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Tag: Akinwunmi Ambode

  • Agbaje faults appointment of new Lagos HOS

    The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje, has faulted the appointment of Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola as the new Head of Service.

    In a statement by his campaign organisation on Thursday in Lagos, Agbaje said the action sacrificed career progression and was politics taken too far.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode had on Monday sworn in 46-year-old Muri-Okunola as the 21st Head of Service (HOS) in the state.

    Muri-Okunola, who was a Permanent Secretary until his appointment, replaced Mrs Folashade Adesoye, who retired in December 2018.

    Reacting to the development, the PDP candidate described the appointment as ”insensitive, unjust and disruptive” of the civil service hierarchy.

    He alleged that the government had forcefully retired no fewer than 21 senior and more experienced permanent secretaries to pave the way for the new man.

    ”There is a sense of shock and injustice in all these. It is bound to create bad blood and injustice within the system.

    ”These are seasoned personnel capable of fitting perfectly and effectively in that office.

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    ”But in this era of impunity, they have been offloaded prematurely,” he said.

    Agbaje said that Muri-Okunola served as the Personal Assistant to former Gov. Bola Tinubu and that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had imbued him with very abnormal privileges.

    ”Muri-Okunola lacks that broad-based exposure, which makes him a misfit for the post on which he has been imposed.

    ”Whoever becomes HoS is usually a civil servant with widespread exposure, as he must be abreast of all issues related to the bureaucracy and governance.

    ”But all these rules and traditions have been bent for this appointment,” he said.

    Agbaje said the development portends grave danger to the state’s bureaucracy, founded on the foundations of merit-nurtured progression through the rungs of the career ladder.

    ”It is befuddling to imagine how officers who are 15 years older than the new HoS will take orders and directives from him.

    ”From all indications, this might be too farfetched and difficult, and it has a way of impacting negatively on governance, taking into cognizance that the Civil Service is the engine room of not just government but the society,” he said.

  • Ambode assures of greater benefits for Lagosians in 2019

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has assured of more life changing projects in 2019 for the greater benefit of Lagosians.

    Ambode gave the assurance in his New Year message to Lagosians at the grand finale of the 2018 One Lagos Fiesta (OLF) held at the Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island on the eve of the New Year

    He said though 2018 was a great year for the State, the New Year holds greater promises for all.

    “I want to thank God for giving us this New Year and also thank all residents of the State for being peaceful and for cooperating with our government in delivering services in 2018 and we are ready to take Lagos to the next level.”

    On expectations for Lagos, the governor said irrespective of the fact that 2019 is an election year, the State would witness more prosperity as the enabling environment for the economy to thrive had already been firmly established.

    “I want you to know that 2019 has a lot in stock for all of us and we must stand up for a better Nigeria and a greater Lagos.

    “I believe the GDP of Lagos will grow and I believe irrespective of what is happening, Lagos remains the most prosperous State in Nigeria and it can only get better,” he said.

    The Governor attributed the successes his administration has recorded in the last few years to the sterling efforts of security agencies in keeping the city safe, adding that the State has emerged as the safest place to live in Africa.

    He also assured that he would leave no stone unturned to ensure that ongoing capital projects across the State would be completed before the expiration of his tenure in May.

    “The modest successes we have recorded would not have been possible without the efforts of security agencies in the State.

    Read Also: Pensioners praise Ambode

    “I want to appreciate the efforts of security agencies for their dogged contribution in making our State the safest place to live in the country and Africa right now.

    “Let me also assure residents that we are committed to their well-being, security and safety. We also want to assure that we are committed to completing all on-going projects before the end of May,” the governor said.

    The Governor said he was thrilled that the OLF was meeting the set objectives, saying that the positive impact of the fiesta on the economy of the State had been massive and encouraging.

    “The positive economic impact of the fiesta is very visible. You see, at the beginning, we were doing this particular fiesta in just one location but again we have been able to increase it to five locations, eight days, 40 concerts and you can imagine everything surrounding it in terms of employment, job opportunities for food hawkers, artisans and above all, the security that has kept the city very safe.

    “So, we are very excited that this is part of the GDP that we are growing for Lagos and I know that this will be continued by the next government. I am satisfied that we made a promise that we were going to use tourism, entertainment , arts and sports to promote excellence in Lagos and almost four years after, people can see that we have fulfilled it and Lagos is the only destination for people in December, he said.’’

