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Tag: Ambode

  • Ambode, deputy to speak at Lagos Safety Summit

    LAGOS State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and his deputy, Oluranti Adebule, are expected to speak at the two-day summit scheduled to hold on June 7 and 8 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Tagged the Lagos Safety Summit, the two-day event, which is expected to feature about 500 participants, is geared to enlighten corporate bodies and individuals on the need to embrace wholesome safety practices, in accordance with the right standards of guiding policies.

    The summit intends to have regulatory framework enhanced via inputs from experts in various sectors of the economy, with strong focus on improving safety management at organizations. The event encourages safety professionals, individuals and businesses to develop safety culture, risk management strategies and improved compliance.

    According to the Director- General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Hon. Hakeem Dickson, “In a society burgeoning with human demands and industrial needs, the time has come to shore up longevity and productivity, by taking occupational safety and health seriously.” Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Green Lantern Services, Fola Ademosu, a resource staff, said the event is garnering responsive participation signals from different companies and he hopes Lagos State gets propelled to greater heights; after the summit.

  • Ambode ‘running a compassionate govt’

    Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vanguard has urged Muslims to extend love to others and imbibe the act of selfless service to humanity during and after Ramadan.

    At a Ramadan Tafsir organised by the group in Ikeja to pray for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, its Coordinator Seyi Bamigbade said: “You need to love yourself first before you can even show love to another person. So, when we have in excess, we must show the attitude of gratitude by giving others because somebody else has over provided for us.”

    He said since Governor Akinwunmi Ambode assumed office, the guiding philosophy of his administration had been about inclusion and to positively touch lives.

    “Beyond Ramadan, we must also show the attitude of giving at all times; that is the philosophy of his government; that is the practice of the governor in the last three years,” he said.

    The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Dr Sopeyin Ganiyu Oluremi, who represented Ambode, at the event, said those having in excess must show gratitude by helping others and also exhibit total submission to God’s commandments.

    In his lecture on importance of Good Governance, Imam Semiu Khidir Olojeola, said Allah, through the month, was calling on Muslims to learn the spirit of piety.

    “What we need in this country is a leader who will stand up for the truth, who will stand up for credibility, who will stand up for what is important not for religion, not ethnicity. Your Excellency, we are really proud of you,” he said.

    He hailed Ambode for always been on the site to monitor projects.

  • Monarch backs Ambode for second term

    The traditional ruler of Araromi-Ibeju in Ibeju/Lekki Local Government of Lagos State, High Chief Lukuman Olayemi Arowolo Adebambo, Gbadewolu Adegboro 1, has endorsed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for second term.

    Adebambo, who spoke at the 5th anniversary of the Children’s Day in his community, held at Araromi Playing Ground, where he donated items to primary and secondary school pupils, said Ambode deserved to be re-elected because he had given Lagosians the dividends of democracy.

    He said it was obvious that transformation was ongoing in Lagos, adding that the citizens should re-elect the governor to enable him complete the projects and give them more democracy dividends.

    He said: “As the traditional ruler of Araromi-Ibeju, I implore my subjects to vote for Governor Ambode next year, to allow continuity of good programmes. I also advise other Lagosians to vote for him.

    “Besides the governor, Lagosians should vote for other candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress.”

    Chief Adebambo urged politicians to eschew bitterness and rancour, as the general election approaches.

    He said the interest of the nation should be their priority, adding that they should promote peace.

    “Without peace, our country cannot develop. This is why our politicians should not play politics of bitterness. They should implement programmes that will enhance the growth of the nation,” the monarch said.

     

  • Ambode: Re-imagining Lagos public transport

    On assumption of Office in May 2015, the Akinwunmi Ambode-administration was confronted with a huge traffic situation that was further compounded by the activities of criminals taking advantage of the situation to rob commuters and others.

    The unyielding traffic jams created a cacophony of noise that made many to forget that traffic congestion has been a growing problem which successive administrations in the State have had to contend with right from the ‘80s when government resorted to issuance of “Odd” and “Even” number plates to allow motorists ply certain routes within specified periods. The LASTMA, LAGBUS, LAMATA, Traffic Radio, BRT system among others all came on board as part of efforts to ensure sanity and safety on Lagos roads.

