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Tag: Ambode

  • Niteshift set to host Ambode

    THE Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, will this Sunday, be hosted to a Grand House Reception (GHR), a high-profile function of Niteshift Coliseum.

    A statement from the management of the celebrity hangout said, Ambode, an accomplished accountant and administrator, will first be treated to a reception on the red carpet in the premises of the club house-turned event center, In Opebi, Lagos, before being ushered to the hot seat, to answer questions regarding his aspiration for the Lagos State highest position, from guests at the event.

    Last weekend, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate was hosted to a similar reception.

    The event, which is by invitation, is expected to attract top politicians, captains of industry and patrons of the Coliseum.

    The management of the outfit, described the GHR as a non-partisan honour, accorded respected and renowned Nigerians.

    According to the Guv’nor of Niteshift Coliseum, Mr. Ken Calebs Olumese, the event will attract the high and mighty and will be full of glitz, glamour and razzmatazz.

    In its heydays, the Coliseum had played host to distinguished personalities such as President Goodluck Jonathan; former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; ex-Senate presidents, Anyim Pius Anyim, Adolphus Wabara and Kenneth Nnamani; Former Ghanaian President, Jerry Rawlings; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s Finance Minister; Mallam Nazir El-Rufai, Former FCT Minister; Governors Babatunde Raji Fashola,  Theodore Orji, Ayo Fayose; Former governors Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Advertising Icon, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, and late Fela Anikulapo Kuti among others.

    Ken Calebs-Olumese, Guv’nor of The Coliseum, said the event will be a 7-Star-show with all the glitz, glamour and razzmatazz accustomed to the club.

    Niteshift Coliseum is located on Salvation Road in Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos.

  • Ambode, Agbaje pledge to be women-friendly

    Ambode, Agbaje pledge to be women-friendly

    he All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr.  Akinwunmi Ambode, has pledged to ensure the equal treatment of men and women in workplaces and to prioritise the enforcement of the law on domestic violence, if elected into power.

    Ambode, who spoke in Lagos yesterday at an interactive session organised by the Cosmopolitan Women’s Club with governorship candidates, noted that the role of women in developing any nation was second to none.

    He said he was raised by a woman and, as a result, understood the challenges of women in the society.

    “Our government shall pursue equal treatment for men and women in workplaces. There would be same conditions of service for men and women. Our government will prioritise and enforce laws against domestic violence and empowerment of women. We shall empower women through skill acquisition.

    “My commitment towards women in everything I do is very personal. No girl would be denied good education. You can hold me accountable for every word that I have spoken.”

    The APC candidate said women and girls face various challenges because they were often the most vulnerable group, exposed to child abuse, child trafficking and labour exploitation.

    Ambode promised to run an inclusive government to accommodate everyone, including women.

    He said his administration would institute an employment trust fund with N25 billion to cater for talented youths and women.

    Concerning complaints about multiple taxation, he said he would consolidate the taxes.

    The APC candidate said the toll gate would remain, arguing that funds derived from the tolls were useful to the government and the people because it funded basic amenities and created jobs.

    The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olujimi Agbaje, said women need to show more commitment to politics and governance.

    He said women should run for political offices, as such positions could not be given to them on a platter of gold.

    Agbaje said if elected, his administration would reserve between 20 to 25 per cent appointments at higher levels to women in the first four years.

    On whether he would have a succession plan to produce a woman-governor, the PDP candidate said at the end of their tenure, his deputy would have an edge over other aspirants and that he would  assist her.

    Agbaje said his administration would leapfrog in many areas to improve the living standard of the people, rather than make incremental increases.

    The atmosphere at the interactive session, with the theme, “What About the Women…?” was very friendly.

    Ambode and Agbaje hugged several times during the event. It was also remarkable that their wives sat side-by-side.

    Both Ambode and Agbaje pledged to harmonise taxes  to ease the burden on the people and the economy.

    On why he should be trusted, Ambode said his track record and service was impeccable.

    Agbaje said he could be trusted to deliver on his promises because his greatest strength was that he is his own person. “What you see is what you get. I am not just making empty promises,” he added.

