Emmanuel Audu

Most of you know this story, but none of you have heard it from me. Back in September 2018, Femi Hamzat wanted to be Governor of Lagos State. He had thirteen years of public service under Asiwaju and BRF, with the record and backing to win. Then party leaders asked him to step aside for me. It takes a rare man to put down what he wants without nursing a grudge. Femi shook my hand and five weeks later, agreed to run beside me. I have never forgotten that. Anyone can read a CV but only the person in the room with a man when the cameras leave can tell you who he really is. For 2,711 days, I have been in that room with him. When COVID-19 hit, when we faced our hardest weeks, when the Blue and Red Lines ran and when the Lekki Deep Sea Port opened, Femi was there. Long before any ribbon was cut, he was asking the tough questions an engineer asks. In many states, deputies are kept in reserve. On day one, Femi promised to be the best deputy governor in Lagos history. He kept his word. In seven years, there has not been a single day I wondered whose side he was on. We have had one government, one direction, and one voice. Lagos runs on a relay system. The baton is never passed to a runner standing still. You run at full speed inside the exchange zone, together, before the pass. That is how Lagos has been governed for 27 years, from Asiwaju to BRF, to Ambode, to me. Femi is a deputy governor like no other. He built the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge under Fashola, digitized government under Asiwaju and holds a doctorate in engineering. His father served Lateef Jakande. This is in his blood. Critics say Lagos keeps choosing from the same pool. I say Lagos trains its people. With major projects underway and a master plan stretching to 2052, this is not the time to experiment. What Femi presents today is not a campaign promise cooked up on a bus, it is the next leg of a race we have been running since 1999. Lagos does not hand the baton to a man standing still. Today, you have seen the man who is already running. Let us move forward together with The Lagos PROMISE.

Lagos, yet another Metro line? Absolutely! The Green Line Metro is here. Today, we signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to bring this ambitious project to life. The Green Line is a 68km rail line designed to run from the Lekki Free Zone to Marina, connecting with the Blue Line at Marina. This new line will transform our transport landscape, linking key areas like Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, and more. This rail line is projected to carry over 500,000 passengers daily at launch, rising to over a million as demand grows. With the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and CHEC leading the design, financing, and operation, the Green Line will redefine public transport in Lagos. The Green Line complements our existing rail lines, including the Red Line, which has already begun partial operations. Together, these lines form the backbone of our Strategic Transport Masterplan, designed to create a fast, efficient, and connected Lagos. Just yesterday, we celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line, which has served an impressive 2 million passengers without significant disruptions. This success shows that Lagos is ready for more - we are ready for the future. In August 2024, the Blue Line increased daily trips from 54 to 72, reducing travel time between Marina and Mile 2 from 30 to 18 minutes. The impact of these rail lines goes beyond transportation - they are catalysts for economic growth, connecting communities, reducing travel times, and enhancing the quality of life for millions. We are building a city that works. This is Lagos, and we will continue to lead. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency President @officialABAT for his unwavering support and complete endorsement of this project. His commitment not only reflects his dedication to our shared vision but also serves as a powerful catalyst for its success.

We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co. Limited, based in China. This collaboration is a significant step for us as we work to enhance the Lagos Rice Mill in Imota, Ikorodu. The goal is to elevate the rice value chain in Lagos State, and I believe this partnership will make a real difference. By teaming up with YKA, we’re tapping into their wealth of knowledge and technological advancements in rice milling and processing. They will provide technical, advisory support for the optimisation and efficiency of rice production using modern agricultural practices, training and other ancillary services. Together, we can refine every aspect of the rice production process; from cultivation all the way to milling. But this initiative is not just about efficiency; it’s about nurturing a sustainable and profitable ecosystem for everyone involved, from farmers to consumers. Signing this MoU is a testament to our dedication to building international partnerships that bring innovative solutions and best practices into our agricultural sector. I’m optimistic about the future and what we can achieve together.