Determined to promote the growth and development of its affiliate branches and to further the spread of the Gospel as directed by Jesus Christ, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lagos Province 10, Mulero, Orile-Agege, has dedicated eight church buildings within its provincial jurisdiction in Lagos and Ogun states.
The parishes and zones dedicated were Mighty God Parish and Joy Assembly at Denro Ojodu, Lagos; City of Grace Parish Ajuwon Ogun State; Restoration Parish Abule-Egba; Garden of Love Parish, Agege; Zion Chapel Oregun; Excellence Parish Magodo and Fruitful Vine Parish Ajah, Lagos.
The pastor in charge of Region 2, Pastor Joseph Obayemi led other men of God to unveil the plaque and cut the tape at the dedication ceremony.
Mighty God Parish Denro Ojodu, Lagos was the largest among the eight church buildings dedicated. It boasts over 500 sitting capacity.
The Pastor in charge of Lagos Province 10, Joseph Olagbadegun said the dedication of the church buildings would have been carried out before now, saying preparation for the last convention caused the shift in date.
He thanked Pastor Obayemi for working hard to ensure that the ceremony held.
In his sermon, Pastor Obayemi who quoted copiously from Psalm 127:1-2 said “except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman stays awake but in vain”.
If not for the grace and help of God, it would not have been possible to complete the buildings.
He said the essence of dedicating the buildings was to ensure expansion of the church which is one of the visions of RCCG to reach out to people.
Mr. Olabode Lucas, a Prof. of Crop Physiology at the University of Ibadan (UI), has advised Nigerians to stop glorifying corrupt leaders if the current war against corruption must be won. He also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that History and Civic Education are re-introduced and taught at the primary and secondary school levels.
According to him, glorification of corrupt leaders will only embolden the cancer of corruption, urging Nigerians to collectively fight the ugly trend to enable Nigeria to get to the Promised Land.
Prof. Lucas spoke during a book launch/presentation to round off his 70th birthday celebration entitled “Snapshots on Some Nigerian and International Events” held at the University of Ibadan Hotels and Conference Centre.
“Nigeria will continue to wallow in its current parlous state if the present rate of corruption and financial malfeasance continues. We should not allow ethnic and other considerations to colour our attitude towards those who are making all of us, except themselves, very poor in the midst of plenty.
“They should be ostracised and not encouraged. Corruption is a cancer and it is gradually destroying our dear country. We need concerted efforts to destroy this cancer,” he said.
The Introduction of Civic Education, he noted, will make the Nigerian child understand the past and have a sense of place and vision for a good Nigeria.
Prof. Lucas, who noted that Civic Education and History were needed to produce a critical soul, stated that Civic Education was central to producing responsible and good citizens.
The don said it was a pity that these beautiful subjects; History and Civic Education are no longer taught in our primary and secondary schools, saying that only a re-introduction of the subjects would ensure that Nigerian children know their history and their place in Nigeria and the world.
The Managing Director of Mainsail Micro-finance Bank, Taofeek Gbolagade Rahman, has assured the people of Oyo State of better days ahead in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Rahman spoke in Ibadan while featuring on a radio programme anchored by a private station in the state capital.
He advised South westerners not to panic as more appointments would soon be made that will favour them, saying that what Buhari needs now is our unflinching support and love in order to make our country great and vibrant again. On the issue of workers’ salaries in Oyo State, the financial expert said the workers should be calm, assuring that the salary problem is not peculiar to the state alone.
“Governor Abiola Ajimobi is well tested, trusted and humane. With his experience in the oil and gas sector, I am sure he would lift the state out of the present crisis,” Rahman said.
He praised the governor for running an all-inclusive government, adding that he knows and values democracy.
Residents of Ilepa area, a suburb of Ogun State are counting their losses as properies worth billions of Naira were destroyed during the demolition of over 25,000 housing units built on a 250 hectares of land allegedly by the Ogun State Government. The exercise had rendered countless people homeless. This is the aftermath of the demolition of buildings allegedly built on government land. The demolition was said to have been carried out to enable the government to hand over the land to the original owner, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), which had, since November 28, 1981, possessed the certificate of occupancy (C of O) from the Ogun State Government.
The residents of the area told Southwest Report that the land has a layout and survey plan No. BOP/OG/95/D1 drawn by one Surveyor S. A. Oluwoye (JP) dated March 25, 1995, in favour of Alhaji Mudasiru Mustapha, Chief Nofiu Isiaka, Chief Matthew Afunkun and others who sold the land to them.
The aggrieved residents lamented that individuals bought the land without full knowledge and understanding that it was a government acquired land instead of belonging to the people that sold it to them.
