The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ambode

  • We’ve lost a rare gem, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday commiserated with the family, friends, associates, subjects and the government and people of Osun over the transition of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade II, saying the nation has lost a rare gem.

    Oba Sijuwade, who became the fiftieth Ooni of Ife in December 6, 1980, passed on Tuesday, July 28 in a London hospital at the age of 85 after a brief illness, but his departure was officially announced on Wednesday, August 12, by the Ife Royal Traditional Council in accordance with tradition.

    In a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the governor said the late first- class monarch will be sorely missed for his fatherly role and advice, describing his demise as a great loss to the nation.

    Extolling the virtues of the late Ooni, Governor Ambode recalled that the late monarch used his wealth of experience in tradition and commerce to better the lot of the Yoruba race.

    “Without any iota of doubt, Oba Sijuwade was a forthright traditional ruler and astute businessman who for decades helped to pursue and unite the common interests of the Yoruba race.

    “His timely interventions in communal and inter-state disputes in the past are remarkable strides that will forever remain in our minds”.

  • Ooni: We’ve lost a rare gem – Ambode

    Ooni: We’ve lost a rare gem – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has commiserated with the family, friends, associates, subjects and the government and people of Osun over the transition of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Olubuse Sijuwade II, saying the nation and most especially the Yoruba race has lost a rare gem.

    Oba Sijuwade who became the fiftieth Ooni of Ife in December 6, 1980, passed on Tuesday, July 28 in a London hospital at the age of 85 after a brief illness, but his departure was officially announced on Wednesday, August 12, by the Ife Royal Traditional Council in accordance with tradition.

    In a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the Governor said the late first class monarch will be missed for his fatherly role and advice, describing his demise as a great loss to the nation.
    Extolling the virtues of the late Ooni, Governor Ambode recalled that the late monarch used his wealth of experience in tradition and commerce to better the lot of the Yoruba race; “Without any iota of doubt, Oba Sijuwade was a forthright traditional ruler, and astute business man who for decades helped to pursue and unite the common interests of the Yoruba race. His timely interventions in communal and inter-state disputes in the past are remarkable strides that will forever remain in our minds.”
    He said the leadership role of the late Oba will remain an inspiration to all, stressing that one of his virtues as a leader was his ability to take responsibility and be responsible for others.

    “Among other virtues the Ooni dedicated himself to the service of the nation and as long as we are alive, we must remember him for many things; his peace loving nature, candidness and his belief that there is hope that Nigeria’s challenges will be surmounted in the nearest future,” he said

    He prayed that Almighty God grant the departed soul peaceful repose and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss just as he urged them to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and was leaving behind a worth legacy for his successor.

    “On behalf of my family and the good people of Lagos State, I wish to express our sincere condolences on the passing away of one of our illustrious traditional rulers. He would be missed by all,” the Governor said.

     

     

  • Ambode, Jakande to students: aim for the best

    Ambode, Jakande to students: aim for the best

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the state’s first Executive Governor Alhaji Lateef Jakande have challenged secondary school leavers to aim for the best in their academic pursuit.

    The duo enjoined them to stay focused and not be distracted.

    They spoke during the presentation of 250 Free GCE forms to indigent students of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area at the council secretariat, Ilupeju, Lagos.

    Jakande expressed happiness that the free education introduced during his regime is gaining more acceptability.

    “We never believe that the policy (free education) could go far but we that God that what we started then is being embrace by the populace,” he said.

    He hailed the council’s Executive Secretary Rasaq Ajala for investing in the youths.

    Ambode who was represented by Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Mrs Olabisi Ariyo said the exercise was borne out of the realisation of the importance of education in the development of the people.

    “Since education has been identified as the greatest weapon against poverty, we must do everything within our means to ensure that no child is denied access to education on the basis of his or her socio-economic background,” he said.

    The governor assured Lagosians of his administration’s commitment to providing qualitative education at all levels.

    “It is therefore necessary to appeal to parents to secure the future of their children and themselves by not engaging them in street trading during school hours. This is against the provisions of the Child Rights Law of Lagos State.

    “To the beneficiaries of these Free GCE forms, I enjoin you all to show appreciation by performing well in your examinations through hard work. This is the only way you can make the council and your parents proud,” he said.

    Ajala said the gesture was an evidence that the council is progressing.

    He said: “We are very much conversant with the maxim that education is the best legacy you can bequeath to a soul but the factors militating against it left much to be desired. One major hindrance why many of our youths have unfulfilled dream is because of their inability to meet up with the financial demands of their academic. In this wise, we decided to assist these youths to realise their potentials. We believed so much in the power of knowledge. Education liberates the mind, inspires confidence and gives the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the society.”

    He said the council went through a painstaking process before embarking on the gesture, appealing to the beneficiaries to see it as a golden opportunity to pursue their life time dream.

