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Tag: Akinwunmi Ambode

  • 2019 National Sports Festival: Ambode receives torch of unity

    says Lagos will send powerful delegation

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday at the Lagos House, Alaska, Ikeja received the Torch of Unity to herald the forthcoming 19th National Sports Festival coming up in Abuja next month.

    Speaking at the ceremony, the governor said sports remains a veritable tool to engender the unity and cohesion the nation actually needs, adding that he was glad that the Festival after the last edition hosted by Lagos in 2012 was staging a grand comeback.

    He assured that the state would send a strong contingent of athletes and coaches to the Festival, assuring that representatives of the State would be given all the adequate welfare to excel at the games.

    “It is my pleasure to receive the festival torch of unity and this signals the commencement of the 19th National Sports Festival that would take place in Abuja. The last National Sports festival was held here in Lagos six years ago and being the last host, this is the last point of call before the torch goes back to Abuja.

    “We have a very strong contingent that we are sending to the festival because we believe strongly that sports is a veritable tool that we can use to command the unity and the cohesion that this nation actually needs at this time.

    “I believe strongly that we are not just supporting alone, we believe that all the laurels and winning positions would be taken by Lagos State. On behalf of all our sports men and women, I want to encourage them and assure that we would make their entire stay in Abuja comfortable,” the Governor said.

    Ambode also seized the occasion to encourage politicians to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship in the coming general elections, saying that beyond winning at the polls, the real essence of the exercise is to create a stronger bond and cohesion among Nigerians.

    He said like sports where winners and losers would emerge after every competition, those vying for several positions in next year’s election should embrace such mindset.   

    According to him, “Just like any other competition, we are in a period of campaign and election that is coming, it is competitive, but this is unlike national sports were everybody comes with the spirit of unity and we believe strongly that our politicians should emulate our sports men and women, were we should be able to come with the spirit of sportsmanship, there would be winners and losers but in participating, we are creating that bond and cohesion amongst ourselves.”

    Read Also: Lagos committed to industrial growth — Ambode

    Also speaking Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Kweku Tandor said Lagos State would be represented at the Festival by 442 male and female athletes, 81 coaches and 50 other officials including welfare and medicals.

    He said the contingent from Lagos would be made up of athletes that have been training and taking part in State organised competitions over the years, adding that it would be profitable on the long run rather than looking for foreign based professionals.

    “One of the things that we have refused to do in Lagos is to go all over the world and start looking for athletes to represent us because for us we see the festival not just as a competition, but we see it as a developmental tool and it’s for us, a measure of the work that we have been doing over the years in developing our athletes,” he said.  

    Earlier, South West Zonal Coordinator, National Sports Festival, Mr. Olufemi Ajao who presented the Torch of Unity to the Governor, thanked him for according them hospitality, saying that he was hopeful that the State would host the festival again soon.  

    “The torch has been going round the country, it has been to the 36 States and Abuja. Lagos being the host of the last Sports Festival, the torch has to leave Lagos for Abuja straight away.

    “You can remember that after Lagos State hosted, it has been about six years now that we have been postponing it. But with this torch now, it shows that the festival has come to stay, there is no more postponement. I will plead with the Governor if Lagos can host the festival again so that we can come and enjoy the hospitality and the rich culture of Lagos State,” he said.

  • LASG provides palliatives to address perennial logjam

    Worried by the traffic gridlock that has almost grounded activities in Lagos in the past few weeks, the state government after a strategic meeting  on Thursday has taken steps to provide palliatives to address the perennial traffic logjam.

    Arising from a strategic meeting involving Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA), Chris Olakpe, General Manager, LASTMA, Olawale Musa, Commissioner for Transportation, Ladi Lawanson, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Taiwo Salaam and others,  the government said Lagosians have been subjected to difficulties in the past few weeks because of the traffic situation.

    Answering questions from State House Correspondents after the meeting, Olakpe said the government is going to expedite action on trailer parks to cushion the effect of trailers parking on the roads and blocking traffic.

    The government, he said, will continue with the palliatives measures on the pot holes on the roads and has consequently adopted a-2way approach as repairs would now be carried out on the bad roads both in the day time and at night.

    Read Also: LASG shifts attention to rural women

    He also disclosed that the government has just recruited 1000 additional LASTMA personnel to carry out traffic management/control duties with other officers who have been on ground to ensure free movement of traffic.

