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Tag: Akinwunmi Ambode

  • ‘Lagos will continue to be leading sports hub in Africa’

    Commends residents for good behaviour at World Cup viewing centers

    Lagos State Government has assured Lagosians that it would continue to position Lagos State as the leading sports hub in Africa while creating the synergy between sports, tourism, entertainment, job creation and business.

    Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Adedayo Tandoh, gave this assurance in a statement on Tuesday while commending residents for their good conduct at the eight World Cup Viewing Centers throughout the period of the just concluded 2018 FIFA World Cup

    Tandoh said throughout the one month period the Centers were up and running, residents conducted themselves orderly and enjoyed the 64 games.

    Tandoh also thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his great wisdom and insight in approving the setting up of eight World Cup Viewing Centers across the State for Lagosians.

    “I want to thank Lagosians for making His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode proud by their exemplary conduct at the various Viewing Centers. For 30 days, there were no cases of violence, hooliganism or unruly behavior”, Tandoh said.

    Read Also: Lagos assures residents of safety

    Adding that the government was overwhelmed with the success of the event and that the huge success recorded could not have been possible without the support of all and sundry.

    He also expressed gratitude to International Breweries Ltd for partnering with the State’s Sports Commission for the laudable project.

    It would be recalled that the State Government, at the commencement of the World Cup on June 14, set up eight Viewing Centres with giant screens at Campos Mini Stadium Lagos Island; Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere; Abesan Estate in Alimosho; Naval Yard Ajegunle; Bishop Aggrey School Mushin, Ikorodu Town Hall; Badagry Viewing Centre and Epe Recreation Centre in Epe.

  • Ekiti 2018: Ambode congratulates Fayemi

    Says victory is sign that APC electoral value has not waned

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday congratulated Dr. Kayode Fayemi the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who emerged victorious at the keenly contested governorship election held on Saturday in Ekiti

    Fayemi was declared winner of the polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), defeating his closest rival, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with 197,459 to 178,121 votes.

    Ambode in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna commended President Muhammadu Buhari, leadership and members of APC and its supporters for the hard-fought victory adding that it was a testament to the fact that the electoral value of the party has not waned.

    Read Also: Ekiti 2018: Gov. Sani-Bello congratulates Fayemi

    The Governor specially praised and congratulated the Governor-elect for his hard fought victory and wished him well as he prepares to take the mantle of leadership of the State for a second time.

    He also urged the Ekiti Governor-Elect to use his second coming to build on its previous achievements and forge ahead with the quest to unite the Yoruba nation, especially through regional integration and economic transformation of the South-West geo-political zone and justify the confidence the Ekiti electorate have reposed on him.

    The Governor also congratulated the Ekiti electorate for comporting themselves peacefully throughout the period of the election, while urging those aggrieved with the result to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters rather than resort to self-help.

  • Ambode expresses satisfaction with work on Airport – Oshodi road

    As contractor unveils new machine to facilitate work

    Promises to deliver by December 2018

     

    Lagos state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has expressed satisfaction with the progress of on-going work on the 10-lane Oshodi-Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road handled by Messrs Hi-tech Construction Company.

    The Governor who was represented by Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Adebowale Akinsanya spoke at the unveiling of a new machine by the contractor to facilitate prompt delivery of the project, during an extensive inspection tour of ongoing projects across the State by the Governor at the weekend

    Ambode said it was gratifying to note that the project was progressing well with all the components now at advanced stages, just as he expressed optimism that the new equipment would facilitate prompt delivery of the project

    The contractor, Messrs Hi-tech Construction Company acquired a new Wirtgen WR 250 Recycler machine to speed up work on the construction work, giving assurance that the project would be delivered by December 2018.

    The Lagos State Government had embarked on the reconstruction of the Airport Road to transform it from the state of decay to international standard being a major gateway to the State and Nigeria.

    The scope of the project includes two flyovers, one U-turn Bridge, five pedestrian bridges, and multiple laybys, among others.

    Speaking while unveiling the new machine Hi-tech’s Managing Director, Mr Ivan Becker said the new equipment which has the capacity to construct 400metres daily would go a long way to facilitate the delivery of the Airport Road on schedule.

    He said the Wirtgen WR 250 Recycler was capable of 12,000 square metres performance maximum daily, adding that the “machine can mix two per cent bitumen, one per cent cement, 50 per cent stone base and 50 per cent reclaimed existing asphalt with water which makes road construction with the machine faster and better with a higher quality.”

