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Tag: Ambode

  • I’m ready to serve Lagosians, says Ambode

    I’m ready to serve Lagosians, says Ambode

    •APC governorship aspirant opens office

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Mr. Akinwumi Ambode has reiterated his readiness to serve Lagosians, if elected as governor in next year’s election.

    He spoke about his vision for the APC, saying the party would liberate Nigerians from poverty, if it wins the presidential election.

    As at 9am yesterday, party leaders and supporters converged on the Akinwuni Ambode Campaign Organisation’s office at the General Hospital Road, Gbagada, Lagos East Senatorial District, for the inauguration of the office and the steering committees for 57 councils.

    The ceremony was witnessed by APC grassroots leaders, including House of Representatives member . James Faleke, former Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Affairs. Abdulateef Abdulakeem, his Rural Development counterpart,. Paul Kalejaye, former old Mainland Council boss Otunba Tayo Oyemade, Rasak Muse, Mr. Anifowose Abiola, Bolaji Are, Bode Tijani, Mr. Sulaiman Odueso and Mr. Daisi Oso.

    The masters of ceremonies were former Kosofe Council Chairman Tunde Braimoh, Yaba Local Council Vice Chairman Mrs. Bola Lawal Olumegbon and Mr. Ahmed Seriki.

    Ambode called for unity and cohesion in Lagos APC ahead of the governorship primaries.

    He urged his supporters to fortify and defend his structure during electioneering.

    The former accountant-general and permanent secretary, Ministry of Finance, promised to work for the progress of the state, urging his supporters in the 57 local governments to re-invigorate their door-to-door and neighbour-to-neighbour mobilisation, ahead of the primaries.

    Ambode, who spoke in Yoruba and English, said: “Many party members have resolved to support my bid for the governorship. We are already in the vehicle. We will get to our destination with joy. I am ready to serve Lagosians. Our party has a mission to salvage Nigeria. We will want to create a new level of leadership to challenge the status quo and liberate our people from poverty.”

    Abdulakeem, who rendered the opening prayer, said the aspirant has the backing of Muslims in Lagos and prayed that he should win the primaries and general election.

    The former lawmaker added: “With the help of the Almighty Allah, I will deliver the Lagos Muslims. I see Ambode as a symbol of divine intervention. I have come here to douse the tension that Muslims are against a Christian governor. What has happened in the Central African Republic will not happen here. We will not run Lagos on the basis of religion.

    “When you enter the plane, do you ask whether the pilot is a Christian or Muslim? When there is a fire, do you ask whether the landlord is a Christian or Muslim? Muslims in Lagos will work for the success of Ambode.”

    Stressing that politics is not “a game of mouth,” but of action, the former adviser said: “All other aspirants are coming to work for the success of Ambode. So, don’t fight anybody.”

    Oyemade praised the APC top contender for his legacies in the civil service, recalling that when council allocations were seized by the Obasanjo Administration, he evolved the financial strategy of generating revenue for the deprived councils.

    Faleke described Ambode as a competent candidate, assuring all that he would build on the foundation laid by former Governor Bola Tinubu and his successor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN).

    He said: “I have a personal right to be here and support who I want to support. There are so many aspirants. I am not forced to support Ambode. I knew Ambode years ago; right from the time he was working as a council treasurer in the local government. He has been a good politician in the civil service, a team player, a honest man and a corrective leader.

    “He was the accountant-general when I was the chairman of Conference 57. We worked together. He is humble and God has decided to lift him up. By the grace of God, he will be the next governor. My own support for him is to deliver my local governments – Ojodu, Ikeja and Onigbongbo.”

    Faleke, who noted that Fashola has performed in the last seven and half years, said Ambode would continue to follow the standard he has set.

    He added: “Ambode will run a government of continuity. He is well-bred and knowledgeable. Let people stop their campaigns of calumny. This game is a game of identification. Come out and be fishers of men for Ambode.”

  • Ambode commiserates with Sun

    Ambode commiserates with Sun

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, has commiserated with the Sun Publishing Ltd on the sudden death of the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Dimgba Igwe.