    The candidate of the Kowa Party, Victor Adeniji, enjoined women to stand up and be counted.

    “It is your responsibility to take your place in the political space in Nigeria,” he added.

    Adeniji said his party is gender-friendly listing the party’s Board of Trustees chairman and the presidential candidate as women.

    “We try to encourage women to come out and seek elective positions, but they said politics is dirty.”

  • Lagosians mobilised for Ambode

    Lagosians mobilised for Ambode

    Members of the Akinwunmi Ambode Kommittee of Friends (AA’KOF) yesterday mobilised residents of Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State to vote for the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

    They embarked on house-to-house campaign, telling the people that Ambode was the best among those vying for the Lagos governorship seat.

    AA’KOF’s spokesman, Elder Cornelius Olopade, said the APC administration had transformed Surulere Local Government, adding that to ensure the continuity of the transformation, residents should vote Ambode on February 28.

    Said he: “We urge Surulere residents and other Lagosians not to allow cash-and-carry politicians to entice them with money. They should not sell their votes. They should vote for Ambode to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    “We embarked on house-to-house campaign to spread the good news about Ambode to Surulere residents. He is the best man for the Lagos job. Lagosians should install a dynamic government.”

    Speaking at the APC rally at Shitta in Surulere, Ambode said continuity of good things mattered in life, adding that to ensure the continuity of good governance, Lagosians should vote for him and other APC candidates.

    His words: “APC is a progressive party. We are after the welfare of Lagosians. I enjoin residents of Surulere and others to give us their mandate at the polls. They will not regret doing so.”

  • ‘Ambode is best man for Lagos job’

    ‘Ambode is best man for Lagos job’

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has been described as the best man for the Lagos governorship seat.

    Spokesman for Akinwunmi Ambode Kommittee of Friends (AA’KOF), Elder Kayode Olopade, who spoke at the weekend at the presidential rally of the party at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, said Ambode is the best candidate among those vying for the Lagos House, Ikeja, seat.

    He said Lagosians needed a competent person to continue the good legacies started by the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and Ambode was the person.

    Added he: “I urge Lagosians to vote for continuity. I enjoin them to vote Ambode as the next governor. He is the best man for the Lagos governorship job.”

    Ambode said Lagosians should vote for him and other APC candidates for the continuity of the dividends of democracy.

    He said they would not regret trusting APC with their mandate, noting that their votes for the party’s candidates would not be a loss.

    His words: “We will protect Lagosians’ votes. We will ensure that there is no rigging. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should, however, live up to expectation.”

  • Vote out Jonathan, Ambode urges Lagosians

    Vote out Jonathan, Ambode urges Lagosians

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday charged  the people of the state to vote out Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his “non- transformational” government in order to pave the way for accelerated growth of Lagos and the entire country.

    Speaking at the Presidential rally of the APC held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, he said Nigeria has not witnessed the type of backwardness in governance as it is under the Jonathan led government. He therefore urged well meaning Lagosians and Nigerians to come together to vote out Jonathan in order to rescue the country from ridicule and international disgrace.

    His words: “The last 15 years have been characterized with motion without movement and lip service to transformation without any tangible result, so we must come together to vote out Jonathan.”

    Justifying the need for continuity in Lagos, he said in a very sharp contrast to what the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has done to Nigeria in the last 15 years, Lagos has witnessed a remarkable and unprecedented growth.

     “The foundation which was laid by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has been actualized by Mr. Babatunde Fashola in accordance with our party’s manifesto of excellence.”

     He said if elected, he will not only consolidate on this but will move Lagos to the next level of becoming the benchmark of excellence not only in Nigeria but to a world class reference point for development.

     “There is no room for trial and error in Lagos, inexperience and verbosity. Lagos is too important to be used for experiment.” He therefore urged Nigerians to go out to vote out Jonathan on February 14 and vote for him on February 28. He counseled that they should stay back after casting their vote to avoid the PDP electoral Abracradabra(magic) where 16 was declared as greater than 19 in the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF)election or as it is presently in Ekiti State, where seven  lawmakers are ‘greater’ than 14.

