By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor & Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos residents  yesterday rolled out the drums to meet one of their own, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was a last minute replacement for his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, on a working visit to the centre of excellence.

Although the Presidency attributed the President’s inability to come to ‘scheduling difficulties’ usually reliable sources said his security details who were in Lagos days before the date of his visit may have advised that he stayed away.

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, with his wife, Bolanle; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule; during the commissioning and handing over of Patrol Vans, Power Bikes and other security kits to Security Agencies in the State, at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos on Monday, May 23, 2016.

‘’Security reports did not favour the President’s coming to Lagos in person at this time, as many may boycott his events at the least, while some may have planned to do more terrible things,’’ the source said.
Yesterday’s reception for Osinbajo was however carnival-like lasting about an hour. Lagosians defied the early morning downpour to converge on the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, venue of the project commissioning, to receive the dignitary.

Clad in different colours of attires the residents filled the TBS almost to capacity, singing and dancing.
Osinbajo, upon arrival from Abuja, amidst tight security and after being received by dignitaries, immediately proceeded to Cappa-Oshodi where he commissioned the new Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Rescue Unit and later led members of the presidential working visit team to perform the official commissioning of the Ago Palace Way in Okota.

While commissioning the projects, Osinbajo assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari has put the country on the path of recovery, in spite of the economic situation particularly, the recent hike in fuel price, even as he asked for the support and understanding of citizens.

According to him, there were plans to create 500,000 employment opportunities for graduates with another 370,000 for non-graduates.
He added that besides there would be provision of micro loan facilities for market women, using associations.

On the physical absence of the President, Osinbajo assured that Buhari would personally visit Lagos immediately after the Ramadan, “The President holds Lagosians in high esteem,” he said.

Prof. Osinbajo at the well attended and colourful event, was received by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, along with the Minister for Power, Works, and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, members of the state executive council.