    He described the death as an irreparable loss to journalism and to Nigerians.

    The former accountant- general of Lagos State, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication, Mr. Idowu Ajanaju, said: “We can only be consoled by the fact that Igwe lived his life using his God-given talents and gifts for the benefits of the masses through his writings and diligence in the management of one of the foremost Nigerian newspapers.”

    He prayed for the management, workers of the Sun and the deceased’s family, saying God would grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Ambode said the transient nature of life was brought to the fore and advised that men ought to live their lives in the consciousness of this fact.

     

  • Ambode says Lagos debt under control

    Ambode says Lagos debt under control

    •Inaugurates campaign office today

    A former Accountant-General in Lagos State and governorship hopeful on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Akin Ambode, has faulted claims that the state’s debt is unmanageable.

    He spoke at the inaugural leadership lecture series organised by a political action committee, The Future Nigeria.

    Ambode explained that debt should never be analysed in isolation but considered in relation to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that most of Lagos’ debt went into financing projects to increase its revenue-generating capability and ensure it remains credit-worthy.

    When asked his vision for Lagos, Ambode said:  “I see a prosperous Lagos; a Lagos that is easily accessible, open to foreigners and Nigerians to pursue their potential; a safe and clean environment; a Lagos that allows every person to achieve their potential; a Lagos that knows no gender no race, no sex, no religion, no colouration; a Lagos that has connectivity and mobility; a 24-7 Lagos, a Lagos where the economy does not sleep at 8pm.”

    He dismissed the notion that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Is anti-poor, adding that the party wanted to give all Nigerians the tools to get out of poverty and progress.

    Ambode will today inaugurate his campaign office. The office is in Gbagada on the Lagos mainland. The event is expected to be graced by thousands of his supporters.

    Ambode, who hails from Epe, will interact with his supporters and inaugurate the women and youth wing of the organisations.

    A statement by his Special Adviser on Communications, Idowu Ajanaku, said Ambode’s vision to be the next governor of Lagos State is out of his desire to consolidate on the foundation laid by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Raji Fashola.

    He said having served in the civil service for 27 of his 47 years, he was qualified to succeed Fashola.

    The aspirant promised that given the opportunity to serve as governor, Lagos would continue to be the pride of Lagosians and Nigerians.

     

  • How youths can develop Nigeria, by Ambode

    How youths can develop Nigeria, by Ambode

    THE youths are part of a critical human capital goldmine that can propel Lagos and Nigeria from an emerging economy to a major world economy, the Chief Executive Officer of Brandsmiths Consulting, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, said yesterday.

    Ambode, who is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), said this would be achieved if sound financial understanding and adequate investment of resources are allocated to the “critical demographic for sustainable productivity.”

    He spoke in a paper titled, “Public Finance: Probity and Accountability,” at a two-day workshop organised by the Lagos State Government in partnership with the Lagos Business School at the Pan African University, Lagos.

    The theme of the workshop was “The Nigerian Youth – The Quality Imperative.”

    Ambode, in his paper, stressed the importance of accountability, equity and probity in both the private and public sectors.

    The gathering, which drew 300 youths of different backgrounds from all the state’s tertiary institutions, was an engaging moment to discuss the “unpredictable nature of the increasing youth population in Nigeria.”

    Ambode, who is a former Accountant-General and Permanent, said innovation is about finding new solutions to old problems, insisting that it is the youth who would drive these solutions.

    He urged them to channel their energies by improving themselves, challenge the status quo and work to achieve their full potential.

    The aspirant noted that the process of getting it done is often seen as enormous.

    He added that people forgot that the “youths, who make up a massive bulk of the population of the country at present, with a large percentage still unemployed, can be at the forefront of the country’s economic survival and subsequent prosperity, if adequately enabled.”

    He said: “Poverty has no tribal marks. It is not partial to any religion or race. Poverty dehumanises all in its stream, irrespective of their religion, gender or ethnic call.

    “Across the country today, from North to South from East to West, we can see the humiliating mass of poverty in our landscape.”