    In response to the situation, the State government identified that the situation required strategic and creative intervention that would not only be diagnostic and curative, but backed by proper policy articulation and focused implementation which must offer immediate, short and permanent resolution of the traffic nightmare.

    The Traffic Summit held in November 2015 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, was an integral part of the policy response of the State government to the traffic gridlock challenges. It was the administration’s determination that the Summit should set a new course for an aggressive public transportation template as the pathway to the much desired improved and modernized transportation system befitting of the state, capable of driving rapid economic growth and which will make mobility predictable, safer and comparable to the best transportation systems in other mega –cities.

    The submissions of the Summit were very holistic, detailing far-reaching policy recommendations and an elaborate implementation strategies backed by a robust funding cycle. It was the dedication of the Ambode administration to the full implementation of the Summit’ recommendations that is today changing the transportation narratives of the State for good.

    Lagos is currently pursuing an integrated affordable multi-modal transport system that will ensure that citizens arrive their destinations in the least possible time frame, using the State public transport in  concord to a former Mayor of Bogota postulation that, ‘a developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It’s where the rich use public transport’.

    Consequently, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA and Lagos Bus Services Limited, LBSL, have been working assiduously on the   gradual re-fleeting of the 14-18-seater yellow mini bus with a 40-Passenger Medium and 80-Passenger High Capacity buses to reduce the number of buses plying the State’s roads, improve ecology of the State through reduction in carbon emission, improve the travel time and activate Private Public Partnership (PPP). This will likewise encourage many more people to leave their cars at home and use the buses thereby reducing traffic congestion.

    The prototype bus have been identified, inspected and approved while contract for supply of the first set of buses has been awarded. With the take-off of the 820 high capacity buses from the Ikeja Bus Terminal in September, Lagos seems set to alter its transportation landscape. The buses may also become the biggest money spinner for the Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration.

    To guard against indiscriminate parking of the buses when the project kicks off, six Bus Terminals and Depots, complementary infrastructural facilities for the smooth operation of the programme, are being developed in the Ikeja axis.  Terminals and Depots‘ which are at various completion levels are also being developed at Agege, Ishaga, Iyana Ipaja, Idumota, and on the Island by the Central Mosque. Others are located at Maryland, Oworonshoki, Oyingbo, Ojota and Yaba. The premier Bus Terminal of the Project was commissioned by His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President and Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Thursday, March 29, 2018.

    Another major feature of the Bus Reform Project is its job creation component as drivers and Bus Attendants, who will be professionally trained and well kitted, will be deployed on the air conditioned buses. As the Project has factored in their regular maintenance, other corporate bodies, aside the Bus Operating Companies would be involved in its sub-activities such as ticketing, vulcanizing, cleaning/washing etc, to complement the efficiency of the buses.

    Flowing from the BRT success story on other corridors of its operations, the State has shifted attention to the   Oshodi-Abule Egba corridor for the provision of high quality bus service for the teeming populace in the Alimosho Local Government Area, which arguably, is acknowledged as the most densely populated part of the State as well as being the largest local government in Africa.   In apparent preparation for the phasing out of Danfos, the government is currently working on a project that will provide an uninterrupted Median running BRT service with its lanes in the middle of the popular Lagos –Abeokuta Expressway.

    The intention is to relieve the route of the burden of over 5,600 buses that currently service the 13.65 km route. It will provide, in the course of the project, fourteen (14) Bus Stations, 11 pedestrian bridges across the corridor, 1 Bus Depot and 3 Bus Terminals at Oshodi, Iyana Ipaja and Abule Egba. The project has reached the 24% mark.

    The narrative of finding solution to transportation challenge in the state, meanwhile, is not limited to road transport. For instance, the State has achieved 95% completion level on the Mile 2-National Theatre segment of the light rail project. Focus has, therefore, shifted to National Theatre-Marina segment which has attained 65% completion level.  Currently, on-going works include boring of piles, construction of pile caps, piers and pier caps, pre-inspection of pier positions to determine underground utilities as we as boring of piles across the lagoon among others. As well, all bailey beam form works have been completed at Marina while fabrication of steel cages and casings, painting of reinforcement with antirust, seawall strengthening, and the removal of shipwrecks in the lagoon are all on course.