They maintained that the exercise has rendered them homeless. It has also caused the death of some victims due to shock and heart attack.
Remnants of victims’ belongings were seen scattered on streets as they search for possible alternative accommodation. Some would-be victims of the demolition exercise were seen removing roofs, ceilings and other valuable properties from their buildings so that they won’t lose all.
Onlookers and sympathisers came from far and near to commiserate with the residents over the loss of lives and properties. Motorcyclists hike their price to conveyed people to the ugly scene.
Speaking on the incident, the Shepherd in charge of Restoration Baptist Church, Ilepa, Pastor Wale Kehinde, appealed to the Federal Government and other state governors to come to the aid of the residents by pleading to Ogun State Governor Amosun to temper justice with mercy. He said the residents are ready to comply with any terms and condition either by the state government or the right owner of the land (LUTH) if their buildings could be prevented from being demolished.
The clergyman said: “Scores have become refugees as a result of the exercise, saying that only two per cent out of the 100 per cent demolition target in the community had been carried out. He added that six other communities would also be involved. Many of them would have nothing to fall back on if their houses are demolished.”
Other communities, according to Pastor Kehinde that would be involved in the demolition exercise include Pakoto, Ojusango, Onihale, Iyana Cele and Abata. He urged the Ogun State Government to have pity on the masses, saying many of the residents built their houses with their pension arrears after long stint in the civil service.
Also the women leader, Community Development Association, Mrs Bola Adigun appealed to Ogun State Government to have fellow-feeling for the residents. She said the residents were ready to abide by any rules, terms and conditions of government and LUTH even to pay extra money for the land or paying royalty to government or LUTH as long as their houses would be spared.
She said: “The few days of the demolition exercise has caused the masses huge losses. Government should imagine the number of people that would be rendered homeless after the completion of the demolition exercise. No fewer than four persons live in each building, and that will amount to millions of people if multiplied by the number of houses to be involved in the demolition.”
She therefore appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, state governors, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid by appealing to Governor Ibikunle Amosun and management of LUTH to have mercy on them, saying this will be a great loss to the huge population if all buildings on 250 hectares of land are demolished.
End to electricity consumers’ protests against poor services by the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) appears interminable, as more communities complain about what they called “total darkness” and alleged rip-off by officials of the company.
Tempers grew recently in some communities in Isheri-Oshun and their environs over the poor showing of the company.
Leading some angry residents of Isheri-Oshun, Ikotun, Ijegun, Ayanwale, Adetoro and others in a protest against IKEDC, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Isheri-Oshun Unit took to the streets in protest of what they alleged to be a deliberate ploy by officials of the IKEDC to extort various sums of money from them without corresponding power supply.
The protesters marched from the Rights House on Jordan Street Isheri-Oshun through streets in the area and stormed the IKEDC office on Chief Akwaiwu Street in the early morning of Wednesday, September 2, alleging, among other things, that the company placed them on “perpetual power blackout, non-installation of pre-paid metres and payment of bills by estimation”.
In a chat with Southwest Report, the Coordinator of CDHR, Dr Chinedu Ifechigha said: “Metres are not read but bills are sent on estimated basis. We maintain that metres should be read to ensure that right and appropriate bills are paid for. We demand that pre-paid metres are installed in the homes of all consumers. To have light is our right and nobody pays for services not rendered.
“It is unjust for service providers to demand illegal money from the masses for they did not provide. We say no to unjust treatment.”
Members of CDHR leading others during the protest
Chanting solidarity songs, the protesters, through the human rights group said if the alleged humiliation by officials of the company did not stop, “we will be left with no other option than dealing with, and resisting with stiff opposition, any official of the company found within our communities for the purpose of disconnection of power or collection of any levy within the affected communities.
“We think it’s inhuman and unreasonable to expect the people to pay estimated and crazy bills when they didn’t use light. The constant harassment and embarrassment of the people by IKEDC officials to pay bills is totally uncalled for.”
Dr Ifechigha further noted that Isheri-Oshun and some adjoining communities have experienced indescribable hardship as a result of poor showing by the electricity company, a situation which has affected socio-economic activities in the affected communities, even as he said social life in the areas has become uninteresting. Both large and small-scale businesses have been grounded.
“Apart from these, people’s lives are at risk because the ugly trend has engendered a situation where almost every home has resorted to the use of power generating sets, which, most often, results in loss of lives. We say no to harmful neglect,” Dr Ifechigha said as he handed a copy of their protest letter to the manager of the Ijegun unit of IKEDC, Engineer Samuel; a copy of which was made available to Southwest Report.
