The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ambode

  • Ambode: empowering all groups will end extreme poverty

    •Governor delivers Island Club’s 75th anniversary lecture

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said Nigeria needs to empower every group in the society for the country to get out of the woods.

    He said the country must listen to the views and aspirations of various groups for the country to end extreme poverty.

    Ambode spoke yesterday while delivering a paper to commemorate the 75th anniversary business lecture of Island Club in Lagos.

    According to him, Nigeria must aggressively pursue strong social inclusion policies in order to build a virile nation where every member of the society, regardless of their status or creed, is catered for.

    He spoke on a topic, titled: Nation Building: Communities, Inclusion and Prosperity.

    Ambode said there are various indices that present a worrying picture, adding that the country must take actions that would change the narrative and engender prosperity.

    He said: “A sustainable path towards ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity also involves creating an inclusive society, not only in terms of economic welfare but also in terms of the voice and empowerment of all groups.

    “We must begin to realise that every stratum of the society counts; we must listen and accommodate all views, whether they are poor, whether they are the Igbo, the Hausa, or whether they are Muslims or Christians. An inclusive society must have the institutions, structures and processes that empower local communities, professional associations, artisans, community development associations (CDAs) so they can hold government accountable.

    “It also requires the participation of all groups in society, including traditionally marginalised groups, such as ethnic minorities and indigenous populations, in decision-making processes.”

    Highlighting the Lagos example of inclusion and prosperity, the governor said despite the population and migration challenges as well as the pressure on physical and social infrastructure, his administration continued to carry out massive upgrade of infrastructure.

    This, he stressed, would improve the lives of all residents and, ultimately, the economy.

    Ambode said: “We believe that every Lagosian must have the opportunity to grow, develop their own skills and contribute to their families and communities in a meaningful way.

    “If they are healthy, well-educated and trained to enter the workforce and are able to make a decent wage, they are better equipped to meet their basic needs and be successful. Their families will also do well and the society will benefit. The aggregate sum of family well-being is the meat for nation-building.”

    The governor said his administration concentrated on creating an environment for investments to thrive, adding that it took deliberate steps to encourage the private sector to take the front seat and grow the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    He said: “In terms of inclusion and prosperity, our vision to make Lagos safer and more prosperous is driven by the need to foster and build an inclusive society, a Lagos that works for all of us. This has been our primary focus in the last three and a half years.”

  • SOS to Ambode

    SIR: I serve as the voice of the agonizing and suffering masses to plead with the Lagos State government and LCDA to please do something to assuage the torments that Lagosians in the hinterland are going through as a result of bad roads that have become impassable. While successive Lagos State governments have invested so much on roads, the hinterland, where more than 80% of the people live, have been utterly neglected, and the situation has been far worse in the last four years.

    For instance, in Isolo LCDA, such important roads as Kogberegbe, Akinbaiye where the Obas palace is located, Abimbola and several other roads have almost completely collapsed, bringing awful torment to the people, causing traffic jam and damaging vehicles. In the past, LCDAs would take palliative measures by filling the potholes and gullies, as frequently as possible, until the Lagos State government can move in for major constructions. The Oshodi/Isolo LGA/LCDA has done virtually nothing to take ameliorative measures on these roads in the last four years. The LCDA chairman and top officers, many of who live around these areas, see this unimaginable anomaly, turn the other eye, and go ahead with their felicitations.

    We therefore plead earnestly that our governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and Isolo LCDA will please come to our rescue, with the heart of compassion and a diligent sense of responsibility.

     

    • Tope O. Ayodele

    Isolo, Lagos

  • I have made a lot of difference, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said his administration has made a difference in the investment of human capital across the state.

    Ambode spoke at the graduation ceremony of the Ready Set Work (RSW) initiative on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The governor said he was proud of the impact the initiative had made in the lives of its students who grew from 500 to over 37,000 since the programme started in 2015.

    He said: “When I was graduating, I had no direction. So, when I see this happening after about 30 years and I see people who are so energetic, excited, I can say I have made a lot of difference. This is not about building bridges, hospitals and flyovers. I feel so excited today that I got this right and the future of this country is bright.

