- Safiu Kehinde
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has on Monday hosted the new and first female Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, and new Principal Officers of the House.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile.
According to the statement, the Speaker and the Principal Officers were received by Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, during a courtesy visit, shortly before the commencement of the weekly State Executive Council meeting at Lagos House, Ikeja.
The Governor led Meranda and her delegation to the Council Chamber, where the Speaker and State Executive Council members pledged to continue a harmonious work relationship between the two arms of government in Lagos State.
While congratulating Meranda on her election as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Sanwo-Olu said her emergence as the first female Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly is well-deserving and commendable.
Meanwhile, the Principal Officers that accompanied the Speaker include Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mojeed Fatai (Ibeju-Lekki I); Majority Leader, Hon. Temitope Adedeji (Ifako Ijaiye 1); Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Richard Kasunmu (Ikeja II); Chief Whip, Hon. David Setonji (Badagry II) and Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Sanni Babatunde (Kosofe I).
It would be recalled that Meranda, the immediate past Deputy Speaker, emerged as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly last week Monday, following the impeachment of his predecessor, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
Akosile had in a statement issued after the courtesy visit, disclosed Sanwo-Olu’s promise of continuous and robust relationship between the executive and legislature for the growth and development of Lagos State.
The Governor promised to work with Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, who currently represents Apapa 1 State Constituency and other Assembly members in upholding the principle of separation of powers, which remains the bedrock of democracy.
He also sought continuous support from the legislative arm of government for speedy consideration and passage of bills that would see to the implementation of the numerous programmes of his administration in delivering the dividends of democracy to millions of Lagos residents.
Sanwo-Olu, however, advised the new Speaker to be a team player and see her elevation from the Deputy Speaker to Speaker as an avenue to strengthen the cordial relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government in the interest of the public.
He commended members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for their support for his administration, promising that his administration would not betray the trust reposed in it.