The letter signed by Dr Ifechigha and Comrade Mike Akpan, Coordinator and Secretary-General of the group respectively read: “We the members of Isheri-Oshun Unit of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), in conjunction with civil societies of Nigeria are disheartened as regards your operational services in power supply within the locality.
“We are aware that you give priority to some areas than others; areas without power supply pay higher tariffs/charges than those enjoying your minimal supply; you have worked up increment of tariffs/charges despite the fact that there is no power supply; your inability to improve your services had added much on expenses of buying fuel for generators and so forth. Your poor services has crumbled the people’s economy and made life uncomfortable, unbearable and unsatisfactory.
“We, therefore, mandatorily direct that you do the following: all areas within your jurisdiction must have adequate, full and constant power supply; further increment on tariffs/charges cancelled; illegal disconnection henceforth should be stopped; we should know why people living at Ayanwale, Boltex Street, Unity Street, Boripe, Amusa Ishola Street and their environs are exploited; we understand that you divert power supply meant for these areas to industrial areas to the detriment of the people living in the affected areas.
“We expect total sanity within 14 days; after which there will be no payment of electricity bills within your jurisdiction; illegal disconnection will be crossed with all amount of opposition and such staff will regret doing such; increment in tariffs/charges is illegal and unacceptable. Services must be paid for and the services must be rendered.”
Responding, Manager of the Ijegun Unit of the IKEDC, Engineer Samuel said since he took over the managerial responsibility of the unit four months ago, there has been improvement in power supply to consumers, even as he debunked allegation that the IKEDC is ripping consumers off.
“Since I assumed office as the manager of this unit, people have been commending me on how I have improved the power supply situation. Power supply has improved in Okemuyi, Ijegun, Ayanwale, Adetoro and other communities.
“I am not saying we have achieved the optimum but we will get there; Rome was not built in a day. It’s a gradual process,” he said.
On the pre-paid metres, he said the process of installation has started, even as he warned consumers not to give anybody money for the installation as the facility is provided entirely free.
He, however, appealed to the protesters and other consumers to be patient with the company as it is doing all it can to improve on power supply to its customers.
It was former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who saw the vision. His successor, Babatunde Fashola, bought into it. Now, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode seems set to be the one that will open the doors of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, thus fast-tracking the state’s economic development, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU.
In the beginning was the land. But the land was without form until Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu breathed life into it and so began the mammoth project called the Lekki Free Trade Zone. The enormity of the work meant Tinubu could not go far. He laid a solid foundation, which was taken to a notch higher by his successor, Babatunde Fashola.
When Akinwunmi Ambode took over the mantle of leadership slightly over 100 days ago, he fell in love with the project. He seems to be giving all his attention to it. And the way things appear, he is set to hasten things up and open the door to more prosperity for Lagos.
One needs to take into account the worth of the project before its potential can be truly appreciated. It will house an oil refinery, fertiliser plant, cement plant, a petro-chemical plant, sea port and international airport.
The Lekki FTZ will be like a new modern city with integration of industries, commerce, real estate development, warehousing and logistics, tourism and entertainment, among others.
•Some of the equipment on site
The massive project sits on about 60, 000 hectares of land, excluding the areas allocated for the Lekki Free Trade Zone, sea port and international airport.
For Ambode, the enormous task that comes with governing a mega city like Lagos is not lost.
His inaugural speech gave an inkling of his vast knowledge of the workings of the state, having garnered 27 years experience in various cadres of the state civil service.
He had, in that speech, pledged to continue the State Development Plan, 2012-2025, structured under four pillars, including Social Development and Security, Infrastructural Development, Economic Development and Sustainable Environment.
Since May 29, each pillar of the Lekki Free Trade Zone has gotten a feel of what Ambode has up his sleeves in line with his vision to build on the strides of the previous administrations.
His quest to ensure economic development came to fore last week when he took a whole day to visit and inspect the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), an emerging investors’ hub, which is fast attracting local and foreign investors.
For some five hours, Ambode, with his team, including Permanent Secretaries and Directors in the ministries involved in the multi-billion dollar project, went round to see things first-hand.
Their first port of call was the administrative office of the zone. There, the team had a session with a consortium of Chinese investors, executives of the Lekki Free Zone Development Company and the Lekki Worldwide Investment Corporation, managing partners of the Zone.
The team was briefed on what has been done and what needs to be done if the project must see the light of the day.
The Chairman, LFZDC, Otunba Olusegun Jawando outlined some of the benefits of the Zone, which sits on over 16,500 hectares of land. He said he was optimistic that, in a couple of years, the Zone would become a one-stop destination for investors from across the world, which would, in turn, engender economic growth in Lagos and Nigeria.