    “As the world awakens to the investment in human capital critical to the success of any nation, we in Lagos are happy to celebrate today three years of consistent investment in our people.

    “Three years ago, I looked at about 500 students, 52 volunteers and friends and partners for this programme. At that time, Ready.Set.Work was a newly birthed idea and a deliberated endeavour of this administration that any student who graduated from tertiary institutions in our state should also possess the requisite skills, knowledge and tools as well as the right mind-set to contribute to the labour market.

    “I am pleased to say we have stayed true to this vision and scaled up our impact. I am delighted to see how that small spark in 2015 has become a roaring fire. With 500 students in 2015, we are celebrating today the impact of the programme in the lives of over 37,000 students who have participated in this programme in the last three years. This, so far, has been achievable because of the committed sponsors, facilitators and volunteers.”

    Ambode gave N5 million to Vivian Afolayan, who won the RSW Business Pitch presentation. She also got N1.5 million seed funding and N100,000 working capital for three months for her skincare business idea.

    Ayodeji Popoola, who made the second position, gotwith N4 million from the governor and won N1 million seed funding and N100,000 working capital for three months for his Eko Laundry Business initiative.

    Mariam Adeniyi won the third place with the governor’s prize of N3 million as well as N750,000 seed funding and N100,0000 working capital for three months for her snail business initiative.

    The winners praised the governor for initiating such developmental programme for students.

    This year, about 2,000 students would be placed on a three to six months’ paid internship at various organisations in the state.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh said the programme had empowered many students who are ready and fit to add value to the state and the country.

    He expressed the confident that the programme would be sustained by the governor’s successor, adding that human capital is a key component for the ruling party’s agenda.

     

  • Ambode adjudged Most Outstanding Governor

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has been adjudged the most outstanding governor in Nigeria by Icon and Legend Media Limited, publisher of Icon and Legend magazine.

    The recognition is for the governor’s exemplary performance and developmental strides in youth empowerment programmes, which makes him tower above his peers.

    The organisers of the award said his investiture will be the highpoint of activities of the National Roundtable on Youth Empowerment programme on December 7 at the Nigerian National Merit Award, Merit House, Maitama, Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    The programme, according to the Chief Executive of Icon and Legend Media Limited, Omosehin Akinduro, is aimed at empowering millions of unemployed youths across the country with the direction for self-empowerment.

    The event will be hosted by Prof Amuda-Kannike Abiodun, the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the media company.

    Scheduled to lead discussion at the event is the motivational speaker of international repute, Reverend G. E. Erhabor, a renowned professor of Medicine, consultant chest physician, who is also the Senior Pastor and Founder, Sanctuary of Hope Church.

  • Ebola: Ambode, Payette inaugurate $4.5m biobank to tackle infectious diseases

    LAGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Canadian Governor-General Julie Payette yesterday inaugurated a $4.5 million biobank, which is designed to diagnose and manage Ebola, Lassa fever and outbreak of other infectious disease.

    Ambode and Payette, while inaugurating the biological containment laboratory, tagged: “Lagos State Biobank (LSB)”, at the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, argued that with the population of Lagos, outbreak of any infectious disease, including Ebola, could spell doom, if not well curtailed.

    Ambode explained that the fund expended on the project, which began in 2016, was provided by both governments to boost prevention of public infectious diseases.

    He said the Canadian government was responsible for the project’s design and construction. The state, Ambode added, funded the community engagement, training of personnel, maintenance and environmental impact assessment for the facility.

    The governor described the partnership as an effective collaboration, which the state government was very proud that the Canadian government led in part.

    “Lagos is excited over the project. It is a perfect example by forward-looking governments through partnership.”

    On the facility, the governor stated that the biobank was designed for the management and control of infectious disease.

    “It will help to promote and diagnose public health diseases and boost clinical management of infectious disease outbreak in Lagos,” Ambode said.

