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Tag: Ambode

  • Sultan, Ambode to Chief Imam: promote peace, harmony

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar yesterday enjoined the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, to promote peace and harmony in the country.

    They spoke during the presentation of Staff of Office to Sheikh Abou-Nolla as Lagos’ 10th Chief Imam.

    Sixty others got various Islamic titles.

    Some of those decorated were All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Asiwaju Adinni of Lagos, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Waziri Adinni and a philanthropist, Alhaja Muyinat Alake Sopeyin-Akande, Iya Suna.

    Lagos Central Mosque Executive Council Chairman Sheikh Abdul Hafeez Abou presented the Chief Imam with his staff of office.

    Abou was supported by the vice chairman and Bashorun of Lagos Alhaji Sikiru Alabi Macfoy, Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef and former Federal Commissioner for Works Alhaji Femi Okunnu, among others.

    The governor congratulated the Chief Iman and urged other Muslim leaders and groups to support him.

    Represented by his Deputy Dr. Idiat Adebule, Ambode said the state recognised the role of Muslims in the peace and harmony being enjoyed in the state

    He described spiritual leaders as development partners in the effort to bring greater progress and prosperity to the state.

    “’Your contributions have greatly aided government’s efforts in the delivery of services and dividends of democracy to the people, especially those at the grassroots. Your roles in raising awareness and influencing attitudes, behaviours and practices, have also helped us to enjoy relative peace in the state,” he said.

    The Sultan, represented by the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Deputy President, Alhaji Sakariyahu Babalola urged the Chief Imam to work for the progress of Islam.

    He enjoined the new chiefs to redouble their efforts in the propagation of Islam and entrenchment of peaceful and harmonious relationship among religious adherents in the state.

    Sheikh Abou, in his welcome address, described the Chief Imam as an erudite scholar and a well cultured personality.

    He called for support for him, to enable discharge his responsibility well.

    Abou also assured Nigerians that Muslims would ensure free and fair elections in 2019.

    “As we countdown to another election year, we pray to sustain sanctity of tolerance, honesty and trustworthiness. May Allah make it easy and successful,” he said.

    In his lecture, Muslim Community of Lagos State (MCLS) President Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi urged the faithful to respect the Chief Imam as his installation was divine.

    “We will continue to pray that God will protect and grant him wisdom as the shepherd and guardian of our faith,” he said.

  • No rift between Tinubu and I, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said reports of a rift between him and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were untrue.

    A statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Habib Aruna, in Lagos, faulted reports of a major rift between Tinubu and Ambode over the governor’s second term bid.

    Aruna quoted Ambode as telling party faithful in Epe during the election of delegates for the presidential primary election and national convention that the reports indicating a fight between him and Tinubu were out of place, and there was no fight anywhere.

    “I want you to know that there is no fight anywhere. The National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and my good self we are not in any fight, we are not in any controversy.

    “We are praying to God that the best is yet to come and the best will be what Lagos State deserves and I want you to just continue with your prayers that at this time, God will show His hand and make sure that everything that is of blessing to Lagos State and also blessing of Epe will come to pass,” Ambode was quoted as saying.

    The governor commended leaders and party faithful who contributed to the success of the delegates’ election in Epe, saying APC remained the party to beat in Lagos and Nigeria.

    “We have just concluded our Delegates’ Election in Epe Local Government and by consensus, we have picked our three delegates that will be going to the National Convention come October 6 for the presidential direct primaries and the convention for all other people.

    “I want to say a very big thank you to all our delegates that are present here; I want to say a big thank you to all our leaders that have also supported us to make sure that this event has come and is done very successfully.

    “I want to reiterate once again that our party, All Progressives Congress (APC), remains the party to beat; we are the party at the national level and we are going to remain the party in the state,” the governor said.

    According to the statement, the event was held at APC’s secretariat in Aiyetoro, Epe,  with three national delegates from Epe Division — Alhaji Shakiru Seriki (Bamu), Otunba Bode Alausa and Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, elected.