The Managing Director, Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Mr. Ding Yonghua, listed their challenges to include road network, provision of a sea port, as well as paucity of funds.
He further explained that, of the four quadrants of road network within the zone, only two had been opened up for access where development is already ongoing by some investors.
Yonghua told the delegation that he was optimistic that construction on the other two quadrants would open up the Zone for more willing investors.
He intimated the delegation of the need for the sea port to be up and running, adding that the port would ease the mode of moving heavy duty containers and materials into the zone.
Yonghua further said despite the counterpart funding provided by the state government and the principal investors, a lot more was required to speed up work on the Zone.
Ambode promised that his administration would do all within its powers to fast- track work on the Zone, adding that in a matter of months, work would commence on the sea port.
According to him, his administration would provide the necessary incentives required to hasten the development of the Zone.
Ambode said: “I came to see the level of development that is going on here. The Free Trade Zone is a major catalyst for the development of Lagos State. It was started during the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and was continued by my predecessor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola.
“Whatever it is that we need to do together with the community that has expressed its commitment to the success of the project, we would join hands together to move this project forward.”
The governor said his administration would start work on the seaport, which has been idle for about nine years.
“There is no way we would have this Free Trade Zoneý if the port is not activated. It needs to be reviewed. My administration will look at it and make sure the port is activated and construction starts immediately,” Ambode said.
He urged the management to scale up the marketing strategy of the zone so as to get more investors to buy into the project.
After the meeting with those working on the project, it was time to meet the people who gave up their lands for the project. Ambode was greeted by cheers from residents of the area. He gave them the opportunity to air their views about the project in line with his promise to run an all-inclusive and compassionate government.
Chief Kamilu Ahmed spoke on behalf of the residents. He listed some of the challenges facing the residents to include lack of electricity, good roads and jobs for unemployed graduate youths living within the community.
He said most of the residents gave up their lands for the LFTZ to come alive, saying the decision to back the project was based on the belief that it would be beneficial to them all. Ahmed said for over five years, the communities within the area had been without electricity, calling on the governor to intervene on their behalf.
He also appealed to the governor to use his good offices to ensure that graduate youths were given consideration for jobs in the course of the development of the zone.
After listening to the residents, Ambode said: “I am happy for the peaceful way the residents conducted themselves, especially with the release of their lands. I assure you all that all of us will benefit greatly when the project is completed.”
Some of the storage facilities
On the electricity problem, he said: “I also want to assure the people here that the issue of electricity will be looked at. It is surprising that some communities here do not have electricity in the last five years. In the next four weeks something must happen. It is totally unacceptable and we would make sure that we bring succour to our people.
“That is why we are in government and that is what they have told us that we should do and that is what we will do every day in this administration.”
The governor praised the community and the consortium of Chinese companies for supporting the state on the project.
He also praised the residents of Ibeju-Lekki for accommodating the project, appealing for more perseverance for the completion of the project as it would be a long-lasting investment for the state and the country. He also assured the residents that qualified youths would be considered for employment into agencies of the government.
It was after hearing the investors and the residents out that the team inspected the project.
The delegation made brief stops at various points where serious work has already begun. He took particular interest in the oil refinery, fertiliser plant, cement plant, and petrochemical plant being undertaken by African richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Appreciable work has already been done at the site. The Dangote Refinery alone is estimated at $11 billion and has the capacity to produce what all the country’s four refineries can produce at full capacity. There are other multi-billion dollars investments driven by consortium of Chinese companies.
China and Chinese companies are major stakeholders in the Lekki Fre
•One of the buildings at the project site
e Trade (LFTZ), Lagos. The project is expected to churn out 300, 000 direct and 600, 000 indirect jobs over the next few years. This was why the former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga described the LFTZ as one of the biggest Chinese projects in Nigeria.
The LFTZ is facing the Atlantic Ocean in the south and the Lekki Lagoon in the north, and the entire Zone is featured with flat topography and a beautiful scenery.
It has easy access to the existing international airport and sea port of Lagos, which are respectively about 70 km and 50 km in distance. Moreover, the new Lagos international airport is only about 10km from LFZ. In May 2006, the Chinese consortium, CCECC-Beyond International Investment & Development Co., Ltd (CCECC-Beyond), as the majority shareholder, entered into the Joint Venture with the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian partner “Lekki Worldwide Investment Ltd.” to establish the Lekki Free Zone Development Company (LFZDC) in Lagos, Nigeria, which is authorized by both the Nigeria Federal Government and the Lagos State Government as the solely and legally competent entity to develop, operate and manage the Lekki Free Trade Zone project.