    He insisted that deliberate actions must be taken by the government to plan for the growing youth population.

    He stated that the prerequisite for good governance “is in the identification of the basic needs of the people through accountability and management of resources.

    “If we take the concept of resource generation, allocation and distribution into cognisance and apply the principles of good governance, we will achieve economic growth and development”.

    After his lecture, Ambode engaged the students in a question and answer session, where he also shared his thoughts on many other issues.

    He told them that every youth must know that the road driven towards leadership is paved by the ability to follow effectively.

    He presented autographed copies of his biography “The Art of Selfless Service” and his accounting text “Public Sector Accounting” to winners of a quiz session he organised at the talk.

    Other speakers at the workshop were Mr. Kola Oyeneyin, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worry, Olatunde Shofowora, Prof. A. M. Ninalowo, Mrs. Oyonkan Badejo-Okusanya and Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi.

    The workshop was the second in the series organised by the government to engage and nurture the youth, particularly students of tertiary institutions.

  • Ambode … a heart for the poor

    Volumes have been written, discussed, rumoured and learnt about the man Akinwunmi Ambode, a passionate public service treasure who, to quite many, came into limelight when he rose to serve meritoriously as Accountant General of Lagos State in 2005. Yet, a lot of people still need some lecture about the actual essence of this iconic figure.

    Many in his ilk are not easily given to making noise about their achievements, even though such deserve outstanding mention in history books; they prefer to remain literally in the dark and do more in contributing more to making mankind better that they met it. This accounts for why I have kept my lips sealed while many tried to unveil the little they know about Akin – as many are wont to call him.

    From what many of us knew about him – either in Epe, his Lagos country home, in the city or outside the country – one fact remains indubitable: Describing him is like describing an elephant. Your description depends on the part of the animal you stand, see and observe.

    Beyond being an astute financial resources manager, Akin is an avid believer in the school of thought that sees the welfare of man as the focal point of every human endeavour. And this is one vital aspect of him that has remained shrouded in secrecy to those who unfortunately, have not had the privilege of getting close to him.

    Back in his salad days in Epe, young Ambode was obsessed with sharing his meals, however meagre, with friends. Yes, he would not hide and eat alone at a corner in his parents’ confines, thanks to his upbringing by a parentage that was, from foundation, rooted firmly in selflessness.

    His later father, though a teacher, whose proverbial reward was “in heaven” then, was said to have endeared himself to virtually everyone in the community with his trademark penchant to part with whatever he had – money, shoes and cloths inclusive.

    Can anybody correctly estimate the number of sons and daughters of needy families that have been enjoying his scholarships and sundry other forms of his philanthropy? I doubt if there is any!

    A friend once jocularly told me when he was Managing Consultant/CEO of Brandsmiths Consulting Limited, a public finance and management consulting outfit with remarkable marks in public sector administration, he threw his doors ajar for even the wretched of the earth, to the extent that he felt within him that Akin signed a pact with God to spend his life sharing love with the less-privileged. Certainly not for him the ongoing crazy inclination towards acquiring wealth that has continued to threaten human existence especially in our dear land.

    Though not a politician in the pedestrian sense of the “title,” Akin, from all available indications, seems to share in the immortal contention of the renowned sage, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo (GCFR), the welfarist lawyer-born politician that “Politicians are born, not made. Anyone who has not the stomach for the railings of the masses but who is only interested in their occasional hosannas has no right into public life.”

    Another politician of the welfarist fold cum business giant, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of blessed memory, once disclosed why he was head over heels in “blind” love with the poor all his life. He had clarified: “I know the music that plays in the belly of the hungry; it is usually unpleasant.”

    Akin’s best of friends, as I have seen in the attitude of the accounting czar, are those who would not hesitate to sacrifice an eye to see that the hoi polloi around them are rescued from the morass of want, oppression and exploitation.

    “What is the essence of somebody amassing all the wealth he can lay his hands on, build countless empty houses with innumerable posh automobiles which, for months, remain useless in garages when millions don’t know where the next meal would come from?” He once asked at a gathering in New York. It was back in the later 90s.