    The division comprises one Local Government Area (Epe) and two Local Council Development Areas (Eredo and Ikosi-Ejirin).

    The party leaders and faithful, according to the statement,  also took turn to affirm their support for Ambode’s second term bid.

    Those listed include the Chairman of Epe Local Government, Adedoyin Adesanya; Eredo LCDA Chairman Saliu Adeniyi; Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA Chairman Samson Onanuga and party chairman in Epe Local Government Otunba Kehinde Adeniyi.

    Also included are State Welfare Officer Alhaja Abiodun Bankole; former House of Representatives member representing Epe, Hon Bola Gbabijo and House of Assembly member representing Epe Constituency II, Segun Olulade.

    The APC Women Leader in Epe, Mrs Iyabo Adegboyega; LGA party secretary, Alhaji S.A Owolomose; youth leader, Abdul Ibrahim; Otunba Bode Alausa, Akin Oladipupo, among others, were also listed among the party faithful at the event.

  • Obasa denies plot to impeach Ambode

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has denied any plot to impeach Governor Akimwunmi Ambode. Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said the House has a cordial relationship with the governor.

    Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Musibau Razak ,  Obasa said there is no iota of truth in the rumour.

    Report had appeared on some social media platform on Tuesday  that the Speaker wrote the Governor not to go ahead with the plans to buy the nomination form of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to re-contest his seat for second term.

    The speaker was alleged to have told the governor not to re-contest or risk being impeached if he goes ahead with the plans.

    Razak said the relationship between the governor and speaker remains “smooth and solid”.

    “This is political. Lot of information are being circulated here and there but there is no iota of truth in the report. The relationship between the Governor and Speaker is smooth and solid,” Razak said.

  • Ambode second term bid: Group calls for calm

    A group, Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vanguard has urged for calm over the impasse on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s quest for second term.

    In a statement yesterday, the Co-ordinator of the group, Mr Seyi Bamigbade, said the political issues in the All Peoples Congress (APC) would be resolved soon in favour of the governor.

    It said: More importantly is the fact that Lagosians already have put their support in the camp of Governor Ambode and would not go back on him.

    “Ofcourse, we did not expect that the governor would simply have a free passage without any sort of opposition even within the party. That is the beauty of democracy. All voices must be heard so it is normal that people should rise up in the party, to challenge each other. However, we already know who we want to lead us come 2019 elections and we know and believe that reason and good judgment among the people of Lagos will enable Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to grab the second term ticket.

    “Our courage is also anchored on the fact that Governor Ambode has been a working governor since he was elected and we all as Lagosians have seen his capability. He is tested and now trusted. So we would wait for the party to decide but we are encouraged by the fact that the elders of the party and other good people of Lagos, will take a good judgment in favour of the incumbent governor. But in the meantime, we call on all law abiding citizens of Lagos to remain calm.

  • Communities send SOS to Ambode on road

    It was a long and tortuous drive to the community, such that on arrival at the palace of the Olumopo of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Chief Lamoriyu Isiaka, the visitor’s car bumper had fallen off.

    Such is the deplorable state of  Okun-Mopo/Okun-Aja/Lafiaji/Mopo 1, Mopo 2 and Iwerekun Road in Eti-Osa and Ibeju-Lekki Local Government areas of Lagos State.

    The road, which links the three communities up to the Eleko Beach, also serves as an alternative route to the Lekki-Epe Expressway when there is heavy traffic on it.

    Last weekend, traditional rulers, industrialists, residents and other stakeholders in the communities sent a Save-Our-Soul (SOS) message to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to intervene by helping to reconstruct the 22-kilometre road.

    The community, which residents claim has been in existence for over 500 years, it was gathered, has been maintaining the impassable road through communal efforts and the benevolence of a few industrialists in their domain.

