The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akinwunmi Ambode

  • Lagos targets 150, 000 participants for 2019 Marathon

    No fewer than 150,000 athletes both locally and internationally are expected to participate in the 4th edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode said on Monday.

    Addressing a press conference at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja to officially announce commencement of preparations for the marathon which is billed to hold on February 2, 2019, Governor Ambode said the target of the State Government, was to use the forthcoming edition to take the tournament from the bronze label of International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) to silver, in partnership with the sponsors.

    According to him, “The whole idea is to turn the competition from bronze to silver level. In the last three editions, we had between 100,000 and 120,000 participants. This time around, we want to make sure that come February 2019, we would have not less than 150,000 participants.

    “The reason why we want to take it to that level is to create a new record and create a new platform to allow the 2019 edition to herald what is going to happen in the next six years. We believe strongly that in another six years when we are marking the 10th anniversary, we should actually become a top class marathon, and that is our vision for this competition.  

    “We believe that it is achievable. This is not necessarily about me; it is not even about the sponsors but about making Lagos to be on that top brand across the world and that is how cities are elevated to become global brand,” Governor Ambode said.

    He said arrangement had equally been firmed up to encourage more local participation, as well as more physically-challenged athletes, a development he said necessitated the increase in prize monies for the two categories. 

    “We think obviously that we should pay more attention to our physically-challenged athletes this time around and also to embrace more of local participation. This time around, we would push more money to the local races and we would push more money to also our physically-challenged athletes to encourage more people to come in, while the main prize remain the same,” he said.

    Speaking further at the media briefing which was attended by Nigeria’s sports icons including Mary Onyali, Samson Siasia, Waheed Akanni, Seye Ogunlewe, among others, the Governor said the idea of the marathon was part of his administration’s initiatives to use sports, entertainment and hospitality to grow the economy and positively engage the bourgeoning youth population in the State.

    “Looking at some of Nigeria’s sport legends here, it just summarizes everything that we have tried to do in the last three and half years. The idea is that it is possible to create a new set of jobs and services using sports, using hospitality, using entertainment to create a new level of creativity and innovation and then drive the Nigerian economy into different direction that creates positive energy, and when you come to this kind of gathering and you are able to now see the private sector, sports people, it means that there is still hope in this country,” Governor Ambode said.

    Besides, the Governor commended all the sponsors, media and all those who have contributed to the success of the marathon in the last three years, saying the development was a dream come true.  

    Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Tandor said the Lagos City Marathon, was the third of its kind after Brighton and Bournemouth Marathon in the United Kindgom to earn the prestigious IAAF Bronze Label only after its second edition, which held on February 10, 2018.

    He said the Governor had already given approval for the setting up of a Lagos Marathon Village at the Teslim Balogun Stadium that would not only sustain the culture of the marathon but also serve as a rallying point in the quest by the present administration to stage mini-marathons in the five divisions of the State.

    “It is going to serve as the headquarters for marathon races in Lagos. What we have in mind is to have sectoral marathons, Lagos Women Run is coming up next month, we have SWAN Marathon coming up in December and we also envisage that we are going to be having Epe Marathon, Ikorodu Marathon and so on.

    “So we need a coordinating office under the direction of the Lagos State Sports Commission and that is the vision that led to the construction of that facility within Teslim Balogun to serve as the Lagos Marathon Village. Construction work will commence anytime from now,” Tandoh said.

    He said the Governor had also approved the constitution of a Marathon Council that would be responsible for the supervision of the 2019 Marathon and going forward.

    On his part, Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe said the commitment of the State Government under the leadership of Governor Ambode has ensured that the Lagos Marathon had become an annual event on the international athletics map.

    He assured that Access Bank, the major sponsors of the Lagos Marathon would continue to give its full support to the event, adding that the 2019 edition will take the event a notch higher so as to receive an IAAF Silver Label for the marathon.

    In his brief remarks, President of the Athletics federation of Nigeria (AFN), Engr. Ibrahim Gusau commended Governor Ambode for setting the pace for others to follow for others to follow in sports development, saying that the 2018 edition of the Lagos Marathon was highly rated amongst top competitions on the international calendar.

     

  • Ambode decries delay in justice delivery

    Calls on judiciary for innovative models to prevent delays

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday decried the delay in justice delivery calling on the judiciary to come up with innovative models to overcome the menace.

    Ambode said such innovative models should vigorously tackle delay in justice delivery, adding that it was time for all stakeholders to engender speedy and efficient administration of justice system in the country.

    The governor spoke at a Special Service held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, to mark the official commencement of 2018/2019 Legal Year of Lagos State Judiciary. 

    According to him, delay in justice delivery is still a major concern, and that it was time for all hands to be on deck to enhance confidence in the legal system.