    Olakpe warned vandals to desist from vandalizing the wire barriers on the highways saying it was frustrating the effort of government, urging Lagosians to cooperate with the government in its effort to ensure orderliness on the highway especially as the yuletide is here.

     

    He warned that anybody caught vandalising the wire barriers would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    The government further warned those who are in the habit of attacking LASTMA officials in the course of their duty to cease or face the full wrath of the law, urging Lagosians to cooperate with LASTMA to ensure free flow of traffic.

    Briefing correspondents earlier on the meeting, Lawanson said the palliative measures were to address the perennial traffic situation which the state has been experiencing in the past few weeks.

    And the steps being taken to address the situation as agreed on at the meeting was due to feedback from traffic personnel on the field, “we have therefore come up with solutions to make Lagos traffic better in the Yuletide”, the transportation commissioner said.

  • Lagos committed to industrial growth — Ambode

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has pledged to continue formulating and implementing policies and programmes that would consolidate the state’s position as the industrial and commercial hub of Nigeria.

    Ambode said this on Tuesday in Lagos during the 2018 Africa Industrialisation Day, themed: “Promoting regional value chains in Africa: A pathway for accelerating Africa’s structural transformation, industrialisation and Pharmaceutical Production.”

    He was represented by Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, the State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives.

    Africa Industrialisation Day was proclaimed by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in 1989.

    Ambode said that the various projects in the areas of security, environment, infrastructural renewal and upgrade were designed to create an enabling environment that would promote industrialisation and sustain the state’s status as prime investment destination in Africa.

    He noted that government’s task was to demonstrate serious commitment to private sector participation through implementation of policies, programmes and best practices that encourage the productive sectors of the economy, including the pharmaceutical industry.

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly tasks Ambode on menace of drug abuse 

    The governor acknowledged that the private sector were key stakeholders and prime mover of the economy, and would continue to maintain its open door policy aimed at harnessing productive potentials using private sector as vehicle of economic growth.

    According to him, doing that will enable his administration fulfill its objective of creating employment, eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable economic development.

    He noted that government was not oblivious of challenges confronting entrepreneurs, saying that it would continue to engage members of the private sector to develop appropriate and sustainable solutions.

    Dr Salaudeen Jubril, Faculty Member, Lagos Business School (LBS), said promoting regional value chains would accelerate regional, international trade and investment flows, increase competitiveness and facilitate industrialisation of many economies.

    He said that Africa required more development financing, harnessing the potential of its youth population, infrastructural development and stable political environment to deepen industrialisation.

    Dr John Isemede, a trade expert, said that weak industrialisation was responsible for the continued decline in the value of the naira.

    Mr Muda Yusuf, Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said resolving impediments to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises would facilitate and deepen value chain development and Africa’s economic integration.

    He urged government to address issues of taxation, power deficit, bad road networks, inefficiencies at the ports and low interest fund for businesses to thrive.

    NAN

  • Lagos Assembly tasks Ambode on menace of drug abuse

    calls for aggressive campaign

    Lagos State House of Assembly at plenary on Monday passed a resolution calling on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and relevant stakeholders to embark on aggressive campaigns against the menace of drug abuse.

    The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Hon. Desmond Elliot who represents Surulere constituency 1.

    In the motion titled ‘Need to Curb the Menace of Drug Abuse Among Youths in Lagos State’ Elliot said the adverse effectsl of hard drugs on youths and the society is huge and that there is need to check the trend.

    According to him, youths have formed the habit of using drugs  to get high, perform better in certain situation and to change their perception of reality or for other purposes.

    The drugs, he said includes cocaine, heroin, cannabis, India hemp and seemingly harmless drugs over the counter like cough syrups with codeine, rubber, gum, septic tank fumes, urine concentrates, Colorado, skushi, loud and kerosene gas.

    The motion reads in part, “The House is aware that youths now abuse a combination of these substances with two popular drugs; tramadol and codeine which are commonly used for the treatment of cough and severe pains.

    “The House is concerned that those mostly involved in this practice are unqualified pharmacists, nurses and road side hawkers selling to these young people who consequently commit sexual crimes and other violent acts.