    Besides, Ambode also seized the occasion to urge Lagosians to go all out and vote enmasse for President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 16 presidential election and also for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the March 2 election.

    According to him, victory for both and all other candidates of the party would continue the positive economic trajectory the country and the State in particular has witnessed since 2015.

    “It is the best interest of all of us to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari and we assure the President that we would deliver Lagos for him come 2019.

    “In Lagos, we must continue with the plan that has worked and vote Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the next governor of Lagos State,” he said.

    The 2018 OLF with the theme, ‘A December To Remember’, continued in its fine tradition of holding simultaneously in five locations including Agege, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe just as it attracted thousands of participants and millions of viewers across the world.

    The highlight of the grand finale at the Eko Atlantic City venue was the spectacular display of fireworks and the raffle draw which saw Mr. Ayodeji Omoboye, a resident in Ikorodu emerge winner of a brand new car from GAC Motors, while other residents went home with consolation prizes.

  • Ambode swears in Muri-Okunola as HOS

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday swore in Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola as the 21st Head of Service (HOS) in the state.

    Ambode in his remarks at the ceremony held at the Lagos House, Alausa, described the appointment as a new chapter with a high expectation to inject youthful vibrancy in the state’s civil service.

    He tasked the new HOS to adopt creative thinking and growth mindset in the discharge of his new role.

    Ambode expressed strong optimism in the ability of Muri-Okunola to effectively take charge on account of his capacity, knowledge, exposure, experience and youthful energy.

    He, however, urged him to lead by example and encourage accountability and professionalism in the service.

    “Following the swearing in of the new Head of Service, a new chapter has just been opened in the history of the Lagos State Public Service.

    “It is a new chapter with high expectations for the injection of new energy and vibrancy that will move our Public Service to new heights.

    “As the number one Civil Servant in Lagos State, you must demonstrate leadership and lead by example for others, including the Body of Permanent Secretaries, to follow.

    “You have a responsibility to provide direction and encourage accountability, transparency, professionalism and high sense of discipline.

    ”Your actions must be based on sound and objective judgment with consideration for merit and proven record of competence and loyalty,” Ambode said.

    The governor, who underscored the strategic role of the civil service, said the success of government policies and programmes largely depended on the quality and orientation of the civil service.

    Read Also: Ambode’s aide: Sanwo-Olu will deliver

    “Hence the need for the new leadership to implement necessary measures and initiatives to foster growth and development,” he said.

    Responding, Muri-Okunola thanked Ambode for the confidence and trust reposed in him.

    He assured that the public service would improve on all well-known traditions for speedy, efficient and effective implementation of government policies and initiatives.

    46 years old Muri-Okunola is the youngest Lagos HOS ever.

    He was appointed as the Executive Secretary, Land Use and Allocation Committee, a position he held between 2005 and 2011.

    Until his appointment, he was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

    Meanwhile, Ambode also swore in six new permanent secretaries into the Lagos Body of Permanent Secretaries.

    NAN

  • Y2019 budget will focus on completion of on-going projects, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has said that the states’ year2019 budget would be dedicated to the completion of ongoing infrastructural projects and creation of more jobs.

    Ambode spoke separately at the Christmas Eve Dance of Yoruba Tennis Club and Island Club, two foremost social clubs in the country on Monday evening.

    He said the budget would also be dedicated to supporting businesses to thrive, as well as strengthening the security architecture of the State.

    Ambode said while it was gratifying that a lot of provisions had been made for capital projects in the 2019 federal budget, the State Government would also concentrate on scaling up infrastructure, among other programmes to enhance growth and development.    

    Alluding to the positive economic projections for Nigeria in 2019 by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he said Lagos, on a stand-alone basis in the year under reference, would achieve four percent growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    And that the social intervention initiatives of both the State and Federal Governments would also go a long way to facilitate serious reduction in unemployment rate.     

    “The economic outlook for 2019 is quite positive. A lot of provision has been made for capital projects in the 2019 Federal Budget, some of which will directly impact the economy of our State and will support our growth plans. On our part, we will concentrate on completing existing infrastructural projects, creating more jobs, supporting our businesses to thrive and strengthening our security infrastructure.

