By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled a photographic book titled Sanwo-Olu: Against All Odds – A Photo Story of Resilience in the Face of Adversity, chronicling his administration’s journey through key events and milestones since assuming office.
The book, authored by the Governor’s Executive Assistant and official photographer, Ademola Olaniran, documents major moments from Sanwo-Olu’s first term and the early part of his second term, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the EndSARS protests, infrastructure development, economic reforms and social intervention programmes.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, Sanwo-Olu described the publication as a visual record of resilience, leadership, continuity and the enduring spirit of Lagos.
He noted that unlike most books on political leaders, the publication was produced while the administration remains in office, adding that its central focus is the story of Lagos and its people.
“Look closely, and you will find the true subject of this book—Lagos itself. The market woman rebuilding her store, the nurse who had not seen her family for weeks during the pandemic, the young person demanding to be heard, the engineer on a bridge project, and the school child walking into a classroom that did not exist a year before. This is the Lagos story,” the governor said.
Reflecting on his first term, Sanwo-Olu recalled challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the EndSARS protests, the Abule-Ado explosion, building collapses and other emergencies, describing them as defining moments that tested the resilience of both government and residents.
Despite the setbacks, he said the state continued to make progress, citing the completion of the Blue and Red Rail Lines, the commencement of operations at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, investments in housing, healthcare, education, food security and efforts to preserve Lagos’ cultural heritage.
The governor also emphasised continuity in governance as the foundation of Lagos’ development, commending President Bola Tinubu and former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode for laying the groundwork for many of the state’s achievements.
He said his greatest legacy would be sustaining that tradition of building on the accomplishments of previous administrations.
The ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, representing Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Governors Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Babagana Zulum of Borno State; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu; Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa; First Lady Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, religious leaders and members of the diplomatic community.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat described the publication as a celebration of leadership, resilience and the importance of documenting history through photography.
He said photographs preserve emotions, experiences and values in ways that complement written records and provide future generations with a unique perspective on governance.
Author Ademola Olaniran said the book was conceived as a visual account of leadership during extraordinary times, adding that the project was executed by a team of 11 professionals who documented the administration’s activities across the state.
He described the publication as an effort to faithfully preserve history, noting that the role of storytellers is to document events truthfully rather than create narratives.