    It can be truly said that by birth, Akin and I share no relationship; neither did I attend St. Jude’s Primary School, Ebute Metta, Lagos Mainland, Federal Government College, Warri and the University of Lagos with him. But it is a naked truth that he has proved to be the epitome of altruism, which should be an overriding pre-occupation of the well-heeled few amidst us today.

    It is perhaps understandable that the heavens went jubilant recently when the rumour filtered out that the Epe homeboy would likely throw his hat into the ring for the forthcoming governorship contest in the state.

    Even since, the thrust of virtually every political discourse on the topic has been hinged on some posers: If the All Progressives Congress (APC), in its wisdom, fields Ambode, who and who are the other parties likely to field against Ambode in the election? Do they have the clout to face him given his “intimidating” credentials, especially as a tested and trusted public servant?

    Many keen observers have since been quick to submit with some modicum of reliability that it would not only be foolhardy for any aspirant, however rich, to enter the ring with the quintessential servant, but it would amount to sheer waste of resources and precious time on his part.

    “The gladiators among ardent lovers of continuity in the ongoing development and all-round prosperity of Lagos State will likely queue behind Ambode for what he represents to discerning minds. He is a man with Spartan self-discipline and legendary penchant for the upliftment of his world, especially his fellowmen. Lagosians are too wise to allow any opportunities to have Ambode serve them with his God-given endowments pass them by,” an observer once said.

    Even to the doubting Thomases, it is crystal clear that in the past 15 years, those who have been steering the ship of the state have placed it steadily on the super highway of unbroken forward match. It will be too calamitous of a risk to allow an amateur driver to swerve the ship to the often congested traffic lane to force that hand the state’s development back.

    Here, I strongly believe, lies the strength of the inclination of those who tenaciously believe that Akin Ambode is the man who can judiciously wield the baton of sane leadership after incumbent Governor Babatunde Fashola in the interest of Lagosians.

     

    • Williams writes from Surulere in Lagos
  • Ambode: Making Lagos work after Fashola

    Ambode: Making Lagos work after Fashola

    Aquintessential public servant, those who know him quite intimately, see him as an exemplar in accountable governance, selflessness and unalloyed uprightness whose only “weakness” is his implacable commitment to public good, no matter whose ox is gored!

    Oh, your surmise is damn right! The man I’m discussing here is the one who, today, many in the Lagos State public service environment fondly address as Mr Public Service –Akinwunmi Ambode. His name is synonymous with the pivotal aspect of a promising public administration. He hugged the limelight when he became the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance of Lagos State in January 2005; a year after, he rose to the position of Accountant-General of the state.

    The magic wand he brought into the service in good measure readily became an integral ingredient of the evergreen accomplishments of the then state government led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (now national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who has since earned himself the sobriquet: Architect of a modern Lagos State!

    Even Tinubu’s most virulent foes and Ambode’s (if there is any), would testify to the incontrovertible fact that the symbiosis between Tinubu’s administrative genius and the sublime professional expertise of Ambode and his ilk, oiled by the shared passion for public good, ensured the historic feat of the Tinubu-led bailout of the state from the hands of interlopers.

    Ambode’s Midas touch in the state’s public service under Tinubu, coupled with his achievements as Managing Consultant/CEO of Brandsmiths Consulting Limited, a public finance and management-consulting firm with vast knowledge of public sector administration, readily threw him up as a primary subject of public discourse since his interest in the 2015 governorship tussle in the state sneaked into public domain.

    “From recording the second best result in the entire West Africa in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1981 to graduating with honours in Accounting from the University of Lagos at 21 and a Masters’ degree in Accounting combined with being a Chartered Accountant all at 24, the stage was set for a brilliant career in Accounting. One could therefore re-write his biography with the title: Ambode and the Power of Focus.” These lines were contained in a writer’s recent thoughts about Ambode, who was born at Epe in Lagos on June 14, 1964, with an impressive educational voyage through St. Jude’s Primary School, Ebute Metta on Lagos Mainland, Federal Government College, Warri and the prestigious University of Lagos.

