President Muhammadu Buhari will be in Lagos next week for a two-day working visit to commission five projects in the state on Monday and Tuesday.
Mr Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, confirmed this to reporters on Friday.
He stated that the State Government is putting all resources into making the two-day working visit a success.
President Buhari will inspect and commission the following projects: the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the 32-metric tons per hour Lagos Rice Mill, the 18.75-kilometer six-lane rigid-pavement Eleko Junction to Epe Expressway, the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, and Phase One of the iconic Lagos Blue Line rail project, as well as the turning of the sod for the second phase.
President Buhari will also commission a private sector project, the MRS Lubricant factory, in Apapa during his two-day visit to Lagos.
According to Omotoso, President Buhari’s visit to Lagos is dubbed “A Festival of Project Commissioning.”
The Lagos State Government, according to the Commissioner, will greet the President with “our signature Center of Excellence slogan and put on display our characteristic excellent performances and executions.”
“Although Mr Governor has hosted the President during some of his visits to Lagos, President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit next week will be different,” he said. Mr. President will see the beauty of Lagos again and have the opportunity to see firsthand the life-changing and people-oriented projects that the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration conceptualized and completed.
“Mr President is scheduled to arrive in Lagos on Monday, January 23, via the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammad Airport, where he would be received by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and some top dignitaries. A brief ceremony will be held, which will include a cultural display, bouquet presentation, and inspection of the guard of honour by the special guest.
“Thereafter, Mr Governor will lead the guest on a helicopter to the Lekki Deep Sea Port for the official commissioning of the largest Sea Port in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mr. President and his host would be greeted at the Lekki Deep Sea Port by top government officials and Lekki Deep Sea Port board members. The President, Mr. Governor, and other guests would also be given a tour of the Lekki Deep Sea Port facility.
“The President is expected to drive through and commission the newly constructed Eleko Junction to Epe road project before departing via helicopter to the Lagos Rice Mill in Imota. Mr. President will tour the Rice Mill facilities while in Imota, demonstrating the Lagos State Government’s readiness to bridge the deficit in local rice production. The Rice Mill will be commissioned by the President.
“We are all aware that Lagos is known for its warmth and conviviality. These great Lagos characteristics will be on display on Monday, September 23rd, during the State banquet honoring our guest. Mr. Governor and his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, will lead other dignitaries in extending a warm welcome to President Muhammadu Buhari. There will be musical performances and other forms of entertainment to ensure that Mr. President and all invited guests have a memorable evening.”
Omotoso also revealed that President Buhari will commission MRS Lubricant Factory, a private sector project in Apapa, during his two-day visit to Lagos.
“He’ll leave Apapa for the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History for commissioning and a tour of the Museum. The President will have the opportunity to interact with art enthusiasts, curators, historians, and academia, as well as students who have been invited to the programme, at the John Randle Museum, the first of its kind in black Africa.
“Subsequently, Mr. President will move to the Lagos Blue Line Rail Project in Marina, where different activities have been lined up for him. Mr. President will witness the signing of phase II of the rail project, which runs from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, at the Blue Line Terminal. He will also commission Phase I, as well as take a train ride from Marina to Mile 2 and back, before departing Lagos,” he added.
According to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, security personnel will be stationed in strategic locations to prevent unforeseen events.
He told people not to get scared when a lot of security people were sent to the state for a presidential visit, as is normal in developed countries.