    “My esteemed students, you must take your academics serious so that you can use it as a tool to free yourself from the shackles of poverty, ignorance, disease and all sorts of vicious vices. You must also inculcate excellent moral such that your immediate community can vouch for you. Do not be swayed by unproductive activities that neither add value nor bring progress to you. The future is yours; therefore I implore you to make maximum use of any worthy opportunity that comes your way. You must see yourself as good ambassadors of this council. We want that stereotyped mindset to change. We want Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye to be projected positively in the committee of Local Councils through your academic achievement and impeccable character,” he said.

  • Ooni: The nation has lost a rare gem – Ambode

    Ooni: The nation has lost a rare gem – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday commiserated with the family, friends, associates, subjects and the government and people of Osun over the transition of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Olubuse Sijuwade II.
    In a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the Governor said the late first class monarch will be sorely missed for his fatherly role and advice, describing his demise as a great loss to the nation.
    Extolling the virtues of the late Ooni, Governor Ambode said the nation and most especially the Yoruba race has lost a rare gem.
    He recalled that the late monarch used his wealth of experience in tradition and commerce to better the lot of the Yoruba race.
    “Without any iota of doubt, Oba Sijuwade was a forthright traditional ruler, and astute business man who for decades helped to pursue and unite the common interests of the Yoruba race. His timely interventions in communal and inter-state disputes in the past are remarkable strides that will forever remain in our minds”.

    He said the leadership role of the late Oba will remain an inspiration to all, stressing that one of his virtues as a leader was his ability to take responsibility and be responsible for others.
    “Among other virtues the Ooni dedicated himself to the service of the nation and as long as we are alive, we must remember him for many things; his peace loving nature, candidness and his belief that there is hope that Nigeria’s challenges will be surmounted in the nearest future.”, he said

    He prayed that Almighty God grant the departed soul peaceful repose and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss just as he urged them to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and was leaving behind a worth legacy for his successor.

    “On behalf of my family and the good people of Lagos State, I wish to express our sincere condolences on the passing away of one of our illustrious traditional rulers. He would sorely be missed by all”, the Governor said.

  • Aim for the best, Ambode, Jakande urge students

    Aim for the best, Ambode, Jakande urge students

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the state’s first Executive Governor Alhaji Lateef Jakande have challenged secondary school leavers to aim for the best in their academic pursuit.

    The duo enjoined them to stay focused and not be distracted.

    They spoke during the presentation of 250 Free GCE forms to indigent students of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area at the council secretariat, Ilupeju, Lagos.

    Jakande expressed happiness that the free education introduced during his regime is gaining more acceptability.

    “We never believe that the policy (free education) could go far but we that God that what we started then is being embrace by the populace,” he said.

    He hailed the council’s Executive Secretary Rasaq Ajala for investing in the youths.

    Ambode who was represented by Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Mrs Olabisi Ariyo said the exercise was borne out of the realisation of the importance of education in the development of the people.

    “Since education has been identified as the greatest weapon against poverty, we must do everything within our means to ensure that no child is denied access to education on the basis of his or her socio-economic background,” he said.

    The governor assured Lagosians of his administration’s commitment to providing qualitative education at all levels.

    “It is therefore necessary to appeal to parents to secure the future of their children and themselves by not engaging them in street trading during school hours. This is against the provisions of the Child Rights Law of Lagos State.

    “To the beneficiaries of these Free GCE forms, I enjoin you all to show appreciation by performing well in your examinations through hard work. This is the only way you can make the council and your parents proud,” he said.

    Ajala said the gesture was an evidence that the council is progressing.

    He said: “We are very much conversant with the maxim that education is the best legacy you can bequeath to a soul but the factors militating against it left much to be desired. One major hindrance why many of our youths have unfulfilled dream is because of their inability to meet up with the financial demands of their academic. In this wise, we decided to assist these youths to realise their potentials. We believed so much in the power of knowledge. Education liberates the mind, inspires confidence and gives the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the society.”

    He said the council went through a painstaking process before embarking on the gesture, appealing to the beneficiaries to see it as a golden opportunity to pursue their life time dream.

    “My esteemed students, you must take your academics serious so that you can use it as a tool to free yourself from the shackles of poverty, ignorance, disease and all sorts of vicious vices. You must also inculcate excellent moral such that your immediate community can vouch for you. Do not be swayed by unproductive activities that neither add value nor bring progress to you. The future is yours; therefore I implore you to make maximum use of any worthy opportunity that comes your way. You must see yourself as good ambassadors of this council. We want that stereotyped mindset to change. We want Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye to be projected positively in the committee of Local Councils through your academic achievement and impeccable character. I will also use this medium to enjoin all parents and guardians whose children are beneficiaries of this gesture to monitor and motivate them to maximise it,” he said.

  • Ambode urges Buhari to disband Federal task force

    Ambode urges Buhari to disband Federal task force

    •‘Members involved in land grabbing, lawlessness’

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to disband the Presidential Taskforce Implementation Committee on the alienation of Federal Government Landed Properties.

    The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said members of the task force were carrying out duties inimical to the interest of the Federal and the state governments.

    He added that the call was informed by “several petitions lamenting the nefarious and reprehensible activities of members of the task force”.