  • Epe’ll become the economic hub of Nigeria, says Ambode

    Epe’ll become the economic hub of Nigeria, says Ambode

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said Epe will become the business hub of Nigeria when the projects in the division are completed.

    Speaking at the APC rally in Epe, Ambode said the APC government would complete the Economic Processing Zone (EPZ), the local airport, roads  and the sea ports in the division.

    Ambode thanked the party leaders for the good work they have done for the state, noting that he would consolidate on what his predecessors had done to make Epe a beautiful city.

    He added that youth unemployment would be tackled by opening up economic activities in the division.

    “We thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Babatunde Fashola and other leaders of the party. I see today as a thanksgiving day in Epe because the leadership of the party had done well for conceding to Epe the governorship slot.

    “I am particularly grateful because other party members who contested the governorship ticket with me are here, they have been supporting me throughout the campaigns.

    “You have seen what the government has been doing, right from the construction of roads, to the EPZ, there is a plan to construct a local airport in the zone and sea port.

    “I want to tell our youths that your time has come, by the time we complete the projects, there will be employment for you. The youth will use their talent to create jobs. Government will support the youth by ensuring we create the enabling environment for them to be productive,” he said.

    He promised that no part of Lagos State would be left out of the development drive.

     “Epe, Badagry and other parts of Lagos Sate will witness the same level of developments just like the government has been doing.

    “All hands have to be on deck to achieve the development that Lagos desires. Whatever is left unaccomplished in the lifespan of this administration would be completed in due course,” he said.

    Ambode promised to be with the people of Epe, urging them to vote for the APC during the election because Epe is the progressives’ enclaves.”I will do everything possible to make life comfortable for you.”

    Governor Babatunde Fashola urged the people of Epe to vote massively for the APC, adding the people desired a change in leadership at the centre.

    He said General Muhammadu Buhari would revive the ailing economy which the people of Epe would benefit from in abundance.

    He urged the people to collect their Permanent Voter Cards in order to effect the change the country is looking for.

    He said: “As I am talking to you right now three states of the 36 states have almost been overran by insurgents. What we have at the centre is a display that they lack the capacity to secure Nigerians.

    “There is no electricity in the country. It is unfortunate that what the people would have used to support their economic life is being spent to buy diesel to fuel their generators.

    He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) desperation is manifested in the campaigns of calumny it has embarked on.

    “They have started showing the pictures of Buhari’s late wife. Is that the type of leaders you want to follow, all in the name of politics?

  • Support group for Ambode

    Support group for Ambode

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Lagos State have floated a support group to ensure victory for the candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Support Group for Ambode 2015, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, said the group was put together to ensure that those who nursed an ambition contribute effectively to the party’s victory.

    Speaking on behalf of the aspirants, who are also trustees of the group, former Commissioner for Rural Development Dr. Tola Kasali said all aspirants are committed to the success of the party and will bring their experience and expertise to add value to the campaign.

    He said although aspirants had been wooing voters to support the party, the emergence of the group would ensure better co-ordination of the efforts and provide critical assistance needed by the party to defeat the opposition parties.

    Former Attorney – General and Commissioner for Justice Supo Sasore said the timely emergence of the group would help fill the gap and deliver victory.

    Announcing the decision of the group to create the tagline, Ambode- The Consolidator, for the campaign, Chairman of the Central Committee and former Minister of State for Defence, Demola Seriki, said the growing awareness of the challenge of delivering votes to the party compelled those who are passionate and committed to victory to call on the aspirants to lead the mission.

    Ambode, flanked by his running mate, Dr.Oluranti  Adebule, thanked the group for the initiative.

    Other members of the Central Committee on the delegation include the Vice Chairman, Mr. Fola Tinubu and committee heads such as Chief Safari Adaranijo (Mobilisation), Dr. Kunle Wright (Finance), Dr. Solanke Labamba (Medical),  Niyi Adelaja (Logistics) and Kehinde Bamigbetan (Media & Communications).

