The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akinwumi Ambode

  • LASG orders illegal occupants around Obalende bridge to leave in 48 hours

    LASG orders illegal occupants around Obalende bridge to leave in 48 hours

    The Lagos State Government, on Monday gave 48 hours to people trading or living under and around Obalende flyover to quit.

    The Chairman of Lagos State Taskforce on Environment, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, gave the order when he visited the area to intimate the people of the government’s plan to demolish illegal structures within the vicinity.

    Egbeyemi said that the people had been served quit notices  four years ago and that Gov. Akinwumi Ambode visited the area six months ago to restate the need for them to move.

    “Lagos State Government has resolved that no bridge would be a hideout for criminals and illegal activities.

    “Everyone under Obalende Bridge is there illegally.

    “We don’t want to arrest or carry people’s property away, hence, 48 hours grace is given to them to move on their own or they will be forced to do so,” he said.

    Some of the structures are churches, mosques, traders, food vendors, mechanics and residences.

  • LG election: Ambode votes, says Lagos needs credible people in local govt

    LG election: Ambode votes, says Lagos needs credible people in local govt

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday voted in the local government election in the state, stressing the need to vote in credible people to oversee the Local Governments.
     
    Governor Ambode voted at about 9.45am in Ward A6, Polling Unit 10 in Ogunmodede Junior and Senior College, Papa Epe axis of the state.
    He arrived his polling unit by 9:35am and joined the queue.
     
    Addressing reporters shortly after casting his vote, he said reports from across the state indicate that the whole process has been peaceful.
     
    “So far so good, from the’ reports I have received from all the other parts of Lagos State, we are pleased with what is going on.
     
    “Voting has commenced in every part of Lagos; the whole thing has been very peaceful thus far and I believe strongly that it would be peaceful throughout.
     
    “We have done so much to ensure that the security is good and so I just urge people to come out and exercise their franchise.”
     
    The governor who recalled that Local Government election had not taken place in the state in the last five years, said it was good that the election is going on adding that this would help enhance democratic value in the state.
     
    “You cannot stay back and just expect that things will work well. Yes, we have tried at the State level but we also need credible people at the Local Government level and that is the nearest government to our people and all we have been advocating is about participatory governance.
     
    “If you don’t take part, you will not be part of what is coming and the whole essence is for you to choose people who will really touch your needs and if you sit down at home and people who are not credible gets there, it will not be their fault when they give you bad result and that is what we don’t want.
     
    “I am happy that this election is coming at my own time. The whole idea is for us to evolve a process where the citizens come out and believe in a process that is credible and then when you do this and people are able to see elections that come at the Local Government level, they will be excited to do it because they know that it’s been credible, peaceful and there is no violence.
     
    Also speaking, APC Chieftain and Balogun of Epe, Chief Lanre Razak who also casted his vote at the governor’s polling unit, said the party strongly believes in strengthening democracy, adding that the conduct of the election would go a long way to develop the political process.
     
    Rasak also commended governor Ambode for his developmental strides all over the state, saying that Lagos has witnessed an appreciable level of development since he assumed office.
     
    Meanwhile, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Epe Constituency II, Hon. Segun Olulade who voted at RCM Primary School, Ejinrin, Epe commended Lagosians for coming out to vote despite the heavy downpour, saying that it is through people’s participation that democratic values can be enhanced.
  • ‘Creative industry can boost Nigerian economy if properly harnessed’

    ‘Creative industry can boost Nigerian economy if properly harnessed’

    Mrs Yewande Sadiku, Director-General (D-G), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), on Monday said that the creative industry has the potential to generate more income that could boost  the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

    Sadiku said this  at the opening of a two-day Creative Nigeria Summit at the Eko Hotels and Suites Convention Centre in Lagos themed, “Financing the Film, Television and Music Industries’’.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the summit which started on Monday would end tomorrow.

    She said the theme focused on understanding the creative industry better so that it could be better explored by government and the organised private sector to generate more revenue for the country.

    “The creative industry contributes about 1.4 per cent of the country’s GDP but it has the capacity to contribute more if it is properly understood.