In Oct 2006, Lekki Free Zone Development Company FZC (LFZDC) embarked on the Phase I Development of LFTZ, named as “China-Nigeria Economic& Trade Cooperation Zone” (CNETCZ) which covers approximately 1200 hectares.
The project is aimed at developing, operating and managing a modern Free Zone in accordance with international practice by making full use of the advantages of Lagos as being the important distribution hub in West Africa, thereby further enhancing the economic cooperation between Nigeria and China with their mutual complement and compatibility of resources, optimising the industrial structure and improving its national living standard.
The infrastructure being provided for investors include access roads, 12 megawatts Power Plants, water plants, sewage plants and telecommunications. Other supporting Facilities will include residential houses, hotels, shopping malls, hospitals, schools, office and recreational facilities.
Already, the Integrated Agrochemical Factory built by CANDEL FZE, a leading Nigerian Agrochemical Company, has been commissioned.
The Integrated Manufacturing Facility has the capacity to deliver 80 million litres of formulated products per annum. The facility has five processing plants for Soluble Liquids (SL), Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC) and Suspension Concentrates (SC) of products from diverse chemical families. It has sufficient capacity to supply CANDEL’s own distribution network in Nigeria and Ghana, with enough spare capacity for third parties in other parts of the African Continent.
The Conference of Local Government Planners, comprising directors of Budget and Planning in the 57 local governments and local council development areas in Lagos State, have launched a journal called Planners’ Bulletin.
The conference’s members said the journal was aimed at showcasing local governments’ activities to the public.
The Chairman of the Editorial Board, Mr. Olanrewaju Olalere, who is the Director of Budget and Planning, Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area, said Planners’ Bulletin was established following the inauguration of a Planning Budget Committee by Mr. Ben Akabueze, the former Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget.
Other members of the board, according to Olalere, included Adeyemi Adebola (Editor-in-Chief); Olusanya A. O. (Advert); Tijani Waheed (Marketing/Distribution); Ajose Yetunde (Finance) and Balogun Toyin (Publicity/Press).
Seriki Kehinde and Ogunbambi I. A. are in charge of Correspondence/Relationships and Operations.
There was presentation of awards during the event. The Council Manager, Surulere Local Government Area, Mrs. Basirat Akinsanya, received the Best Council Manager award while her Lagos Mainland counterpart, Mr. Lukman Salami, received the 2014 Overall Best Council Manager award.
Hope is coming the way of sick children in Lagos State who require surgery for hernia, hydrocele and un-descended testes, among other abnormalities of the male genitalia.
The Outreach Medical Services, through its foundation, Anu Dosekun Foundation (ADF) is collaborating with some senior health care practitioners at Kings College Hospital Denmark Hill, United Kingdom (UK) to organise a surgery programme aimed at restoring life to sick children. The programme is slated for early next year.
The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Efunbo Dosekun said the experts will carry out the surgeries on the children alongside their Nigerian counterparts.
Dr Dosekun said the future of the country will be bleak if children are neglected, adding that Asia has experienced transformation because it took the issue of child care seriously.
The programme, she said, would put smiles on the faces of children suffering from some diseases.
The state of infants, she said, is deplorable, adding that the country’s health ranking of 187 out of 191 countries that lag behind in health issue has left much to be desired.
She called for the integration of primary, secondary and tertiary health care into treatment plan, stressing that this would ensure access to care for sick babies and infants.
Dr Dosekun, who has put in more than 35 years as a paediatrician, said the experts will work with the federal and state government-owned hospitals to select those who would benefit from the programme.
She urged corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to support the programme so that life can be meaningful for the children.
“It is a bi-lateral engagement. So, we need to raise some funds so that the mission can be effective. We are going to be working with politicians, academics and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), among others, to return hope to the children,” she said.
The paediatrician said the experts from the UK will also build the capacity of Nigerian surgeons on new vascular access technique, especially paediatrics surgeries.
Dr Dosekun said her organisation is organising a dance drama to be staged by the Society of Performing Artists of Nigeria (SPAN), under the leadership of Mrs Sarah Boulous on Saturday to create awareness on the programme
Peace is set to return to the folds of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Ibadan depot, following the ratification of peace accords at the end of an emergency general meeting of the union.
IPMAN, according to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and jointly signed by its officers in Ibadan/Ibarapa I&II, Oke-Ogun I&II, Ife-Ijesha, Osun and Oyo/Ogbmoso zones, said the congress agreed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ibadan Depot belongs mainly to Oyo and Osun states respectively and other adjoining states, adding that Alhaji Raheem Rasaq Tayo is the duly elected chairman.
