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Tag: Ambode

  • Posterity will judge my tenure – Ambode

    •As he commissions ultra modern Lagos Theatre in Epe

    With less than a week to the end of his tenure, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akimwunmi Ambode at the weekend before his kinsmen at Epe said he has served humanIty to his best and posterity will judge him.

    The out-going governor spoke during the inauguration of a 400- seater ultra modern Lagos theatre in his home town Epe.

    Ambode expressed gratitude to God for giving him the grace to serve humanity and govern Lagos, expressing fulfillment with the projects executed by his administration within the ancient town of Epe and the adjoining communities.

    He said it was particularly fulfilling that he was able to implement a number of projects which changed the outlook of the town and made life further comfortable for the people, as well as improve the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the State.

    “This is a more fulfillimg day for me. If there is anything for me to say, it is that I am fulfilled that a day like this can come in the history of this town(Epe). I mean four days to go and in four years, we have turned things around”.

    “God has given us the grace that I can come back here and actually spend my last weekend of those four years with my people”, expressing delight that among the theatres he established, he has the opportunity  to come and commission the one in Epe.

    “We are very delighted that among the Art Theatres that we have established, we have the opportunity to come and commission the one in Epe. The first one – the Lagos Theatre in Oregun was commissioned by Mr President and then followed by the one in Igando. That of Badagry will be commissioned on Monday making four out of the six that we had actually planned. Two to go and believing strongly that the vision to actually bring out the best of the talents of our younger ones is part of this structure that you are seeing here,” Governor Ambode said.

    He said the initiative to construct the theatres across the State was borne out of the vision to create a framework to bring out the creativity and innovative skills of talented youths, as well as serving as a platform to scale up communal bonding among the people.

    On other initiative in the tourism sector, Ambode said: “We are also renovating Glover Memorial Hall; it’s been fully paid for and in another few months, they should be able to commission it also so that we can have top class tourist attractions in all these locations. People can decide to come and watch a play in Epe and then drive back to Lagos.

    “I am  very grateful to God. You never planned what you met on the way. Having had that opportunity to be elected as governor and for four years, one is  able to do it in good health and mind. To God be the glory”.

    “The main purpose of governance is giving back to humanity and serve selflessly. All that we put together, I am happy I was able to do that and God gave me the grace. The fact that I am also leaving in good health, is a sort of fulfilment for me”, he enthused.

    While describing governance as a continum, Ambode expressed the hope that his successor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu will continue where he will stop.

    While thanking people of Epe Division for standing by him and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ambode urged them to also support the incoming government of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to further develop the State.

    Veteran actress, Joke Silva commended the Governor for the theatres, expressing optimism that the next administration would build on the gains recorded in the sector in the last four years.

    Also, Chairman of Epe Local Government, Hon Adedoyin Adesanya said the people of Epe were grateful to Ambode for the projects executed in the division, saying that the theatre would go a long way in boosting tourism and entertainment, as well as create jobs for the people.

    Facilities at the theatre include standard furnishing, gallery, artiste changing room, rehearsal hall, restaurant, restrooms, power generating sets and well-laid out car park, among others.

  • Ambode bags international Award

    National Image International Magazine, a top-notch media, famed for promoting good governance and sustainable development, in collaboration with various allied organisations, has conferred on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, the Best Performing Governor in Nigeria award for his performance during his administration 2015 – 2019.

    The award was presented to the governor, at the special farewell Photo Exhibition on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode Achievements, in Lagos, on Sunday.

    At the event, The Head International Correspondent  of the organization, Paul Smith, said the meritorious award is in recognition of Governor Ambode’s “ground-breaking performance as the foremost Nigerian governor with the largest number of road projects, youth empowerment, skill acquisition, infrastructure development, small and medium scale industry empowerments for indigenes of the state, as well as promotion of peace and security and human capital development, which have altogether created prosperity for all Lagoasians within the record time of virtually 4 years that Governor Ambode has been in office.