    Even the cynics of the deepest dye would find it hard to disagree with Tinubu when he described him at a forum as “an uncommon civil servant” in whom he discovered an embodiment of the sterling attributes of a great accountant.

    Tinubu’s workaholic successor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in a letter of commendation to the accounting icon, appreciated “the high sense of dedication, selflessness, loyalty and integrity” which he brought to bear during his glorious public servant days.

    The few who were hitherto in the dark about what Ambode stands for, perhaps knew better at a recent public presentation of his biography, The Art of Selfless Service, written by Marina Osoba.

    Thunderous ovation threatened the venue to its foundation. Even those who had known him intimately for the past five decades had their jaws pleasantly set apart. “This is indeed an illustrious son that Lagos and indeed, Nigeria must be proud of,” many presumably soliloquised.

    Much as I thought I knew the astute accountant, I was more enlightened when a fortnight ago, I found myself in the midst of those who, to me, knew him from Adam at a gathering in Lekki. On virtually everyone’s lips is the aspect of his upbringing which, in the discussants’ view, should be internalised and imbibed by the youth of today who see it as a waste of time working towards their life goals. Their discussion and eventual conclusion on the man, reminded me of the immortal words of the late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who once admonished: “After rain comes sunshine; after darkness comes the glorious dawn. There is no joy without its alloy of sorrow; behind the ugly terrible mask of misfortune lies the beautiful soothing countenance of prosperity. So, tear the mask!”

    As a growing youth, he was said to have brave all odds and trudged on to put his life on a sound footing in the first 27 years of his exemplary life, especially after the death of his father when he was barely 18 – thus contributing to his uniqueness as a man.

    A further lesson for youths: Quite a negligible few in his shoes would rather spend eternity looking for plum jobs that would put them in the league of the Aliko Dangotes of this world overnight. But no; Ambode did not behave like his peers today would. He willingly embraced civil service which people see as acutely impoverishing – if only for its snail-speed opportunities for self fulfilment.

    But the consummate accountant was not idiotic after all. He was simply dancing to the irrepressible dictates of his destiny and his unique psychological disposition to the forces of his uncommon foundational familial impetus!

    I feel compelled to believe without a scintilla of doubt that his sterling personality traits and abundant trainings, which combined to midwife his leadership capabilities, recently, prompted the respected Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Okikiola, the Akiolu 1, to urge the state chapter of the APC, to prod Ambode into the ring for the next governorship election in the state.

    “Myself, other traditional rulers and some notable elders have met and decided that Ambode should be the next governor of Lagos,” the esteemed monarch declared, albeit to the discomfort of some who I guessed, knew Ambode not, especially in the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    There is no gainsaying that fact that the monarch and others like him, are armed with the belief that Ambode possesses enough mental and professional ammunition needed to sustain and improve on the world-acclaimed achievements of Governor Fashola in the state.

    “I have taken my time to study the goings-on in the political circles of this state for months now as we prepare for the 2015 polls. I have discovered that people want the sustenance of all the indices of the new Lagos that we are celebrating today and from all indications, the man called Ambode, from what I have gathered from many people, is the one with the character needed to keep the ball rolling in the best interest of Lagos residents,” a reader insisted at a newsstand recently. It was during a heated discussion of the fate of the state after Fashola at the popular Ojuelegba Under-bridge in Surulere. I think the man said it all!