    “According to IMF, the Nigeria GDP will grow from 1.9% in 2018 to 2.8% in 2019. Lagos on a stand-alone basis will achieve over 4% growth in GDP and this could be more if the congestion at the port and the negative effect this has on the economy is addressed. 

    “We expect that the high rate of unemployment will reduce with various social intervention programmes of the State and Federal governments geared towards financial inclusion and liquidity support to micro, small and medium enterprises,” the Governor said.

    Recalling the activities of his administration in the last three and half years, Ambode said it was particularly fulfilling that the State had made tremendous progress in all sectors of the economy and had become more globally competitive and strategically positioned among the major City-States worldwide.  

    “Three and a half years down the line, our State has progressed in all sectors of the economy. We have charted a clear path to the destination we have all dreamt about and desired. Today, our Lagos has become more globally competitive and strategically positioned among the major City-States of the world. Our State has become a top destination for business and tourism and it can only get better.

    “One of the key promises I made at my inauguration on May 29th, 2015 was to make our State work for all; to spread development from the already congested City centre to other parts of the State with massive infrastructural development. The thinking has been to make every part of the State economically liveable.

    “We have undertaken projects in all sectors of the economy with the sole intention of making life better for our people. All of these and similar initiatives were made possible by the personal taxes of high net worth residents of our State represented at this gathering which account for a significant percentage of our IGR and I want to use this opportunity to thank you so much for providing the resources, which have empowered us to make a positive difference in the lives of all citizens of our State,” he said.

    Besides, the governor said it was obvious that the State could not afford a break in trajectory of progressive governance at this point in time, and urged the people to continue to support the ruling party in the State.

    He cited the recently launched Lagos Health Insurance Scheme designed to guarantee access to quality healthcare delivery for all Lagosians, saying it was instructive that the Bill for the scheme was signed into law by his predecessor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, while the process for its implementation was kick-started by his administration.

    “This is the beauty in continuity and we have the assurances of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State that the initiative will be sustained.

    “Lagos State cannot afford the risk of a break in the trajectory of progressive governance at this crucial stage of development. The future is bright and assured. We must maintain continuity of progress in the State,” he said.

    Ambode also commended the clubs for their immense contributions to the development of the State, and charged them to continue to play key part in taking Lagos into a brighter and more prosperous future.

    In their respective addresses, Chairman of Island Club, Mr. Olabanji Oladapo and his counterpart in Yoruba Tennis Club, Professor Adetokunbo Fabamwo commended the governor for the various infrastructural projects executed in the clubs, saying it was laudable that the Governor kept his promise.

  • ‘No alternative to Buhari’

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode spoke with reporters on the second term ambition of President Muhammadu Buhari, shortly after the peace meeting held with aggrieved aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Lagos State House, Marina.

    The 2019 Presidential election is fast approaching and with due respect to other candidates, it looks like a two-horse race between the APC candidate and incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari and the PDP Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Can you tell us why you think President Muhammadu Buhari should be given another term as President?

    Just to be very clear, as an average Nigerian, not necessarily as a Governor now, I will pitch my tent with, endorse and vote President Muhammadu Buhari in this forthcoming Presidential elections on the basis that having crosschecked all the presidential candidates, I believe at this auspicious time in this country, the right person that can actually take us to the next level and the next trajectory of the prosperity and progress of Nigeria is President Muhammadu Buhari and I am very clear about what I am saying.

    Apart from the fact that he has been President in the last three and half years, he has also been Head of State in the military era. But again, if you cross check all the other candidates, most especially the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when you put both of them on a weigh balance, there is one that has integrity more than the other, there is one that is more passionate about Nigeria and Nigerians, most especially the poor than the other. So, if the question comes on why we are voting for Buhari, it is on the basis of integrity, on the basis of somebody who is passionate of which those two values are values that I also cherish and practice as the Governor of Lagos State. It is very clear that we are just like like-minds and I will obviously engage Nigerians that those two values are the values that can bring prosperity to Nigeria. You need a lot of character; somebody that has character is likely to create an enabling environment that can make this country to progress. But beyond character and integrity, you can see that in the last three and half years, we have made fundamental preparation to push this economy to its positive trajectory and that’s what President Muhammadu Buhari has been trying to do and Nigerians don’t understand.

    Why do you think the PDP should not bounce back to power?