    The Governor, who also inspected the progress of work on Oshodi-Abule Egba Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor and construction of network of roads in Ojokoro, appealed to residents to bear with the State Government over inconveniences they might be experiencing as a result of the multiple infrastructural projects going on across the State, saying that all hands were on deck to deliver the projects on schedule.

    Read Also: Ambode assures investors

    He said aside the fact that various measures had been put in place to mitigate impact of the construction on residents; more impactful projects would be delivered to make life comfortable for residents and visitors.

    “One of the key things for his Excellency the Governor is Southwest integration and some of the roads we are doing right now in Ojokoro link Ogun State. The roads were specifically embarked upon to complement the network of roads and bridges that we already constructed in Alimosho.

    “As we are constructing roads in Ojokoro, we are also doing the same in other parts of the State but the key thing is that the State Government cannot do it alone; we are partners with the citizens. So, I appeal for the patience and understanding of everybody. To residents, please bear with us, work with us and things will get done quickly.

    He said the network of roads in Ojokoro were being done based on the function of the areas and not one-size fits all, saying that in some waterlogged areas, government would be using paving stones, while asphalt would be used in other areas.

    The more than 20 kilometers network of roads include Aremu Street, Alhaji Luqman, Amusa Agbaje Street, Abu Balogun Street, Philip Majekodunmi Street, Unity Road, Osho/Udeh Brown Road, Oshota/Aina Streets, Home Science Road, among others.

    While inspecting the 13.5 kilometers Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT corridor along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway designed with 14 bus stations and 14 pedestrian bridges, the Governor said though the construction was being delayed due to dense population in the axis but that the project would equally be delivered by December 2018.

    “This is a highly populated area but the contractor has been mandated with the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to do everything possible to make life bearable and easy for all road users. The work during the day is being limited right now and a lot more would be done at night.

    “The traffic is better than before and there is a lot of rehabilitation of existing road going on and it will continue. This is an ongoing exercise but we need the cooperation and support of the people to make it workable. It is just a matter of time, this will be done and there will be a big relieve coming to this axis,” he said.

    He said as part of the phase two of the project, more pedestrian bridges would be constructed especially between Abule Egba and Sango Otta, the boundary of Lagos with Ogun State.

    “The phase one is from Oshodi to Abule Egba. Phase two from Abule Egba to Old Toll Gate in Sango Otta will follow after that and the key thing is the care of pedestrians which we are taking very seriously. So, you will see a lot of pedestrian bridges. Between Abule Egba and Otta, there will be more pedestrian bridges coming which will be part of phase two of this project,” he said.

  • Ambode swears in six permanent secretaries

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday swore-in six new Permanent Secretaries charging them to contribute to the ongoing efforts by his administration to build a modern smart-city for the benefits of residents and visitors.

    The new Permanent Secretaries and their portfolios are: Mrs Bamidele Fadipe, Office of Civic Engagement; Mr Bashir Braimah, Public Service Office; Mrs Raji Ganiyat, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment; Mrs Omotola Akinsanya, Local Government Establishment, Training and Pension; Mrs Olufunmilayo Okeowo, Tutor General/Permanent Secretary Education District Four; and Mrs Adeleye Olatokunbo, Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Ambode said the vision to transform the State could only be actualized when abilities were matched with responsibilities, adding that it was incumbent on the new appointees to add value to governance and contribute to the realization of the State’s short, medium and long term plans.

    “We believe strongly that our State Public Service deserves nothing but the best. Our vision to build a Modern Smart City-State can only be driven and actualized by matching ability with responsibility. This is a key philosophy which has guided all our actions since we assumed office.

    “I have no doubt in your capability to add value to governance and contribute to the realization of this administration’s short, medium and long term plans,” the Governor said.

    Read Also: Group hails Ambode, says his strides phenomenal

    Congratulating them the Governor said the decision to elevate them was not only informed by the need to fill the vacancies created by some Permanent Secretaries who recently bowed out of service having attained the retirement age, but more importantly on account of the fact that they possess qualities which stand them out among others.

    The Governor particularly urged the appointees to align their actions with the overall policy objectives of his administration which include selfless service, inclusive governance, fair and just distribution of resources among the people as well as deployment of best global practices in service delivery.

