Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Obafemi Hamzat, says the state requires a broader approach to governance because its public services are accessed by millions of people from across Nigeria. Hamzat made this known during an interview on TVC News’ Journalists’……
Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Obafemi Hamzat, says the state requires a broader approach to governance because its public services are accessed by millions of people from across Nigeria.
Hamzat made this known during an interview on TVC News’ Journalists’ Hangout on Monday, September 14, where he discussed plans for healthcare, child welfare and other social challenges confronting Lagos.
He said Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s commercial hub means its public facilities, particularly healthcare centres, serve residents from outside the state and place additional pressure on available infrastructure.
“Lagos must be treated as a state without border,” Hamzat said.
According to him, between 20 and 25 per cent of patients at some hospitals in Lagos come from other parts of the country.
He said the situation makes it necessary for the state to continue expanding its healthcare infrastructure to cope with its growing population and the influx of people seeking services in Lagos.
Hamzat disclosed that the state government plans to expand between six and seven general hospitals and increase their bed capacity by at least 50 per cent.
He also said the number of maternal and child centres would be increased from 11 to 16 as part of efforts to strengthen maternal healthcare and reduce maternal mortality.
According to the APC candidate, the state is targeting a reduction in maternal mortality to a maximum of 200.
Hamzat said healthcare expansion would form part of a broader development agenda aimed at addressing the pressure created by Lagos’ growing population and migration into the state.
Lagos Plans Dedicated Child Welfare Structure
On child welfare, Hamzat said Lagos was considering the establishment of a dedicated entity to address the needs of vulnerable children, rather than having child welfare lumped together with youth and social development.
“We want to create an entity that deals with child welfare and not lump it with youth and social development,” he said.
He said some children found on the streets require government intervention because of addiction, parental challenges and exposure to criminal activities.
“Some of the street urchins need help. Some have addiction problems, and some just want to steal,” Hamzat said.
The deputy governor also raised concerns over the alleged exploitation of vulnerable people for street begging, saying some individuals involved had been arrested.
“There is also a cabal that uses these people to go and beg. We have arrested some,” he said.
He stressed the need for shelters for vulnerable children, particularly those below 18, insisting that children should be protected from street life and domestic servitude.
“We must have shelters for children, anybody under 18,” Hamzat said.
“You cannot have a child under 18 as omo-odo. The child must be in school.”
Hamzat identified parental problems, drug addiction and inadequate shelter facilities among the factors contributing to child vulnerability in the state.
“What I see is that there are a lot of parental issues, drug addiction and shelter,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of experience, research and proper planning in addressing the challenges confronting Lagos, arguing that developments in the state have wider implications for Nigeria.
“If Lagos goes down, this country will go down. Governance is about study and research. We need an experienced hand to lead and tackle challenges,” Hamzat said.
On the 2027 governorship election, the APC candidate dismissed the opposition’s capacity to provide an alternative to Lagos residents.
“In my view, the opposition has nothing of substance to give Lagosians,” he said.
Hamzat Promises Waste-to-Energy Expansion, Health System Overhaul in Lagos
Hamzat, has also outlined plans to expand waste-to-energy infrastructure and strengthen healthcare delivery if elected governor in 2027.
He said waste generation had increased beyond the 13,000 metric tonnes previously projected, making investment in transfer stations, recovery facilities and waste-to-energy projects necessary.
“We thought that we would generate 13,000 metric tonnes, but it turns out we are generating far more,” Hamzat said.
Credit to our Media Partner TVC News .
