Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday celebrated his 59th birthday with children living with disabilities at the Lagos House in Ikeja.
The event, organised by the State Executive Council, was attended by about 250 special needs pupils and their teachers, who sang various thanksgiving songs and displayed their talents to celebrate Governor Sanwo-Olu.
The Governor, accompanied by his wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat, cut his birthday cake surrounded by the children from different schools in Lagos State.
The service, tagged ‘Celebration of God’s faithfulness’, was attended by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hazmat; First Lady Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Chief of Staff Tayo Ayinde and National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dayo Israel.
Also at the event were the Bishop of Lagos Diocese (Anglican Communion) Rev. Ifedola Okupevi; Special Adviser to Governor on Religious Matters (Christian Affairs), Rev. Bukola Adeleke; members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, party members, religious leaders, close aides, families, friends, and others.
The service was also attended by special children from the Army Command School and Ereko Methodist School, Lagos.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, dressed in white traditional attire, read from Psalm 34:1–10.
Presiding Chaplain Revd. Dele Ajayi, in his sermon, said the birthday is worth celebrating because of God’s faithfulness in the life of the Governor and his family.
He prayed that God would grant Governor Sanwo-Olu all his heart desires and give him the wisdom to fulfill God’s purpose for Lagos State.
Mrs. Sanwo-Olu described her husband as a ‘superman’ because of his passion for working for Lagos State.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said the State Executive Council decided to celebrate Governor Sanwo-Olu’s 59th birthday with children living with disabilities because of the governor’s love for children.
Olusanya commended the students for defying the rain to celebrate the governor.
She said: “We are showing our love to Mr. Governor and the first family for their love and care, particularly towards children and children with special needs. Mr. Governor gives so much of himself day in, day out without sleep most times, and we know that at the forefront of everything he does, children are paramount, particularly those with special needs. Year in and year out, he does so much for them, but we felt that on a day like this, there is no better time or better way to celebrate his 59th birthday than with the children.
“The Executive Council put together this event in honour of the man that we serve with and also to show the children that we indeed care for them and we love them.”
President Bola Tinubu, in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, wished Sanwo-Olu many more years of good health, wisdom, and energy in his service to Lagos State and the nation.
It reads: “President Bola Tinubu congratulates the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on his birthday. Governor Sanwo-Olu had a successful career in the private sector before joining the public service, scaling the leadership ladder.
“The President prays for many more years in good health for the Governor and wishes him more wisdom and energy in his service to Lagos State and the nation.”