    “The industry creates employment and can be used as a veritable tool to educate its viewers concerning relevant matters which cut across all section of life.’’

    Sadiku said that the government should not be directly involved in funding the creative sector but its duty was to provide an enabling environment for the industry to blossom.

    “The government can assist in the development of the industry by providing infrastructure that will enable the industry to generate more money.’’

    The NIPC boss gave an instance those movies as: ‘Half of the Yellow Sun’ and ‘Wedding Party’ can bring yield more revenue if more cinemas would be made available in the country.

    “There is also the difficulty in getting licences to show films in the cinemas which the government can make more accessible.’’

    Sadiku said that the government could also attract wealthy Nigerians to invest in the industry for better management of taxes.

    Meanwhile, Mr Tokunbo Akande, the Special Adviser to Gov. Akinwumi Ambode on Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), said an understanding of the value-chain system of the industry would help pinpoint areas of support from the government.

    Akande identified the value-chain system as creativity, aggregation, distribution and consumption as important areas where investment would stimulate growth.

    “Direct funding is not really necessary from the government but an understanding of the value-chain system and how it works will help focus on area of investments.

    “The government can also provide incentives to film producers to encourage the production of quality movies in the country,’’ he said.

    Similarly, Mr Tony Okoroji, Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), said that effective leadership in the industry was necessary to curb piracy.

    “The protection of intellectual properties cannot be over-emphasised because this accounts for the foundation where creativity stems from’’.

    Okoroji said that the deployment of stronger legislature and technology could also help reduce piracy in the country.

  • Hajj: Lagos gets awards as best performing state in 2016

    Hajj: Lagos gets awards as best performing state in 2016

    The Lagos State Government on Friday received seven awards from the National Hajj Commission for being the best performing state in the federation at the 2016 Hajj in Mecca.

    Alhaji Fuad Adeyemi, South-West Commissioner in the commission, presented the awards to Gov. Akinwumi Ambode at the State House in Ikeja.

    Adeyemi commended the state government for its support, welfare packages, accommodation, feeding, coordination, education and enlightenment programmes for its pilgrims.

    “If a Christian Governor can support another religious body like this, then he must be honoured and appreciated so that he can do more.

    “In 2016 when we went for Hajj in Saudi-Arabia, at Arafat, Lagos stood out in terms of their e-tracking device, coordination of pilgrims airlift, feeding, pilgrims’ education.

    “Whenever any Nigerian misses his or her way , the Lagos tent was usually the first point of call to trace such person. Gov. Ambode should be commended for making us proud in Saudi-Arabia, ” he said.

    Adeyemi urged other state governments to emulate Lagos State and improve the welfare of their pilgrims at Hajj.

    Receiving the awards on behalf of Ambode, the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, thanked the National Hajj Commission for honouring Lagos State.

    “For us as a government, we are committed in making life comfortable for the people of Lagos State and we will not relent in our efforts.

    “I am pledging that the best support will be provided to our people in the next Hajj, ” she said.

    In his remarks, Dr Abdul-Lateef Abdul- Hakeem, state’s Commissioner for Home Affairs also commended the Governor for making Lagos a home for all religious bodies.

    According to him, the inclusive government policy of Gov. Ambode contributes to the peace, tranquility and development enjoyed in the state. (NAN)

  • VIOs not completely banned from Lagos roads – LASG

    The Lagos State Government (LASG) says it has not completely  banned the operations of  the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) being performed by Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said this in separate interviews granted the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

    They said that the VIS officials only went for training to improve their services in line with global best practices.

    NAN reports that Gov. Akinwumi Ambode had on May 4 ordered the VIOs to keep off the roads following complaints from the public on how they were discharging their functions.

    Elegushi, said, “Nobody is banning VIOs from the roads; there is no directive to that effect from the governor of Lagos State.

    “Right now, the VIS officials in the state are undergoing training on how they will improve their services on Lagos roads.

    “It is a month’s long event for the officials where they will undergo intensive training so that they will be able to deliver quality and better service across the state.