    He added that the Lagos State Biobank would help Fast-track global and local research on infectious diseases.

    “It will help to launch the state into a new frontier in research and development in various areas of need, especially in the diagnostic kits and production of vaccines for containment of infectious disease,” he added.

    On reason the Canadian government chose Lagos, Payette stressed that the achievement recorded by the state in 2014 tackling Ebola virus was responsible for the partnership on the project.

    “And Canada is very glad to have filled that gap with this laboratory and Bio-bank. We will continue to collaborate with you,” she said.

    She noted that the facility would assist to “prevent, detect and respond to about the worst calamities possible outcome that could happen”.

    “The incidence of infectious disease, if not contained, could do so much damage and could ravage so many lives.

    “It is not important, it is absolutely essential to have a facility like this to make sure that never happens.

    “As serious as the outbreak of Ebola was here in Nigeria and elsewhere in West Africa, it could not have been much worse,” Payette added.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris hinted that the facility was one of the recommendations made by the committee inaugurated by the former Governor Babatunde Fashola, after the state was declared Ebola free in October 2014.

    Representative of Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr. Adebayo Adeniji said Ebola virus outbreak made the Federal Government realise the importance of collaboration with other countries on disease control.

  • Ambode to new perm secs: ensure efficient service delivery

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday swore in five permanent secretaries into the state civil service.

    They are: Dr. Olabisi Taiwo (Ministry of Health), Mr. Olusegun Ajibade (Public Service Office), Mrs. Abiayo Akinsiku (Primary Healthcare Board), Dr. Yusuf Jimoh (Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations) and Mr. Ganiyu Rufai (Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives).

    The governor advised the appointees to place a high premium on efficient service delivery and make the machinery of governance to roll faster in the overall interest of the people.

    He urged them to bring their wealth of experience and knowledge to bear in their Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and meet the high expectations of the government and the teeming population of Lagos State.

    Ambode said: “With this appointment, you have all effectively become the Accounting Officers of your MDAs. You have been entrusted with a bigger and more sensitive responsibility which will put to test your leadership and managerial skills.

    “Let me remind you of the very high expectations that will be placed on you, not only from the government but more importantly from the over 22 million Lagosians who desire efficient and service delivery.

    “Your ability to meet these expectations will depend on the amount of creativity and innovation you can bring to bear in the discharge of your responsibilities.

    “Nobody expects you to reinvent the wheel. What is expected of you is to bring to bear your knowledge and experience so that the machinery of governance can roll faster and deliver more quality results to the teeming population of our state.”

  • Ebola: Ambode, Canadian governor-general to open laboratory

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Canadian Governor-General Hon. Julie Payette will tomorrow inaugurate a biosecurity laboratory in Lagos.

    A statement yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Habib Aruna, said the biobank was located at the Mainland Hospital, Yaba.

    It was where the isolation unit used by the government to contain the 2014 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak was located.

    According to the statement, the laboratory, funded by Canada in partnership with the state government, would serve as a repository for high-concentration pathogens.

    “It will also help the state mitigate post-EVD threats and build capacity for prevention, detection and response to future outbreaks in Nigeria and West Africa.

    The statement said Health Commissioner Dr. Jide Idris would be part of the delegation to accompany Governor Ambode to receive Hon. Payette at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and unveil the new facility.

    According to the statement, after the inauguration, the governor-general would visit students participating in the CodeLagos computer literacy programme.

    “Her Excellency will visit Akande Dahunsi Memorial Senior High School to interact with students taking part in the CodeLagos programme and talk to them about her background in informatics. Members of the Canadian delegation will give presentations on their experience and career in other classrooms,” the statement said.

    The CodeLagos programme running in public and private schools is an initiative of the Ministry of Education aimed at educating over one million residents for the future of work – by teaching how to write code and creatively solve problems.

    The statement added that the visitor would have a lunch discussion with members of the Lagos business community, where she would deliver brief opening remarks, which would bring the business community together.

    It said she would conclude her visit with a reception for Arts and Culture Friends of Canada.

