Hazenclever Lopes Cançado receives the title of Honorary Citizen of Rio de Janeiro.

The Rio de Janeiro City Council granted the title of Honorary Citizen of the Municipality to Hazenclever Lopes Cançado. The ceremony was held this Wednesday (April 15th) at 6:30 PM in the Teotônio Villela Plenary Hall, at the Pedro Ernesto Palace. Councilwoman Tânia Bastos (Republicanos) proposed the honor, which was approved by the municipal legislature.

The lawyer received the honor in accordance with legislative decree 13.245 of 2025, approved in plenary sessions at the end of last year. His name was chosen by his father, Manuel Lopes Cansado, in honor of a German who helped him professionally in 1964.

During the ceremony, the editor of BNLData, Magnho José, explained the origin of the name. Hazenclever's father had the opportunity to work with a German man named Razenclever. Manuel promised that when he had a son, he would give him that name in recognition of the help he received.

Professional trajectory and performance in public service.

Hazenclever has over two decades of experience in law, both in the private and public sectors. He has worked in the Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. He has served on parliamentary commissions of inquiry focused on combating corruption, sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, organized crime, and irregularities in the gaming sector. Before working in Rio de Janeiro, he was the Secretary of Administration in Minas Gerais.

The honoree presided over the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj) from 2022 to March 2026. During his tenure, he led a process of institutional and technological modernization. The state was repositioned as a national benchmark in the regulation of sports betting and lotteries, focusing on legal security, consumer protection, and social responsibility.

Judge William Douglas of the Federal Regional Court of the Second Region highlighted Hazenclever's dedication to public service and his management skills. Douglas mentioned the honoree's participation in important Parliamentary Commissions of Inquiry (CPIs) for society, including the CPI on cargo theft, the CPI on pedophilia, the CPI on the sexual exploitation of children, the one on bingo halls, and the one on organized crime. The judge stated that he was speaking on his own behalf and also on behalf of the Federal Regional Court, the Federal Justice system, and the Judiciary.

Support for sports and social inclusion

Valide Ismail, founder of Jungle Fight , stated that he has known Hazenclever for over 20 years, since his time in Brasília. According to Ismail, when Hazenclever was president of Loterj, he proposed supporting the "warriors of the communities" through sports.

“Valid, what can we do to help these warriors from the communities? Because sport is a gigantic tool for social inclusion, and these warriors from the communities, from the favelas, need opportunities,” Ismail reported about their conversation.

Following this initiative, Jungle Fight resumed holding events in Rio de Janeiro. The qualifying rounds gave fighters from underprivileged communities an opportunity to compete.

Luciana Lopes, manager of Bangu Atlético Clube, reported that she met Hazenclever last year. The club had been relegated to the A2 series with no prospects for the future. Hazenclever, while president of Loterj, made the A2 series championship of the state of Rio de Janeiro viable with investment so that clubs could honor commitments to athletes and coaching staff.

Luciana highlighted that the support went beyond financial. “It was his time, it was his presence. He was present at all our games whenever possible,” she stated. Bangu managed to get promoted. Hazenclever also supported women's football in the state and the A2, B1, and B2 series championships in Rio de Janeiro.

Edmundo Santos Silva, former president of Flamengo, stated that Hazenclever "cares a lot about the excluded" and "looks at people who are outside of everyday life." Edmundo mentioned that he introduced Hazenclever to people from inclusive sports. He "embraced him immediately, but not to contribute, no. He embraced him to go there, to be present, to help, to understand," he declared.

Working in communities

Community leader William de Oliveira, representing the president of the Rocinha residents' association, João Bosco, noted that Hazenclever's arrival in Rocinha "was a blessing for all of us." Hazenclever visited the community with his entire family. He walked throughout the area and took a tour that was "not a touristy one, but a real one."

William recounted that in 2024 they tried to create an enchanted city in Rocinha without success. In 2025, Hazenclever worked with the state government and managed to make the project viable. "We created the biggest enchanted city in history, front-page news in all newspapers and on social media," William stated.

Hazenclever, along with Loterj, also sponsored Roça Folia. The event included a race and Roça Folia for children. The enchanted city lasted 25 days and benefited more than 200.000 residents.

Messages from family members

During the ceremony, a video was shown with messages from the honoree's family. Hazenclever's mother recounted that her son always had "bright, curious, clever, and restless eyes, seeing beyond what we could see." She emphasized that "his intelligence, charisma, and kindness were never greater than his desire to serve others."