    Smith also stated that the decision to confer on Ambode with “this well deserving award was taken after extensive research to see what all the governors in the 36 states have done in the past three and a half years, in five major areas, namely: infrastructure development, human capital development, promotion of peace and security, as well as nearness to the grassroots people, and execution of people-oriented social service programmes that directly impact on the land and lives of people in each state.

    He also reiterated that, “the award is in recognition of Governor Ambode as the governor with the highest number of infrastructure development projects in Lagos state.

    “Governor Ambode is the foremost governor in terms of being the governor who most frequently visits project fields, completing major projects as well as kick-starting grassroot links roads, inspecting and commissioning new projects, with President Mohammad Buhari visiting some of the projects recently; thereby, creating comfort and prosperity for Lagosians through his ‘SMART’ administration.”

    Mr, Seyi Bamigbade, a Consultant and Politian who received the meritorious award on behalf of Governor Ambode, who was inevitably attending to other important state functions, said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has laid a good legacy for other upcoming Governors to build on.

    “Lagos as the fifth largest economy in Africa, can be likened to a country. With the momentum which Gov. Ambode has put in place, Lagos might soon emerge as the biggest economy in Africa. It is home to almost every religion, tribe and colour and accommodates the largest pool of black people all over the world, including Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who is from Nigeria and has a home in Lagos,” he said.

    Seyi thanked the participants for finding time to honour the occasion. He said that the Idea of the Photo Exhibition in appreciating the effort of the Governor for his good governance and achievements in impacting on the African continent, is commendable

    “We have to connect, escalate and cultivate both intra and inter African interests and connection, continue discussion and conversation on good governance. I will make sure the plaque get’s to the Governor,” he promised.

  •   Ambode receives Africa’s football legends

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday received top Africa’s football legends at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja. They will be participating in a testimonial match for the governor as part of activities marking the end of tenure of his administration.

    Some of the soccer legends who visited  the governor include: Kanu Nwankwo, Finidi George, Victor Ikpeba, El Hadji Diouf, Diomansy Kamara, Didier Zokora, Khalilou Fadiga, Austin Eguavoen, Mutiu Adepoju, Waidi Akanni, Uche Okechukwu and Seydou Keita.

    While receiving them,  Ambode said the sense of brotherhood in sports must be played up for the benefits of the continent in terms of scaling up the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of African countries.

    He urged countries in the continent to look inward and explore the possibility of using sports to grow their economies, saying sports remain a veritable tool to foster growth and development.

    Recalling an initiative of his administration known as Project T.H.E.S.E which stands for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Arts and Sports for Excellence,  Ambode said right from inception, machineries were set rolling to use sports to grow tourism and Lagos economy.

    According to him, “We have always used sports to build bridges and there is this sense of brotherhood anytime that you switch on your television and there is an African playing on any line-up.

    ”I had this dream when I came in as governor that I could use sports, tourism, entertainment and arts with some sense of hospitality to promote excellence. So, I had something called Project T.H.E.S.E and my dream was to catalyze everything around sports and use it to build tourism and also grow the GDP of Lagos.

    ”So, that was the dream and why we promoted as many sporting activities as possible so that we could create a platform for tourism which made many people to travel here and just like you have come now, you will lodge in our hotels and the hotels at the end of the day would pay taxes and then we use it to do the infrastructure that we are doing.”

    He said though four years may not be enough to do everything but that he was grateful to God for the opportunity to serve the people, just as he expressed optimism that the next administration would take it up, improve on it.

    ”I am very honoured that you are all here in Lagos to celebrate with me as I finish my tenure in Lagos State. This match is not only for me but for the good of humanity. We are not promoting it because we want to make money out of it but we are actually showcasing the fact that there is still something to be done about sports development.

    Speaking on behalf of the footballers, Diouf thanked Ambode for the opportunity for him and others to be  in Nigeria to see their fans, vowing to run the show with exciting display during the match on today.

  • Why we remove structures to fix road, by LASG

    The Lagos State Government on Thursday explained why some structures have to be removed to fix roads in the state.

    Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, on the reconstruction of Remi Oyefiade Street in Eti Osa Local Government Area of the state, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye said such was necessary not only for the development of the state but also for the upgrade of the standard of living of the people.

    According to him; “There is no way we will do road, drainages, walkways and not remove certain aspect of the road, except you just want us to fill the road and we leave, but this is not government standard. We must have drainages at the sides and we must do standard work, hence the reason we have to remove those structures that are on the right of way.”

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Boladele Dapo-Thomas, Ogunleye noted that there is no way they will do the road without removal of structures.

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly set to address building collapse with laws, regulations

    “For the contractor to actualize all they have planned, there is no way structures will not be removed because the structures are on the spaces the roads are meant to expand to.

    To expand the road in Remi Oyefiade Street in Eti Osa Local Government Area of the state, the structures to be removed has been marked already, so there is no way the structures will not be removed because they are on the space for the road.”

    He noted that the meeting is to sensitise residents to know if they are ready for the project, for the development to be brought to their area.

    He assured the property owners whose structures will go with the road construction that they will be compensated.

    “We serve as consultants and as consultants, we only deliver the right of way, we would require that you submit necessary papers if there are any on any of your structures that would be removed. We would forward all the papers to the Lands Bureau because everyone of us have our mandate. Ours is to deliver the right of way, theirs is to enumerate, take inventory and arrange payment of compensation where applicable.,” he said.

    Noting that the project is to provide infrastructural development to the community, Ogunleye urged residents to collaborate with the state government and the contractor to actualize the project.

    “We urge you to bear with us as some form o inconvenience will be experienced while the road is being constructed, ” she said.

    The Project Coordinator Contractor for the reconstruction, Alpha and Gold International Limited, Wale Logunleko, said the fixing of the road will commence any time from now, seeking the corporation od residents to get the project completed.

    Chairman Remi Oyefiade Street Resident Association, Prince Matthew Ahianba, thank the state government on the repair of the road, saying it shows that they have not been forgotten.

    “When there is no gain, there is no pain. We are ready for the pain because we see the gain ahead. The value of our properties will be enhanced, our standard of living too will be enhanced and our cars will no longer be damaged as it used to be due to the current poor state of the road,” he said.

  • Bonfrere to lead former Nigerian stars in The Match for Ambode

    Nigeria’s Atlanta 1996 Olympic men’s football winning coach, Johannes-Franciscus Bonfrere has confirmed he would be available to lead former Super Eagles’ stars in Saturday’s The Match for Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Simply known as Jo Bonfrere, the Dutch coach was the engine room of Clemens Westerhof’s all-conquering 1994 Eagles which qualified Nigeria for its first-ever appearance at the FIFA World Cup in the USA in 1994.

    One of the Organisers of  The Match for Ambode, ex-international Waidi Akanni confirmed at the weekend that Bonfrere had accepted the invitation to reunite with some of the players that took the world by storm getting Nigeria ranked fifth best football playing country going to USA’94.

    “We have Jo Bonfrere’s assurances already. We have sent his travel tickets and done all necessary bookings to make his stay in Lagos a memorable one,” observed the former Nigerian midfielder.

    He said Bonfrere’s return to Nigeria would be a reunion with some of his former players who have retired from the beautiful game.

    The Dutch coach was June last year, presented with the three-bedroom apartment promised him by the Sani Abacha administration for winning the Olympic football gold medal for Nigeria 22 years after the feat. He also led Nigeria to the 2000 African Cup of Nations co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana. Bonfrere led the Nigerian team to the finals, where Eagles lost to Cameroun via penalties.

    Bonfere is to be assisted by the duo of former Super Eagles’ Assistant Coach, Joe Erico and ex-international Henry Nwosu.

    ‘The Match’ aimed to celebrate Gov. Ambode’s strides in provision of sports infrastructure for Lagos, was moved from Onikan Stadium under reconstruction to Agege Stadium, Lagos.

    Former World Footballer of the Year and President of Liberia, George Weah is listed amongst other retired top African soccer legends like El-Hadji Diouf, Michael Essien, Samuel Eto’o Fills, Abubakar Titi Camara, Didier Zokora and Yaya Toure.