    “ We all believe that VIOs need to perform their functions in a more civilised way and be technologically driven,’’ he said.

    Also, Mr Steve Ayorinde, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, told NAN that that LASG’s order to the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) to vacate the roads was to pave way for its reforms.

    It is also come up with improved service delivery in the state, the commissioner said.

    “There is an ongoing reform as to how the VIO carries out its operations, which might require that the inspection officers are off the streets at this point.

    “The government is keen to have their operations more streamlined and technologically-driven in order to serve the good people of Lagos better,” Ayorinde said.

    The state government believed that the officials needed to acquire more training so that they could serve residents of the state better, he said.

  • Lagos@ 50: Ojuloge Monument to discourage violence against womanhood – Ambode

    Lagos@ 50: Ojuloge Monument to discourage violence against womanhood – Ambode

    The ‘Ojuloge’ Monument unveiled by the Lagos State Government (LASG) on Thursday to celebrate womanhood and educate the public on how to discourage violence against womanhood.

    Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State said this during the unveiling of the structure erected at the open intersection between the National Theatre complex and the Nigerian Breweries complex at Iganmu, Lagos State.

    Ambode was represented at the event by the Lagos State Special Adviser on Urban Development, Mrs Yetunde Onabule.

    NAN reports that `Ojuloge’ can be defined as the beauty of a woman is in her face and her eyes.

    Ambode in his speech said, “The commissioning of this monument is also part of the activities to celebrate Lagos @ 50.

    “The structure depicts the beauty of the Lagos woman and seeks to educate the public that our culture does not tolerate any form of abuse on our women.
    “The abstract monument called ‘Ojuloge’ conveys a sense of style and fashion as well as depicts the concept of a beautiful Lagos woman,” he said.
    The governor said that the statue alongside other monuments across the state represents an important part of Lagos State’s commitment to promote tourism.
    “This will serve as an important tourist attraction and also tell our stories to visitors in a creative manner.

    “The statue represents who we are as a people. It also represents our heritage which can be preserved for generations coming behind us.’’

    Ambode urged the public to protect the statue against vandalism through inappropriate and unauthorised contact to guarantee its longevity.

    Also, the state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Adebimbe Akinsola, said that ‘Ojuloge’ was just one out of 19 structures to be inaugurated across the state.

    Akinsola said that the Lagos State Government remained dedicated to attaining excellence in the state using tourism, arts, culture, hospitality and sports to achieve this purpose.

    “Since the inception of this present administration, there has been tremendous development in all sectors across the state transforming Lagos State to an Iconic city, “she said.

    The commissioner also assured residents of the state that the six art theatres would soon be established.

    She also said that the state government would renovate the National Art Theatre, Iganmu.
    Mr Olurotimi Ajayi, the Chief Executive Officer, Modupe Studio, said that the concept of the structure depicted the richness and glamour of the Lagos woman.

    Ajayi said that the idea originated from the age long idea where people talked about women as ‘Sisi Eko’.

    He said that if the structure was well preserved it could last forever for the education and benefit of future generations.

     

  • FG has no plans to sell National Theatre to Lagos – Lai Mohammed

    FG has no plans to sell National Theatre to Lagos – Lai Mohammed

    The Federal Government has no plans to sell the National Art Theatre to the Lagos State Government, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said.

    Mohammed made this known on Tuesday night at a dinner with Nigerian TV and online content developers attending the ongoing MIPTV in Cannes, France.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MIPTV is an annual leading TV and online content development event and the largest global distribution television and digital content market.

    The minister who described the Arts Theatre as a national monument, stressed that it was impossible for anyone to sell any asset of government without following the due process and clear cut rules.

    He explained that the Lagos government offered to renovate the main bowl of the theatre, two cinema halls, the exhibition lobby and the banquet hall as part of its collaboration with the federal government.

    “I want to say it loud and clear that there is no iota of truth in the rumour that we are selling the national theatre to the Lagos state government.

    “We do not have the capacity to do so and will never do so.

    “What is happening is that we are fortunate to have a governor like Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos who is very passionate about the creative industry.

