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Tag: Akinwunmi Ambode

  • Ambode hailed for transforming Oshodi

    The Head of Arota/Ologun Family of Orile Oshodi in Oshodi Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Chief Teslim Adeola Almaroof, has hailed Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for transforming Oshodi.

    He said the transport interchange of the government inaugurated yesterday by President Muhammadu Buhari would accelerate development in the area and the state.

    Almaroof said Oshodi residents were excited about the project, which he noted would reduce gridlock.

    He described the transformation as the best and biggest transport interchange in Nigeria, adding that it would attract and boost business opportunities.

    Praising the innovation, Almaroof said the governor had carved a niche for himself by prioritising people’s welfare.

    He said travelling within and outside the state would be made easy with the availability of easy-access ticketing system, shopping malls and Internet facility.

    Almaroof said the aesthetic design of the parks had made Oshodi to become a place to behold – a tourist centre.

    He said the all-night security light mounted around the facility would help in averting theft by hoodlums.

    The terminals one and two, which are expected to be ready in less than three weeks, will take care of inter and intra city transport.

    The project is part of the bus reform initiative of the Ambode administration designed to bring sanity, transform Oshodi and enhance connectivity.

    There are over 30 parks at Oshodi, which are expected to be reduced to13, with modernised entry and exit points.

    Although, it is only the terminal three of the facility that will begin operation from May 2, as work is ongoing at the other two terminals, when completed, the interchange is expected to process about three million passengers per day.

  • Buhari to Ambode: Your performance is satisfactory

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday; he gave the Lagos State governor, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode a pass mark for the audacious projects he has delivered to the people and congratulated him for his giant strides in the state.

    He said: “The Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has performed satisfactorily in delivering governance to the people of Lagos and we should all congratulate him for working for the good people of Lagos State.”

    He spoke at the Oshodi Interchange, where he had come to commission the project and flagged off the Bus Reform Initiative with 820 medium and large capacity buses at the Oshodi.

    President Buhari had earlier commissioned the Institute of Maternal and Child Health, (Ayinke House), and the Lagos Theatre project at Oregun, in the Ojota area of the state, and the 10-lane Airport Road, all of which began in 2017.

    Buhari singled out Lagos as the only state he would be visiting twice within two years, having come to the state March 29 last year when he commissioned the Ikeja Bus Terminal.

    He said: “I also came here in February during our campaign and I am very grateful to all of you for voting our government back into office and pledge my total commitment to taking our country to the peak of our development and growth.

    Buhari was accompanied to Lagos by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, (Ogun), Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Alhaji Bindo Jibrilla (Adamawa), Mr Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, and the Governor-elect of Lagos State Mr Babajide Sanwoolu and his deputy Dr Obafemi Kadiri Amzat.

    Also on the president’s entourage are the Minister of Communications Dr Adebayo Shittu, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media Mr. Femi Adesina among others.

    Buhari said he is happy that Ambode is leaving impressive legacies that would have a huge impact on the people of the state.

    Read Also: Buhari arrives Lagos on working visit

    He said the terminals when fully operational will ensure that commuters are made more comfortable as they wait for more comfortable buses that will move them faster, better and cheaper.

    Highlighting the contributions of the Federal Government to the state’s infrastructure, Buhari said recently the Federal Government approved the repair of Oworonsoki-Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, which was last touched in the past 40 years, while the Lagos-Ibaan standard gauge rail line is almost at the completion stage.

    When completed, the rail line would complement efforts to improve intermodal transportation as more passengers and cargo movement will be moved by rail.

    He said it is worthy of note that both the Federal and the Lagos State governments are delivering on high impact infrastructure that would take care of more people at the same time.

    Speaking earlier, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said all the projects being inaugurated by the President are product of the tremendous support the state has obtained from the Federal Government.

    He said while the first Paris Club disbursement was used as seed fund for the 820 buses, the second Paris Club disbursement went into the construction of the Oshodi Interchange.

    “Lagos State has never had this measure of support from the Federal Government and we are grateful to Mr. President for this gesture.

    All these projects are our modest contributions to the growth and development of our state and our dear country.

    He said all the projects opened by the President are ready for full operation, adding that while the 10-lane expressway, including the U-turn Bridge at 7&8 Bus Stop can be used immediately after the opening, the two flyover bridges on the road would be opened for use within two weeks.

    For the Oshodi Ambode said while Terminal 3 will begin full operation by May 1, Terminals 1 and 2 would come on stream by end of May.

    He said the Interchange will change the travel pattern and public transportation infrastructure.

    In his short brief of the Oshodi Interchange, the Managing Director of Planet Projects Mr. Biodun Otunola said the project; the first in Africa will change the skyline of Oshodi and Nigeria.