    The governor asserted that the task force, whose existence and legality was allegedly still in doubt has unlawfully, “embarked on a brazen seizure, take over and appropriation of state and Federal Government properties”.

    The team’s activities, according to Ambode, had led to “a near total destruction, displacement, stoppage, including unprovoked mass harassment, intimidation, molestation and denial of the original owners of their land and properties”.

    The governor added that the task force’s members continued to engage in illegal activities “despite their knowledge of an existence of a consent judgment duly entered into by the same committee and some of the petitioners on one hand and an order of interlocutory injunction granted by the High Court of Lagos State, with the restraining orders widely published in newspapers”.

    He called on Buhari to immediately disband the team to forestall a breakdown of law and order, stressing that its activities “constitutes a security risk in the state”.

    The committee began its operations during the era of the Jonathan administration.

     

  • Lagos ready for foreign investors, says Ambode

    Lagos ready for foreign investors, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening trade relationship with Indian investors.

    He spoke while receiving Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Ajjanpor Ghanashyam in his office in Ikeja.

    The governor, spoke of his administration’s determination to further strengthen the trade with the country, adding that he has created an Office of the Overseas Affairs and Investment, which is under his supervision, to make the state more investor-friendly.

    He said: “We have established the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, so that we can strengthen bi-lateral relationship. We need more investors to invest in Lagos so that we can create employment and grow our GDP. Whatever it is you think we can do to increase investors from India, we are ready for discussion.”

    The governor expressed his appreciation to the visitors, saying that Lagos could draw inspiration from India as a modern democracy and from the way the economy was conducted despite its huge population.

    He assured the High Commissioner that the state is ready to expand its frontiers to accommodate investors willing to set up their businesses in the state.

     

     

  • Ambode asks NUJ to change face of journalism

    Ambode asks NUJ to change face of journalism

    •Governor receives new President, Odusile

    The newly elected President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Waheed Odusile, has been charged to reposition journalism for the purpose of building a virile and strong nation.

    This, he can do, by utilis ing the strength of the social media.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode made the call at the weekend when Odusile led a delegation of the union on a courtesy visit to him at Alausa, Ikeja.

    “In this modern day of social media, we need to start to look at what social media means to our journalists and national development,” the governor said.

    He also advised the NUJ leadership to work assiduously to improve on the standard of the profession in Nigeria.

    His words: “We should be able to look at that area and see how we can improve on the curriculum of the Institute of Journalism and other communication schools where we can start integrating the good side of social media with journalism and development in the best interest of the nation.”

    He said no political leadership can thrive without the support of journalists as its role in the polity could not be over emphasized.

    He congratulated the Lagos State council of the union for producing the NUJ president for the first time in 21 years.

    Odusile said the union would partner with the government in the effort to rebuild Nigeria.

    He appealed for the governor’s assistance in weeding out quacks from the profession. According to him, “We need laws to flush out quackery from our profession; we need your support to make a law to make quackery a thing of the past in our profession. We want to focus on professionalism.”

  • Gbajabiamila is a great leader, says Ambode

    Gbajabiamila is a great leader, says Ambode

    •Constituency organises welcome/victory party

    The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has described the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, as a great leader with outstanding planning skills with strong and decisive approach to issues.

    Urging Gbajabiamila to continue to champion participatory and constitutional democracy in the House, Ambode said, “you are a man of integrity and you have a clear, exciting idea of where you are going and what you are trying to accomplish.”

    Ambode spoke through his representative, the permanent secretary, office of Civic Engagement, Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye, at the ‘heroic welcome and victory party’ organised in honour of Gbajabiamila  by his Surulere Federal  Constituency members at Teslim Balogun Stadium yesterday.

    He lauded Gbajabiamila for focusing on the strength of the party and its supremacy, saying “I must thank you immensely for coming out to tell us that you were willing to sacrifice your position for the sake of peace and unity in the House.

    “I admonish you to continue championing participatory and constitutional democracy in the House of Representatives and to ensure that good governance is enshrined in the quality of resolutions and bills passed.

    “I also implore you to ensure cordial and harmonious executive/legislative relationship in the House. And ensure you continue your role as the link between Lagos State Government and House of Representatives”, he said.

    Describing Gbajabiamila as a great leader with, strong and decisive approach to issues but also humble, Ambode said, “You have the self-confidence and self awareness to recognise the value of others without feeling threatened. Your clear vision turns you into a special type of person by changing you from a transactional manager into a transformational leader.”

     

     

     

     

  • Osinbajo, Gowon, Ambode for prayer rally

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, as well as a host of dignitaries will be part of a-day prayer rally next Sunday.

    The rally holds at the Olive Tree Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) by 2pm.

    The Lagos Coordinator of Nigeria Prays, Rev. Toyin Kehinde, said the rally is to pray for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari, the prosperity of Lagos State and the stability of Nigeria.

    The prayer meeting, which has the theme, enforcing God’s counsel over Nigeria, has been a continuous practice since the group was formed by Gowon in 1996.