    “This House is worried that this abuse has damning and adverse health effects, which include mental disorder, liver cirrhosis and many socioeconomic consequences like school dropout cultism, armed robbery and other related crimes in the state.

    “The House called on the Chairman, Task Force on Environment and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit to carry out strick enforcement against sale of drugs by road side hawkers,” he said.

    Read Also: Ambode urges association to support govt’s programme

    “The House called on the Pharmaceutical Board to direct its members to restrained from selling drugs particularly those that required prescription over the counter without prescription from qualified physicians.”

    The lawmakers also called on other relevant authorities to wake up to their responsibilities and address issues relating to the sales, distribution circulation of the said drugs and other ones.

    Attributing lack of good parenting as responsible for aggravation and proliferation  of hard drugs among youths, Hon. Bisi Yusuf, (Alimosho 1 constituency) said many had been sent to their early graves because of drugs.

    Hon.Segun Olulade (Epe constituency  2) who seconded the motion, commended the prime mover and urged the House to call on Ambode to expedite action in signing the Mental Health bill into law and ensure the implementation to curb the effect of hard drugs.

    Hon.Adefunmilayo Tejuoso (Mushin constituency I), said the issue should not be taken with levity, saying that the government needed to look into the activities of chemists (licence and unlicensed).

    The Majority Leader,  Hon. Sanai Agunbiade described  drug abuse among youths as “a big threat to the nation”, calling for apprehension of drug addicts and engaging them in Community Service.

    While Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa,  called on artistes to collaborate with the government in the campaign against drugs, urging legislators to embark on advocacy in their respectively constituencies.

    While supporting aggressive campaign and sensitization on the ills of taking hard drugs, Obasa however warned against indiscriminate closure of shops.

  • Lagos Assembly decries congestion at Sekumade, Ikorodu Road

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has decried the congestion at Sekumade Road in Ikorodu area of Lagos caused by heavy duty trucks.
    The House has therefore called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to call on the Commissioner for Transport, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), management of Ipakodo Lighter Terminal to put a stop to indiscriminate parking of long vehicles on the road.
    The Assembly also called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to provide a place where long vehicles would park before they load goods from the terminal.
    Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni to get across to the Governor on the resolution of the House on the matter.
    The matter was raised by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu Constituency 1) under Matter of Urgent Public Importance at plenary on Thursday.
    Agunbiade condemned the indiscriminate parking of heavy duty trucks in Sekumade Road, Ikorodu, which he said was one of the two roads that leads to Ikorodu.
    “The road is an important access road to Imota, Ijede and others. The roads around the lighter terminal in Ipakodo has become an eyesore.
    “The long vehicles always block the road and they would be there for days. They don’t even have security light that would prevent accident. That was how it started in Apapa Area of Lagos before it became an eyesore,” he said.
    The Majority Leader stated that it was important that the Commissioner for Transport should review the law on movement of vehicles, while also calling on leaders of LASTMA to rise to the occasion on the matter.

    Read Also: Lagos okays hijab on school uniforms

    He added that Public Works should be called upon to repair the roads, which he said has been destroyed by the long vehicles.
    In his contribution, Hon. Rotimi Olowo said that the Ipakodo Sekumade Road is very important, adding that it would not be fair to allow vehicles to block the road.
    He stated that companies like Dangote should also be cautioned with the way their vehicles are parked in the area and that the matter should be nipped in the bud now.
    Also speaking, Hon. Olusegun Olulade (Epe Constituency 1) said that the area is strategic to Epe, saying that other roads are always blocked, and that Sekumade road that can not contain two vehicles is now totally blocked.
    In his view, Hon. Nurudeen Saka Solaja (Ikorodu Constituency 2) stated that the road is waterlogged, and that trailers and containers that are parked there are causing a lot of problems for the people.
    Hon. Ibrahim Layode however stated that the people of the area and the state should not be complaining as they always pray for improvement in commercial activities.
    “So we should not be complaining. The problem starts from the government, we wanted light terminals without providing where the trucks would park. We are not doing what would give us money. The law enforcement agencies cannot help matters. The local governments ought to provide parking spaces for the vehicles,” he said.
    Hon. Abiodun Tobun from Epe Constituency 1, in his contribution, suggested that people should not be allowed to do whatever they like in the state.
    “What is happening in Sekunmade is not right. There are traffic control officers in Ikorodu West Local Government that can do the job. We should fine anyone that parks vehicles there indiscriminately. Whoever refuses to do so should have his vehicle impounded,” he said.