    “The governor decided that he is going to mark the 50th anniversary of Lagos with cultural activities, films, music and he was looking for a befitting venue.

    “He now decided to take the opportunity of this 50th anniversary to collaborate with the federal government to revamp the national theatre to use it as a venue for most of the programmes and at the same time laid the foundation for a viral and dynamic creative industry,” he said.

    The minister noted that the whole essence of the collaboration for the renovation of the theatre is to ensure that the national asset did not go into ruins.

    “The governor is asking for nothing, rather he is foresighted in knowing that a renovated and functional national theatre will be a catalyst for the film industry, theatre art, music.

    “He also realised that by revamping the theatre, more young men and women will be able to exhibit their talents and more jobs will be created and more taxes will accrue to Lagos state purse.

    “Therefore, for everybody it is a win-win situation and there is no attempt whatsoever to sell any national asset to anybody,” he said

    NAN reports that the dinner was hosted by the Director General of National Broadcasting Commission, Modibbo Kawu.

    Some of the TV and online content developers at the dinner were, Mr Tajudeen Adepetu the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Soundcity, ONTVand ONMAX, Mr Jason Njoku the CEO of Iroko TV and Ijeoma Onah of Aforevo TV, a French Nollywood Channel.

  • Ambode hails Fashola for achievements as governor

    Ambode hails Fashola for achievements as governor

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday lauded his predecessor, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola for his achievements during the eight years he was governor of the state.

    Governor Ambode, who spoke when he received Fashola and some top officials of the Ministry on a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja, described the visit as historic, adding that it was gratifying to receive the Minister for the first time at the Lagos House, Ikeja since he left office on May 29, 2015.

    “On behalf of the people of Lagos State, I would like to wholeheartedly welcome Mr. Babatunde Fashola, my predecessor and now Minister for Works, Power and Housing and especially back to the Alausa office where he actually left about 22 months ago.

    “I want to say that this is a historic moment for us, notwithstanding that the Honourable Minister lives in Lagos, this is the first time he is stepping his feet into the Alausa premises and we need to honour him for that and say a big thank you for coming back home.”

    Governor Ambode also lauded Fashola for serving the State meritoriously, saying that his administration improved on the template already laid down during the previous administration.  

    “We want to say that whatever it is that we have done in the last 22 months is just more or less a fall out of the great achievements the former governor had already put in place.

    “We have decided that we would carry on with a sense of continuity in all the things that have been done. I had always said that what we wanted was this continuity of the last 18 years, but continuity with improvement and we are happy that all that has been done in the last 22 months is just a continuation of the template the former Governor left behind.

      “We are happy that the sense of collaboration that we have expressed here is what we believe can carry whatever it is that Lagos stands for, moving forward. As you may be aware, Lagos is celebrating its 50 years of existence this year.

    “The last 18 years has been so dramatic and historic in terms of the growth and development that we have seen in Lagos, commencing from 1999 when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu came into office and the eight good years spent by you and the two years we have done. So, obviously, there is a remarkable change between 1999 and now,” Governor Ambode said.

    The Governor also pledged to expand the existing collaboration with the Federal Government, saying that it would not only benefit Lagosians, but Nigerians in general.

    He assured that the requests made by the Minister in regard to Housing projects of the Federal Government and other road construction would be accelerated, while also expressing optimism that the debts owed Lagos would be refunded.

    “I continue to say that we would support the Minister in every way that is possible, everything that we have actually talked about in terms of debt by the Ministry as it relates to projects, the Minister is actually more vast than me in these areas and in this agitations having done the same thing for eight years, obviously he is not somebody that we would want to convert to our passion or our request because he used to be part of what we have always asked for,” Ambode said.

    Earlier, Fashola who described the visit as home-coming for him, said he had come with his team to Lagos as part of a nationwide project monitoring exercise to inspect the job done so far on Federal Government projects.

    He assured that the Ministry had made representations to the Federal Executive Council on modalities to pay debts owed State Governments including Lagos State for rehabilitation of federal roads over the years, saying that the debts would be paid through bond instrument.

