and now the Wife of the President, working and supporting the President with her Renewed Hope Initiative.

"Senator Oluremi Tinubu has played critical roles in the growth and development of Lagos State and Nigeria, thereby setting examples for other women in leadership and governance.

"Since Asiwaju Bola Tinubu became President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, Senator Oluremi Tinubu as First Lady has impacted many lives positively through her pet project, Renewed Hope Initiative, which has brought succour and relief to many families.

"She is a good ambassador of Lagos State and we are proud of her achievements at the state and national levels. On this 63rd birthday of Senator Oluremi Tinubu, I pray for continued God’s guidance and good health for her. God will give her the strength to render more service to humanity, Lagos, and our dear country, Nigeria."