Lagos rejects ‘most dangerous city’ label, describes EIU’s report as unintelligent

The Lagos state government has described the state as one of the safest in Africa.

In a statement released on Sunday, Gbenga Omotosho, the commissioner of information, described a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) as unintelligent.

The Safe Cities Index released by EIU had ranked Lagos as the world’s most dangerous city in the world.

The report ranked 60 cities based on digital security, health, infrastructure and personal security.

The commissioner said the crime rate in the state has reduced since the introduction of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), which has made it attractive to tourists and investors.

“With its seductive beaches, parks and arts centres, Lagos is the ideal city for a world seeking adventure. It is the home of financial and business giants, who have found in its huge population an attractive market,” he said.

“The curtain has just been drawn on the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Lagos Open during which the city hosted no fewer than 200 players from more than 32 countries. That was after a visit by boxing champion Anthony Joshua.

“French President Emmanuel Macron has had a taste of the city’s exciting entertainment scene, visiting the Afrika Shrine, the late Afrobeat king Fela Anikulapo – Kuti’s club.

“Now, a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has unintelligently described Lagos as the world’s most dangerous city.”

Omotosho said the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration has introduced strategies to improve the social, economic and environmental development of the state.

“Similar to the development vision of its predecessors, the current administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has erected Six Pillars of Development (POD) that will drive social development, economic growth and environmental sustainability.

“These strategic paths are charted to position Lagos in its rightful place among smart cities and strengthen its credentials, which have made it a decent home for residents, and a destination of choice for tourists and investors.

“This effort has significantly boosted the reputation of Lagos as one of the safest cities in Africa, and continued to elicit global interests in the vast opportunities in the State.”