    The statement said the reception would enable her meet individuals, who have made and continued to make exceptional efforts in promoting and enhancing the Canada-Nigeria relationship, adding that it would provide an opportunity to celebrate the vitality of the arts and culture scene in Lagos.

  • Ambode, Canadian governor to open biosecurity lab in Lagos

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Governor General of Canada, Julie Payette, will tomorrow inaugurate a new biosecurity laboratory in Lagos.

    A statement yesterday in Ikeja, the state capital, by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, said the State Biobank is located at the Mainland Hospital in Yaba, where the isolation unit used by the state government to contain the 2014 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak is located.

    The statement said the laboratory, funded by Canada in partnership with the state government, would serve as a single repository for all high-concentration pathogens in the state.

    It would also help the state mitigate post-EVD threats and build capacity for prevention, detection and response to future outbreaks in Nigeria and West Africa.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, among other top government officials, is expected to accompany Ambode to receive Payette at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja and proceed to unveil the new facility.

    The statement added that after the inauguration of the biosecurity laboratory, the Canadian governor general would visit students participating in the CodeLagos computer literacy programme.

  • Ambode bears no grudge against anyone, says Bagudu

    Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu yesterday said his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, holds no grudge against anybody.

    The Kebbi governor said Ambode loves Lagos and had submitted to their will.

    Bagudu spoke at the closing ceremony of the 18th National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Dignitaries at the event included Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Adebule, wives of Kebbi and Osun state governors, Dr. Zainab Bagudu and Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola.

    The wife of Ondo State governor was represented by Mrs. Titi Adeyemi.

    Others are: COWLSO Grand Matron, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was represented by Mrs. Olayinka Agunsoye, the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Woman Leader and her Southwest counterpart, Mrs. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas and Mrs. Kemi Nelson and wife of former military governor, Mrs. Gladys Ndubuisi Kanu.

    Bagudu said: “He (Ambode) has done a lot for Lagos. He has continued in the tradition and, understandably, he might have offended some people. I have done so, and many before us have done so, but he has demonstrated grace. And being the believers that we are, we believe that history will judge him kindly.”

    On the Lake Rice project, a partnership between Kebbi and Lagos states, the governor said he worked on farms in Kebbi State with Ambode.

    He noted that without Ambode, there would not have been Lake Rice or the nation’s rice revolution, which has reduced importation of the commodity by 90 per cent.

    Bagudu said: “Ambode supported the Nigerian Rice Initiative. Without Her excellency, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, and the COWLSO as well as the great women of Lagos State who encouraged and supported the Lake Rice and the Nigerian Rice project, that wouldn’t have been possible.

    “So, I thank you all for what you have done for Nigeria and what we have done to show that it is possible.

    “Without Ambode, we wouldn’t have done that, which was a big support for the Nigerian rice initiative.

    “The significance is that it helped to revive the ‘we can do’ spirit in Nigeria, which has made the world to begin to take us seriously when we say we can do something.

    “My friend, Ambode, doesn’t like to be praised. He is a very private person. I always see the reflection of him in me. And I often imagine how private people function in a public world like politics.”

    Ambode thanked COWLSO for supporting his administration.

    The governor noted that it had contributed to the achievements of his administration in many significant ways.

     

     

  • Retirees appeal to Ambode over entitlement

    Retirees of Lagos Television and Radio Lagos/Eko FM have appealed to Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to compel the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPE) to pay the over 250 workers of the corporations, who were absorbed into the main service in 2016, their terminal benefits.

    The retirees, in a letter addressed to the governor, dated July 17, appealed to him to compel the agency to pay their entitlements, having served the state meritoriously.

    According to the letter, “since the transfer to the mainstream in 2016, we have been drawing our salary from the main service and we expect that our terminal benefits should also be taken care of by the same source and not LTV and Radio Lagos/Eko FM.

    “We were shocked recently when the commission directed that our processed terminal benefits be sent back to the corporations for settlement.”

    The retirees appealed to the governor to assist them so that their benefits will be paid through the same source they have been collecting salary before retirement.