Chris Otaigbe
“Don’t bother wasting your money placing adverts in Newspapers or Radio and television to mark my birthday” was what Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, told friends, families, political associates, professional colleagues among the many Lagosians and Nigerians who were ready to spend money celebrating the governor on his 55th birthday.
In a press statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu said such resources should be directed to help the needy and vulnerable in the society.
Sanwo-Olu said he would continue with his tradition of reaching out and sharing love with the needy in the society, as he spent the day attending to important state matters.
“This is to inform friends, families, professional colleagues and political associates of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu that no congratulatory advertisements should be placed in newspapers to celebrate his forthcoming birthday. The Governor wishes to continue his tradition of reaching out and sharing love with the needy in the society.” The Statement ordered.
The statement affirmed that the Governor believes that an occasion of one’s birthday, especially a milestone such as the age of 55, should be a day to reflect on one’s purpose of existence in life, which the Governor believes, is to serve the humanity.
Two years ago, nobody knew the name Sanwo-Olu except his family, friends and colleagues and no one bought advert spaces on the pages of newspapers nor buy slots on radio and television to wish him a happy birthday.
Now, that he is governor, they suddenly remembered he is now worth buying newspaper adverts for. This hypocrisy and sycophancy is what Sanwo-Olu may have seen through to come with very wise rejection of any such offers.