    If you have cumulative 16 years of disruptive infrastructural tendencies, there is no way one single tenure can allow a corrective measure of the infrastructural deficit, you have to create that environment to allow you to do that. Let me give one simple example. Today, we are having the reconstruction of the Apapa/Oshodi Expressway being taken on by President Muhammadu Buhari. This particular expressway which is more or less the nerve centre to the economy of this country has never been touched in the last 40 years. Of this 40 years, 16 years of PDP was inclusive. Within three and half years, we have been very bold and very adamant that you need to rehabilitate the Apapa axis for you to be able to push the economy of Nigeria forward because anything that happens around the Lagos economy has a positive trajectory to the nation’s economy as a whole. So, it’s very clear, if you see a government that decides that and says that, look, even in these years of abandonment, decades of abandonment, they want to take on this whole issue, knowing well that in another two to three years, it would be delivered, so they need to monitor it, giving it back to those who abandoned it is not a good course to run. When you look at the reconstruction of the Niger Bridge, it’s been on for the last four decades also, these are fundamental infrastructure. So it gives you more or less a very clear mind what this government of Buhari will do if he is taking on fundamental things that would push the economy forward. All we need is to support him and also make a whole lot of economic technocrats available to rally round him and take this country to the next level.

    So, if you move away from infrastructure and you are looking at investment in agriculture, a very clear example is LAKE Rice, it was just to prove a point that we can do local production of our own rice and project our own revenue of which the FG and of which President Buhari has been critically supportive of. So, we just need additional one or two years to allow us to do that and then importation of rice would become a thing of the past.

    When you look at things that has to do with inclusive governance, you know all these TraderMoni and allowing SMEs to have access to interest free loans is what you mean by inclusive governance. PDP never did that for 16 years, so why will you now say the PDP candidate is coming to do inclusive governance? There are therefore clear examples why we must all rally round President Muhammadu Buhari and give him that second term for him to be able to consolidate on all the things that are very dear to us; the things that would grow the GDP of Nigeria, the things that would enable the poor to have access and create more jobs and also allow the economy to move forward and in terms of what we have in fiscal and monetary rates and policy, it is important that those are the things that the President just needs from Nigerians to be able to push this country forward and that’s why anytime any day, the candidature of President Muhammadu Buhari is the best option for Nigeria right now.

    President Buhari in 2015 campaigned on the basis of improving the security situation in Nigeria, especially in the Northeast. How well do you feel he has fared on this front, especially with the recent unpalatable reports of attacks and skirmishes in some parts of the country?

    Security is the number one achievement of this present government of President Buhari. When he came into power in 2015, the security situation in the North East was not what it is now. Look, people might want to be politically funny and trying to create stories from nothing, but the truth is that what we had in 2015 and the relative peace we are experiencing in 2018 in the North East are totally two different things. This 2015 security crisis was handed over by the PDP to the Buhari administration. Against all odd the country had regained lost territories and the enemies have been pushed out. There is relative peace in the North East and the truth is that Lagos, of which I govern, is the most secured city in Africa right now. Is it possible for me to do it alone? Of course it’s through the support and assistance of President Muhammadu Buhari. So, if there is anybody that is ever going to talk about security, the peace that we are enjoying and the protection of lives and property in Lagos is a reflection of the Federal Government’s desire to keep Lagos safe. So I am going to urge all Nigerians to continue to stick with the All Progressives Congress and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, because in terms of security, within the context of what we met and what we have now, Nigeria has been peaceful and in order to sustain that, you need to keep that government in power and that’s the more reason why we should vote for Buhari in this coming election.

    One or two people may disagree when it comes to the issue of fighting corruption and how the Federal Government has gone about it. What’s your take on it?

    You see, everybody is very clear about what is going on. In any environment, when you put up a crusade that you want to fight corruption, it’s very clear that corruption will always fight back. The fundamental reform about the way we do things is the underbelly for this anti-corruption drive. The way we do things in this country, they are not the right ways that can give us prosperity and President Buhari decided on his own that he would champion this crusade irrespective of how corruption will fight back. But again, when you have had 16 years of corruption and we’ve just only had three and half years of reversing it, the way they are fighting back is trying to take government from him so that we can go back to our old ways of putting this country in penury, that is the crux of this election; the real fight in this election is that, do we want to reverse the anti-corruption drive so that we do things the same useless way that we used to do it and then the economy is not growing. The other option is do you want us to continue our crusade to make sure that the way and manner we do things are the appropriate way that we can be accountable to our people and that’s what this APC government is about and that’s what the government is trying to do to say that, you know what, you want to reverse 16 years of rot, you cannot do it and stop in three and half years, you must continue and take it to the next level so that in years to come, there would have been a lot of sanity in the system and it would be more about getting our people to have the right attitude against corruption in the way we do things, the way we relate to ourselves and the way we deliver services and dividends of democracy to our people.

