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Tag: Akinwunmi Ambode

  • I’m impressed with Ambode’s performance so far – Bode George

    I’m impressed with Ambode’s performance so far – Bode George

    A former deputy national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George has hailed the performance of Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode in the areas of infrastructural developments urging the governor to do more in order to etch his name in gold upon the completion of his assignments in office.

    Speaking in a chat with newsmen Tuesday, George, who is the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, said though he has never met Governor Ambode and they belong to different political parties, the governor deserves commendation for what he has done so far in the areas of infrastructural developments in Epe local government and other parts of the state and also in the area of traffic decongestion in the state.

    While admitting that governing a cosmopolitan city like Lagos is a huge task, George, who hails from Lagos Island Local government in the state also appealed to the governor to help in developing his local government and other areas of the state.

    According to him, “I have never met this young man but I must say that I am impressed with his performance so far especially in the area of infrastructural developments. I don’t know everywhere in Lagos because I hardly go round but I must sincerely commend him on what he is doing in Epe Local Government. I am very proud of what he is doing there. I passed through Epe recently and I thought I was in a different state”.

    “I want to appeal to him that when he is done with Epe, he should head back to my local government, which is Lagos Island so that when he leaves office, not will Epe people remember him for his performance, but the entire Lagos will remember him and say ‘yes, there was one Governor that passed through here and his name is Akinwunmi Ambode’.

    “I also must commend him in the area of traffic management especially in the area of traffic decongestion in the state”.

    “He is a Yorubaman and he is doing his best but I know that we as opposition will do better when we get there. My advice to him is that he should ensure that the standards of living of Lagosians are improved especially in the areas of education and healthcare. I must commend him because it is not easy governing a state like Lagos. Lagos is like the New York of the United States,” he said.

  • Ambode okays death sentence for kidnappers in Lagos

    Ambode okays death sentence for kidnappers in Lagos

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday signed into law the anti-kidnapping bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly, with a pledge to ensure its full implementation to eradicate kidnapping once and for all in the State.

    The Prohibition of the Act of Kidnapping Law imposes a penalty of life imprisonment on kidnapping for ransom. The law also stipulates that where a victim dies in the course of kidnap, the suspect is liable on conviction to death.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony held at Lagos House in Ikeja, Governor Ambode said the spate of kidnapping in the State had gotten to a level that required decisive action from government, hence the need for the enactment of the law to send serious message to perpetrators of such heinous crime.

    He said aside the enactment of the law, the State Government was also putting in place appropriate measures particularly in the schools and other vulnerable targets to prevent kidnapping and other security breaches.

    The Governor said: “Security is of utmost importance to our administration and we are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of Lagos.

    “Why we use this law to address the challenge and punish the criminals, we are also putting in place appropriate measures particularly in our schools and other vulnerable targets to prevent security breaches and it is important that we ensure that everything we do in respect of this anti-kidnapping law is in good faith and good spirit to eradicate the issue of kidnapping once and for all in the State.”

    Governor Ambode assured that the justice system would be activated to execute the anti-kidnapping law to the letter to ensure that any criminal caught is subjected to the full wrath of the law.

  • Lagos allays fears on bomb scare in Agege

    The Lagos State Government on Monday allayed fears of residents on suspected explosive substance which was allegedly dropped in a manhole in one of the Streets in Agege area of the State, saying that the development was nothing to worry about.

    The development had led to residents scampering for safety following the bomb scare, but rising from the Monthly Security Council Meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the government urged the people to go about their normal businesses as the situation had been put under control.

    The State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, who briefed journalists at the end of the meeting alongside service commanders of security formations and top government functionaries in the State, said security agencies responded swiftly to the development and found out that contrary to rumour the substance was just pieces of thrash dropped in the manhole.  

    He said: “Early this morning, we were alerted to a situation where it was reported that some passersby dropped something on the manholes in one of the streets at Agege which led to a bomb scare.

