Hopes of a bright future are high, with two giants giving birth to a new era of collaboration and innovation.
Lagos State and the State of California, United States, have signed a sister state agreement, which will see the two sub-nationals collaborate in various fields.
At a colourful ceremony in Sacramento last Thursday, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Assemblyman Matt Haney signed the document that symbolizes the beginning of a strong partnership between the two cities. Lagos State House of Assembly members
Hon. Lukmon Saheed Olumoh, who is the chairman of the Appropriations Committee and Hon. Kehinde Joseph, the Public Account (State) Committee Chairman, watched as Sanwo-Olu and Haney signed the papers.
Also watching were Assembly member Isaac Bryan, who with Haney “authored” the Resolution that made it all possible.
Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, a Nigerian, Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, businessmen and a host of Nigerians.
The historic ceremony was held in the historic Leland Stanford Mansion, a 19,000- square-foot Victorian Era building, where leaders visiting from around the world are hosted in Sacramento.
Built in 1856, it was the office of three governors in the 1860s, including Leland Stanford, the eighth governor of California (1862 – 1863).
The hall was filled to the brim, and the applause was loud as Sanwo-Olu and Haney performed the historic duty that would bring the two sub-nationals closer.
Just before the signing, the audience was thrilled to a few minutes of the Eyo masquerade dance.
The hall was throbbing with sounds of gangan (talking drum) and songs from an energetic woman called Nkan Eleduwa, who danced like a teenager and sang in Yoruba, praising the beauty and economic stand of Lagos.
Mr Sanwo-Olu spoke about what the partnership represents, drawing parallels between Lagos and California. He mentioned the tech sector, Nollywood and Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and Yaba.
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