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Tag: Ambode

  • Ambode: why Lagos is investing in Lekki Free Trade Zone

    •We plan to make Lagos destination of choice for businesses

    lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday explained why the government and the private sector are making huge investments in the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ).

    They are targeted at making the state the destination of choice for businesses in Africa, the governor said yesterday in a statement by his spokesman Habib Haruna.

    According to the statement, Ambode spoke when he inspected ongoing projects in the area in the company of foremost industrialists Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Femi Otedola.

    Ambode said the investments and the infrastructural renewal in the Lekki-Epe axis simultaneously ongoing were geared to prepare the state for industrial revolution taking place in Nigeria and by extension in the West African sub-region.

    The governor was quoted as saying: “We have just inspected the ongoing jetty project being done by Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

    “You are all well aware that we flagged off the construction of Lekki Deep Sea Port some few weeks ago. But, more importantly, this jetty is being done by the Dangote Group to more or less facilitate the movement of their heavy duty machinery to the petrochemical plant and other projects they are doing in this Lekki Free Trade Zone.”

    Reiterating the commitment of the state to encourage and support in doing what is right for the economy, Ambode said that no efforts would be spared in creating an investment-friendly environment in the Centre of Excellent.

    He said: “What we are doing more importantly, as a government, is to continue to encourage the Dangote Group to do what is right for this country and for us to join hands together and collaborate to really show that Lagos is the next destination for the industrial revolution that is taking place in Nigeria.

    “We are very happy to be doing this with him because we know that with the kind of infrastructure that we are providing around Lagos and the kind of infrastructure he is also providing, this place should be the next destination for anybody that is interested in investing in Nigeria.”

    Dangote said that the combined projects under construction at the Lekki Free Trade Zone were the largest anywhere in the world.

    The President of the Dangote Group said it was important for the right message about the axis to be communicated to the people to appreciate its impact on the economy.

    He said: “What is happening here is the largest project anywhere in the world today and this visit is just to show the governor the industrial jetty that we have built including the water breaker which is 900 meters which is almost like about a mile.

    “This is to show what we have done in terms of bringing in our cargo to build the refinery. We have done quite a lot in terms of water protection and also it is environmentally friendly and this is what we have shown the governor.

    “This is just showing that this place is going to really open for business and we are looking for a lot of infrastructure to be built and this place will be the next destination for any investment in Nigeria.”

    Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives Commissioner Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye said the jetty, when operational next month, would facilitate the shipment of equipment to rev up the projects within the LFTZ.

     

     

  • ‘Ambode is a reference point’

    The Coordinator of the Afenifere Independent Group (AIG), Prince Niyi Jafojo, in this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, explains why the group is supporting Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for a second term.

    How has Afenifere Independent Group, (AIG) impacted on the people? 

    The Afenifere Independent Group (AIG) which was founded by my late father is an off-shot of the Afenifere. My father was a member of the Afenifere and like the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) too, we are all progressives and prospecting progressive ideas. We are working for the benefit of all Nigerians through the message of love, peace and progress. This is the message my late father preached to us and that is what we do at AIG. This is the message we spread to our people, so that everybody will be comfortable and at the same time enjoy the dividend of democracy. I can say that the people are benefitting in many ways through what we do and how we propagate the messages espoused by Afenifere.

    If your message is about progress, people are equally complaining that the Lagos tax regime is high and demolition is being carried out without compensation, what has been your effort to reach out to government?

    If you look at Lagos, it is one state that is marching on progressively. And don’t forget that we are talking in term of megacity. To have a megacity, roads must be constructed and expanded. Like roads, other infrastructures need to be in place for Lagos to meet up to the standard of a megacity. This will definitely affect some people in terms of business and earning a living. The governor has equally been pleading with them to be patient that thing would get better. He has promised to meet their needs and in that case, we all must co-operate with government to achieve the development that Lagos craves for. In order for us to get to where we are going, some of these things are needed to make life better. That is why in newly developing areas; if you are going to build your house you must provide a space of 30 feet backward. Those who suffered in term of roads expansion are those who have gone against the rule. To avoid what these people now face, they need to obey rules set aside. If you notice in Lagos most houses are very close to the roads and that has negative effects, but something has to be done.

    How would you assess Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s performance?

    The governor is our person, a hard working man and love by the people. We are really proud to have him as the governor of the Centre of Excellence. He has done so much for the state and we know that he is going to do more. And by the grace of God in 2019 after winning the second term he will do better. We at the Afenifere Independent Group, we have always endorse the governor. We are praying that God should see him through this time around, we know by God’s grace he is going to be there. He is doing great job in term of infrastructure development, Lagos State is being reckoned as Nigeria mega city. There are other things the governor is planning to bring into the public domain. He is trying to make Lagos tourism destination.

