Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has praised the Oniru Business and Cultural Day as an example of how leadership can guide development in a responsible manner.
He made the remark during the business session of the official inauguration of the Oniru Business Council and the Cultural Day celebration held at the Oniru Palace in Iru, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday.
Speaking through the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu noted that his administration has, over the years, concentrated on reinforcing the pillars of economic growth through the T.H.E.M.E.S.+ development agenda, especially as the country moves toward another electoral season when discussions around leadership, development, and the economy naturally intensify.
He said: “In Lagos, we have deliberately embraced the principle of an inclusive economy. The transformation of the Oniru axis itself tells a powerful story. What was once largely residential and underdeveloped has become a prime destination for hospitality, real estate, commerce, and creative enterprise. This did not happen by chance. It is the product of strategic planning, strong collaboration with the traditional institution, and investor confidence in the stability of Lagos.
“The Oniru Business and Cultural Day provides a model of how leadership can shape development responsibly. The Kabiyesi has shown that when traditional institutions provide stability and clarity of vision, investors respond positively. Communities grow. Culture becomes an asset, and prosperity is shared. Your stewardship affirms a timeless truth that tradition and progress are not opposing forces; they are complementary pillars upon which enduring and sustainable development is built.”
The governor further explained that through focused initiatives supporting SMEs, digital innovation, the creative sector, and vocational skills development, his administration is widening access to economic opportunities and ensuring inclusive growth. He also reassured investors that Lagos will remain business-friendly, stable, and progressive as the state heads into another election period.
In her address, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada-Ambrose, described Lagos as a state rooted in heritage, enterprise, innovation, and collaboration. She emphasised that traditional institutions continue to play a critical role in driving community-based development, strengthening investor confidence, and preserving the cultural values that support lasting growth.
“The Oniru Business Network provides a platform for dialogue, alignment, and shared accountability because government cannot act in isolation. Traditional institutions cannot stand apart from economic transformation. The private sector cannot flourish without regulatory clarity and infrastructure support. When these pillars work together, progress becomes inevitable,” she said.
Bada-Ambrose reiterated that Lagos remains open to investment in key sectors such as manufacturing, technology, agriculture value chains, renewable energy, the creative economy, and financial services. She added that the government is deepening public private partnerships to unlock infrastructure funding, enhance competitiveness, and implement regulatory reforms that protect investors while upholding public interest.
Also speaking, the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, described the occasion as the formal expression of a long-nurtured vision shaped by years of consultation and deliberate engagement across the kingdom.
He said, “Over the past five years, in my interactions with stakeholders within Iruland, one message has remained consistent and unmistakable: growth must be coordinated, dialogue must be structured, and prosperity must be inclusive. In every conversation, I hear the same aspiration. Our people desire development that benefits both host communities and investors and seek a system where opportunity expands without friction, where engagement replaces uncertainty, and where collaboration replaces isolation.
“These recurring discussions point toward a clear solution: a partnership built on trust, engagement sustained by structure, and progress guided by accountability. That solution takes institutional form through the Oniru Business and Culture Day, guided by our enduring philosophy of Peace Through Partnership. We gather not merely to celebrate culture, but to create a platform where culture, commerce and community development reinforce one another.”