    Chief Isiaka, an octogenarian, said the road has become a sour point in the community’s history, impacting negatively on their source of livelihood. Efforts to fix the road by the community, he further explained, have not yielded the desired dividend. “It is almost impossible to bring all the produce from our farms, such as bananas, garri, and plantain to Lagos. There is no road. We are really suffering. And we called on the governor, but he kept promising us that he would do it. But till today, we are still in the same situation,” Pa Isiaka said.

    He recalled that the hope of the road getting reconstructed was hinged on Ambode’s promises at the town hall meeting they held with him, a few months ago.

    Baale, Mopo 1, Eti-Osa, Chief Akinlade Adekunle,  said the communities had draw government’s attention to their plight and the bridge, including appealing to the House of Assembly.

    “We have spoken to the commissioners for Works and the Environment. All they told us was that they were going to repair the roads. Anytime the governor comes to this area, we inform him about the situation of our roads. Since we were very young and our fathers were following politicians like Obafemi Awolowo and others, these roads have always been like this. It is sad that we vote massively for the ruling party in the state in our communities, but they forget us when they get to power,” he noted.

    The Akogun of Awori land, Chief Atiku Abogun, told The Nation that as a result of the road, the activities in the areas had been affected by the state of the damaged bridge, which he said, has been so for two years and the roads.

    He said the road is of significance to the axis, especially now that the Dangote Refinery is being constructed, because upon its completion, more traffic will flood the area. “This road also leads to Dangote Refinery and people can use it from Igbo-Efon, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki Beach and so on. If the road is motorable, it will ease all the gridlock that may occur in this area,” he said.

    Abogun, who is also the promoter of the Atican Beach Resort, a tourism centre on the beachline of Okun-Ajah, explained that there had been times when various people and at various times brought equipment to test and retest the damaged bridge and roads, but that was always the last they saw of them.

    The community, he said, wants the Ambode administration, to reploicate its infrastructural development in the area.

    “What we need here is the government’s presence. We need them to come and repair the roads for us and put better infrastructure in place for us. We are part of the people that campaigned for them. We voted for them. And this place, I think, is part of Lagos State. It is not outside Lagos State,”Abogun said.

    For the Manager, Atican Beach Resort, Godwin Ogwah, the parlous state of the road is a negative reinforcement for tourism. He advised that the government should prioritise the construction of roads in the area to boost tourism and create good business for the government because she will earn taxes from companies that develop their businesses in the area.

    “Tourism, as we all know, is a great income earner for any government. We have heard the government talking a lot about improving tourism. Every facility in front of the beach is a tourism centre. All the community roads they are developing in so many other places cannot earn them money the way they will make money in this community if they develop our roads because tourism centres will spring up everywhere. Other attaching businesses that go with tourism such as artwork, everything will boom,” Ogwah said.

  • APC: Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat to battle Ambode for ticket

    Otedola gets PDP ticket offer

    MORE aspirants have joined the race for Lagos State governor.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode obtained the nomination form on Monday and announced his interest in a new term of four years.

    Two former commissioners – Jide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat – have joined the race in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Their action increased yesterday the anxiety among party members who have been waiting for directives on the coming primary that was thought by many to be a one-man race.

    The candidate will be picked by direct primary — the system in which all members of the party will vote to choose the candidate.

    After obtaining his form, Sanwo-Olu was received by chieftains of the Mandate Group, a formidable arm of the APC.

    With him were: former Lagos APC Vice Chairman (West) James Omolaja Odunmbaku, former Agriculture & Cooperatives Commissioner Kaoli Olusanya and former Special Duties Commissioner Dr. Tola Kasali. Olusanya also echoed Odunbaku on the group’s endorsement of Sanwoolu as Lagos’s next governor.

    Speaking at meeting of the Mandate Group, Odunmbaku spoke of a plan to open Sanwo-Olu’s campaign office within the Ikeja GRA.

    He described the aspirant as the in-coming governor of the state.

    Businessman Femi Otedola is said to have been offered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket.

    There is also Owolabi Salis who is running in the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

    Sanwo-Olu is a former Commissioner for Establishment & Training. Hamzat is a former Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure.

