The newly appointed Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, has solicited support of Management and Staff of the Ministry of Transportation in the implementation of the Themes Agenda on transportation.
Giwa made the plea in a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola, in Lagos On Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that THEMES, as part of components to make ‘Lagos Greater’, would form the basis for assessing Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State governance.
THEMES, an acronym for his administration’s six strategic development agenda, represent Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism as well as Security and Governance.
Giwa sought support of the management and staff of the ministry of transportation during an official welcome forum organised by the ministry, following his appointment as Special Adviser (SA) to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation.
Giwa said that that support from the staff was crucial to achieving set goals and targets, the statement said.
NAN also reports that the former SA, Hon Toyin Fayinka, resigned to pursue his political career and contest in the year 2023 elections.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, while welcoming the new special adviser noted that Giwa was on familiar terrain.
He said that Giwa had worked closely with the former special adviser, Mr Toyin Fayinka, urging him to bring his wealth of experience to bear.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr Kamar Olowoshago disclosed that he was not only optimistic about working with the new Special Adviser but was also looking forward to a favourable tenure.
Olowoshago said that Giwa’s tenure would favourably impact on the THEMES agenda as it pertains to the Transportation sector.
The erstwhile SA, Mr Toyin Fayinka, while congratulating his successor on his new status added that the journey in front of him may be tasking but it is not insurmountable.
He disclosed that he was rest assured that the rank and file of the ministry would leave no stone unturned to support Giwa.
In his response, the special adviser expressed appreciation to the entire ministry for the warm welcome.
He said that the support of every member of staff was crucial to achieving set goals and targets.
Mainwhile, Ogunlola said that Giwa had built an active and enviable career in public office in the past years working closely with the Lagos State Governor in different capacities.
She said that Giwa was appointed SA to the governor on LASTMA in 2007 where he worked with the then special adviser on Transportation to the Governor, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, in building strong capacity and human resource that ensured the performance of LASTMA as an effective agency.
Ogunlola said that in 2011, he became the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on transportation working with the Commissioner for Transportation and other stakeholders within the government in building a virile transport system in the State.
She added that in 2015, he contested the seat of the Lagos Island Constituency 2, and was elected member of Lagos State House of Assembly 8th Assembly.
She, however, said that before his appointment as SA, Giwa was a member of the Special Traffic Management and Enforcement Team on Apapa. (NAN).