    According to Otunola, Oshodi before was home to crime and violence, adding that with the interchange the face of Oshodi is changing and soon, it would be the most beautiful place in the state.

    He said whereas anywhere you have huge crowd are the most beautiful, in Nigeria and indeed Lagos, the most crowded places are the dirtiest, a narrative he said the interchange will change.

    Otunola said the interchange’s skywalk of 157 metres, is the longest in the world and everything is being delivered within 24 months.

     

  • Buhari arrives Lagos on working visit

    President Muhammadu Buhari, has arrived in Lagos on a one-day working visit to the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari and his entourage landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at 10.32 a.m on Wednesday amid tight security.

    The president arrived aboard a Nigerian Air Force Boeing aircraft with registration number 5N-FGT and was welcomed with a dance by cultural troupe and a Presidential Guard of Honour.

    Read Also: Tight security at Lagos airport ahead of Buhari’s visit

    Those who received him include Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and Deputy Governor of Edo, Mr Phillip Shuaibu.

    Others were Lagos State Governor-Elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Mr Obafemi Hamzat as well as top security chiefs.

    NAN reports that Buhari is visiting Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, to inaugurate some projects executed by the Lagos State Government.

    The projects are – Institute of Maternal and Child Health (Ayinke House), Lagos Theatre, Oshodi Transport Interchange and International Airport Road as well as 820 Mass Transit buses.

    NAN

  • Retirees to Ambode: pay our terminal benefits

    Some retired workers of Radio Lagos and Lagos Television yesterday appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to fund the organisations, to enable them offset their terminal benefits before May 29.

    They spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, claiming that there had been a delay in processing the benefits.

    Mr. Biodun Akinbusuyi, who spoke on behalf of the retirees, said they were transferred from two parastatal-agencies to the main service in 2016.

    He said the Lagos State Pension Commission returned the retirees’ files to the two parastatal-agencies and that their terminal benefits should be paid by the organisations.

    “We are appealing to Ambode to assist the parastatal-agencies by approving the terminal benefits, which is not up to N100 million, before the administration winds down.

    “We are not more than 20 retirees affected by this development,” Akinbusuyi said.

    Information and Strategy Commissioner Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan had at the last congress of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, promised the retirees that their terminal benefits would be paid.

    He said the ministry would assist in ensuring that issues causing the delay in treating the files of the affected retirees were sorted out.

    According to him, although Radio Lagos/Lagos Television is financially insolvent to pay the retirees’ terminal benefits, the governor will do his best before handing over.

  • Security heightens as Buhari visits Lagos Wednesday

    All is now set for President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Lagos state on Wednesday.

    Lagosians would be throwing their door open again to the president who is coming to the state for the second time.

    Security operatives including the Nigeria Police and men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) were seen taking position in Oshodi and the Oshodi-Airport Road, Tuesday afternoon ahead of Mr. President’s visit.

    Buhari would during the visit be inaugurating among others, the 170-bed Institute of Maternal and Child Health at Ayinke House, the 10-lane Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road, and the Lagos State Theatre, located at Oregun.

    But the highpoint of President Buhari’s state visit according to the Chief press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor Mr. Habib Aruna is the inauguration of the Oshodi Transportation Interchange, and the 820 Mass Transit buses.

    He said the interchange would cater for one million passenger traffic daily, with each of the terminals accommodating no less than 300,000 passengers daily.

    He said the interchange and the new buses are part of the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    According to him, the interchange would afford Lagosians a new transportation experience that would take the stress of transportation within the state away from commuters.

    Read Also: Buhari failed on security, says Soyinka

    He said President Buhari would be opening the Lagos Theatre at Oregun, which was another initiative of the Ambode administration’s to reposition arts, culture and theatre as a major economic hub of the government.

    “The President would also be visiting the Ayinke House where he would be declaring open the 170-bed Maternal and Child Health at Ayinke House.

    The Centre has been upgraded by the former Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola.

    Today’s visit is the second by President Muhammadu Buhari, who on March 29, 2018,had commissioned the Ikeja Bus Terminal, as part of activities slated to celebrate the birthday of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

  • Ambode urges workers on team work

    Lagos State workers must continue to uphold the value of synergy and teamwork for maximum organisational performance, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    Speaking at the opening session of a two-day training programme tagged: Team Building and Synergy Workshop for Peak Performance organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions in Lagos, Ambode who was represented by the Commissioner of the ministry, Dr. Akintola Benson said the decision of the state government to approve training programmes for the workers is a proof that he recognises the importance of team work and synergy in achieving corporate objectives.

    Read also: ‘Ambode, an achiever Lagosians will miss’

    He said this also represents the government’s commitment to fully assist the civil service to appreciate and acquire the benefits that trainings bring to bear on the attainment of the strategic objectives of the government and the effectiveness of the institutions of the civil service.