  • Ambode hails union leaders for industrial harmony

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday hailed labour leaders for the industrial harmony in the state.

    Speaking at a training for unionists, Ambode said the programme would ensure a team spirit to address labour-related matters.

    The capacity building workshop was organised by the Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pensions, in conjunction with Tayinka Enterprises Nigeria Ltd, in Ikeja.

    The governor, represented by Establishment, Training and Pensions Commissioner Dr. Akintola Benson-Oke, hailed the unions for not embarking on strike since the inception of his administration.

    Describing the theme of the workshop: “Leadership Development and Organisational Effectiveness for Labour Leaders in Lagos State” as apt, Ambode said in terms of conceptualising the relationship between employers of labour such as the Lagos State Government and trade unions, certain misconceptions persisted.

    Said he: “Lagos State Government and organised labour have utilised the process of leadership development and organisational effectiveness for labour leader in the state, to promote mutual understanding, deepen trust and concretise a symbiotic relationship among stakeholders.”

    The governor noted that leadership is important to the development and progress of any society or organisation, hence the continuous training and retraining of labour leaders.

    “I am sure that within a short while and for a very long time to come, the good people of Lagos State will reap the dividends of the superlative services derivable from a public service that has been properly trained in the art of modern governing and administration,” he said.

    Ambode said leadership training, when properly executed and repeatedly carried out, would ensure that unions were effectively organised and administered, which would translate into smart decisions devoid of sentiments.

    The representative of Tayinka Enterprises Ltd, Mrs. Sidikatu Abiola, said everybody should search for knowledge everyday “to make us better leaders who can respond to the latest developments and challenges.”

    She urged the participants to utilise the opportunity of the workshop to learn things and utilise them.

    The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Rhoda Ayinde, advised union leaders to use the training to educate workers in their ministries, agencies and parastatals.

     

  • NYSC: Only two corps members involved in accident

    – 2,573 swear oath

    The Lagos State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Prince Mohammed Momoh, has said only two corps members were involved in the ghastly motor accident that happened on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in which nine people were killed.

    In an interview at the Swearing In of 2,573 2018 Batch C Stream 1 corps members at the NYSC Camp in Iyana Ipaja, Momoh said the two corps members arrived camp safely but with injuries and had been sent to the Orile-Agege General Hospital for comprehensive check up.

    He described as fake the news that 13 corps members had died in the accident on their way to camp.

    “We had only two prospective corps members coming to Lagos that were involved and we thank God they didn’t die; they were injured.

    Initially when we called the Road Safety both Lagos and Ogun State, we were told no prospective corps members were involved. We were particularly more concerned with the deceased at first but we were told none.

    “Later in the day two corps members came to camp – one with an injured hand. We gave him speedy registration. Immediately I took him to the clinic for first assessment because we have a consultant from LUTH with us. We redressed his wound and we immediately evacuated him to Orile-Agege General Hospital for a very comprehensive health check. And he was cleared.

    Read Also: NYSC: Educationist seeks end to age barrier

    “The second one had a head injury. Except for some throbbing headache, nothing was wrong with him. But we didn’t want to take chances. He presented himself on Wednesday. We sent him to Orile-Agege for CT-SCAN this morning.

    ” The health and safety of corps members is on top of my Director-General’s priority. Because we know what it is to train a child to a graduate and that is why we will continue to do our best during the cause of the national service,” he said.

    Addressing the corps members, Momoh urged them to settle down to the regimented camp life and be willing to learn.

    “Discipline and good time management should be your watchword throughout the period of the orientation course. The three-week orientation programme is characterised by para-military drills, leadership training, etc. These training have been designed to impact on you virtues of leadership, social skills, and emotional intelligence needed for a successful service year,” he said.

    In his speech, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-house mental Relations, Oluseyi Oladejo, counseled the corps members to pay attention to the skills acquisition programme of the scheme as well as work had to make impact as many before them had done.

    The chief Judge of Lagos, represented by Justice B.A. Oke Lawal led the corps members to take the NYSC oath.