    “The security operatives quickly responded; the bomb disposal unit also went there; those manholes were checked and it was found out that it was just thrash that were thrown into those manholes.

    “We also seized the opportunity to do what is called sweeping of the environment to reassure members of the public that security operatives in the State are more alive to their responsibilities, and that once we get information on a timely basis, response will also be done in a swift manner to ensure that nothing untoward happen in Lagos.” 

    He said the meeting, being the first for the year, was used to appraise the performance of security outfits in the State last year, and strategize for the New Year.

    “We have done an appraisal of what happened last year in terms of our challenges and the modest achievements that were recorded last year and use that to prepare for the year and improve on what we have been doing and to position ourselves very well for the new challenges that could emerge in the year with the view to making the people of Lagos and their properties safer and more secured,” Owoseni said.

    While assuring the people that security outfits and the State Government were more poised, repositioned and more willing to ensure smooth security operations in the State, the Commissioner urged residents not to hesitate to supply necessary security information as at when due.

    Speaking on the arrest of two persons in connection with the gruesome murder of a Zonal Commander of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Surajudeen Olatunji Bakare in Apapa late last year, Owoseni said investigation into the case was still ongoing, but that those arrested would help in arresting others who were part of the mob action that led to the incident.

    He said: “It is an ongoing investigation. You know there was a video recording which we have considered and it is based on some of the faces that we saw that we picked those people that were arrested. 

    “It was a mob action and we don’t want to rush to court without doing a good clinical finishing of forensic analysis of the faces to match them with what we have seen in the video and for those fellows that have been arrested to be able to say oh yes these are the other people that were there.

    “As investigation is going on, we would be unveiling the development to the people of Lagos, but what we just want to do is to ensure that all such impunities are stopped in Lagos State.”

    Besides, the CP recalled the arrest of some Boko Haram suspects in Lagos recently, saying that the collaborative effort and synergy that had always existed among security agencies in the State led to the arrests.

    He said henceforth, government and security agencies have resolved to further put their ears more on ground and open their eyes more widely to ensure that those elements were not allowed any space to operate in Lagos.

  • Photo: Adeboye, wife at Lagos New Year Service

    Photo: Adeboye, wife at Lagos New Year Service

  • Encomiums as Chairmanship aspirant offers house for demolition to please neighbour

    Encomiums as Chairmanship aspirant offers house for demolition to please neighbour

    egun-5Owners and residents of the building at No 39, Market Street, in Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, were full of praises for the effort of Alhaji Abdulganiyu Kola Egunjobi, who
    saved their house from total demolition in the on-going effort by the
    state government to open up the roads.

    They would have lost a large chunk of their house to demolition under the current Lagos State government road project, but for the generosity of Egunjobi, a chairmanship aspirant for the Agege council in the coming elections.

    By the specification drawn by the engineers constructing the Market
    Street, a space of 4.9metres which fell into the building at No 39 had to be created, that may have led to near total demolition of the property.

    However, Egunjobi who lives and owns the other side at No. 41, came to their rescue. He offered to incur 2.4 of the measurement and left 2.5 metres to them. It was an atmosphere of encomium pouring as residents in the area trooped out to show appreciation for the uncommon gesture. But Egunjobi said his action should not be unexpected, noting that he grew up in the area with the people and should stand beside them through thick and thins.

    egun-2According to him, “I will be offending God and my conscience if I cannot come forward at a time like this to show love to people we have been co-habiting for
    decades.”

    He further observed that the government of Akinwunmi Ambode has been doing
    his best in ensuring good life for Lagosians, adding that “the only way to
    compliment such effort is by supporting government actions in whatever
    capacity we could.

    Egunjobi, who commended the government road projects going on in every parts of the state said it would only be good if Lagosians support the government to do more of people’s
    driven projects.

    “Lagos is changing rapidly and we can all see it. We have a governor a that has the people at heart. The only way we can assist this government is to appreciate what it is doing and show love to the
    government and to ourselves.