    • Adetola lives in Lagos.
  • Lagos Reps caucus receives Ambode

    Lagos Reps caucus receives Ambode

    MEMBERS of the House of Representatives from Lagos State have had a closed door session with a governorship aspirant under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Akin Ambode. At the meeting, which held on Thursday at a conference room in the House of Representatives complex, Abuja, the members engaged Ambode in a rigorous cross examination, during which Akin Ambode seized the opportunity to inform the Lagos Reps members of his vision for Lagos State. Meanwhile, the House of Reps caucus members are expected to receive more gubernatorial aspirants who are willing to intimate them about their plans for the state. The meeting, which was hosted by the APC leader in the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who also, until the party announced it had zoned the governorship seat to Lagos East, also targeted same Lagos governorship seat. Members present at the meeting are Hon Abayomi Ayeola, Hon Babatunde Adewale, Hon Hakkem Muniru, Hon Abiodun Faleke, Hon Aliu Kazeem, Hon Yakub Balogun, Hon. rafeequat Onabamiro, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Mr. Akin Ambode, Hon Jumoke Okoya- Thomas, Hon Samuel Adejare, Hon Adeola Solomon, Hon Toyin Suarau, Hon. Jide Akinloye, Hon. Ganiyu Olukolu, Hon. Abayomi Ogunnusi. However, one of the members at the meeting disclosed that his support for Ambode does not exclude him from participating in a free and fair primary to be organized by the party. It will be recalled that Ambode had initially met with market leaders in Lagos. He is also expected to meet with senators from Lagos State.

  • Ambode fit for governor, says Akiolu

    Ambode fit for governor, says Akiolu

    Lagos monarch Oba Rilwan Akiolu has  endorsed a  former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Finance, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, for next year’s governorship election.

    Ambode, a 51-year-old chartered accountant and financial expert from Epe, is an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He retired voluntarily from the civil service three years ago at 49.

    The Olowo-Eko said Ambode is qualified to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola because of his track record as a technocrat.

    He said: “I will not lie to you. The elders of Lagos have met and they have said  Ambode should be governor.”

    Oba Akiolu spoke yesterday in Lagos at the presentation of two books: Public Sector Accounting (PSA) Book, written by Ambode, and his biography, The Art of Selfless Service, written by Marina Osoba.

    The first book was reviewed by the former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr. Doyin Owolabi.

    The second was reviewed by Mrs. Uwa Osa-Oboh, a lawyer and management consultant.

    The books were presented to the public by Fashola, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Oluranti Adebule.

    The guest of honour, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was represented by a former Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey.

    Mr. Michael Dawodu represented the deputy governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

    The highlight of the ceremony, which was held at the Civic Centre on Victoria Island, was the running of a documentary on Ambode’s public service career.

    Dignitaries at the event included Second Republic Senator Habib Fashinro; Dr. Adeniyi Coker; former Lagos State Head of Service Babatunde Rotinwa; Senator Ajayi Boroffice; Mr. Ayo Opadokun; Prof. Ademola Abass; House of Assembly members – Mr. Rotimi Abiru, Mrs. Lola Akande and Mrs. Ramata Akinola; former Physical Planning Commissioner Francisca Abosede; his Local Government and Chieftaincy counterpart, Prince Rotimi Agunsoye; Apena Kaoli Olusanya; Pa Abiodun Sunmola; Pa M.A. Taiwo; Chief Akanni Seriki-Bamu; Chief Funso Ologunde; Alhaji Lanre Rasak and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

    Others are Mr. Ganiyu Johnson; Chief Tayo Oyemade; Mr. Segun Odusanya; Prof. Fidelis Odita (SAN); Mr. Lateef Ibirogba; Mr. Toun Adediran; Mr. Obafemi Durosinmi; Mr. Bolaji Ariyoh; Mr. Paul Kalejaye; Mr. Niyi Ifemade; Mr. Tunde Temionu; Mr. Tunde Braimoh; Mr. Akeem Oris; Mr. Charles Ekwilo and Azizat Tijani.

    Traditional rulers from Epe and some parts of Aworiland were also present.

     Ambode was accompanied to the event by his wife, Bolanle; associates and relations.

    Oba Akiolu said although the ceremony was the presentation of books, the event had a political connotation. He reflected on the succession battle in Lagos State, saying monarchs and elders have a role to play in it.

    The monarch said Lagos elders and traditional rulers will not support a non-indigene for governor.

    He said the choice of the candidate may trigger  criticisms, reminiscent of how Fashola emerged as the flag bearer in 2007, but they would be resolved before the general election.

