The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stated that the gross domestic product of Lagos has increased by about 50% over the last five years under his administration, surpassing the GDPs of over 40 African countries.
The governor attributed the main elements to his administration’s ongoing efforts to increase the ease of doing business and the decision to leverage its population’s technological and entrepreneurial potential for economic operations.
According to Sanwo-Olu, Lagos has transformed from a deficit state during the military regime to a hub for investment and technical growth.
Sanwo-Olu stated this while delivering the closing speech at the ongoing 3rd AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF 2024) in Nassau on the theme “Global Africa, Global Lagos: The Role of Sub-Nationals in Driving the Global African Agenda.”
“Lagos is an example of a unique African success story, shaped by an interesting mix of advantages and challenges. It is the smallest of Nigeria’s 36 states, yet it is responsible for more than a third of Nigeria’s entire GDP.
“Lagos has grown to have a GDP that is greater than the GDPs of all but seven African countries. In the last five years, under my leadership, we have seen an almost 50 percent increase in our GDP,” Sanwo-Olu was quoted as saying in a statement on Thursday by his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile.
He added, “Lagos presents a significant context for how sub-national governments are vital in writing new stories of development and advancing the economic agenda of the continent.
“I am proud to say that we in Lagos State have indeed mastered the art and science of public-private partnerships. Having pioneered this private sector-led development in Lagos, we are now exporting that template to other states across the country.
“Our growth stories speak to the importance of African solutions and African capacity for tackling African problems.
“As we work towards accomplishing our aspirations, it is clear that sub-sovereign entities, such as cities, states, provinces, regions, and municipalities, can be instrumental in translating African countries’ high-level goals into tangible outcomes. It is at this sub-national level that a lot of the most remarkable reforms and transformations are playing out.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
