Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled a book titled “Sanwo-Olu: Against All Odds – A Photo Story of Resilience in the Face of Adversity.”

The book is a photographic documentation of his administration’s journey through some of its most defining moments during his first term as Governor of Lagos State.

Sanwo-Olu described the book authored by his Executive Assistant and official photographer, Mr Ademola Olaniran, as a visual account of resilience, leadership, continuity and the enduring spirit of Lagos.

The book captures key moments from Sanwo-Olu’s first term and the early years of his second term, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the EndSARS protests, infrastructure development, economic reforms and social interventions.

Speaking at the official unveiling and presentation of “Sanwo-Olu: Against All Odds – A Photo Story of Resilience in the Face of Adversity”, Sanwo-Olu said the publication is unique because it documented an administration while it is still in office, adding that the book tells more than the story of a Governor; Lagos and its people.

He said: “I find myself in an unusual position because books about leaders are usually written when the story has ended, when the man has left the stage and history has had time to render its verdict. This one is different, and deliberately so.

“Look closely, and you will find the true subject of this book — Lagos itself. The market woman rebuilding her store, the nurse who had not seen her family for weeks during the pandemic, the young person demanding to be heard, the engineer on a bridge project, the school child walking into a classroom that did not exist a year before. This is the Lagos story.”

Reflecting on the challenges that defined the first term of his administration, Governor Sanwo-Olu recalled the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the EndSARS protests, the Abule-Ado explosion, building collapses and other emergencies that tested the resilience of both government and residents.

Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the contributions of President Bola Tinubu, former Governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, describing them as key architects of modern Lagos.

He also praised Olaniran for his commitment and passion, saying, “No photograph can capture what I owe you. Ademola Olaniran has walked beside me through rain and shine, dawn and dusk, across thousands of miles — into rooms of triumph and rooms of grief, and moments I would not myself have chosen to be seen.

He has been generous enough to call me his chief encourager.”

In his welcome address, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, described the publication as more than a book, saying it was a celebration of leadership, resilience and the power of documentation.

In his remarks, the author, Mr Ademola Olaniran, said the publication was conceived as a visual testimony to leadership under extraordinary circumstances.

He expressed gratitude to Sanwo-Olu, the First Family, members of the State Executive Council and his colleagues for granting access and support throughout the project.