Claudiana Sanwo-Olu: Celebrating a woman of grace at 57

BY TUNDE OPESEITAN

For me, celebrating the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on her birthday has become an annual tradition that must be observed. Based on available facts and figures, I can unequivocally and emphatically say that the First Lady is a mother indeed who is genuinely passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of people, and also consistently evolving initiatives to make our world a better place.     

I followed keenly the activities of the First Lady and also documented her achievements in office in a book titled: “Portrait of the Quintessential First Lady,” published exactly a year ago today. However, I make bold to say that the book is due for a revised edition judging by the outstanding feats recorded by the First Lady in the last year.

Today presents another opportunity to celebrate a woman of grace, a shining representation of a virtuous woman, a loving and supportive wife and mother, a top-notch professional, a caring mother of the State, and a woman who fears the Lord, on the occasion of her 57th birthday.

Dr. Claudiana typifies the Proverbs 31 Woman. She is indeed precious far above rubies. When she opens her mouth, wisdom is not only perceived but manifestly seen and heard, while in her tongue is the law of kindness. It is her compassionate heart that has been the driving force behind the various programs and initiatives of the Office of the First Lady of Lagos State aimed at making a positive difference.

These programs include the Senior Citizens Support through which senior citizens across the five administrative divisions of the state are visited in their homes and their needs – be it physical, financial, or medical, among others, are addressed; the advocacy against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV); War Against Drug Abuse; the Boy Child Initiative aimed at advancing the welfare and wellbeing of boys; Lagos Exams Support designed for students especially in low-cost schools across the state with payment of outstanding fees that may prevent them from writing the Senior Secondary School WAEC examinations; Community Sensitization/Empowerment; School Infrastructure Project through which the First Lady makes direct intervention to support infrastructure needs of schools; and the first baby celebration, among others.

It is worthy of note that these programs, among other laudable initiatives of the First Lady, have not only been sustained but also expanded to cover more beneficiaries. Also, through the instrumentality of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), the First Lady has been reaching out to critical segments of society.

In the last year, the Ogombo Senior High School Project was delivered and commissioned. The school is a 3-floor structure equipped with 15 ultra-modern classrooms, 30 toilets, libraries, laboratories, ICT centers, a sick bay, administrative offices, and a special ramp designed for physically challenged students to facilitate their ease of movement.

Also, through the COWLSO Orphanage Committee, over 40 orphanage homes were supported with the provision of necessities to ensure that every child has access to amenities that will aid their development mentally, physically, and socially to become productive members of society.

Specifically, COWLSO under the leadership of the First Lady gave assorted foodstuffs, clothes, beds, mattresses, pillows, beddings, refrigerators, deep freezers, gas cookers, pots, plasma TVs, generators, inverters, solar panels, extension of walkways, canopies, payment of staff salaries, funds for medications, and cash for the caregivers in the orphanage homes, just to mention a few.

Similarly, the COWLSO Schools Project intervened in 12 schools across the state. Two schools were selected from each of the six education districts and the intervention included the construction of classroom blocks, the construction of boreholes, reconstruction of toilets, and fences, among others.

The beneficiaries are Christ Apostolic Church School, Ogba and Community Senior Grammar School (District 1); Eva Adelaja Girls Jnr & Secondary School, Somolu and Oriwu College, Ikorodu (District 2); Odomola Secondary School, Odomola, Epe and St. John Primary School, Ayeteju (District 3); Ansarudeen Primary School, Odunfa, Ebute Metta and Iponri/ Olaleye Community Nurs & Pry School, Surulere (District 4); Ashipanu Methodist Nurs & Pry School, Seme and Lagos State Jnr & Secondary Model College, Imude, Ojo (District 5); and Agidingbi Senior Secondary School and Oshodi Comprehensive High School (District 6).

Apart from renovation, items such as generator sets, furniture, bunk beds, mattresses, grinding machines, fans, desktop computers, printers, window blinds, and first aid boxes, amongst others were provided.

Also, in furtherance of efforts to ensure that market activities are conducted in a hygienic, safe, and secure environment, COWLSO sustained and expanded its collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs in organizing the One-Day Seminar on Sanitation, Security, and Safety for market leaders and stakeholders.

Through the seminar, Market leaders in the 382 registered markets have been made to imbibe the culture of paying keen attention to every activity in markets and put structures in place that would help safeguard markets from attacks, fire-outbreaks, epidemics, and other vices that can distort the tranquility of the state. So far, the seminar has been held in Ikeja, Ikorodu, Agege, Badagry, Lagos Island and Epe.

Besides, in the year under review, Dr Claudiana also supported the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme, a pet project of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, OON. The charity-based initiative is targeted at providing succor and relief to vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above across the country.

250 beneficiaries from Lagos got N100,000 each from Nigeria’s First Lady, while in support of the project, Dr Claudiana Sanwo-Olu presented gift items and foodstuffs to all the beneficiaries from Lagos.

An intellectual powerhouse, the First Lady has continued to promote robust platforms for conversations that drive positive change. These include the annual COWLSO National Women’s Conference (NWC) which has become an outstanding international conference; the Financial Literacy Empowerment Program, the Muslim Sisters Seminar, the Greater Lagos Arts Exhibition, Parenting Seminar, and the 16 days of activism against SGBV through which the First Lady organized various programs, including an interactive school advocacy seminar for Lagos State students, with emphasis on “investing to prevent violence against women and girls.”

Besides, in line with her tradition, representatives of the First Lady visited various hospitals across the state on December 25, 2023, to share love and happiness with the children and patients which was also very much in tune with the essence of Christmas. The hospitals visited included Epe, Mushin, Yaba, Harvey Road, and Odan General Hospitals, as well as Onikan and Ketu-Ejirin Health Centres.

On January 1, 2024, the First Lady, as usual, was at four General Hospitals in Badagry, Amuwo-Odofin, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, and Apapa respectively to welcome and present gift items to the First Babies of the year. The first baby birthday through which previous first babies from 2020 are recognized and celebrated was also held this year with considerable improvement.

In a birthday felicitation to his darling wife, Governor Babajide Olusola Aduragbemi Sanwo-Olu described the First Lady as a “dependable partner, committed prayer warrior, caring and loving wife and mother.” Today, I also join Mr Governor in celebrating his jewel of inestimable value, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu for touching many lives positively as a medical practitioner and now as the Governor’s wife.

Specifically, I doff my hat to Dr. Claudiana for her exploits in the medical field. She is one of the few Consultant Anaesthetists in Africa. Anaesthesia is a specialized medical field through which patients are prepared for operations and procedures, especially in pain management and intensive care. Before becoming the First Lady in 2019 following the emergence of her husband as the 15th Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana served the State Government meritoriously for 25 years rising through the ranks to become the Chief Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of Harvey Road Comprehensive Health Centre, Yaba; and later General Hospital, Somolu. It has pleased God to preserve this amazing gift to humanity and I join her well-wishers in deeply offering our sincere gratitude to the Almighty!

In Biblical numerology, the number 5 signifies God’s grace, goodness, and favour, while the number 7 represents perfection, completeness, and divine revelation. As Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu celebrates her 57th birthday today, I pray that she will continue to receive divine insights to touch humanity positively. The grace of God will abide with her perpetually and the perfection of God will journey with her and her family.

Happy birthday, Ma!

Opeseitan is a journalist and integrated marketing communication professional.