     

  • Scarcity of LAKE Rice hits Lagos markets

    Scarcity of the Lagos-Kebbi States collaboration brand of local rice, popularly known as ‘LAKE Rice’, has hit the Lagos markets, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    NAN correspondents’ visits to some of the major markets and distribution outlets within the state showed that there were no LAKE Rice on display or in stock for sale to consumers.

    Some retail traders at major markets and distributors of the product told NAN that they had yet to restock after exhausting the stocks they had since September and October.

    One of the distributors, Mrs Augustina Nwanze, said she was still expecting new stocks which she had ordered for since October.

    “I paid for new stocks of the product but unfortunately they had yet to be delivered.

    “Once l receive a phone call from Alausa to come and pick the products, l will go and pick them.

    “The delivery is usually on first come first serve, so l am waiting for my turn,” Nwanze said.

    Another distributor, Mrs Bimbo Ogun, said she ran out of stocks since early November.

    “Since then, l have been waiting for new supplies from the state secretariat.

    “The product (LAKE Rice) is not readily available like the foreign rice.

    “The state government is still fine-tuning ways to flood the market with the product.

    “I have been telling my customers to be patience as the product will soon be available, especially since it is festive season, “ she said.

    Ogun explained that she sold the rice along with the other goods, saying that now that the product was not available, other goods had been sustaining her.

    Read Also: Buhari, governors meet in Aso Rock

    A senior member of staff in the state Ministry of Agriculture who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the product was not available now for sale to the public.

    “There has been some logistics challenge which accounted for the delay and scarcity of the rice.

    “However, the ministry is working hard to make sure that the product is available especially during the festive season.

    “For now, we are appealing to the distributors and customers to bear with us.

    ‘’A 50kg bag of LAKE Rice sells for N12, 000; 25 kg at N6,000; and 10kg goes for N3,000,’’ he said.

  • Lagos benefited nothing from 16-years reign of PDP – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said the state benefited nothing from the 16 years rule of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from 1999 to 2015.

    Ambide spoke at the National Consultative Forum of the National Committee of Buhari Support Groups, a coordinating body of all the groups campaigning for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in 2019, held at Nicon Luxury in Abuja.

    The governor added that the country would not go back to Egypt by bringing PDP back to power having crossed the Red Sea.

    Within three and half years of reign of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party, Ambode said has been able to lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s economic growth and prosperity.

    Assuring that the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket remains the best option to take the country to the next level from 2019.

    “Sixteen years of PDP, I can say it clearly that Lagos State never enjoyed anything from them. Three and half years of APC, I can clearly attest here that whatever it is that we have achieved in Lagos in the last three and half years, the present Federal Government has largely contributed to the things that we have achieved be it in terms of right of way, be it in terms of approval for waivers for import duties and other things that have actually made Lagos to be on the progressive trajectory that it had been in the last twenty years.

    “So, for me it is very easy and it is just common sense that we have to uphold the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket to allow that economic progress and the growth in the GDP that we want for Nigeria rather than allowing it to get dismantled and then make us to go back to Egypt after crossing the Red Sea and we are not going back to Egypt,” Governor Ambode said.

    He said since assuming office in 2015, the Buhari administration had worked tirelessly to bring about fundamental paradigm shift and retracing the steps of the country for sustained progressive chart, adding that the onus is now on the entire country to give the APC a chance to consolidate on the massive development already embarked upon.

    “I just want Nigerians to understand and also to encourage all our members here that what we have started as a support group coordinating everything that is happening is not necessarily for you but it is a selfless service to put Nigeria on that trajectory that grows prosperity and also conveniently in another four years, we would make all Nigerians proud and I am very proud to be part of this.