    “It is encouraging that Lagos is enjoying
    these massive transformations at this period of recession, when many states cannot even pay salaries. This feat alone is worth praising because you can only experience such under visionary leaders,” he said.

    He commended the Lagos House of Assembly under the leadership of
    Hon. Mudashiru Obasa for lending the needed assistance to the executive
    to make things work for Lagosians.

    “We have witnessed situations where the state executive and the legislature would be at loggerheads for their entire term and thus stampede development with its attendant negative effects on the people
    they are supposed to lead. We are lucky in Lagos that this is not happening to us and this has stood us out as the centre of excellence,” Egunjobi stressed.

  • Badagry to become tourism hub in Africa – Ambode

    Badagry to become tourism hub in Africa – Ambode

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday said that his administration would ensure that Badagry becomes the hub of tourism and resort enterprises in Africa.

    Ambode said this at the `One Lagos Fiesta’ which took place at the Badagry Grammar School in Badagry, Lagos State.

    He added that his administration would ensure that the town becomes a flashpoint for development projects in the state.

    “This administration is determined to transform this ancient city into a tourism hub that would attract so many international people to this great city.

    “The six-lane road construction would further boost its economic activities and let’s not forget the seaport that would soon be developed in the town in the nearest future.

    “Our eyes are set on Badagry and we are doing things for the future because we intend to open up Badagry forever,” he said.

    Ambode commended the turnout of people at the event.

    “I have been to two different events but I must commend the turnout here because it is the largest and the best that I have witnessed so far.

    “This goes to show that people here are committed to moving the state forward and I’m so excited and glad about that,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the artistes that performed at the all-nite fiesta were; Mayorkun, Olu Maintain, CDQ, Dremo and Ara, amongst others.

  • Ambode set to build five new arts theatres

    Ambode set to build five new arts theatres

    Lagos State Government on Sunday unveiled plans by his administration to build five new arts theatres across the State as part of efforts to engage the youths and promote tourism through arts and entertainment.

    The Governor, who spoke at a stage play titled ‘Heartbeat The Musical…A New Beginning’ held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos and directed by Olu Jacobs and Joke Silver, said the theatres would be up and running before the end of 2017.

    Speaking shortly after the stage play, Governor Ambode said he was thoroughly impressed by the production of the play, saying it was a confirmation that Lagos is not only the destination for arts, culture and entertainment, but has a bulging youths ready to showcase their talents.

    He said, “I never believed I could sit down for two hours, I thought I would just pop in briefly and then leave, but this is awesome and fantastic, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The mere fact that I believe strongly in arts, entertainment and sports, everything that is arts, like I said, before the end of next year, we are going to have five new theatres in Lagos.

    “We are already engaging the Terra Kulture and we are speaking to another consultant and the truth is that we want to have the theatres in Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Alimosho and on the Mainland. We already have one in Victoria Island. But the truth is that this is where the energy of Lagos is and that is where we should go.

    “It’s not so much about physical infrastructure, but 67 per cent of the Lagos population is below the age of 35, so we need to start finding things to keep the younger ones more creative and then open the space for them to be able to just show their talents.”

    Governor Ambode also said that the State Government was fine-tuning plans ahead of the climax of its Lagos @ 50 celebrations coming up on May 27, 2017, adding that several events that would promote the arts and entertainment sector would be incorporated in the celebration.

  • Ambode mourns passage of Kuforiji-Olubi, first female ICAN President

    Ambode mourns passage of Kuforiji-Olubi, first female ICAN President

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday expressed shock and sadness over the death of foremost accountant and a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi.

    Dr. Olubi, who was the first female  President of Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN),  passed on at the age of 80 on Saturday. She was appointed the first female Chairman of United Bank of Africa (UBA) in 1984. 

    Governor Ambode in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, described Dr. Olubi as a distinguished businesswoman, banker, economist and accountant, who cut her teeth in the corporate world.

