Tag: Ambode

A lot has been said of expectations from the new Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode he is said to be the best choice for a time like this In the very competitive setting of the state civil service, He distinguished himself such that, at 35, He has become a Permanent Secretary and was in that exalted office for about 15 years. He was the Accountant General during the Tinubu administration that reengineered the state finances. Mr. Ambode was not known to be a politician but he emerged after a rigorous search for a worthy successor to the successful Fashola Administration. Despite what many now say to the contrary Fashola was seen as the redeeming grace for the governing class in this country. He is brilliant, hardworking and was regarded as largely incorruptible. A number of things fell in place under his watch. He was indeed a worthy successor to Senator Bola Tinubu.

Now that Ambode is on the saddle we all look up to him to keep the tradition of excellence, he has a number of projects to complete. To take the transport situation in Lagos to the next level, he has to come up with ingenious means of introducing a real integrated transport system. The Light rail project from Lagos to Badagry that has been on for four years gulping money without any benefit so far deserves urgent attention. In the same way that Fashola inherited the BRT project and completed it in no time, We, Residents of the great city of Lagos expect our Governor to deliver the Light-Rail project in no time. And, to complement this in further opening up the Badagry corridor, the Lagos-Badagry expressway that has equally consumed so much of public resources requires concerted action. Then while the previous administrations where unable to make the desired impact in water transportation, The Ambode Government must pay this greater attention. Water transportation is known to be the cheapest form.  A state like Lagos, dubbed the Centre of Excellence but inhabiting some of the most impoverished in the country should be given a first class water transportation system.

For the high-heeled residents of the Lekki-Epe corridor the Fashola administration mooted an effective air transportation system, especially as a link with the ever busy Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Since the rich are able and willing to pay for such advantages and priviledges they should be availed.

These measures will go a long way in decongesting the Lagos roads. The demons that have been released to possess the Lagos roads have to be bound and cast out if life expectancy and quality of living are to be improved in the city. I am impressed by the measures already taken by the government in proposing to build and in seeking supplementary appropriation for the construction of some pedestrian and flyover bridges in parts of the states. I hope he will continue

Lagos is known as a Centre of Excellence but is it? By population it is described as a mega city but has 19th century infrastructure. In the slums, People live in subhuman conditions even in the traditional area of Lagos Island, the area boys are threatening to take over the throne of Olowoeko because they find the environment conducive. This leaves much to be desired.

Mr. Ambode inherited a much-improved security system. The Lagos State Security Trust Fund, conceived by the Tinubu administration and given effect by the Fashola government is the minimum standard acceptable to Lagosians; The government must find a way of sustaining the partnership with the private sector in this wise.

Mr. Ambode has to put on his gloves to fight the good fight. He was elected on the belief that he has the stamina, the vision and the mission to make Lagos a real model for others. To do this he must realise that modern public administration is run by a solid team. True he is the chief executive and the number 1 citizen but he is not the foreman. His duty is to lead and this means empanelling men and women of impeccable integrity, sound educational background, and cognate experience. He has come up with the list of those to work with him as commissioners and special advisers. Some are quite well known, Some inherited, Others just been introduced to the scene. All we can do now is wish him well and watch him closely as he runs the race.

These are indeed difficult times. The national economy is in dire straits, the social fabric is torn and unemployment is ravaging. No state is feeling this more than Lagos- The entreport. Lagos has been spared the experience of other state because of the foresight principally of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu he laid the foundation that Ambode now has to build on. He cannot afford to fail. Despite the importance of teamwork the buck stops on Ambode’s desk. In another four years it will be assessment time.

As the Lagos State House of Assembly settles down to consider the list of cabinet members-nominees sent to it by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, examines the list and the reactions trailing it.

Yearly four months after he was sworn in to succeed former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola as the Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial nerve, Akinwunmi Ambode last, Monday forwarded a list of 36 nominees to the State House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation as Commissioners and Special Advisers in his much awaited cabinet. Expectedly, reactions have been trailing Ambode’s emerging cabinet. Opinions, of course are divided, but a good number of those commenting are of the opinion that the Governor came up with a promising blend of technocrats and politicians.

Reading the list of nominees on the floor of the House, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said the the Governor has made good his promise at the inaugural address to inject new blood on merit and professionalism into the next cabinet of the state. According to Obasa, the list sent to the lawmakers by Ambode for consideration is made up of top technocrats, politicians and strategists.

As the lawmakers settle down to the business of considering and confirming the list sent to them by the governor, many commentators have been talking about the preparedness and otherwise of the people nominated, for the job of moving the state forward. Beyond the persons, issues like the re-nomination of about six former cabinet members, the relatively young age of some of the nominees and the inclusion of former Legislators and Council chairmen in the list, are being discussed.

