The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has rewarded an outstanding highway sweeper, Raheemat Oluwabukola Fasasi, after an on-the-job video taken by Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi, a resident of Dolphin Estate, went viral on social media a few days ago.

Speaking during the brief presentation along Dolphin/Osbourne Road, her designated operational corridor, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, noted that the recognition was to appreciate Fasasi’s diligent service as attested by Ms. Awoniyi, who claimed to have regularly observed her daily activities.

The LAWMA boss said, ‘Raheemat, you are being recognised on behalf of Mr. Governor, who had also seen your video posted by Ms. Awoniyi, doing your work so passionately. There is a reward for whatever we do, especially when you are diligent, doing your work from the heart. You never know who may be watching’.

He continued, saying “Your video had gone far and Mr. Governor saw it, as well as the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello. It was, therefore, decided that you should be recognised for conscientious work and uncommon diligence. I hope this will further motivate you and also inspire your colleagues, to work even harder because there is dignity in labour’.

While thanking Ms. Awoniyi for her patriotic disposition, Dr. Gbadegesin frowned at the unwholesome attitude of some residents who indulge in throwing waste on the highway from their vehicles, stressing that LAWMA would ensure its over 15,000 sweepers are provided road-side shelters and other basic necessities.

“We will continue to provide a good and clement work condition for our more than 15,000 sweepers who are the first line of defence in our cleaning businesses,” Gbadegesin said.

Commenting on the work-attitude of Raheemat, Ms. Awoniyi disclosed that she always wondered at how passionately she went about her duty every day and that was the motivation behind the viral photo.

“I see Raheemat every day as I go for my morning work-out sessions, working with so much commitment and every time I am touched; feeling that if everyone would do public service with so much passion and dedication. She is simply outstanding and exceedingly diligent,” Ms. Awoniyi said.

She, therefore, enjoined other sweepers and those in public service, to emulate her work attitude.

Responding, Raheemat expressed profound gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu for the rather unexpected recognition, stressing that it was most unexpected, as she was only doing her duty to the best of her ability.

She said: ‘I took the sweeper job to raise money to buy my tools as a trained dress-designer. But I always believe that I should put my heart and my best in whatever I do at any time. I can’t adequately express the depth of my gratitude to the Governor, to Lagos State and to LAWMA. May God continue to bless the State’.