    Oba Akiolu, who spoke in Yoruba and English,  said: “It is true that we are launching a book, but we know why we are here. Some aspirants have sent delegations to me. But, I strongly believe that only God can choose a leader. The elders of Lagos have said that Ambode will be governor.

    “You will still meet in your party and take a decision on who will be governor. But, in my capacity and in accordance with the wish of God and the elders around, I will make my position clear on this matter. When you see someone that is dancing upstairs, you should know that some people are beating the drums downstairs for him.

    “The elders have been meeting. I have not for once gone out of my way without giving due respect to whom it is due. We review things regularly. My father, Senator Fashinro, who will be 95 in September, and Dr. Adeniyi Coker, who will be 89 on his next birthday, usually come to my palace. The elders have said that Ambode should be the next governor of Lagos State. Other aspirants have the right to aspire too. But, I will not open my eyes and allow the son of the Oba of Ewekoro to be the governor. But all things are in the hand of God Almighty.”

    The monarch prayed that God should continue to endow Ambode with wisdom so that he can triumph over his rivals, adding: “God will help you. You will triumph. God will give you wisdom. Nobody can predict any human being, until he finds himself in a position of authority. God will stand by you. The alfas and bishops will stand by you. Whoever gangs up against you will not triumph over you. Before I became the Oba of Lagos, many things were said against me. In respect of my son, Fashola, you can see the level of his achievement in Lagos. You will surpass his achievements.”

    Urging other aspirants to be understanding “when Ambode becomes the candidate”, the monarch said  he was confident that they would work for his success.

    Oba Akiolu added: “Those of you that are annoyed, you should be patient. He (Ambode) is not from Ilaje. He is a Lagosian and he will be governor.”

    Tinubu described the former Accountant-General as an uncommon civil servant, a good and accountable leader and highly dependable technocrat, stressing that his life is full of lessons.

    Lauding the financial expert and author, he recalled that Ambode graduated at 21, bagged a masters degree and became a chartered accountant at 24 and emerged as a reputable financial expert at 27.

    The former Lagos State governor said when the opposition instigated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the Lagos State government, nothing incriminating was found because Ambode was in charge at the ministry.

    Tinubu said: “Beyond rhetorics, what is most significant in all we do here today is the lesson to learn as individuals, friends and foes from the inspiring life of our dear celebrant. Today, we identify with Ambode as that young, ambitious and highly determined Nigerian, who started his humble beginning at Epe to become a public finance management expert and Chief Executive Officer of Brandsmiths Consulting Limited.

    “We recall with pride his exemplary public service as  Accountant-General of Lagos State.

    “This was at the time the opposition was holding on to our money. You appreciate the value of an accountant when the EFCC is sniffing around your government. During the period when the opposition was scoffing with its guard dogs, trying to find something, not a single case could be made because of the quality of the accountant.

    “ Without mincing words,  I dare say that the lessons from his inspiring life are many. I must say a good leader must have selfless service as a guiding credo. We all know that Nigeria would have been a great place today if our leaders were guided by selfless service. And what is the service all about? It is about personal sacrifice for the state; it is the rare capacity to subsume one’s whims and caprices to the socio-economic and political development of the state. This has been amply demonstrated by Ambode that a leader must render selfless service.”

    Fashola described Ambode as a unique character,  who rendered invaluable service to Lagos.

    He said the chartered accountant was an influential personality, motivator, consummate administrator and great financial manager.

    Mrs. Osa-Oboh described Ambode as always eager to make impact and create  lasting legacies, adding that the book is not an exaggeration.

    She said his life had shown that leadership is critical to human development.

    Owolabi said the book is as qualitative as the author, pointing out that Ambode mirrored his school teacher-father, who always insisted on quality.

    He added: “Ambode is a man of fine details.”

    Ambode thanked the royal fathers for their support.

    He thanked ICAN for giving him a chartered status at 21; his parents for proper upbringing; and Tinubu and Fashola, for mentoring him.

    Ambode said: “When you work under the guidiance of these two people, there is no room for failure. The letter of commendation by Governor Fashola is my guild medal for public service.”