The mother mentioned that when her father passed away, Hazenclever reached out to protect her and her siblings. He was "always caring, loving, and present." She stated that her son calls daily to ask for her blessing, even at 62 years old.

Hazenclever is the son of Manuel Lopes Cansado and Ubaldina Pereira Passos. He is married to Sônia Carvone de Deus Vieira Cansado, father of Isabela Cristine, Ana Carolina, and Hazenclever Júnior, and grandfather of Benício, Lucas, and Olívia. His mother, 83 years old, reported that her son started working at the age of 8 selling popsicles and always showed a desire to serve others.

Hazenclever's wife was unable to attend, but sent a message stating that she was "a witness to his journey, struggle, dedication, integrity, and competence as president of Loterj." His children and grandchildren also sent messages congratulating him on the recognition.

Speech by the honoree

In his speech, Hazenclever stated that receiving the title of honorary citizen of Rio de Janeiro is "one of the greatest honors" he has received in his life. He related the honor to the history of his name. In 1964, the year of his birth, a man with the same name in Rio de Janeiro helped his father.

"Sixty-two years after my father honored this person here in Rio de Janeiro, in this city, I receive this title for God's work," he declared.

The honoree stated that the title gives him a "sense of belonging" to various communities and neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro. He cited Rocinha, Alemão, Vidigal, Pavão, Pavãozinho, Tabajaras, Estácio, Morro do Zinco, Jacaré, Mangueira, Lona, Abolição, Benfica, São Cristóvão, Campo Grande, Santa Cruz, Rio das Pedras, Borel, Penha, Bangu, Irajá, and Complexo de Israel.

Hazenclever especially thanked councilwoman Tânia Bastos. He highlighted that she is in her fifth term as a councilwoman and has a trajectory marked by "dedication," "commitment," "seriousness," and "above all, her faith." He stated that the councilwoman's faith "is not limited to words, but a faith that translates into attitudes, into actions, into commitment to the people."

During her speech, the honoree acknowledged facing "days and nights of solitary decisions" while serving in public office. "It was very difficult to be an exception, where there were many days when those who survive in Rio de Janeiro could survive anywhere. It was very difficult, being an exception, a city councilwoman, with so many plates of lentils being offered, and only by the strength of God," declared Hazenclever, referring to the difficulties of maintaining honesty in public service.

Hazenclever dedicated the title to “the valiant men and women of the Rio de Janeiro Military Police, who daily, with courage, discipline, and a spirit of sacrifice, protect society, protect our families, and dignify the name of Rio de Janeiro.” He also dedicated the honor to people who work in communities, to parents with special needs, and to those who believe that “honesty prevails.”

The honoree made public commitments during his speech. “I pledge that I will honor this title with hard work. I will honor this title with integrity of character. I will honor, I will honor this title with honesty,” he stated. He promised to promote social inclusion, inspire children and teenagers to believe that it is worthwhile to work and be honest, and not to be corrupt.

"I will honor this title by not selling my character. I will honor this title by not buying consciences," he declared.

Hazenclever mentioned that Rio de Janeiro “is all very strange.” It may be strange in the second state in the country in GDP and third in population, but he affirmed that he will continue “making a difference” wherever he is. He defined the title not only as an honor, but as “a commitment to the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, it is a commitment to the people of the city of Rio de Janeiro, it is my commitment to each one of you.”

Authorities present

The ceremony was attended by authorities. Among those present were the judge of the Federal Regional Court of the Second Region, William Douglas; the former president of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Edmundo Santos Silva; the lawyer and manager of Bangu Atlético Clube, Luciana Lopes; the founder of Jungle Fight , Valide Ismail; and the journalist and founder of BNL, Magno José.

Also present were Major Ângelo, representing Lieutenant Colonel Sandro Aguiar of the Military Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Attorney General Adolfo Touzão, the president of the Lottery Games Commission of the OAB Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Horn, and representatives from various sports and community institutions.

The ceremony included the playing of the Brazilian national anthem and the anthem of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The City Council choir, under the direction of conductor Cássia Borja, performed the songs "Samba do Avião" and "Se Todos Fossem Iguais a Você". After the official closing, a celebratory cocktail reception was offered in the Antônio Carlos Carvalho ballroom.

The president of the City Council, councilman Carlo Caiado, was unable to attend, but sent a congratulatory message to the honoree. The national president of the Master Football League , Edilson Correia, also sent greetings, but was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.