  • Ambode seeks prayers for Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has solicited prayers and support for his successor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the continuous social economic development of the state.

    Ambode gave this charge last week at the second session of the 34th synod of Lagos Diocese, Anglican Communion at Our Saviour Church TBS, Lagos.

    The three day event tagged  the unfailing faith of our fathers ever sufficient had in attendance former Deputy Governor of Lagos, Adejoke Orelope- Adefulire, the Former Dean and Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Anglian Communion, Rt Rev Ephraim Ademowo.

    Ambode received an award by the Diocese in recognition of his patriotic contribution to the church and the state.

    He said that Lagos State is on the upward trajectory and need everyone pulling in the same direction.

    The governor stressed the needs for continued unity, cooperation and peaceful coexistence for prosperity of the state.

    He also thanked the citizens and the church for their support for his administration built in the atmosphere of love, peace and brotherhood.

    “It’s on record that no single religious conflict was recorded in the state for the last four years.

    “The peaceful coexistence of all religious sects is a testimony of our collective heritage in the state,” he said.

    He added the theme of the synod was apt and personal, noting that it is a call to remember Christians are children never to be despair in the face of adverse circumstances.

    Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Missioner Church of Nigeria, His Lordship, Rt Rev Humphrey Olumakaiye, commended efforts of the state governor in paddling affairs of Lagos in the last four.

    He pointed out Ambode turned the state to a construction site with development programmes that are masses-oriented.

    He said: “The church appreciates your robust support. Your contribution is making our Lagos better than you met it, it shall remain fresh in our memory, posterity shall praise your contribution to the development of our state and generation unborn shall call you a blessed leader.”

    He charged the incoming governor, Sanwo-Olu to embark on development programmes with bearing on the lives of the people especially the rural poor in the state.

    Olumakaiye said that Lagosians cannot wait any longer to begin experience tremendous improvement in infrastructural development.

  • Let’s rededicate ourselves, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday night said Nigerians must rededicate themselves to the good of humanity.

    The governor spoke at the Tafsir/Iftar Session held at Lagos House, Alausa in Ikeja.

    The event was to mark the official commencement of the fasting month.

    “I call on all our people and in particular our Muslim brethren to avail ourselves of the training and serenity that Ramadan provides; to cleanse our hearts and enrich our souls. This is a time to rededicate ourselves to the good of humanity, the development and progress of our dear State, and our great country, Nigeria,” the Governor said.

    He urged Muslims to imbibe lessons of Ramadan.

    According to him, it was important for people to imbibe the teachings of the season, especially in relating with God and fellow human beings.

    “This holy month is one full of blessings for all faithful. It is a celebration of a tradition and a key pillar of lslam that has been practiced for 1,440 years. Every year, we are called to pause and reflect on our lives; how we are serving the Almighty, how we are serving our fellow human beings, our nation and our State,” he said.

    While thanking the Muslim Community in the State for the prayers and support extended to his administration in the last four years, Ambode said they deserved commendation for cooperating with government in bringing about the achievements recorded in various sectors and sections of the State.

    “In a few days from now, the tenure of this administration will come to an end. This occasion, therefore, provides for me a unique opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to the entire Muslim community in the State for your support, prayers and contributions as citizens to the successes we have achieved. We also thank the Almighty for His innumerable blessings on us as one strong united family.

    “We have built a good partnership, worked peacefully in an atmosphere devoid of religious conflict and together, we have achieved so much in these four years. Our administration, to the best of our ability, fulfilled our promises to the people as can be seen in different sectors of the State.

    “To the Chief Imam of Lagos, other Chief Imams, my ever-supportive clerics, brothers and sisters, I want to sincerely appreciate and thank you for all your prayers and support in the last four years. Only Allah can reward you for all your love and cooperation,” he said.

    Noting that the best days of the State are still ahead, Ambode admonished residents to continue to support government, just as he urged Muslim brethren to also cooperate with the in-coming administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to take the State to greater heights.