    Ambode thanked Lagosians for supporting and believing him in the last three and a half years.

    He urged them to sustain the support “in the journey ahead”, adding that “together, let’s achieve more”.

    The governor also thanked the APC leadership, especially, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he referred to as “our National Leader” for giving him the platform to contribute his quota to “the further growth and development of our state.”

    The expression of interest in the Lagos governorship by the duo of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat shocked many political observers, who hitherto felt the incumbent would not have any challenger.

    But, a source within the APC said last night that “there is no cause for alarm”.

    “The more the merrier”, the source told The Nation, adding that the development would afford party members a rare opportunity to pick the best among the contenders.

    “It will deepen democracy. Party members will have the opportunity of choosing the best among the aspirants,” the source said.

    The popular belief in political circles is that the new entrants signaled a crisis in the party. “There is no crisis,” the party source said, pleading not to be named.

    There was no direct confirmation from Otedola on the PDP’s offer.

    A source close to him quoted him as saying: “I am on vacation.”

    Otedola is holidaying in Paris, France.

    Many saw Otedola’s endorsement as strange.

    Besides being a political greenhorn, the Chairman of Forte Oil Plc, had in May said he was not running for office. He is the son of former Governor Michael Otedola.

  • Ambode, Ashafa pick nomination forms

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has urged Lagosians to support him as he seeks re-election.

    Ambode, who yesterday picked the nomination form in Abuja, spoke at a reception organised for him by loyalists and supporters in Alausa, Ikeja.

    He thanked residents for believing in him and supporting him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the last three and a half years.

    The governor urged them to sustain the support “in the journey ahead and together, let’s achieve more.”

    He thanked “all members of our great party, the APC, our political leaders, most especially our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for giving me the platform to contribute to the further growth and development of our state.”

    The Chairman of Conference 57, Mrs. Omolola Eze, who spoke on behalf of chairmen of local governments and local council development areas, said: “We all have work to do at the councils as Governor Ambode goes for second term. We need to support him.”

    An APC leader, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, said: “We have all awaited this day. Governor Ambode has done so much and we have to go now to our areas to continue the mobilisation and sensitisation.”

    Among the APC leaders and members present at the event were Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule, Secretary to the State Government Tunji Bello, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, members of the House of Assembly, members of the state Executive Council, local council chairmen, among others.

    The lawmaker representing Lagos East, Senator ‘Gbenga Ashafa, yesterday obtained the expression of interest and nomination forms for the APC primaries scheduled to hold on September 26.

    He was accompanied to the national secretariat of APC in Abuja by party leaders from Lagos East, supporters, family, relations, friends and well-wishers.                                                          Ashafa said: “I urge you all to be responsive to this great power you hold, the power of choice. To be able to choose is a power so great that the consequences of its use, or misuse, are always life-changing and defining. Year after year, since 2011, I have kept faith with you as your senator in the 7th and 8th sessions of the National Assembly. Through your contributions at our town hall meetings and constituency outreaches, you have also kept faith by showing support and offering constructive criticisms, which have helped to make me a better lawmaker and also make Lagos East a shining example of what it means to have a responsive senator.”

  • Ambode, Ajimobi warn against extinction of Yoruba culture

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his Oyo State counterpart, Abiola Ajimobi, have expressed concerns about the threat of extinction to the Yoruba culture.

    The governors noted that the culture is being pushed beyond tolerable limits.

    They spoke at the weekend in Oyo town at the grand finale of Oranyan Festival.

    Ambode was represented by his Special Adviser on Arts and Culture, Mrs Giwanson Mudirat Aramide.

    He noted that the Yoruba language gives the ability to think differently and retain the mentality, saying its abandonment would portend dislocation and loss of identity.

    “All the ethnic and language groupings in the country have deep-rooted traditional backgrounds and established oral traditions in proverbs. They communicate through proverbs when serious issues are to be discussed and meanings are to be made and instructions passed with non-controversial implications.”

