By FLORENCE ONUEGBU

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State says the state government will further develop and build partnership with the Norwegian Government on energy, infrastructure and technology.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anniken Huitfeldt and her entourage, at the Lagos House, Marina, Sanwo-Olu said that such relationship would help to create a thriving economy.

He said that the government was committed to ensuring clean energy; providing infrastructure; investments in technology; health; and educational sectors, so that the state could continue to remain resilient.

The governor said that the state had been pushing itself to tackling all its challenges, especially the ones that had affected its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the years and appreciated residents of the state for believing in his administration.

"We have created an economy where investment is real, where there is the ease of doing business, both local and foreign, and they can believe in the stability of the state.

“Yes, we are sub-national but we want to continue to remain the destination of choice for investors.

“So, we are open to investments in new areas, especially in technology, which is one area, in which we know that all the unicorns have a career in Lagos. We want to become the destination, where people can come and sort resources in terms of the skills that are required.

“We know that Norway, Finland and few others were the powerhouse for technology at a time but Nigeria also, especially Lagos, wants to develop that capability that we must be big, large and technology companies require young people who can actually come here and take charge.

“These are some of the economic drivers that we will see and we will continue to push in the next couple of years for our government, so that the city can continue to remain resilience, forward-looking, and a safe home for all of the residents, citizens, and international markets and audience,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu, who appreciated Huitfeldt for congratulating him on his re-election victory, thanked residents of Lagos for believing in his administration and giving him the democratic power to run for another four years.

“We are happy that at the end of the (gubernatorial) elections, the voice of the people, especially Lagosians was very loud and clear, and they gave us an overwhelming majority.

“It wasn’t an election in which anybody was in doubt. It was, indeed, a landslide victory; thanks to every Lagosian for believing in us again and giving us the constitutional and democratic power to run for another four years. We feel very humble,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Huitfeldt, also restated her country’s support and cooperation toward energy transition plan in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos.

“We are trying to do our best to support and improve the cooperation between the two countries in the area of Green Transaction. We will like to contribute to your action plan.

“We are looking forward to more business opportunities and areas we can collaborate with you,” she said.

Huitfeldt congratulated Gov. Sanwo-Olu for being re-elected by Lagos residents during the March 18 gubernatorial election. (NAN)

•PHOTO: L-R: Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Anniken Huitfeldt receiving an Eyo effigy from Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, during a courtesy visit to the governor, at the Lagos House, Marina, on Monday.

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