  • Ambode approves re-constitution of board of sport federation

    The Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the appointments into the Boards of 40 State Sports Associations.
    This was announced by the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Adedayo Tandoh who stated that the appointments take immediate effect and will be for a 4-year tenure, in line with the stipulations contained in the Enabling Law of the Lagos State Sports Commission.
    It will be recalled that some months ago, the former Boards were dissolved as they had long exceeded their tenures. According to Dr. Tandoh, the new appointees were painstakingly selected to ensure that men and women with passion, knowledge and commitment for sports are brought on board.
    “We are certain that with the new Boards in place, the pace of sports development in the state, particularly grassroots sports development will be very much accelerated”, Tandoh said.
    Some of the 40 Sports Associations are Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling, and Swimming. Others include Scrabble, Para-Athletics, Deaf Sports, Basketball, Judo etc
    The Boards are expected to swing into action immediately especially in view of the forthcoming 19th National Sports Festival holding in Abuja in December 2018.

  • Ambode promises to campaign for Buhari, Sanwo-Olu

     As he receives, accompanies Buhari to Seme

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has assured that he would lead a strong campaign to ensure victory for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate in the State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the 2019 general elections.

    Ambode spoke to journalists at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport shortly after receiving and accompaning Buhari to perform the official commissioning of the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Border Posts at Seme-Krake joint border post in Badagry.

    The governor said it was important for the APC to retain its leadership positions both at the federal and the State levels.

    “I have just accompanied Mr. President to the Nigerian-Benin border post. So what we have commissioned today is a joint Border Patrol post between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin and it is called Seme-Krake border post.

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly denies plan to impeach Ambode

    “But again, just to also use this opportunity to let Lagosians know that we are heavily committed to the re-election of Mr. President and you can see that his continuous visit to Lagos reiterates the fact that he is actually a lover of Lagos State and I am committed to ensuring his re-election.

    “We are going to campaign heavily for him. I am also committed to ensuring that the APC wins the governorship election come 2019.  We support the candidacy of Babajide Sanwo-Olu and we would make sure that APC retains Lagos State and the centre,” Ambode said.

    Earlier, the Governor had received President Buhari at the airport before the duo proceeded to Seme where the President joined his Republic of Benin counterpart, Patrice Talon to inaugurate the Border Post.

    With the inauguration, the Seme-Krake joint border, one of the busiest boundary lines not only in West Africa but the whole continent, daily recording huge movement of persons, goods and services, is expected to enhance the free movement of persons and goods in the region and foster integration between the people of Nigeria and Benin.

  • Lagos Assembly denies planning to impeach Ambode

    Lagos State House of Assembly has denied the rumour going round, both in the social media and regular media, that it was planning to impeach the Governor of the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Speaking at plenary on Monday, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said that there was no truth in the rumour.

    Obasa revealed that he had received telephone calls and enquiries from prominent members of the public over the alleged impeachment moves against Ambode.

    According to him, Solidarity Group of Nigeria and a faction of the APC in Lagos State, led by Mr. Fuad Oki had been insinuating that the lawmakers in the state threatened the Governor to open the state treasury for them, and that they threatened to impeach him if he failed to do so.

    “We are not embarking on any impeachment process against the governor now. If there would be an impeachment, it would be from the governor and if there would not be any need for impeachment, it would be from him based on his actions.

    “Even at that, impeachment is constitutional, so many speakers, senate presidents, presidents and others have been impeached all over the world. So, nobody can threaten us if it happens because we are representatives of the people.

    “We don’t need the wailers to guide us in performing our duties. It is not out of place for us to do our job,” he said.

    The Speaker added that if there was going to be an impeachment, It would be done in the open, but that there was nothing like that for now, adding that the people would know if any impeachment against the governor would happen.

    He however, promised that the Assembly was working with the governor to ensure peace and development in the state.

    This was corroborated by the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, who stated that the constitutional procedure for impeachment does not harbour secrecy, adding that members of the public would know if it would happen.

    It will be recalled that the Assembly last week ordered the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to direct the operators of Private Sector Participation (PSP) involved in refuse clearing in the state to go back to work.

    The House had also disowned Visionscape that was contracted by Ambode to take over refuse clearing job in the state from the PSP Operators over one year ago.

    It was added that the state government would have to return all the money they have paid to Visionscape and that the heaps of refuse all over the state was an indication that the organisation lacked the capacity to do the job.