By Yemi Akinsuyi
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been honoured with the ‘Most Influential Governor of the Year Award’ by the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD).
The award was presented to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), led by its Founder/President, Mr Kamil Olufowobi, at the Lagos House Marina.
Olufowobi said the award was bestowed on Governor Sanwo-Olu to celebrate excellence based on his performance in office.
After he received the award, Governor Sanwo-Olu said it will spur him to work harder and smarter to sustain and improve on what his administration has done in the last six and a half years.
He said: “If I am identified, it is because I have contributed something meaningful to my community and the environment. And frankly, that is what life is all about. It is all about impact and ensuring that you can give something back.
“It is not just because I am the Governor, but how impactful has that role been? How well can you connect with people in whatever space you find yourself? How do you humbly use that office to be able to take others up and give them a chance and an opportunity for them to fly? And for us, that is really what we have been doing for the past six and a half years.
“So we truly feel humble that people can identify that which we have been expected to do and measure it with the kind of award that you are given us. I think we will receive it with our full chest.
“What I tell my people is each award tells you that we have to work harder, smarter, and twice as much and continue to do very well and continue to stay original. I want to assure you that is what we are going to do. We will keep it.
“It is all about storytelling, where we can tell other parts of the world that indeed Africa can stand up, be counted, and be in any room in any conversation if we are given a chance. But the best way to start it is to ensure that we are doing the right thing all the time among ourselves. Then they will listen to us.”
Speaking earlier, Olufowobi commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for being an amazing Governor with humanity and value.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu is receiving the Most Influential Governor of the Year Award. This is global recognition as part of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, and Lagos is very significant because it is the economic capital of the biggest Black nation on this planet,” he said.
