By David Olalekan.
The Lagos State Government, has described as “unintelligent” a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, EIU, which ranks Lagos as the world’s most dangerous city in the world.
The Safe Cities Index released by the EIU, ranked 60 cities based on digital security, health, infrastructure and personal security.
In his reaction, the state Commissioner of Information, Gbenga Omotosho, noted that Lagos was one of the safest cities in Africa. According to him, it is a decent home for residents, and a destination of choice for tourists and investors.
Omotosho queried why the state should be unintelligently referred to as the world’s most dangerous city when it recently hosted over 200 players from more than 32 countries at the just concluded International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Lagos Open.
He added that President Emmanuel Macron of France, had a taste of the city’s exciting entertainment scene when he visited about a year ago.
He said: “With its seductive beaches, parks and arts centres, Lagos is the ideal city for a world seeking adventure. It is the home of financial and business giants, who have found in its huge population an attractive market.
“The curtain has just been drawn on the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Lagos Open during which the city hosted no fewer than 200 players from more than 32 countries. That was after a visit by boxing champion Anthony Joshua.
“French President Emmanuel Macron has had a taste of the city’s exciting entertainment scene, visiting the Afrika Shrine, the late Afrobeat king Fela Anikulapo – Kuti’s club.
“Now, a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has unintelligently described Lagos as the world’s most dangerous city.”
The commissioner disclosed that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has highlighted strategies he identified as “Six Pillars of Development (POD)” which will drive social development, economic growth and environmental sustainability.
“These strategic paths are charted to position Lagos in its rightful place among smart cities and strengthen its credentials, which have made it a decent home for residents, and a destination of choice for tourists and investors.
“This effort has significantly boosted the reputation of Lagos as one of the safest cities in Africa, and continued to elicit global interests in the vast opportunities in the State”, he said.