It said: “The house recognised the grievances of the members and wish that they join IPMAN fold to resolve all lingering crisis. An election was held at IPMAN Secretariat on February 4, this year which was conducted by the IPMAN Zonal and National Executives and witnessed by the Oyo State Police and the State Security Service (SSS). If they fail to agree and abide by the said election result, fresh election will be held in line with the practice of IPMAN in Ibadan Depot.” It was also observed that “no form of harmonisation of positions will bring lasting peace other than to have a fresh election”, hence the decision that “election be conducted at a date to be chosen and venue in which the representatives of the Houses of Assembly of Oyo and Osun will serve as observers.”
For fare representation, they concluded that an undertaken be signed before the conduct of the election, warning that “the outcome will be binding on all parties involved. All security agencies such as the police, the SSS and the Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps (NCDSC) should be invited to witness the conduct of the election.”
On allocation, it was agreed that “all forms of discretionary allocations be stopped forthwith at the NNPC Ibadan Depot. IPMAN’s monthly allocation should be chart followed strictly and be made public. Henceforth, IPMAN’s constitutional levy for local, bridging and transfer be resuscitated immediately at all loading NNPC and private depots.”
In the last 100 days, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has given a new lease of life to two families and cash for retirees. He has re-energised the civil service and given a boost to health care, among other things. These indicate that better days are ahead, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU.
Ruth Uche could see nothing but darkness. A teacher with a take-home pay that could take her nowhere, three set of twins and a husband on the run, she thought she was doomed. At a point, she decided to seek help. And to Alausa, the seat of power in Lagos, where Akinwunmi Ambode, was just settling in as governor she headed. Mrs Uche, 34, did not see Ambode. But she saw reporters and photo journalists who asked her questions.
The Nation took special interest in the story. It made its front page the next day. Ambode read it. His aides said he was visibly touched. He noted
Adebule with the twins
that as a responsible government, the well-being of the people, irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliations, is paramount to his administration. He directed his deputy, Oluranti Adebule, to liaise with Mrs Uche. The Deputy Governor visited the family in their run-down home in Agege and relayed the government’s plan to give them new lease of life. She gave Mrs Uche some money, thus setting off the rehabilitation process.
Many other Nigerians, including a newspaper editor, politicians and religious bodies, took interest too and today, abject poverty has been consigned to the trashcan of history in the family. The run-away husband, Emeka Uche, is also back at home. They now live happily after the governor set in motion a miracle they never thought was possible.
Baby Oluwajomiloju
Before the Uches, Ambode had had to intervene for another family. This time, the person who needed help was Baby of the Year 2015, stuck with a grand-mother after the death of her mother. Baby Oluwajomiloju Goodness Ogundimu’s heart defect problem was brought to Ambode’s knowledge on his second working day in office. He funded the surgery in India and Baby Ogundimu is hale and hearty. The grand-mother was all tears and prayers when she visited the governor after returning from India.
Ambode’s human face has also shown in the way he has handled the few disasters the state has witnessed in the last 100 days. Not long after he assumed office, there were tanker accidents in Idimu and Iyana-Ipaja; two Lagos suburbs.
When the first incident occurred, he was away from the state but he quickly took the next flight back to Lagos and straight to the scene of the tanker explosion. He commiserated with the residents on their losses and promised to restore them to their normal lives.
The Idimu and Iyana-Ipaja incidents made him summon a meeting with petrol marketers. He also set up a committee to ascertain the causes of the incidents.
Retirees, violence victims smile.
It is not only Oluwajomiloju, the Uches and victims of tanker explosions that have felt the governor’s soft side. Retirees have also had cause to smile in the last 100 days. Last month, Ambode approved N11 billion to offset arrears owed them since 2010. The beneficiaries are not only Lagos State government’s mainstream retirees but also retirees in local governments and parastatals.
Ambode said he took the decision to find a holistic solution to the challenge of payment of pension entitlements to retirees under the Pay-as-You-Go Pension Scheme and the Contributory Pension Scheme. The pay-as-you-go scheme was discontinued in April, 2007.
Victims of domestic violence and other gender-related crimes have also had cause to smile as a result of Ambode’s interventions. He met with the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), urging them to intensify sensitisation against the dastardly act.
Recently, 190 officials of the State Emergency Command and Control Centre were trained on how to receive reports of sexual and gender-based violence incidents. The governor also approved the use of the 112 toll free line to report cases of rape, defilement, domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, maltreatment and other sexual assaults.
The DSVRT has since increased its awareness campaign and recently took the message to the palaces of traditional rulers.