    The PDP think that his second term may not witness the same progress Lagos is making this time around…

    Governor Ambode is not that kind of person. You can see that when he came into office, he is doing many things to make the people feel the impact of democracy. It is not going to stop there and definitely he will do more. What you mentioned is the old style of practicing democracy, but now things have changed. One of his priorities is for the people to enjoy the dividend of democracy. The only way to the people can enjoy it to open up the entire avenue that will make life better for the people.

    What is the level of mobilisation you group is embarking on to ensure victory for the governor?

    AIG is a group spread across the entire Lagos and one of the things that we always do is to ensure that members get their PVC because the PVC their power. The people can be registered and vote accordingly. We want our governor and that is the only way to achieve that. We will mobilise to ensure that people go out and vote. And by doing that we are creating that awareness across the state.

    Again, that takes me to my leader who is the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who will be seeking another mandate, will surely come back because we want him there. A lot of things that we are enjoying in the Agege Constituency is happening because of him.

    Some of the things are not there prior to his becoming the Speaker. When God smile on Agege and allowed us to have a speaker in the person of Obasa, lots of things have changed for us.

    We can point our fingers to many things that have come our way because of the Speaker and definitely we are all supporting him for re-election in 2019. We know he is going to do better job than what he is presently doing. The people love him and I am he will win the Agege Constituency election. We at the AIG is also throwing its support behind him.

    What level of understand do you think exist between the governor and the Speaker?

    Basically, what transpire are the checks and balances to make governance better. But the good things about all this thing is that since both are working together that is why Lagos is moving better for the people. There is no cause to be worry like in some states where the assembly is fighting the executive. Lagos has continued to witness notable growth because of the understanding of both arms of government. I can also say that a lot of what the governor wanted to execute have been well accepted by the legislature. If they don’t approve what the governor put forward before them Lagos will suffer but that is not the case. There should always be that understanding between the legislature and executive in the interest of the people. It is a great thing that we are enjoying and we have always enjoyed that rapport in Lagos. We should keep on praying that the relationship remain like this in Lagos.

     

  • Photo: Ambode, Dangote, Otedola inspect projects

    Governor Ambode joined by billionaire Industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Femi Otedola on inspection of major projects in the Ibeju-Lekki-Epe axis including the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lekki Deep Seaport, Dangote jetty among others.

  • LG bosses commend Ambode over projects

    The Executive Chairman of the Coker- Aguda LCDA , Hon Omobolanle Medinat  Akinyemi-Obe, as well as her counterpart  in the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Comrade Kamal Olawale Bashua Salau and those of Yaba, Somolu and Bariga have unanimously commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the infrastructural uplift of Lagos State.

    The governor was also praised for the positioning of the state as a world mega -city status, just as all sectors continue to receive pragmatic attention.

    The council bosses, while speaking with civil society organizations led by Comrade Gbenga Soloki, who visited their offices as part of the ongoing inspection and assessment of Lagos State government projects, said: “Governor Ambode has greatly done well as the governor of Lagos State. Today, he has turned Lagos State into construction sites and everyone is proud of him, even the opposition parties in Lagos State are proud of him.”

    The council bosses further said: “It is incumbent on all Lagosians to return the performing governor in 2019 in order to continue giving more dividends of democracy.”

    The Coker-Aguda LCDA chair pleaded with the governor to come to their aid of Jadesola Oshodi Street which needs construction in the local government area.

    The chairman of  the Somolu Local Government, Hon Abdulahmed Salau, praised the civil society activists for embarking on the fact- finding mission to the projects of the Ambode-led administration, stressing that the projects in his local government area are of immense benefit to his people.

    He commended the governor for the giant strides recorded in the area of construction and other sectors, stressing that the Ambode government has really touched lives.

  • LG bosses commend Ambode over projects

    The Executive Chairman of the Coker- Aguda LCDA , Hon Omobolanle Medinat  Akinyemi-Obe, as well as her counterpart  in the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Comrade Kamal Olawale Bashua Salau and those of Yaba, Somolu and Bariga have unanimously commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the infrastructural uplift of Lagos State.

    The governor was also praised for the positioning of the state as a world mega -city status, just as all sectors continue to receive pragmatic attention.

    The council bosses, while speaking with civil society organizations led by Comrade Gbenga Soloki, who visited their offices as part of the ongoing inspection and assessment of Lagos State government projects, said: “Governor Ambode has greatly done well as the governor of Lagos State. Today, he has turned Lagos State into construction sites and everyone is proud of him, even the opposition parties in Lagos State are proud of him.”

    The council bosses further said: “It is incumbent on all Lagosians to return the performing governor in 2019 in order to continue giving more dividends of democracy.”

    The Coker-Aguda LCDA chair pleaded with the governor to come to their aid of Jadesola Oshodi Street which needs construction in the local government area.

    The chairman of  the Somolu Local Government, Hon Abdulahmed Salau, praised the civil society activists for embarking on the fact- finding mission to the projects of the Ambode-led administration, stressing that the projects in his local government area are of immense benefit to his people.

    He commended the governor for the giant strides recorded in the area of construction and other sectors, stressing that the Ambode government has really touched lives.