    The Ambode administration has also embarked on rehabilitation/upgrading of existing non-functional Traffic Signal Light (TSL) installations and maintenance of functional ones while ensuring daily monitoring of TSL installations in the State through its officials, LASTMA Personnel, Vehicle Inspection Officers and good spirited members of the public whose efforts have been supported with the provision of Call User Group Telephone Mobile Lines. TSL has helped to improve the culture of sanity and predictability that governs the queue theories on the roads and at junctions leading to improved traffic flow, commuting time, productivity, reduced loss of man-hours and increase functionality of road safety infrastructure and furniture.

    In the end, it is crucial for members of the public to cooperate with the government in completely rewriting the public transport narrative of the State and also desist from damaging road furniture which are installed for the benefit of all.

     

    • Musbau is of the Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Ikeja.

  • Ambode hails Lagosians on peaceful co-existence

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said the peace, harmony and development enjoy in the state was due to the people’s prayers.

    He made the remark at the special prayer for President Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Ambode by the League of Imams in Epe. He was represented by his Special Adviser on Religious Matter Dr Verralls Kolawole.

    He noted that the effort of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIRC) was yielding the desired results. He explained that government would continue to provide the necessary support to ensure that peace subsist in the state.

    He said: “All that we have around us today especially in Lagos State is due to God’s intervention. Lagos is one of the few states that is enjoying relative peace in the country and its transformational agenda is moving on smoothly.

    “When people are talking about economic recession, Lagos has not observed that. God is behind it, the peace, progress and economic development enjoyed in Lagos is due to the fact that people are praying in Lagos State. What the League of Imam is doing in Epe is to put it on record that Lagos depends on God.”

    Ambode urged Lagosians to pray and show the same zeal in their civic responsibilities, noting that they have to get their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) to actualise his endorsement.

    Facilitator of the prayer, Chief Lanre Rasak said the leaders need prayer at this moment than in the past. He added that Nigerian must rise to the occasion and continue to pray for the country especially during this holy month of Ramadan.

    He added that what is happening in different parts of the country is worrisome.

    Rasak said: “Our leaders need prayer, we need to pray for Buhari who is at the helm of affairs. We should support Asiwaju Tinubu with prayer for God to continue to guide him and given the role he plays in the polity.

    “As for Ambode, he has been not disappointed the people and it is only God that can sustain that. Lagosians should continue to see themselves as brothers and sister. We pray that God sustain this tempo of development in our dear state,” he said.

  • Concert to celebrate Ambode

    A non-governmental organisation, (NGO) Jubilee Concept International, will on June 9 hold a free 12-hour gospel concert to mark Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s third anniversary in office.

    Tagged Lagos Marathon Praise, the event, scheduled for the All seasons Events Plaza Agidingbi, Ikeja, will feature prominent and upcoming artists in Lagos.

    The group’s co-coordinator, Adegboyega Taiwo said the concert was the brain child of Ambode’s wife, Bolanle.

    He said it was meant to bring people together to praise God for good governance and harmony in the state.

    The peaceful co-existence and harmony among people of different ethnicities, cultures and religions, he said, was a favour from God.

    “Despite that the state accommodates virtually all the nationalities of the world and representatives of different ethnicities, the state has continued to enjoy relative peace and mutual harmony among its residents, making the business of governance to be impactful and uninterrupted in the last three years of this administration, we give all glory to God,’’ he said.

  • Ambode: security of life, property my biggest achievements

    •Buratai lauds governor’s developmental drive, support for security agencies
    •Army opens base in Epe

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said security of lives and property of residents is the biggest achievement of his administration in the last three years.

    The governor said it was gratifying to note that the state was the safest in Africa.

    Ambode, who spoke at the inauguration of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Army in Epe, noted that the combined investment of his administration in security and efforts of security agencies had resulted in peaceful atmosphere among residents and visitors.

    The governor recalled the days of kidnapping, cultism and other security challenges in Ikorodu and Epe axis, saying the activities of criminals, such as militants, had become history in the state.

    He said: “As I mark my three years in office on Tuesday (yesterday), I can say significantly that if there is anything that I have actually achieved in these three years, it is the security and safety of lives and property in Lagos State.

    “There is no way that could have been possible. That is why I say it quietly and openly that it is with the support and cooperation of the security agencies and, most significantly, the efforts of the Army. This is actually hidden underground but visibly seen by everything that is going on here.”