    “I look forward to seeing your positive impact in the State Public Service especially in the area of improved efficiency and effectiveness with which government business is handled, keeping in mind that we can only be adjudged to have done the right thing when our people are happy and satisfied,” the Governor admonished the appointees.

    Thanking the governor for the appointment, Braimah who spoke on behalf of his fellow appointees  appreciated the governor for counting them worthy to serve the State in the highest capacity in the public service, assuring him that they would hit the ground running to contribute to the development of the State.

    “As your foot soldiers, we have hit the ground running with competence, commitment and concern for a better Lagos. For the confidence reposed in us, we are eternally grateful and we shall add our plough to the various deliverables to which Lagosians are accustomed,” Braimah said.

  • 2019: Senator seeks Igbo support for Lagos APC

    The Senator representing Lagos West, Solomon Adeola, on Thursday  urged all Igbo resident in Lagos to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) during the 2019 election.

    Adeola said that voting for APC was the only way to show appreciation for the good work of the party in the state.

    A statement by the media adviser to Adeola, Kayode Odunaro said that the lawmaker made the call when a delegation of Alaba International Market Council of Elders (AIMCE) paid him a courtesy call in Abuja to present an award for good representation to him.

    It said that Senator Adeola who is chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content told the delegation led by Eze John-Greg Ezebuadi, the chairman of AIMCE) and Eze Ndi Igbo of Iba, Ojo LGA that the last election showed that Igbo in Lagos heeded calls of external influence that had no interest in their welfare in the state.

    He said, “I am of the view that you should see the Yoruba that you lived with for years as your brothers more than your tribes people that you see only once or so in a year or not at all for decades. The interest of the APC government led by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and our leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to continue to develop all part of Lagos state is the best interest of all of Lagosians including the Igbo.

    “In spite of negative electoral result from some areas against APC, the government has not discriminated against any section in bettering the welfare of all Lagosian.”

    Read Also: Igbo leaders: ‘We will vote Buhari in 2019’

    Senator Adeola said 2019 election is a good time for Igbo to open a new chapter in their relation with the ruling party APC.

    He added that their support and vote for APC in the state will show they appreciate the progressive and welfarist government of Governor Ambode in the last three years without discrimination.

    “I can say and I am aware that Governor Ambode has not discriminated against any group in delivery of dividends of democracy. He has not abandoned areas that did not vote for him and his party in 2015. The coming 2019 election is time to show appreciation and encouragement for the APC in Lagos State.”.

    It said that Eze Ezebuadi noted that they decided to come to Abuja to present the award to him for his effective representation of Lagos West Senatorial District at the Senate.

    It said that that Ezebuadi added that the voting pattern of the last election was the result of non recognition of relevant and progressive Igbo with long history of working with the progressives of Lagos State.

    It said that the leader of the delegation noted that with the performance of the Ambode administration work is ongoing to enlighten all Igbo on the need to bring to truism the Igbo adage “Ebe madu bi Ka ona owachi” (meaning where you live is where you call your home.)

  • Tanker Fire: Lagos Assembly to review traffic law

    Movement of long vehicles to be restricted

    Lagos State House of Assembly has called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to restrict the movement of long vehicles in the state to between 9pm and early hours of the day.

    Moving a motion on the matter with reference to the petrol tanker accident that claimed lives and properties along Otedola Estate bridge on Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Berger area on Thursday 28th June, 2018, the Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade called for a review of issues surrounding movement of trailers in the state.

    The Motion was moved by 14 members of the House.

    The House urged the Governor to direct the State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Dipo Lawanson to ensure that long vehicles do not ply the roads in the state until 9pm.

    “The House observed that the fire incident around Otedola Estate Bridge on Thursday 28, June led to avoidable deaths of several people and destroyed many properties.

    “We noticed that the incident was caused by recklessness on the part of the driver, overspeeding, drinking of alcohol amongst others.  It is also observed that many of the drivers do not have driver’s license and many of the vehicles are not road worthy,” he said.

    While commending the Lagos State Government for the rapid response to the incident, the movers of the motion urged the state government to sanction any long vehicle owners that does not obtain necessary papers and ensure road worthiness of their vehicles.

    Agunbiade stated that it was worrisome that long vehicles are parked on Ikorodu Road indiscriminately considering the consequences.