    He said Lagos, being the economic hub of Africa, must be at the vanguard of judicial reforms, adding that the State’s justice sector must be sound, fair and effective.  

    “As our State remains the cynosure of excellence and the economic hub of Africa, our judiciary must continue to be at the forefront of judicial reforms to meet the expectations of the modern day justice sector. My lords, we bear the responsibility of 24million people who look up to you and I to protect them with the law. Our justice system must remain sound, fair and effective.

    “The fact is this; the expectation of the citizens is huge and it requires all stakeholders to work continuously to enhance confidence in the legal system, promote the rule of law, and guarantee the protection of lives and property,” Ambode said.

    He said since the commencement of his administration, conscious efforts and initiatives have been put in place to enhance justice delivery, as well as respect the constitutionally roles of the three arms of government.

    “Our administration recognizes the separate but interwoven roles of the three arms of government and part of our own commitment to a lawful and orderly society is to respect the limits of those constitutional roles which we have always done.

    “One of the cardinal policies of our government has been the enthronement of law and order and today, I stand a happy man knowing we have delivered on those promises,” he said.

    Speaking on some of the initiatives of his administration in the justice sector, the Governor said due to the increased work load and number of cases in the courts, more judges and magistrates were appointed, as well as construction of more court houses and renovation of existing courts to befit the judiciary, together with improved welfare for judicial officers in the State.

    He added: “The introduction of the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre further enhanced the quality of justice delivery in the State and we have also developed policies and legislations that will aid speedy dispensation of justice.”

    Read Also: Ambode okays phase three for CodeLagos

    While congratulating members of judiciary on the commencement of the New Legal Year and wishing them fruitful deliberations, the Governor equally assured of his continued support and partnership to further enhance justice delivery in the State.

    In his sermon at the service, Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt Rev Humphrey Olumakaiye commended judges for the role they have been playing in national development but admonished them to dispense justice without fear or favour and always uphold justice.

    He said judges, being distinguished and eminent people in the society, must know that it was God’s blessings that enriches, and as such, they should eschew injustice which he said could lead to chaos, disaster and maladministration, among others.

    “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach. To be successful, judges must do the right thing moment by moment and day by day. The only thing that can sustain you at the top is godly character and integrity.

    “Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to have been done. Justice must be dispensed without fear or favour. Let justice be done though heavens fall. We all must know that we shall give account of our stewardship on the day of reckoning,” Olumakaiye said.

    On 2019 elections, the clergyman prayed for God’s will to be done in Nigeria, just as he said the nation needs strong moral foundation at all levels.

    “Let us go back to the path of honesty, love, sincerity, dignity of labour, righteousness, discipline, integrity, hard work, excellence, zeal for result, among others,” he said.

    Olumakaiye commended Governor Ambode for the good work being done in the State, saying the Church was proud of the sterling performance and would continue to support and pray for him.

  • Ijede residents appeal to LASG to repair bad road

    The council of chiefs and residents of Ijede, have appealed to the Lagos State Government to repair all the bad roads in the community.

    They made the appeal in an interview with our reporter, on Thursday at Ijede Palace in Lagos.

    The Regent of Ijede, Chief Aliu Musediku, said the deplorable state of the road had adversely affected economic activities in the community, especially the only road that connects the community to the city.

    According to the Regent, the condition of the road has also led to the rising rate of auto crashes experienced by commuters coming and going out of the community.

    “We want the state government to help us repair the roads, if you want to go from here to the metropolis you will spend at least three hours on the road due to its deplorable condition.

    “Sometimes, while the drivers are trying to avoid potholes, accidents are caused in the process.

    Read Also: Fayose must account for over N100b loans – CNPP

    “When the present government led by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, came into power, we wrote to him concerning the road and he promised to repair it, up till now nothing has been done to alleviate the sufferings of our people, ” the Regent said.

    Chief Musediku explained that the deplorable state of roads had also discouraged some of the residents from doing business and some had relocated from the community to other areas.

    Mr Taiwo Oredoyin, a resident of the community, commended the state government for its efforts on road construct but urged them to prioritise major roads linking one community to the other.

    Mr Wasiu Ogundeyin, a commercial driver, said that the deplorable condition of the road had damaged their vehicles; a development he noted which made the drivers to spend unnecessary money in the repair of their vehicles.

    He added that the bad roads were the major cause of traffic gridlock in the area, and there was an urgent need to address the problem, while commending the state government for work done so far.

    “Ambode has performed but we urge him to do more because that is the only way the people can enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.

  • Buhari, APC governors meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday met behind closed doors with some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting, which was held at the President’s office, started around 4.p.m.