Health is wealth
The health sector is already getting serious attention from the Ambode administration. On Monday, August 31, Ambode inaugurated 20 Mobile Care Units Ambulances and 26 Transport Ambulances expected to be deployed across the various general hospitals and primary health care centres.
• Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode addressing the state officials, traditional rulers and other stakeholders during the inauguration of 20 Mobile Care Unit and 26 Number Transport Ambulances at Lagos House, Ikeja
He approved the purchase of power generating sets and X-ray machines to all general hospitals to ensure that 24-hour power supply is not compromised. He also reduced the cost incurred by patients in carrying out X-ray services.
The governor has also given approval for the recruitment of more paramedic staff and special medical coordinators to ensure 24-hour service to the citizens as well as embark on the construction of a Medical Park.
He said: “In my inaugural address, I pledged my total commitment to run a government that will leave no one behind; a government that will implement programmes that make life simpler, easier and happier for our people. Today, we are launching the free ambulance service as a demonstration to that pledge.”
He further said the acquisition of the new ambulances was also in consonance with his administration’s mantra to run a government of continuity with improvement.
“I recall with much satisfaction, the great strides we have witnessed in the health sector in the last 16 years; commencing from the foundational leaps of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the significant landmarks of Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN).
“We have restructured the State Emergency Ambulance Services and increased the fleet of new Mobile Intensive Care Units by 20; bringing the total number to 33 MICUs. This will widen the coverage of our services beyond the metropolis to the hinterland. In total, we are launching 46 new ambulances today.
“Our medical directors have renewed their commitment to ensure that their services are available 24 hours every week to ensure a good linkage with the new ambulance services. Drugs are to be made available more effectively at all our general hospitals than before.
“All our general hospitals will now have new mobile X-ray machines to reduce the cost of patients doing X-ray outside the hospitals.”
Treasury Single Account
To ensure accountability and availability of cash to pay retirees and meet its other needs, the state, from September 1, began the operation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA). This means that all monies due to the state are paid into one single account.
Ambode said the move would enable the government to address the challenges which it previously experienced in the operation of the multiple account system. To the governor, the TSA, aside from providing transparency and accountability, will also encourage tax payers to request for a single account before making their payments. The adoption of the TSA is in line with the objective of the move by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that all government revenues are paid into one consolidated account.
Let the investors come
For the state to have enough to cater for its needs, investors must come. This has been a major focus of the administration since May 29. In his inaugural speech, Ambode gave an insight of his mission. His decision to set up an Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (Lagos Global), domiciled in his office spells out where his administration is headed.
When he received the Namibian President, Dr. Hage Geingoband on May 30, he sold the investment opportunities in the state to the visitor. He has also met several local and foreign investors, including the President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, investors from Dubai, United States of America and envoys from European and Middle East countries. At each meeting, Ambode promised an enabling environment for willing investors.
Civil service, better performance
For the investors to come, for the TSA to be well-operated and for things to work well, Ambode needs the civil service. It was thus not surprising that one of the first meetings he held after assuming office was with the Body of Permanent Secretaries.
At the parley, Ambode intimated them of his plan to reposition the civil service for more efficiency and service.
The repositioning, Ambode said, will involve the streamlining of some ministries, departments and agencies to cut cost of governance. He also spoke of the need to create new offices to cater for the emerging needs of the people.
He urged the Permanent Secretaries to rise up to the challenges as they would be front runners in driving the state’s wheel of progress in the next four years.
Three weeks after his assumption of office, he announced his decision to realign the Ministry of Rural Development, Parastatals Monitoring Office as well as Political and Legislative Powers Bureau.
He scrapped the Office of the Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue and the Debt Management Office. The governor merged the office of Works and Office of Infrastructure; Office of Drainage Services and Office of Environmental Service with the aim of creating opportunities for global competitiveness.
On August 5, Ambode also appointed 19 Permanent Secretaries. Merit and track record, said the governor, recommended the beneficiaries. The Permanent Secretaries have adequately held forth, in the absence of commissioners.
Security of lives and property
As a cosmopolitan state, Lagos has its security challenges. In the last 100 days, there have been complaints about upsurge of robbery in traffic and other forms of crimes.
Worried by these complaints, the governor has put the security agencies on their toes. The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Tunji Disu, has arrested hundreds of hoodlums and suspected armed robbers. Some have been prosecuted and convicted.
The Ikorodu bank robbery was one incident that occurred in the early days of the administration. Ambode, disturbed by the incident, urged the police to fish out the culprits.