    He said: “The Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions is the government’s agent and trusted partner in this regard, and I believe that the ministry will continue to devote time and resources to the acquisition of all relevant skills by the officers of the state civil service.”

  • ‘Ambode, an achiever Lagosians will miss’

    The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) on Monday described the outgoing governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, as “an achiever and administrator per excellence Lagosians will miss”.

    Mr Alex Omotehinse, the Chairman of the Lagos State Branch of CDHR, said that Ambode’s achievements were numerous for any resident to gloss over or forget soon.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ambode lost his second term ticket in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is now the Governor-elect of the state.

    “The Lagos State branch appreciate the outgoing Governor, His Excellency Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, for the good works he has been doing in the state for the past three and half years.

    “Without any fear or favour and with utmost sincerity, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has demonstrated his genuine sincerity of purpose and pro-people’s policy in governance which has distinguished him as an achiever in less than four years between 2015 and 2019.

    “The working governor has touched almost every nook and crannies in the state in terms of developmental projects that are visible for any doubting Thomas to see.

    “As a pro-democracy and human rights organisation, we were disappointed that a performing and a reference point governor within and outside his party did not have the opportunity to finish the good work he has started.

    “We believe Lagosians have started missing him from the day he was denied a second term ticket by his party,” Omotehinse said in a statement.

    Read Also: Ambode preaches sacrifice, tolerance

    Omotehinse highlighted some achievements of Ambode to include massive investment in security, road infrastructure, bridges, transport, education, youths’ empowerment and employment.

    “We can see a fortified security in Lagos with N6.6 billion equipment for security agencies, massive road rehabilitation and reconstruction of inner roads.

    “Ambode’s assent to Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law to increase security in the communities across the state is highly memorable.

    “We also see payment of backlog arrears for retirees, setting up of N25 billion Employment Trust Fund and employment of 1, 300 teachers to revive primary education.

    “We can also notice upgrade of schools’ infrastructure, massive light up of Lagos highways and streets. All these and many others to mention but a few are what the governor has done in just 46 months in office,” he said.

    According to him, within the last three and half years, Ambode has convinced Lagosians that a greater Lagos is achievable through tremendous social infrastructure and people’s engagement in governance.

    The rights activist said, assuming Ambode had a second term, by the time many of the ongoing projects were completed, they would be world class masterpiece and befitting.

    “We therefore, implore the Governor-elected, Sanwo-Olu to please ensure the completion of all the nearly-completed projects of Ambode,” he added.

    Omotehinse advised Sanwo-Olu to ensure that all the yet-to-be concluded projects of Ambode be the utmost priority in his first point developmental agenda.

    NAN

     

  • The essence of Easter

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

     

    Easter is a celebration observed by Christians all over the world. It is a season that marks the major essence of the Christian faith, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    As recorded in the Holy Bible, after the fall of man, fellowship was lost between man and God. Man kept on sinning against a holy God, which led to the destruction of the world, by water. A certain man called Noah was however saved, with his family, with God hoping that the new generation would live without sin. But that turned out false, as sin started again, this time from the house of Noah.

    The Bible also tells us of prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea and even John the Baptist who prophesied ahead of time of a coming Messiah, who would take away the sins of the world. The Messiah came, and was named Jesus Christ.

    He lived his life on earth without sin, but according to the plan of God, he was later betrayed with a kiss by one of his disciples after he and his disciples had the “last supper”, accused of claiming to be the son of God, and he was crucified with two thieves.

    Jesus died, and rose again, three days later. He became the ultimate sacrifice of sin, paying the highest price of death, shedding his blood to reconcile man back to God.

    This forms the essence of Easter. It is a period to reflect on Jesus Christ, the savior of mankind, who came to die for the sins of the whole world, so that all men who believe in him, through his death can live a triumphant life on earth, and gain full access to the holy God.

    Easter is usually celebrated somewhere within the first four months of the year. There are some who stay away from meat and pork during the period of the Easter season, especially on Good Friday, the day Jesus died (as widely accepted), unlike the Christmas, where chicken becomes the major food to enjoy. Some Catholic members in Nigeria believe that eating meat or any of those sorts on Good Friday amounts to eating the flesh of Jesus.

    Read Also: Easter: Ambode preaches love, sacrifice, tolerance

    Prominent Nigerians have addressed the nation on the essence of Easter and lessons to learn from it. According to President Muhammadu Buhari, Easter is a time to emulate the love, sacrifice and forgiveness shown by Jesus Christ.

    “The Christian festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ is also a time to emulate the virtues of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, humility, courage and endurance, which Christ embodied and remarkably demonstrated during His earthly ministry. Let us use this auspicious season to show love to our neighbours, and cater to the needs of the less-privileged in our midst.”