Promising that the Assembly will promptly and judiciously attend to the business of scrutinizing the list and giving approval where necessary, the majority leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade, said it is normal for people to discuss the list of nominees. Acording to him, the people of Lagos State are very conscious of political happenings around them and as such, will always show interest in how the state is being administered.

“That people are talking about the list simply means Lagosians are our partners in the business of administering this state. It is a sign that they will always show interest in how the state is being administered. And it is for that reason that we as lawmakers are also duty-bound to promptly and judiciously attend to the list,” Agunbiade said.

The old and the new

The new cabinet, as proposed by the Governor, include six former cabinet members from former Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration: Gbolahon Lawal, Dr. Jide Idris, Folarin Coker, Seye Oladejo, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson and Babatunde Hunpe. Many believe the returning cabinet members are been rewarded with their re-nomination. But while some say they are returning to the cabinet due to their dedication, commitment and effectiveness while serving under Fashola, some others say their return tickets were secured with their loyalty to the leadership of the ruling party.

“No doubt this s a good development. With the return of these fine gentlemen and public servants to the cabinet, a message is being sent out that if you are given an opportunity to serve and you do it well, you will be repaid in due course. In my opinion, we must discard the attitude of rushing performers out of their job simply because we want to create space for others. If we find people who are good on their job, let us accord them the respect and recognition due for their performance.

Also, we must know that government is a continuous process. And as such, their is need to keep a part of the outgoing administration in the new system for easy transition and seamless take off. This is another reason why the decision of Governor Ambode to retain some of Fashola’s men in the new government should be applauded rather than condemned. I take it that those complaining about this are ignorant of the enormous advantage of retaining them in the new cabinet,” Dr. Akeem Dosunmu, Lagos State Co-ordinator of the Voters’ Arise Project (VAP).

But Hon. Jide Coker, former scribe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Lagos West senatorial district, disagrees with Dosunmu’s position. According to the PDP stalwart, the habit of perpetuating a few people in government for many years is counter productive and undemocratic. He is of the opinion that there are numerous other capable Lagosians who can also be tried in positions of authority by the ruling party.

“It is only when we want to deceive the people that we will find ways of defending this obvious undemocratic development. Why should a few peole be favored to remain in office perpetually? Are we saying we can no longer find replacement for these six people? Or is there more to their membership of the cabinet? It is my candid opinion that having been in the government for so long, these people should be changed. There are numerous other capable Lagosians ready and willing to serve the state in various capacities,” Coker argued.

However, justifying the return of the six cabinet members of the immediate past administration, an aide of the Governor who sought anonymity ‘as he was not mandated tom comment on the matter’, said they were simply reappointed to ensure the completion of most some projects, which many of them had started and supervised.

“I think I need to say this here even though I am not mandated to do so. There is need for people to understand the policy thrust of this administration. Basically, we see this government as a continuity.If no member of the old cabinet is retained in the new state cabinet, it would be like going back to the drawing board and another time wasted, as most of the projects executed by the old commissioners now coming into the cabinet are already at advanced stage.

So, when I see people complaining about their return as members of the state executive council, I tell them that they are coming back to complete projects they started. Their selection was based purely on merit. Their records spoke for them and the need to ensure the completion of some very important projects or assignments they handled creditably well in the last administration also contributed.

I am in a position to tell you that on no account shall this administration sacrifice competence and earned gravitas on the altar of needless fear of criticism or parochialism. We have vowed to surround this government with the best people wherever they have come from. We shall always seek for and bring  the finest men, even if from the highest mountains, into the task of moving Lagos forward,” the Governor’s aide said.

In a related development, a group under the auspices of Eminent Lagosians Forum (ELaF), has commended Ambode for nominating members of the last administration as part of his new cabinet. The group said the return of the former cabinet members is a good omen for the state and the new administration.

ELaF Chairman, Professor Jibola Da’Mazio, who made the commendation during a press briefing on the state of the nation on Wedenesday, urged other state governors in the country to emulate Governor Akinwumi Ambode, by ensuring that they “create avenues for old and new administrations to continue to share notes.” The respected University don said with his action, the Governor has told the world that he bears no grudge with his predecessor. Da’Mazio noted that Governor Ambode’s gesture was needed to stop mischief makers who are bent on creating unnecessary tension in the state, in their tracks.

“We look forward to the day when a new Governor will retain all the commissioners in the cabinet of his predecessor on merit. It is gestures like Ambode’s that can truly ensure continuity in governance. We commend Governor Ambode for this uncommon political gesture, and want to assure him that he is on the right track to continuing the good work of his predecessors,” he added.

