Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, has said his participation in the Lagos Governorship Debate was to present his vision for the state and explain how he plans to improve the welfare of residents.
Hamzat said the debate offered him an opportunity to share his development agenda and highlight practical measures to address the challenges facing Lagosians.
In a statement posted on his X handle late Sunday, the APC candidate stressed that effective leadership required understanding the needs of the people and formulating policies that would address them.
“I took part in the Lagos State Governorship Debate and used the opportunity to share my vision for Lagos and speak about the practical steps we intend to take to improve the lives of our people,” he said.
He added, “Leadership is about understanding what matters to people and making sure our plans respond to those needs.”
Hamzat identified healthcare as one of the major areas of focus, pledging to expand the state’s health insurance programme, Ilera Eko, from its current 1.4 million enrollees to cover one-third of the population.
The deputy governor also promised to complete the Massey Children’s Hospital, Ojo and Somolu General Hospitals, while increasing the capacity of the state’s nine general hospitals.
He said the proposed administration would ensure that more primary healthcare centres operated 24 hours daily, with improved training and welfare packages for healthcare workers.
On housing, Hamzat said plans were underway to introduce a more affordable mortgage arrangement that would enable residents to acquire homes through payments spread over several years.
“Beyond completing our ongoing housing estates, we will introduce a more accessible mortgage system that allows people to spread their payments over several years,” he said.
He also pledged to continue the state’s rail infrastructure projects, including the extension of the Blue Line to Okokomaiko and the connection of the Red Line to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts at the National Theatre.
According to Hamzat, the initiatives would improve access to essential services, make homeownership more attainable and address transportation difficulties across the state.
The APC candidate further unveiled seven key components of his proposed development agenda, which he called The Lagos PROMISE.
He said the acronym represented People First, Renewal, Opportunity, Machinery of Government, Inclusion, Security and Resilience, and Everyday Dignity.
Hamzat explained that the seven pillars would serve as the foundation for his administration’s policies on governance, infrastructure and opportunities for Lagos residents.
“I remain committed to listening to Lagosians, building on the progress we have made and delivering a future that works for all,” he added.
Hamzat took part in the Lagos Governorship Debate on Sunday, organised by the Nigeria Debate Consortium, a coalition comprising The PUNCH, Channels Television, TVC News, TheCable and Vanguard.