    The Minister also expressed readiness to assist Lagos State power initiative, especially in the rural areas.

    It would be recalled that Governor Ambode recently set machinery in motion to attain 24-hour power supply through generation of 3,000 megawatts of electricity by 2022.

  • Fashola restates commitment to serve the people of Lagos

    Fashola restates commitment to serve the people of Lagos

    Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing has restated his commitment to serve the government and people of Lagos in accordance with necessary due process.

    Fashola said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by Mr Hakeem Bello, his Special Adviser on Communication.

    The minister also pledged to treat the request of the state on merit just as would be done to other states.

    Fashola was reacting to statements credited to Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State that the “Federal Ministry of Works” was frustrating the efforts of his administration to carry out a “total reconstruction of the International Airport Road from Oshodi’’.

    The governor had also accused the ministry and security services of denying the state government access to the Presidential Lodge in Lagos, six months after approval was granted by the President.

    According to Fashola, his response is to ensure that members of the public are not misled by deliberate or inadvertent statements.

    He said the allegations of lack of cooperation from the Ministry and frustration of Lagos State Government development initiatives were not true.

    Fashola said that the ministry had in 2016, approved the use of the Federal Ministry of Works yard at Oworonsoki by Lagos State Government to create a lay-by to ease traffic.

    He said Lagos State was granted rights to manage the Street Lighting on the 3rd Mainland Bridge to support the security initiatives of the state.

    Fashola said in the same year, the ministry also supported approval of the World Bank Loan of 200 million dollars to the state, a request the previous administration had denied the state.

     “For the International Airport Road, the correct position is that the Lagos State Government presented a request for four roads that it would wish to take over.

    “This is consistent with the position being canvassed by the minister for states that are interested to apply to take over roads that are within their states.

    “The ministry has presented the memorandum conveying the request of the state to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as was done with a similar request by the Kaduna State Government in 2016,” he said.

    He said FEC could not reach an immediate decision due to the fact that two of the roads also connect Ogun State and so, requested for the input of Ogun State Government.

     

    Fashola stated that the Presidential Lodge was under the management of the presidency and not the ministry.

     

    He said a directive was issued to the ministry to work out modalities for the handing over after approval by the president.

     

    Fashola said the ministry had prepared a vesting instrument to convey the transfer, stating that the Presidential Lodge was a high security location.

     

    He said access to the lodge was not under the control of the ministry, noting that officials of the ministry also required security clearance to enter the lodge for any work.

     

    “If there is any lack of co-operation, it is on the part of the state government that has refused to approve the ministry’s request for Land for the National Housing Programme in Lagos.’’

  • Eid-el-maulud: Ambode urges Muslims to pray for peace of Nigeria

    Eid-el-maulud: Ambode urges Muslims to pray for peace of Nigeria

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday called on Muslims to offer special prayers for greater peace, unity and continuous progress of Nigeria, as they join their counterparts across the world to celebrate Eid El Maulud, which is the birth of Prophet Mohammed.

    The Governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, enjoined Muslims to follow the exemplary leadership of the Holy Prophet by promoting peaceful existence.

    While imploring Nigerians to shun ethnic, political and religious differences and work towards building a safer and better Nigeria, Governor Ambode said the celebration of the birth of the Prophet should renew the faith and bond of unity as one people and one nation irrespective of diversity.

    “On the occasion of the commemoration of the birth of the holy Prophet, it is imperative to reflect on his teachings and uphold his legacies of unity, integrity, peaceful coexistence and love for one’s neighbour, which are indispensable in our quest for meaningful development and the profitable management of our diversity,” he said.

    Governor Ambode also urged Muslim to internalize the virtues of honesty, selflessness, charity, tolerance, good neighbourliness, justice, equity and fairness which Mohammed (PBOH) preached, saying such will go a long way to engender national development.

    “I want to seize this occasion to urge all Nigerians to commit themselves to making a greater effort to imbibe these qualities and values as they celebrate the Prophet’s birth”.

    “I wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters in Nigeria and Lagos in particular a happy Eid-el-Maulud”, he said.