    Read Also: Ambode vows to contain ‘bad guys’ at Xmas

    “We have made up our mind that we are going to work tirelessly; we would do everything that is possible in terms of supporting and campaigning to let Nigerians understand that there are two parallel lines between what we stand to offer which is growth and prosperity for this country and what PDP is trying to come and re-engineer to take us back to the debris of the past that we don’t want to ever go back to.

    “So, I just want to congratulate Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari and also the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and assure them that when they look at their back, they have true Nigerians who believe that yes, we want to build a skyscraper but we need solid foundation to be able to enjoy that skyscraper and then the next level we are thinking on is to be able to put the proper aesthetics and lay the proper foundation to allow Nigeria to make progress and that is what the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket speaks about,” the Governor said.

    Besides, Governor Ambode said it was also gratifying that all APC Governors were united in ensuring the victory of APC in the presidential election next year. 

    “All APC Governors, I can speak on their behalf, are resolved that the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket is what Nigeria needs and that is what we are going to pursue and I am happy that a handful of our gubernatorial candidates are here to align with us to make sure that what we would deliver is what Nigerians want and what Nigerians want is the APC President,” Governor Ambode said.

  • Ajimobi, Ambode to women: Remain focused against all odds

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state and his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday called on women in the country not to give in to challenges in the pursuit of their dreams.

    The governors spoke at the closing ceremony of a three day National Women Summit organised by the Oyo State Officials Wives Association (OYSOWA) at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

    The summit themed “Against All Odds”, the seventh in its edition was an initiative of the wife of the Oyo state governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi.

    Ajimobi in his remarks called on women to be supportive partners of their husbands, while ensuring that they instilling moral virtues in their respective homes and society.

    He commended his wife for her support in the transformation of the state into a modern one, describing her as a pillar behind his achievements.

    In what could be described as a pre-valedictory speech, the governor commended members of the state executive council for the supportive role in the administration’s achievements.

    Ambode in his goodwill message, described the theme ‘Against All Odds’ as very apt and timely, saying there could never be success without odds or challenges.

    He said “There are always odds against us, our wishes, our aspirations and our objectives, but we must against all odds push toward. The world we live in today does not take excuses.

    “The world is changing everyday and women are now more at the forefront of things. They are now agents of change and no more referred to as weaker sex.

    Read Also: Ajimobi’s aide, others for award in Ondo



    “Against all odds, we must always push forward with the determination to succeed,” he said.

    He reminded the participants that the success of the summit depended on their abilities to translate the values gained positively starting from their respective homes to the family and the larger society.

    “From a family, women can initiate a spark change which can cascade every effort to any level and every sector of the nation. With focus, perseverance and determination, you can transform yourselves, family and the country against all odds.

    “I commend our sister for initiating and sustaining this summit for seven years. Apart from Lagos State which had sustained the programme in the last 18years, only Oyo out of others has emulated this.”

    A communique issued by the participants at the end of the summit described women as “the largest reserve of untapped talents in the world.”

    The communique read by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mrs Ololade Agboola, charged women to mother the world by instilling moral values in the children and society.

    It charged the state and local governments to set aside funds aimed at catering for women, who are victims of domestic violence in the society.

    “Government should be more proactive against domestic violence and ensure enforcement of existing laws on same matter.

    “Women should work beyond rhetorics and be encouraged to involve actively in partisan politics,” the communique reads in parts.

  • FRSC establishes fire fighting unit in Kaduna

    The Kaduna Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has established a Fire Fighting Unit to save lives in accidents that involve fire outbreaks.

    The Sector Commander, Umar Ibrahim, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Kaduna during the flag-off ceremony of the 2018 Ember Months Campaign tagged: “Safety Driving, Safe Arrival”.

    According to Ibrahim, the move which is the first and only one in the country, became necessary to avert loss of lives caused by fire outbreaks during accidents.

    He said that Kaduna State Government has donated two fire fighting trucks.

    “Officers of the unit have been trained and will be positioned along the Kaduna-Abuja and Kaduna-Zaria Expressways, for quick response.

    “I thank the Kaduna State Government for supporting the corps with the trucks and implementing several road safety policies and programmes in the state.’’

    He assured the government that the FRSC will make the best use of the equipment, to further enhance safety on the highways.

    The commander said that the Ember Months Campaign is organised as a public enlightenment campaign of the corps toward ensuring safer roads during festive seasons.