    Recalling his early days in office, Ambode said his first major task was how to address kidnapping and other nefarious activities perpetrated by militants in Ishawo axis.

    The governor added that a military base was set up with a military operation code-named Operation Awatse.

    He said: “At the beginning, the issue of kidnapping and cultism was actually in this eastern axis between Epe and Ikorodu. But with the efforts we have seen, which are visible to all of us, it has become a thing of the past. We are very grateful to the Army.

    “I want to quickly recollect that my first task was the issue of kidnapping, which was so notorious in Ishawo in Ikorodu. There and then, we had the support of the Army to set up a small base. We had to also take over the property of some of those militants to accommodate the military base.”

    Ambode said crime rate had reduced across the state as efforts were on to sustain the peace in the state.

    He said: “I must say the last three years have been very peaceful and everybody would agree that crime rate has reduced in Lagos. We need to sustain it because at the end of the day, that is what really grows our gross domestic product (GDP). That is what makes other people to want to come to Lagos. I can clearly and openly declare that Lagos right now is the safest city across Africa.”

    Alluding to how a former military barracks in Epe was closed, the governor described the inauguration of the FOB as historic and significant, considering the fact that it was witnessed by traditional rulers and community leaders in the area.

    He said the development was a new dawn for community relationship with the Army in the axis.

    Ambode also hailed the General Officer Commanding in charge of 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh, for his steadfastness in promoting peace in the state.

    He said: “I want to openly say I will support the second FOB that is coming up in Ikorodu. If there is any need for us to give further support for gunboat engines or infrastructure, you can count on us that we would support anything that will keep the lives and property of our people safe at all times.

    “Our support for Operation Awatse is continual and we would support every other thing that is necessary. Beyond this, we would also support the welfare of security agencies that are operating in Lagos so that we can continue to have peace.

    “What we are seeing is a new strategy to keep our outer spaces safer than ever before. We need the military presence in Ikorodu, in Epe and all the outer spaces so that we can go away from the central protection and make every other place in Lagos liveable and economically viable.”

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, hailed Ambode for his administration’s support for security agencies and the massive infrastructural development across the state.

    The Army chief noted that the governor’s initiatives were laudable.

    He added: “We really want to thank you (governor) for the transformation and development going on in Lagos State. We acknowledge the transformation in Lagos and we say thank you.”

  • Children’s Day: Ambode promises support for performing arts

    The Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, played host to series of performances by children last Sunday, in which the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode was treated to the best of contemporary arts performances by various groups.

    Tagged “A Special Evening of the Arts”, the event was held to celebrate the 2018 Children’s Day.

    Governor Ambode eulogized the creative ingenuity of the children who performed at the event saying that “every work of arts has an innate expression that tells the story of the past, the present and the future. As we celebrate the 51st year anniversary of the State, we are also giving gratitude to God for the 3rd anniversary of this administration and more importantly we are celebrating our most cherished asset, the children.”

    The Governor, who was full of admiration for the spectacular show displayed by the various performing arts groups, said the state will nurture the budding of talents to the enviable height where they will become the pride of the nation.

    “I am inspired by the deep and descriptive message conveyed in their performance, particularly when they said, Lagos! We are the future and the future is now, which according to their rendition there is hope for Nigeria and only unity will lead us to the future,” he said.

    The parents of the Footprints of David Group were specially invited and appreciated by the Governor for the support and efforts they invested in the children.

    According to Governor Ambode, Lagos State excels because of the exceptional talent of its vibrant and creative youths because the state has the largest concentration of talented youths in education, innovation, arts, literature and sport anywhere in the black world and this is why the state chose to celebrate them with one of the gifts we are renowned for in the world, the performing arts.

    “This is in line with our promise to make tourism, hospitality, entertainment and sport a central pace of our developmental agenda for the youth in our state.”

    He pledged the commitment of the State government to providing new opportunities for the coming generations and uplifts the culture and heritage of the State through performing arts.

  • Children’s Day: Ambode promises support for performing arts

    The Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, played host to series of performances by children last Sunday, in which the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode was treated to the best of contemporary arts performances by various groups.

    Tagged “A Special Evening of the Arts”, the event was held to celebrate the 2018 Children’s Day.