    Among the State Governors that arrived for the meeting around 4.pm included Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Muhammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Abdullahi Gamduje (Kano), Kashim and Shettima (Borno).

    The Wednesday meeting came barely a week after nine APC governors met with Buhari last Thursday over primary elections in their states.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Ambode approves expansion of CodeLagos

    Centres increased to 648

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the expansion of the CodeLagos initiative to give more access to Lagos residents. 

    This expansion is targeted at increasing the reach and scope of the project by setting up more coding centres across the State.

    Announcing the commencement of the new session of CodeLagos in Primary and Secondary schools, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh in a statement on Tuesday confirmed that the CodeLagos in-School programme for the new session has started in 648 schools across the 6 Educational Districts in the State.

    “So far, over 60,000 Lagos residents from different parts of the State have been trained through the In-school and Out-of School pathways of CodeLagos. For this new academic term, we have increased our In-School centres from 337 to 648, and 226 of these schools are government schools.

    “In a bid to expand the programme, we have also reached out to NGOs and religious organizations to partner with the State Government to establish Coding centres by opening their facilities for the coding classes.   We have received good feedback from many organizations and we will commence training in these centres soon,” he said.

    Read Also: Ambode comes to grief

    Emphasizing that CodeLagos classes are totally free, Bank-Olemoh said that the programme will continue to train students in Scratch, Python, Mobile App development, Oracle’s Alice and Greenfoot, as well as Blockchain Technology, depending on their level.

    “One of the key success factors of this program is the robust training and incentivization for ICT teachers in participating schools, who are trained to deliver coding lessons to their students.”

    “Recently, 563 new CodeLagos facilitators were trained in preparation for this new term and have been deployed to deliver coding classes to students. A total of 1,005 CodeLagos facilitators have been trained and deployed to centres since the inception of the programme in 2017,” he said.

    Besides, the Special Adviser disclosed that plans are in advanced stages to host the first ever CodeLagos Hackathon Finale in November 2018. This month-long competition, which commenced on October 2, is open to all computer programmers in the State and designed to encourage Lagosians to solve everyday problems we encounter using technology.

    Bank-Olemoh added, “We’re inviting contestants to provide solutions to problems in these areas: Health, Transport, Environment, Energy, Education, Fintech/Finance as well as Environment.”

    At the grand finale scheduled to hold on the 1st of November, 2018, 10 teams of programmers will slog it out for the grand prize of N2million.

    He said the progress of the CodeLagos programme can be tracked on www.codelagos.org.

  • President to primary losers: emulate Ambode

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has advised politicians to learn from several aspirants like Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, “who despite his loss, didn’t abandon the All Progressives Congress (APC) for another party.

    He congratulated winners of APC primaries across the country.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President urged losers to demonstrate sportsmanship by accepting the outcomes without bitterness or resentment.

    “In every competition, someone has to win and someone has to lose, but those who lost should not abandon the party or lose their enthusiasm for the party’s advancement.

    “The larger interest of our party is greater than our individual ambitions, and we should therefore work together for its success, despite our losses.

    “In politics, we shouldn’t lose hope permanently because tomorrow could present another opportunity for us to contest again and win.”

    He advised the losers of the primaries “to always put the party first because we are in it together to serve the country, and I am always proud of our members, who demonstrate sportsmanship and a good party spirit”.

    The President also enjoined the winners “to show grace in victory instead of mocking the losers, as such action is capable of destroying party unity and cohesion. The tent is large enough for us”.

    He added that “those elected should see their positions as a public trust instead of abusing their mandates to amass personal wealth at the expense of the ordinary voters, who voted them into power”.

  • Pension: LASG releases N795m as part of retirees’ accrued rights

    The Lagos State Government has released N795 million in September to settle part of accrued pension rights of its retirees.

    The Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) said on Sunday in Lagos that the gesture was in fulfilment of monthly pension settlement embarked on by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.

    According to LASPEC, the fund was released for 213 Public Service Retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in the state.

    The commision also confirmed that 9,804 retirees have had their accrued pension rights of N40,245 billion paid.

    It said the N40,245 billion had been paid into their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) from inception of the governor’s administration till date.

    “His Excellency has remained committed to pensioners’ welfare in spite the huge funding obligations facing the administration.

    “For this reason, funds are released monthly into the RSA of employees, and also the accrued rights are gradually been cleared,” LASPEC said in a statement by its Director-General, Mrs Folashade Onanuga.

    The commission also said the pensioners there was a move by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to execute the Pension Law on guaranteed Minimum Pension for life.

    “The law will be executed for retirees under the Programmed Withdrawal benefit option as it will be recalled that the annuity option offers pension for life for the annuitants,” the statement said.