    “To sustain the campaign, road shows and rallies will be carried out from now till the end of January at major motor parks and worship places, to create the necessary awareness on safe driving.

    Read Also: Ambode assures of peaceful, good yuletide

    “Therefore, every stakeholder has a civic responsibility of ensuring that the message we set out to preach through the campaign is not received as formalities but adequately adhered to guarantee safety of road users,” he said.

    Ibrahim called on transport union leaders, public servants, and media organisations to assist the corps in reaching out to as many road users as possible, to ensure accident free festive season.

    Inaugurating the trucks, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, commended the command for the efforts toward addressing the menace of reckless driving on highways, particularly during the ember months.

    El-Rufai, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Works, Housing and Transport, Malam Murtala Dabo, said that his administration will continue to support the FRSC in achieving its goals.

    Also speaking, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi, also thanked the Kaduna State Government for its continued support and partnership toward ensuring accident-free roads in the state.

    Oyeyemi, who was represented by the Assistant Corp Marshal, Abayomi Omiyale, who is the Zonal Commander in charge of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, urged other states to emulate Kaduna state.

    He advised motorists and roads users to abide by all traffic rules and regulations, to prevent avoidable deaths and accidents.

    According to him, the decision we take now in our driving attitude will determine how we arrive in 2019; alive or dead, on sick bed or healthy and sound.

    On his part, Malam Lawal Kajuru, State Secretary, Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, assured the FRSC and other relevant stakeholders of the union’s commitment toward respecting traffic regulations.

  • Ambode assures of peaceful, good yuletide

    To put in place special task force on security for yuletide

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has assured of a peaceful, good and pleasurable Yuletide season for Lagosians devoid of security challenges, especially with security infrastructure in place in the State.

    The governor gave the assurance in his speech delivered at the 12th Annual Town Hall meeting on security organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island on Wednesday.

    He promised to set up a special task force for the Yuletide season to check activities of undesireable elements during the festive season. Adding that, “we must think of how to outsmart the bad guys during the Yuletide season”,  because they may already be strategizing for criminal activities for the season.

    He said from now till the next six months which covers both the yuletide, campaign and election period “we must make sure Lagos is safe and once Lagos is safe we can increase our GDP”.

    The governor commended members of the Board of Trustees of LSSTF, all  security agencies, especially the police, including the military and paramilitary for making Lagos a peaceful and the safest city in Africa, and also all those both corporate and individuals that have been donating funds to LSSTF.

    He also commended the roles played by the Neighbourhood Safety Corps in security matter, saying they have penetrated every book and cranny of the state even though they don’t carry weapons.

    “The Neighbourhood Watch is our alternative to state police since they did not give us state police, and they have been performing wonderfully well even with out carrying arms.

    Read Also: How to attain economic goals, by Ambode

    “I have tried so many new things, some like the Neighbourhood Watch I got it right and some I got my fingers burnt; Neighbourhood Watch is filling the missing gap in our security structure, they don’t carry guns but have done so much”.

    Ambode charged everybody to be security conscious especially this season, “security is a collective responsibility, we must all join, we must all become police officers, we must report strange things happening in our environment.”

    He said for a sustainable framework for security, everybody must be involved and must be community based; “we must stretch ourselves to be able to manage our success in security so far,” the governor said.

    While soliciting for more funds from corporate bodies and individuals for LSSTF to be able to provide more equipment and logistics to security agencies to sustain the security infrastructure in the State, Ambode called for reform of the funding model for the agency and also urged citizens to pay their taxes.

    In his welcome address earlier, Chairman, Board of Trustees of LSSTF,  Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale commended Ambode who he said has demonstrated total commitment to the protection of lives and property in the State.

    “Therefore, I say with all sense of responsibility that his Excellency’s passion for the safety and security of Lagosians remains second to none, we are sincerely grateful for your steadfastness in this regard”, he said.

    Also in his report, the Executive Secetary/CEO of the Trust Fund, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun said the fund has achieved the following in the state: significant reduction in violent crimes and other criminally related activities in recent years; no bank robberies; huge reduction in Kidnapping; no more attacks through waterways.

    Others are: heightened security awareness; the only well established emergency call centre in Nigeria with 112 and 767 till free lines; increase use of the emergency response lines; enhanced crime-prevention and response capability and crack down on insurgency/terrorism.