•Cross section of the 10 patrol vehicles and 15 motorcycles handed over by the Lagos State Government to the State Police Command, at the Lagos House, Ikeja
The governor is also worried about the spate of cultism and land grabbing and is not leaving any stone unturned to put the trends to a stop.
At a dinner organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Ambode unveiled plans to strengthen the RRS as well as establish an integrated security and emergency control platform. The event attracted members of the corporate world and respected members of the society. Over N1 billion was donated in support of Ambode’s drive to strengthen the state’s security apparatus. 100 new power bikes, 10 armoured tanks and a helicopter have been bought to take the battle of policing Lagos to the next level.
The acquisition of 100 new cars for a soon-to-be introduced Special Operation Service (SOS), expected to co-ordinate community policing in RRS and other outfits, said sources, shows Ambode’s desire to ensure a crime-free state.
Towards making Lagos traffic-free
The Oshodi-Apapa Expressway almost has no rival when it comes to traffic gridlock in Lagos. This leads to waste of man-hours daily. On his second working week on assumption of office, Ambode visited Apapa and some other traffic-prone areas.
He had received several calls and text messages from residents complaining of the perennial traffic in the Apapa caused by the activities of petrol tankers queuing to load the products from the 57 tank farms in the area. Ambode and his team were not spared the traffic as his entourage had to look for alternative routes to navigate the area when it visited it on June 25.
He urged the Federal Government to mobilise the contractor handling the re-construction of the road back to site. He lamented that the Tin Can Bridge, which has been under construction for about six years was abandoned, thus encouraging tankers to park indiscriminately on the road. While the Federal Government’s action was being awaited, Ambode set up a task force to ensure 24-hour surveillance of traffic flow. This has eased up the traffic in the area. He also met with tanker drivers and stakeholders to fashion out ways to end the Apapa traffic gridlock.
Motorable roads
At the time he assumed office, it was not in doubt that the road infrastructure in the state could do with some help. So, the first few weeks of his administration saw the governor embarking on inspections to several areas of the state. Some of the areas he toured included Lagos suburbs such as Ipaja, Mosan-Okunola, Oshodi-Isolo, Ikotun-Ejigbo and Somolu. He promised to rehabilitate the roads which were in deplorable state.
The Ejigbo-Ikotun-IsoloRoad, which was a nightmare for motorists, is under rehabilitation, as the Governor, during his visit on July 14, announced that work would commence on the road in seven days. The Lagos State Public Works Corporation has since moved to site. The rehabilitation work is expected to stretch from Ikotun to Isolo Road.
The popular Brown Road in Oshodi is the latest road to be visited by Ambode. He walked the over 1km road with his entourage and later announced that work would commence in a week’s time on the road, which serves as a link road to other roads in the area. The governor also directed some officials of the state government to inspect the Ladipo and Mushin roads. Both roads are expected to get a facelift soon.
Catching them young
Ambode firmly believes in catching them young. This was why he approved that 1,300 qualified teachers be recruited to teach in the public primary schools across the state. The shortage in primary school teachers led to a situation where pupils were not properly instructed. One of the side effects of this was parents withdrawing their kids to private schools where they have to pay through their noses. Only those who could not afford to pay the private schools’ fees had to leave their children in public primary schools.
Now, with the teachers being employed and the plan to give schools major facelifts, the state will be in a better position to catch them young.
LASTMA with human face
In its bid to ensure free flow of traffic across the metropolis, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been directed to adopt the system of booking traffic offenders, rather than apprehending their vehicles.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu handed over the directive to the officials while briefing top echelon of LASTMA on government’s new policy thrust in the transportation sector.
He said while government appreciates the invaluable contributions of the traffic managers to the current traffic situation, more emphasis should be placed on flawless flow of traffic.
“That is the minimum we owe the people of the state,” he said, adding that LASTMA should synergise with other security agencies to ensure that the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012 is enforced.
“Since LASTMA officials are a reflection of the state government, they should ensure that their activities add value to government’s covenant with Lagos residents to make life easier for them,” he said.
He implored the residents to reciprocate government’s humane gesture by obeying all traffic laws and regulations.
Whenu also called on all motorists, whose vehicles have been apprehended by LASTMA in the past, to visit the appropriate LASTMA depot for claim of their vehicles after proper documentation, assuring them of a more flexible process for prompt service delivery.
What is next?
If the morning shows what follows, then tomorrow for residents of Lagos may be better. Ambode has promised that his administration will get better with time like wine. As more funds are generated internally and otherwise, he said they will be spent for the good of Lagos and nothing else. Residents of Lagos, Nigerians and others are watching this Epe-born son of a teacher who is at the helm of affairs in Nigeria’s second-to-none state.