  • APC primary: Policemen at Airport Hotel, Lagos

    An army of policemen has surrounded Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

    It is not immediately clear why they are there, but a source said their presence may not be unconnected with the primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Imo primaries: APC disbands Gulak panel – Oshiomhole

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Jide Sanwo-Olu are in the race for the ticket.”WE suspects that the buses are moving in ballot boxes,” the source said.

    The Nation could not confirm the allegation.

  • Lagos APC primary: Deputy gov. opts for Sanwo-Olu

    The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule on Tuesday abandoned Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to support Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the two-horse race to pick the ticket to represent the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 governorship election.

    Adebule told newsmen at Ward A and D, in Iba Local Council Development Area of Lagos where she participated in the governorship primary of the APC, that she would endorse the candidate chosen by the party.

    “The party has chosen a man and it is that man that I will support and follow,”she said.

    The News agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that when the deputy governor arrived at the ward, some of her aides came with Sanwo-Olu’s posters and banners.

    Read Also: Lagos APC Primary: Tinubu arrives Alausa (Photos)

    At the ward, accreditation started at about 10.36 a. m.as party electoral officials arrived.

    There was no formal announcement of the results as the accreditation was brief.

    Many party members at the venue started singing the praises of Sanwo-Olu.

  • Ambode peddling lies against me, says Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday chided Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for peddling rumours and falsehoods against him, ahead of today’s direct primary.

    He said the governor indulged in character assassination and personality attack, instead of addressing the core issues germane to governance and his re-election bid.

    Sanwo-Olu reacted to what he described as the governor’s attack on his person in a statement titled: ‘Time to respect the people of Lagos State and the office of governor.”

    He denied the allegations of spending fake dollars in the United State and “rehabilitation” at the Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos.

    The former Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions said if he becomes the governor, he will not insult people, adding that he will be busy finding solutions to problems facing Lagosians.

    The statement reads: “Let it be heard by all that I hold the people of Lagos State with great respect and affection. Their welfare is my utmost concern and it is what drives my pursuit for the governorship nomination of the APC. As such, I also hold the office of governor of our state in high esteem. I shall never consciously do anything that will undermine the dignity of the office nor will I engage in personal attacks against the holder of that officer.

    “My pursuit of office will continue to be based upon issues that matter to Lagosians and not on attacks against someone’s character, even when he attacks mine.  For anyone to engage in unwarranted character attacks against me, reveals more about that person’s character than it says about mine.

    “Thus, I felt sad for Lagos as I watched the Press Conference by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Many things he said was beneath the dignity of our people and the exalted office he now holds. Perhaps the tension and anxiety of the moment got the better of him. If given a chance at cooler reflection of what he said, I am sure he would regret his descent into such low conduct.  In this vein, I forgive him and hope he regains his balance and proper comportment no matter the outcome of tomorrow’s contest. After all, we are both here to improve Lagos not to wrestle in its streets.

    “However, I must clear up some inaccuracies in the governor’s statement. His allegation of that I was arrested for spending fake dollars at a night club in the United States was untrue. In fact, the governor knows I travelled to the United States just last month. I would not have been allowed to travel or even get a visa if I had been involved in what the Governor falsely alleged.

    “That the governor claimed I underwent some unidentified type of “rehabilitation” at the Gbagada General Hospital was also shameless and untrue. Promulgation of salacious rumour should not be part of the job description of a governor. This is not the stuff of high office. People should question whether it is ethically right for the Governor to turn what should beconfidential medical information about a citizen into a weapon of political warfare? But, for avoidance of doubt, let it be stated that I never received any treatment whatsoever at the Gbagada General Hospital.

    “Today, instead of making a convincing defense of his performance, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode sought to sow fear into the hearts of Lagosians.

    “But, Lagosians are an intelligent and brave people. They can see through the smoke and the fog. I am here not to tear my opponent down but to help build Lagos up.  With me, you will hear about progress on education, health, sanitation, proper tax levels, economic development, infrastructure, jobs, public services and other things that enhance the lives of people. I am a serious person and this primary is a serious matter. I have not the time or inclination to attack character when there are so many real issues to address.

    “We will continue to focus on the issues that matter in the lives of the people of Lagos. Lagosians want an answer to the sanitation crisis cast loss of jobs caused by Mr. Ambode’s Visionscape misadventure. Our people will want to know why Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has not been able to build a single General Hospital in the State when his immediate predecessor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), built 11 General Hospitals. Lagosians are waiting to hear what our solutions are. They want to know why hundreds of competent civil servants got summarily dismissed and how this has undermined public services.

    “As a candidate for the party’s nomination and hopefully as your next governor, my approach will not be to sling insults, but to propose solutions to the problems of the day.”