    The House used the opportunity to call on the state Governor to direct the Commissioner for Transportion to provide regulations for the types of vehicles that would ply Lagos roads based on their year of purchase.

    Agunbiade added that the state government should direct all owners of long vehicles to go for insurance policies provide places to park the vehicles and ensure that they follow the regulations of the state government.

    “We also want to call on Governor Ambode to direct the Chief Justice of the state, Justice Olufunmilayo Oke to set up mobile courts to handle cases involving long vehicles.

    Read Also: Lagos APC to Lagosians: get your PVCs ready

    “The House calls on the Minister of Power, Works and Housing to repair the roads in the state and provide weigh bridges for the vehicles,” he said.

    The Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa suggested that the state Commissioner for Transport should meet with the insurance companies so that the policies would be done properly.

    “The state government should discuss with the insurance companies so that the policies would be original and not fake.

    “Our traffic law should be reviewed to reduce loss of lives on our roads. If the Otedola Estate incident had happened at night, the casualty would have been minimal,” he stated.

    Also speaking on the matter, Hon. Yinka Ogundimu said that the state government should call on the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Edgal Imohimi to be up and doing to ensure that the vehicle owners obtain insurance policies.

    He said that the policies should be regulated by the police so that the efforts of the government would not be wasted.

    The motion was also supported by Hon. Bisi Yusuf, who said that a similar incident was averted in Alimosho Area on Wednesday, adding that the matter should be taken seriously.

    The Speaker subsequently directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni to write to the government on the matter.

    Meanwhile, the House has set up a committee to review the mid-year expenditure of the Ministries, Parastatals and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.

    The Committee is to be headed by Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, while members include Hon. Abiodun Tobun, Hon. Yinka Ogundimu, Hon. Jude Idimogu, Hon. Bisi Yusuf, Hon. Moshood Oshun, Hon. Nurudeen Saka-Solaja and Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho.

    The committee was directed to submit its report within two weeks and a half.

  • Ahead 2019: Group seeks unity of Igbos for Buhari, Ambode’s re-election

    A socio-political group, Igbo Vision in APC, says the only way forward for Igbos in Lagos state is to unite and support the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode in 2019.

    The group made the declaration on Wednesday at its meeting in Lagos, organised to endorse President Buhari and Gov. Ambode for re-election in 2019 general elections.

    Speaking at the event, Mr Joe Igbokwe, Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that various Igbo groups in the state must unite in the interest of Igbos in Lagos.

    “It is not about money, it is about our interest that we are fighting for. We should unite and showcase our strength. Based on our strength, we will be recognised.

    “We need to make a statement with our votes. Gov. Ambode wants Igbos in one form, we must harmonise everybody.

    “We need to have a single forum that will bear APC, either Igbo in APC or Ndigbo in APC that will accommodate everybody.

    “We need to work with other Igbo groups and persons to get the strength we need to negotiate and change the equation.

    Read Also: APC convention: Court refuses to stop Lagos’ delegates

    “Igbo nation should know that if we need to be relevant in Nigeria politically, we need to join APC for us to have a President of Nigeria from Igbo extraction in shortest distance.

    “We should queue behind Buhari in 2019,” he said.

    He urged Igbos to play the politics by bringing everyone together across the country and stop hate speech and bigotry.

    The publicity secretary quoted Buhari as saying that,“there is no reason why Igbo should not produce President in 2023”  and admonished all Igbos to “play reasonable politics.“

    Igbokwe, who also admonished Igbos in Lagos not to approach 2019 general elections with a divided house, recalled that the Igbos were polarised during 2015 general elections.

    He said that the division in the house affected the group in the scheme of things in Lagos APC.

    According to him, the leadership of APC in the state, after 2015 election results, thought every Igbo man voted for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), hence the distrust for Igbos thereafter.

    Igbokwe commended the Executives of Igbos across all local government areas in Lagos state for standing behind the party in spite of the hard times the group went through after 2015 elections.

    According to him, though there is no serious opposition in Lagos like it happened in 2015, the Igbos should not repeat the mistake they made in 2015 elections by voting against Ambode.

    He reminded the Igbos in the state that “things have changed.“

    “In Lagos, we need to showcase our strength by bringing everybody on board. The fight for supremacy is over.

    “We are looking beyond peanuts, but on things that will help us and our children. Our votes must be noticed in numbers, we have a lot of work to do to be recognised.