     The Governor recalled the former minister’s decades of distinguished career in the private and public sectors of national life, saying she was a role model to the future generation. 

     “Dr. Olubi was a woman of many firsts; she wrote her name in gold in the banking industry and was a pace-setter and leader in banking, manufacturing and entrepreneurship not only in Nigeria but also in Sub-Saharan Africa.

     “It was not surprising that she was a proud and well-deserved recipient of National honours, fellowships, awards and honorary degrees from within and outside the country,’’ Governor Ambode said.

     The Governor said Dr. Olubi’s legacies would continue to be a source of inspiration to the younger generation.

     Governor Ambode also prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul, urging her family to draw strength from the legacies she stood for while she was alive and the fact that she was a devout Christian.

      “On behalf of my family and the people of Lagos state, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Dr. Olubi, on this great and irreparable loss.

     “I had always admired her demeanor. She was a woman of true character, substance and quiet nobility. We will sorely miss her”, he said.

  • Ambode mourns Rasheed Gbadamosi

    Ambode mourns Rasheed Gbadamosi

    • Says State has lost a great son

    The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday expressed great shock over the passage of foremost industrialist and economist, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi.

    Gbadamosi, a Co-chairman of the Lagos @50 Committee, died on Wednesday at the age of 72.

    The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said he was truly saddened by the demise of the former Minister for National Planning, describing him as a true Lagosian, who was passionate and always willing to serve his state and fatherland.

    “As a foundation member of the first Lagos State Executive Council after the creation of the state in 1967, he contributed immensely towards laying a very solid foundation for what is, today, the foremost state in the country and the nation’s unarguably Centre of Excellence. He also distinguished himself as a Federal Minister and PPPRA Chairman.

    “Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi was a sound economist, one of the best in his generation. His passion to serve his fatherland was never in doubt, so it was not surprising to me that he graciously accepted to serve as Co-Chairman of our Lagos @50 Committee and in the last few months, he was directly involved in the meetings and planning to ensure the success of the celebration.

    “He was the youngest commissioner in Lagos State at 27, an industrialist and a very consistent financial expert. He was a proud son of Lagos state who had paid his dues over the decade. A financial guru and a public administrator per excellence, who would never shy away from letting people know that he was a thoroughbred Lagos boy, born in Ikorodu,” the Governor said.

    Governor Ambode while commiserating with the family of the late economist and art enthusiast, urged them to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and continued to render meritorious service to the State until his demise.

    “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Chief Gbadamosi on this great and irreparable loss. He paid his dues and Lagosians will always remember him,” Governor Ambode said.

  • Photos: Ambode, Lai at AFRIMA

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), with his wife, Bolanle (2nd right); Minister for Information, Culture & Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (right) and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left) during the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) 3.0 at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos
    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), with his wife, Bolanle (2nd right); Minister of Information, Culture & Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (right) and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left) during the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) 3.0 at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos

     

    L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with his wife, Bolanle, being welcomed to the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) 3.0 by its President/Executive Producer, Mr. Mike Dada at the Eko Convention Centre.
    L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, with his wife, Bolanle, being welcomed to the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) 3.0 by its President/Executive Producer, Mr Mike Dada at the Eko Convention Centre.

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left); his wife, Bolanle (middle); Minister for Information, Culture & Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (3rd right); Comedian, Atunyota Akporobome known as Ali Baba (2nd right); President/Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada (right); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left) and Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye (King Sunny Ade) during the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) 3.0
    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left); his wife, Bolanle (middle); Minister of Information, Culture & Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (3rd right); Comedian, Atunyota Akporobome known as Ali Baba (2nd right); President/Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada (right); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left) and Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye (King Sunny Ade) during the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) 3.0

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), flanked his wife, Bolanle (right) and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left) during the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) 3.0
    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), flanked his wife, Bolanle (right) and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left) during the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) 3.0