    Reiterating the commitment of his administration to cultural renaissance, Ambode lauded the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, for his zeal and visionary leadership in promoting and rekindling the rich Yoruba cultural heritage.

    Ajimobi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr. Toye Arulogun, said the basic culture and civilisation the Yoruba had built still endured and remained the fulcrum of political, economic, religious and intellectual development of the country.

    He added: “The Yoruba recognises the need to have a society where law and order will prevail. Quite unlike what obtains in contemporary times, the Yoruba enshrine the values and ethos of sanity in the child. As a people without physical written paraphernalia, the Yoruba starts to nurture their minds early. The implication is that as a child grows, he or she learns etiquette and moral ethos, along the way.”

    The governor decried the gradual extinction of Yoruba customs and traditions and how modernisation has been allowed to bombard the traditions of the ethnic nationality.

    He noted that it will be disastrous for the Yoruba to fold their arms and allow their traditions to dwindle into oblivion due to permissiveness.

    Oba Adeyemi said the life and political career of legendary Oranyan would provide a template for effective political system or statecraft, empire building and mass political participation.

    He said: “Oranyan was an astute political leader who, in spite of all odds, created a most enduring political system in sub-Saharan Africa. The archetypal monarchy embroidered with central authority was a product of the wizardry of Oranyan who left the cradle of Yoruba consciousness to create a system of government whose effectiveness, creativity, relevance, suitability and appropriateness is not in doubt, even in contemporary Nigeria.”

  • 2019: On Ambode we stand, says APC Ayobo/Ipaja

    • Receives defectors from PDP

    Hundreds of members and admirers of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ayobo/Ipaja Local Council Development Area, LCDA, gathered together during the week with one aim in mind: to show support for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s second term bid in 2019.

    The members who came from all the wards in the LCDA spoke glowingly of the performance of the governor in the past three years which they say automatically qualifies him to come back for a second term.

    Alimosho being the largest constituency in Lagos with the highest number of registered voters, the members promised to mobilise voters in the LCDA to vote massively for Ambode in 2019 to ensure he returns as governor.

    They said although he has preformed wonderfully well they were not going to take chances, they would still go on massive sensitisation of the whole area to ensure Ambode clinches the bulk of the votes in Alimosho.

    The chairman of APC in the LCDA, Elder Ayo Olofintuyi, used the occasion to formally welcome some defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by Chidi Mbonu into the party promising them of equal treatment with other members.

    Mbonu who was described as a great mobiliser said they were defecting because of the great work Ambode is doing in Lagos and promised to work with his people and other APC members in the LCDA to ensure that the party is voted back into power.

  • Ambode: Modern crime fighting must be technology driven

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said effective crime fighting must be technology driven.

    Ambode, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello spoke while declaring open meeting of the Federal and States Security Administrators’ (FSSAM) at NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja.

    “We must therefore support our security and safety strategies with the appropriate technology for efficient and effective crime fighting,” he said.

    He promised to continue supporting security agencies in the state, adding that his administration will continue to partner with the Federal Government on peace and security nationwide.

    Lagos, he said, had evolved proactive strategies against crime, with the support of local communities and security agencies.

    Lagos, he said, had become a no-go area for interstate or cross-boundary marauders or individuals and groups with criminal or mischievous intent.

    He urged the delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to take a critical look at operational strategies “with a view to ensuring effective alignment with evolving security challenges in a modern and technology driven age”.

    “This meeting is coming at a crucial time when political activities are gathering momentum towards the 2019 elections. It is, therefore, expected that this meeting will come up with strategies that will effectively address the peculiar security challenges that may impact negatively on the electoral process”, Ambode said.

    In her remarks chairman of FSSAM and Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Amina Shamaki called for collective action against crime.

    She identified oil, gas and power facilities vandalism, illegal oil bunkering, crude theft, kidnapping, communal clashes, political brigandage, cybercrime, bad roads and other ills as killing the economy.

    She advocated stringent punishment for kidnap kingpins to deter others.