    ” The number of Ndigbos in Lagos can no longer be ignored. We need to organise ourselves. “We don’t have any other place go than to remain in APC.

    “We must play the politics. We need to be on the same page. We should not be spectators, it is a game of number, we have to go out and fight for votes.”

    Also speaking, Chief Uche Dimgba, the Eze Ndigbo, Ikeja, said that there was need to sensitise Igbos on the need to unify and mobilise for Buhari and Ambode, to actualise the vision and aspirations of Igbos.

    Dimgba, who said that the group still believed in APC, added that no effort would be spared to bring all aggrieved together to support Buhari and Ambode.

    Mr Leo Obasi, the Organising Secretary of the group, said that there was a need for stronger Igbo organisations in Lagos APC for the benefits of Ndigbos.

    Obasi, who noted that the Igbo leadership in Lagos were divided, urged them to consider the future of the Sout-East people in the state in all they did.

    The meeting brought together Igbo leaders across the 20 local government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

    NAN

     

  • Ambode decorates task force chairman with new rank

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday decorated the Chairman of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (TaskForce), Olayinka Egbeyemi with his new rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

    He was promoted to his new rank on June, 2018.

    Egbeyemi who was appointed Chairman, Task Force on March 10, 2016 by the Governor studied Philosophy at Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University) and also obtained Master’s Degree in International Relations and Startegic Studies at Lagos State University (LASU).

    Between August 15, 2002 and February 2004 he was at the Nigeria Police Academy (POLAC), Kano State where he was trained as a cadet Assistant Supretendent of Police (ASP).

    He started his Police career at Aguda Police Station, Surulere, Lagos in 2004 as Traffic Officer and an administrative officer at Elere Divisional Police Station, Agege.

    Egbeyemi was deployed as Crime Officer (1) at Alausa Divisional Police Station and Deputy Police PRO, Lagos State Command.

    After his excellence performance, he was deployed as PA/Staff Officer to Inspector General of Police, IGP Mike Okiro (Rtd) and later he became the ADC to Governor Ibikunle Amosun where he resigned voluntarily.

    Read Also: Tanker Fire: Ambode visits scene, describes incident sad, unfortunate

    He attended several courses, both home and abroad which includes: Peace Support Operation and Anti-Terrorist Course at the Prestigious Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Unit (COESPU) in Italy, Combat Craft Operation at Gwazo, Bornu State. Leadership and Citizenship Training at Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau State. Aide-De-Camp (ADC) Induction Course at Police Staff College, Jos, Plateau State in July 2011. Ad-Hoc duties include Joint Task Force (JTF) with the Military and DSS in Potiskum, Yobe and Kano State engaging insurgents in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

    Egbeyemi is a member of International Association of Chiefs of Police and has attended the ICP Conferences at Philadelphia, Florida, Chicago, and San-Diego in Califonia in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively in United States of America.

  • Train tanker drivers to avoid accidents, FRSC charges NUPENG/PTD

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has charged the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), Petroleum Tanker Driver (PTD) section to engage its members in rigorous traffic trainings to avoid frequent accidents.

    Mr Bisi Kazeem, Head of Public Education, FRSC, told our reporters on Saturday that such training would minimize accidents involving tankers on the roads.

    “We are charging them to start engaging their members in rigorous traffic trainings so as to meet minimum safety standards concerning their vehicles.

    “It is very important to train and retrain them, to enable them follow the rules and regulations and to meet the road standard concerning their vehicles,” he said.

    The FRSC boss said there was an urgent need for government and stakeholders’ consultation, and that government needed to initiate policy or legislation to curb their excesses on the road.

    According to him, the new policy will regulate their operations and channel their movement to the rail network.

    Kazeem said the ongoing rail projects across the country would put an end to the menace of tanker accidents when completed.

    Read Also: 2018 budget: NUPENG rejects cut in allocation to Lagos-Ibadan road, others

    NUPENG/PTD National Chairman, Mr Salmon Oladiti, and the entire members of union have commiserated with the families of the victims of the Otedola Bridge Lagos-Ibadan expressway fire incident in Lagos on Thursday.

    Oladiti said it was an unfortunate occurrence because in the recent past, such calamities had been avoided by the members of the NUPENG/PTD.

    According to him, the union has been collaborating with the FRSC and other law enforcement agencies to observe the minimum safety standards on the highways.