    Governor Ambode eulogized the creative ingenuity of the children who performed at the event saying that “every work of arts has an innate expression that tells the story of the past, the present and the future. As we celebrate the 51st year anniversary of the State, we are also giving gratitude to God for the 3rd anniversary of this administration and more importantly we are celebrating our most cherished asset, the children.”

    The Governor, who was full of admiration for the spectacular show displayed by the various performing arts groups, said the state will nurture the budding of talents to the enviable height where they will become the pride of the nation.

    “I am inspired by the deep and descriptive message conveyed in their performance, particularly when they said, Lagos! We are the future and the future is now, which according to their rendition there is hope for Nigeria and only unity will lead us to the future,” he said.

    The parents of the Footprints of David Group were specially invited and appreciated by the Governor for the support and efforts they invested in the children.

    According to Governor Ambode, Lagos State excels because of the exceptional talent of its vibrant and creative youths because the state has the largest concentration of talented youths in education, innovation, arts, literature and sport anywhere in the black world and this is why the state chose to celebrate them with one of the gifts we are renowned for in the world, the performing arts.

    “This is in line with our promise to make tourism, hospitality, entertainment and sport a central pace of our developmental agenda for the youth in our state.”

    He pledged the commitment of the State government to providing new opportunities for the coming generations and uplifts the culture and heritage of the State through performing arts.

  • Ambode: our achievements are divinely inspired

    •Lagos economy among strongest in Africa, says cleric

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday attributed the achievements of his administration in the last three years to God’s helping hand.

    He said the feats attained across the state were divinely inspired.

    Ambode, who spoke at a special thanksgiving service at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, the capital, on the third anniversary of his administration, said it was obvious God was involved in the thinking, planning and execution of policies and programmes for Lagos State.

    The governor said this resulted in wonderful accomplishments for the state.

    He said: “In two days, we will be three years in the saddle of this major task. There is no other way to celebrate. That is why we are doing this service because we believe strongly that there is no way we would have made the level of progress without some supernatural hand. We want to give God all the thanks.

    “No matter how much strategy you have read in school or how much work you have done in the public service, it is not possible for you to put a plan up, strategise and try to implement it and make it work. If it is working back-to-back and consistently, there has to be some other source that is making it work because you are just one out of several others.

    “Why it works for Lagos is the more reason one has to be very sober and humble to actually know that there is something that is making that to happen. That has to be God.”

    Ambode noted that notwithstanding the complexity of managing the massive population of the state, it was evident Lagos had been hugely prosperous.

    The governor thanked those who helped in managing the state to success in the last three years.

    He said: “I just want to say a big thank you to everyone that has actually been a co-traveller in this journey that we have had in the last three years. It has not been easy, but somehow, to the glory of God, it is evident that there is huge prosperity in Lagos.

    “In all these, in the complexity of managing 24 million people, there has to be something else driving it. In all situations, we give glory to God; in all situations, we are grateful that He has given us the opportunity to become a source of joy to the rest of Nigeria because Lagos is like the last hope for the country.”

    Justifying the need for the service, the governor said it was important to show appreciation to God and the residents for their support, who facilitated the achievements.

    Ambode assured the people that more infrastructural projects would be implemented in the next one year.

    He said: “We are doing this church service to celebrate three years of our administration in office. Just last Friday, we had the same service across all our mosques in Lagos State. We are very grateful for the support Lagosians have given us in the last three years. Coincidentally, today is Children’s Day. So, it is more or less double-celebration. Most people must have forgotten also that today is marking the 51st anniversary of Lagos State. This same time last year, we marked the Golden Jubilee of Lagos.

    “So, for me, the last three years have been very eventful and very fruitful. You can see remarkable progress going on across the length and breadth of Lagos. So, we can only do better and render more services to Lagosians in the next one year.”

    The Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin, hailed Ambode for the infrastructural success and progressive development of the state’s economy.

    The cleric noted that it is laudable Lagos economy remains one of the strongest in Africa.

    He said: “I want to appreciate Governor Ambode for the tremendous work he has led and inspired across Lagos State – in the public and private sectors – and especially with the infrastructural development and the progressive development of our economy that it remains one of the strongest economies in Africa. For that, we are truly grateful.”