    For former President Goodluck Jonathan, there is hope of triumph ahead for the nation, and it will not be wise to give up now.

    “I urge us not to give up on our ourselves and our nation no matter the challenges that confront us today. Through our faith and collective actions, we will overcome the tempests of violence, misery and insecurity that threaten our nation. We are more than conquerors and the future of our nation is bright, if we work as one.

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode told Nigerians to see this season as one “that presents us the viable opportunity to think about how we can help to steer our nation back on the road to peace, stability and prosperity, by working in the spirit of togetherness because no nation can make any meaningful progress in an atmosphere riddled with pockets of violence and killings. This is the time for us to avoid all divisive, parochial, ethnic and religious sentiments and rivalries, and begin to live more harmoniously with one another, as Jesus Christ enjoined us to.”

    Easter is a time of reflection. It is a time to see how best we can reconcile back to Jesus Christ, and live the life he taught us to live, for the world to be better. It is a season of love, sacrifice and forgiveness. It is important to note this fact, and live by it.

    Adeyinka Akintunde is a graduate of Philosophy from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria. A social commentator and Online Reporter

     

  • Lagos begins fixing potholes on 87 major roads

    The Lagos State Government has begun immediate repairs of potholes across the state, with over 87 major roads enlisted for intervention.

    Special Adviser, Lagos State Public Works Corporation and Drainage, Engr. Temidayo Erinle, in a statement on Friday, said the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode had directed that the Corporation should commence immediate rehabilitation of critical roads across the State.

    He said the roads mapped out for repair were presently in terrible state, and that the situation was impeding free flow of traffic in those areas with its attendant consequences.

    “We have received quite a number of complaints from residents and motorists on the State of the roads and how it was directly affecting travel time which in turn has negative effects on the ease of doing business in the State.

    “The Governor has therefore directed the Public Works Corporation to move immediately and commence repair on those roads to ameliorate the traffic that residents have been going through as a result of the State of the roads,” he said.

    Read Also: Lagos assures residents of safety

    Erinle, however, appealed to residents and motorists to bear with the State Government, urging them to drive carefully while the roads are being fixed.

    He assured that in the next few weeks, all the potholes would disappear on Lagos roads.

    Some of the roads captured for immediate repair include Ikotun-Egbe, Ijegun Roads, Alimosho and Dopemu Roads, Aka-Kemberi Road, Amuwo Odofin, Marina Beach Road, Apapa, Olaniyi Road in Ifako Ijaiye, Acme-Oba Akran Road and Ikeja.

    Other roads also listed include Ijede Road, Sabo market Road in Ikorodu, Costain Road by Brewery, Glover Road, Herbert Macaulay Road in Mainland Local Government, Itire-Ogunlana drive intersection, Itire-Lawanson, Babs Animashaun Road in Surulere, Alakija/WAEC Road, Somolu, Obalende Road, Eti-Osa, among others.

  • Thumbs up for Ambode on projects execution

    A group, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), has  hailed Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for executing no fewer than 423 projects each year since 2015.

    Its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, described the governor’s achievement as “unprecedented”.

    He spoke yesterday at an assessment workshop with the theme: Curbing corruption in Nigeria’s political processes: establishing a grassroots paradigm in good governance, accountability and transparency.

    It was part of CACOL’s Good Governance, Accountability and Transparency Education (C-GATE) project.

    CACOL said the results of the two surveys it carried out showed that the impact of Ambode’s administration was felt in virtually every part of the state.

    Read also: Akinwunmi Ambode: The story of the Nigerian Dream

    “No part of the old five divisions could be said to have been left behind. Hence, Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe divisions were reported to have benefited from the Ambode administration.

    “It is clear that based on the findings of our researchers during the proceedings of Lagos Open Parliament Five, Ambode made reasonable impact on the lives of residents for the period under review,” Adeniran said.

    Addressing participants at the workshop,  Adeniran noted that the 1,480 projects executed by the Ambode administration in three years “are yet to be disputed by anybody”.

    The projects executed between 2015 and 2018 are as follows: agriculture, 14, education, 215, energy and mineral resources, two, health, 81, commerce, industry and cooperatives, 14 and housing, 26.

    Others are justice, 16, works and infrastructure, 627, transport, 152, women affairs and poverty alleviation, 12, establishment, training and pensions, one, water supply, 12, security, emergency and safety, 23, tourism, arts and culture, 33, youths and social development, 16 and investment, 16.

    He said the incoming government has a lot to do to match or surpass Ambode’s record in four years.

    The CACOL chief, however, urged the state to do more to make information available on request.

    “We want to see the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in action in Lagos. It’s not yet working the way we believe it should work in Lagos,” Adeniran said.

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) Senior Legal Adviser Mrs. Joke Fekumo urged community leaders and residents to do more in monitoring campaign promises.