    “All efforts will be put in place to ensure that this kind of disaster does not occur again on our roads.

    “We sincerely mourn the dead and share in the pains of the affected families, the Lagos State Government and the entire people of Nigeria,” the Chairman said.

    The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday visited the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, to convey the condolences of the Federal Government to the State Government on the tragic tanker explosion.

    Osinbajo, who spoke shortly after a closed door meeting with the Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, said the Federal Government was deeply saddened by the incident.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari had delegated him to visit the state to commiserate with the people of Lagos on the unfortunate incident.

    NAN

  • Strong, autonomous states is panacea to eradicate poverty – Osinbajo

    As 8th Lagos Assembly celebrates Third Anniversary

     

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has advocated for strong and autonomous states within the Nigerian federal system as a panacea for eradicating poverty in the country.

    Osinbajo stated this position while delivering a lecture at the special parliamentary session  in commemoration of the 3rd Anniversary of the 8th Assembly of Lagos State which took place at the chamber of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa on Friday evening.

    Although the topic for the lecture was ‘Strengthening legislative institutions: panacea for eradicating democracy’, the Vice President who was the Guest Speaker however narrowed the topic down to ‘Stronger states and the eradication of poverty.

    As against the general belief that the creation of a conducive environment by the government for business for business to thrive to checkmate mass poverty, Osinbajo said poverty can be eradicated by having stronger states with strong judiciary, executive and legislature who would channel the resources of the state to create wealth for the citizens and eradicate poverty.

    “The three arms of government in the states must work proactively for the economic development of its citizens. To achieve this there must be devolution of powers to the states to enable them control their resources”, Osinbajo said.

    He cited the great feat achieved by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who as Premier of then Western region recorded achievements that were acknowledged world wide and most of which has remained enduring relying solely on revenue from taxes and cocoa.

    Osinbajo submitted that although he supports devolution and restructuring but that even without restructuring it is possible to create a strong state without any major constitutional changes.

    He cited how collaboration between the the three arms of government in Lagos right from the reign of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the present governor the state has been able to win series of cases at the Supreme Court which has given more powers to not just only Lagos state but which has benefited so many other states as well.

    According to him, the Lagos Assembly has pushed the frontiers of federalism by passing laws which has strengthened federalism in Nigeria.

    He advised that for outstanding economic growth there is need to focus more on education, healthcare and provision of jobs through delibrate programmes and pumping of more resources to these sectors to benefit the majority of the citizens.

    The Vice President disclosed that the present government is working round the clock to  create an environment for business to grow especially through a micro credit scheme for those at the lower rung of the economic ladder to lift them out of poverty.

    Read Also: Osinbajo visits Lagos, says FG saddened by incident

    He commended the Lagos state government for creating exemplary institutions for economic growth and development.

    Osinbajo also made a case for state police to tackle present security challenges confronting the nation, saying that “local policing is very important as part of security architecture”.

    Giving his remarks, Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode praised the leadership of the state Assembly for team dynamics and infrastructural development within the Assembly.

    According to him the three arms of government in the state have always worked together and have strived to show a good example of tenents of democracy and what growth and development should be “and with that collaboration we will take Lagos to where it is supposed to be”.

    In his welcome address earlier, speaker of the Assembly Hon.Mudashiru Obasa said in three years the Assembly has passed 28 bills into law and over 100 resolutions on education, health, power, transport, security and environment for the well-being of Lagosians.

    Obasa commended Ambode for the good job he is doing which is visible all over the state “he has turned the whole state to one construction site.”

    While stressing on the important role of the Assembly in democracy, Obasa said the executive should ensure the survival of the legislature by playing the role of a father and ensuring cordial relationship to avoid instability and anarchy.

    Dignitaries at the event includes: Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, Fmr speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abbah who was the Discussant, fmr deputy governor Lagos state, Femi Pedro represented Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, PDP chieftain Adesewe Ogunlewe while Governor of Oyo state, Ajimobi was represented by the Attorney General of Oyo state.

    Others are: House of Representatives Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC National Legal Adviser, Hon. Babatunde Ogala, APC South West Women Leader, Mrs. Kami Nelson, Rights Activist, Femi Falana, Secretary to the state government, Tunji Bello and other exco members, Body of Permanent Secretaries of the state, traditional rulers, APC Lagos chairman and other party chieftain.