A young cabinet

It is also instructive to note that the governor has named a relatively young cabinet with the inclusion of the likes of Mrs. Yetunde Onabolu, Fela Bank-Olemoh, Akinyemi Ashade, a partner in KPMG; Steve Ayorinde, Alhaja Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, a pharmacist; Kehinde Joseph, Kehinde Bamigbetan and Prof. Ademola Abass, a professor of Law, whose ages range between 39 and 47 years.

Youthful Bank-Olemoh is the CEO of Media Vision Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading sport marketing companies. In his early forties, the Cabinet member nominee and his outfit are project consultants for GTBank, PriceWaterHouse Coopers, Fidelity Bank,SystemSpecs,Petroleum Equalization Fund (mgt) board etc.

Ayorinde, a journalist, author, film critic and media consultant is the CEO of Relentless Media. A multiple-award winning journalist and editor, Steve started his career with Nigeria’s foremost Newspaper The Guardian. He is a former editor of The PUNCH (Nigeria’s highest selling Newspaper) and is the immediate past Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of National Mirror Newspaper.

Professor Abass joined the UNU Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS) as a Research Fellow in Peace and Security on 1 July 2010. He is also the Head of Peace and Security Programme. He was formerly Professor of International Law and Organisation at Brunel University, West London and was educated at the Universities of Lagos, Cambridge, and Nottingham. He holds a Ph.D. in International Law and has previously taught in several British universities.

Bamigbetan, renowned journalist and politician, was former Press Secretary to the governor of Lagos State and leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Bamigbetan who was also the chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) was once kidnapped sometimes in 2013. The young politician is regarded as a grass root politician that commands grass root appeal in the state.

With about a third of his cabinet members expected to be below fifty years old, many supporters of the Governor are of the opinion that he has injected vibrancy into his administration. This, they posited, will aid the performance of the new government and bring about speedy implementation of government policies and programs.

Keen observers of the Governor’s activities however say the move is also another promise kept by the Ambode. According to a party source, the Governor had during the campaigns promised youths in Lagos State to include them in the administration of the state at all levels.

“Even recently, the governor had disclosed last month, while commissioning the reconstructed multi- purpose Onikan Youth Centre, Lagos Island Local Government, that he will involve youths in his government. That day, he lamented that priority attention had not been given to the nation’s youth over the years. He also stressed that the nation’s youths need the support of both the public and private sectors to excel in different areas of their endeavour.

I want ton believe that his naming a relatively youthful cabinet is the fulfillment of that promise he made because he told the gathering that his government will be introducing new incentives for youths in the politics and businesses of Lagos state to enable them grow, support the society and take more of our youths off the streets. He said he will explore ways to create an enabling environment to make young ones thrive in the state. In my opinion, this is one way to encourage youth to believe in themselves that they too can contribute to the development of the state,” she said.

Vast experience

The new cabinet is also seen as one with vast experience given the presence of men and women with verifiable records of service to the state in elected executive and legislative capacities. The likes of Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul- Lateef, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, Mrs. Lola Akande and Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola are all former lawmakers. While Adejare served in both the state and federal national assemblies as a legislator, the rest were all at one time or the other, members of the Lagos State House of Asembly.

The duo of Adeyemi Labinjo and Kehinde Bamigbetan were Local Government Chairmen in the last dispensation. While Labinjo was the Council boss at Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Bamigbetan was his counterpart at Ejigbo LCDA. The two are coming to the cabinet with vast experience in public administration and governance.

Other like Dr. Akintola Benson, Dr. Mohammed Akinkunmi,  Dr. Femi Onanuga, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Mr. Ade Akinsanya, Mr. Wasiu Anifowoshe,  Agboola Dabiri, Ganiu Okanlomo Sanni, Anofi Elegushi, Rotimi Ogunleye,  Femi Odubiyi, Alhaji Musiliu Folami, Adeniji Kazeem,  Toyin Suarau, Babatunde Durosinmi- Etti, Deji Tinubu, Mrs. Mudirat Giwanson and Wale Oluwo, drawn from either the public or private sector of the state, are also adequately experienced to impact on the new administration.

Speaking on the list, Hon. Rotimi Olowo, the member representing Somolu constituency 1 in the state assembly, said the governor has worked hard to put together a cabinet that will move the state forward. ”A new government has to be careful; you just don’t employ people whose capacity you don’t know; you have to get security reports on them,” he said.

According to Olowo, the state does not deserve incompetent commissioners who will not know what to do after their appointments. While soliciting for patience, he stressed that Lagos was known for integrity and hard work, which should be sustained. “It is the same people criticizing the list now that will complain if he employed the wrong hands in his cabinet,” he added.