  • Osinbajo, Ambode task media on professionalism

    Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday urged the media to continue to do everything within its powers to ensure that members adhere strictly to the code of ethics to preserve the sanctity of the profession. The duo spoke at the 2019 Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) held at the Airport Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, well attended by members of the Guild from across the country.

    The Vice President said the greater worry was the fact that the new media had been saturated with several mushroom platforms, which do not regard the ethics of the profession in disseminating information. “Editors must now take over the online media as seriously as they did to the traditional media and that move has to be unprecedented. What we see today is that instant reporting is making a mince-meat of the virtues of cross checking facts before publishing.

    “Since the role of editors is quality control and gate keeping, of the things they must do is to manage the new media and place some form of control. Some people must take the lead to speak up against the bastardization of the new media as it is gradually relegating investigative journalism,” Osinbajo said. He also urged the media to invest in technology and continue to strive to ensure that they maintain their code of ethics, saying that failure to do this will be detrimental to the profession.

    In his goodwill message, Governor Ambode who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan said the media must continue to up the ante in its primary responsibility as the watchdog of the society. Noting that the theme of the convention, ‘Media Convergence As Strategy For Survival’ was very apt, he said the state Government has drawn ideas and policy formation as well as execution from the criticisms and suggestions from the media.

    “We have learnt from your informed commentaries, reflecting deep concern about the need for solutions to problems that all of us worry about uninterrupted electricity, efficient transportation, affordable housing and the ease of doing business. What we have witnessed in Lagos state in the past four years and particularly the commissioning of transformational projects in recent times bear testimony to the fact that your criticisms and suggestions towards a livable megacity have contributed to our policy formulation and execution,” he said.

     

  • Ambode, Akande, others advocate social and political inclusion for women

    Lagos State Government and women across the twenty local council areas and thirty-seven local council development areas in the State have joined their counterparts across the world to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day with a call on policy makers to create more opportunities for women.

    Speaking at the event held at Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, the wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, said that further inclusion will afford women more opportunities to add value to the economy of the State and  the country at large.

    Ambode attributed the positive development in the educational sector to the active involvement of few women at the helms of affairs and the indirect contributions of other women who are encouraging their children to attach value to education.

    She also commended women who have broken through the glass ceiling to influence and inspire others through the feats they have attained in their various professional fields in the corporate and the business world.

    Speaking on the theme of the 2019 International Women’s Day “Balance for Better”, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Lola Akande said that the theme underscored the need for women to continuously work hard to close the socio-political and economic gap with the male gender for the stability and economic progress of the country.

    A two-time Federal Minister of Trade and Investment and former Chairman, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI Dr. (Mrs.) Nike Akande, (CON), applauded women who have against all odds, emerged leaders by selflessly making themselves growth influencers playing extraordinary roles.

    This, according to her has proven that there is a threshold of courage and resilience in the Nigerian woman despite the situation of the country.

     

     

     

  • NURTW, RTEAN hail Ambode for new buses, road expansion

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have hailed the Lagos State Government for the massive investment in road infrastructure.

    The state chairmen of NURTW and RTEAN, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede and Alhaji Mohammed Musa, gave the commendation yesterday in Ikeja, Lagos, in interviews with reporters.

    They spoke against the backdrop of key road infrastructure executed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

    The union leaders said the 10-lane expansion of Airport Road, inauguration of Oshodi Transport Interchange, new buses and terminals are milestones in the development of public transportation.

    Agbede, who praised Ambode for investing in the transport sector, said efficient transportation was crucial to the socio-economic development of any state.

    Read also: Ambode hailed for transforming Oshodi

    He said the new 820 buses and road infrastructure would boost transportation and reduce difficulties faced by residents.

    “Our union appreciates the governor for the delivery of these projects and buses.

    “It is a welcome development and it will complement the existing ones to help Lagosians move from one place to another comfortably,” the NURTW chairman said.

    Musa, who commended the government for its investment in road infrastructure and public transportation, appealed to the federal and state governments to fix bad roads in the state and country.