  • 2015: I’ll tackle crime if elected – Ambode

    2015: I’ll tackle crime if elected – Ambode

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has assured residents that if elected, his administration would tackle sundry crimes in order to ensure security of lives and properties in the state.

    Ambode gave the assurance on Monday while addressing thousands of residents during the APC campaign rally in Mushin area of the state.

    The governorship hopeful said his administration will create an enabling environment for residents in the area to carry out their businesses and make a living.

    He said, “We have made Lagos to be safer in the last eight years. We will make it more secure so that you will have a 24-hour economy in a week. So that you can move around at any time of the day and night so that Mushin will be a better place to live.

    “My administration if voted into office will encourage community policing and you will be the ones watching over your own locality. We are going to have community watchers and we will have people here who will be engaged to watch over all of us and there will be peace and safer city to live.

    “When we are able to get a safer city here, people will do their jobs and business well. Then you can work in the day and nights. Our parents will be able to work safely without fear of being robbed or molested. We want a more comfortable life for all of you.”

    Also speaking at the rally, the state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), urged the residents and supporters of the APC to remain calm, focused and avoid violence despite provocations by opponents of the party.

    Fashola stressed that the opponents are looking for opportunities to cause violence and use that as excuse to postpone the elections.

    He pointed out that politicians vying for elective posts would still remain friends after the elections, urging resident to see politics like a football game where players remain friends at the end of the game no matter the outcome.

     

  • Ambode: I’ll complete Lagos-Badagry Expressway

    Ambode: I’ll complete Lagos-Badagry Expressway

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has promised to complete the 10-lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway if elected.

    Ambode, who spoke at the weekend at a rally at Badagry Senior Grammar School, Badagry, Lagos assured that the road would be completed by his administration, despite the face-off between the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government.

    He said although controversy rocked the execution of the project, with the Federal Government insisting that it ought to handle it, being an international route, “my administration will complete the expressway if voted into office.”

    The APC governorship candidate said the state government could not toy with a project of such magnitude, considering its economic value to the country.

    He pledged to facilitate the establishment of industries in Badagry, to create jobs for youths.

    Ambode promised to bring the dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the residents.

    His words: “I know your problems. I have worked and lived among you at the local government level. I will create jobs for you by establishing industries in this community. I will bring good governance to this community. I will complete the Lagos-Badagry Expressway project.”

    Reiterating his commitment to the continuity of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s legacy, Ambode promised to lay a foundation for youths to realise their potential and become good citizens.

    He added: “I will give Badagry youths the opportunity to be the best. I didn’t know I can be where I am today. I was just given the opportunity. I will give you that chance.”

    At the campaign were Governor Fashola, his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Mr. Solomon Adeola Olamilekan (aka Yayi), Mr. Sunny Ajose, members of Akinwunmi Ambode Kommittee of Friends (AA’KOF), APC candidates in the local government and others.

  • APC, Ambode decry attacks on members

    APC, Ambode decry attacks on members

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State has condemned the incessant attacks on the party’s campaign team by armed hoodlums alleged to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .

    The Director of the LCDA’s Campaign Committee, Mr. Isaac Omoregie, told reporters yesterday, with the Chairman of the Campaign Publicity Committee, Mr. Aderemi Adeyemo,   that the incidents began about a fortnight ago with the defacing and tearing of APC campaign posters, destruction and vandalisation of banners and billboards of the party’s candidates,  among other attacks.

    He added that the trend assumed a more dangerous dimension on “Thursday, when we were about to start the LCDA campaigns at our party’s headquarters on Ekoro Road in Abule Egba”.

    Adeyemo alleged that the PDP was behind the serial attacks, which he said were launched against the Ambode campaign team in various parts of Alimosho Local Government Area.

    He said an armed gang was stationed at the Old Ota/Ekoro Road Junction, close “to the base of the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Alimosho Federal Constituency, Mr. Busari Ayinde, unknown to our team, began to molest and harass our members on their way to the APC party secretariat”.

    “In the process, at least, eight of our members were physically assaulted, two of whom were hospitalised immediately to prevent mortality from the profuse bleeding due to multiple machete cuts they sustained,” Adeyemo said.