  • Christians endorse Ambode for second term

    Christians in Lagos State, through a body, Christian Conscience Group, have endorsed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for second term.

    The group spoke yesterday in Alausa-Ikeja, at a bi-annual  lecture it organised in conjunction with Christian organisations in Lagos State, with the theme: “Matters Arising in the Political Landscape of Nigeria: The Church’s Response”.

    It noted that  Ambode deserves to be re-elected because he has transformed the state.     National Chairman of the organisation  Elder Enoch Ajiboso said: “We are witnesses to the transformation in Lagos State. Ambode has touched all sectors. He is performing.

    “Look at what he is doing at the transport sector. Road construction is going on in all areas of Lagos.

    “Governor Ambode has changed the face of Lagos State. Road construction is on at Pen Cinema in Agege, Oshodi, Airport Road, just to mention a few.

    “He inaugurated roads in Alimosho area of Lagos State, which link the state with Ogun.

    “Besides, the governor has transformed education, health, commerce and other sectors. He deserves our votes to enable him continue the programmes he has started.”

    Ajiboso, a former Agric and Cooperatives commissioner, who chaired Agege Local Government, urged Lagosians to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), to enable them vote.

     

     

     

  • Tinubu, Ambode condole with Bode George

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode have condoled with former Deputy National Chairman, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, on the death of his son, Dipo.

    Dipo, who died last week after a brief illness, will be buried today in Lagos.

    In his condolence letter to George on behalf of his family, Asiwaju Tinubu urged the bereaved father to accept their condolences and sympathy.

    “It is for us to keep in remembrance the good person that your son was and to honour him by living up to ideals of charity and love towards all.

    “I pray that God bestows on you and your family a special grace to strengthen and carry on through this moment,” Tinubu said.

    In his letter, on behalf of the Lagos State government and his family, Ambode sympathised with George and prayed that the Almighty, who knows best, will give him the fortitude to bear the huge loss.

    “May you find the courage and strength to move forward knowing that he lived a good life,” the letter said.

  • Ambode fulfils N20m pledge to CHAN Eagles

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has fulfilled his promise of N20 million to the Super Eagles Team B otherwise called the CHAN Eagles.

    The Salisu Yusuff-tutored team were runners-up at the 2018 African Nations Championships held in Morocco.

    The governor, who was in Morocco to watch the final match had pledged to reward the team for their exemplary performance in in spite of all odds.

    Titi Oshodi, the Head of Public Affairs, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), said Wednesday that its chairman, Kweku Tandoh made the disclosure in Lagos.

    “The Executive Chairman, LSSC, Tandoh made the disclosure about the reward,’’ she said, noting that the official presentation of the cheque to the team would take place soon.

    “The gesture by the sports-loving Ambode is commendable and has once again demonstrated his passion and unwavering commitment to sports development not only in Lagos State but in Nigeria as a whole.

    Read Also: 16 football clubs lock horns in 2018 Enugu State Federation Cup

    “Last year the governor supported the Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) FC of Lagos for their 2018 CAF Champions League campaign with a donation of N50 million.

    “He also approved the remodelling and modification of the Agege Stadium to meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards,’’ Oshodi said in a statement.

    Gov. Ambode also financially supported the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in hosting the FIFA Executive Football Summit which held in February this year along with the 1st NFF Football Awards in Lagos, Oshodi.

  • Women march for Ambode

    Epe Professionals Women Association (EPWA) has marched around Epe community in Lagos to register their support for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s second term.

    The women, who  dressed in T-shirts, jeans and fez caps, stopped at every junction to address residents on why Ambode’s second term is important.

    They said the governor’s passion for the welfare of women and the vulnerable group is unprecedented.

    EPWA patron, Dr. Atinuke Onayiga said the governor’s efforts protected women from abuses and undignified treatment.

    She added that vulnerable women and children could now stand up for their rights in the society with legal representation provided by the government.

    She said: “We identify with His Excellency in the area of monument infrastructure development in Epe and other communities in Lagos. EPWA is at peace and happy with the giant strides of the governor. We are equally pleased with the steps the governor is taking on violence against women, gender inequality and sexual abuse.

    “This is giving hope to our women to press for progress. Ambode should, therefore, begin another term. EPWA’s main objective is to contribute to the improvement of the lives of the people of Epe, particularly women and children.

    “We are doing this through education and empowerment programme. We thank everybody who came out to identify with the performing governor.

    “He has done so much for this town; never in the history have we appreciated such phenomenal. We thank him immensely and we want to let him know that he has our full support for the second coming.

    “When the time comes, don’t forget to come out to vote for him. We should mobilise our children and sisters who are 18 years and above to register and get their PVC for the election. I want you to come out in the same number and enthusiastic zeal to elect our brother, father and son.

    Epe women leader Olajumoke Razak said the women would not sleep or relax until Ambode won the election.

    She added that plans were on to take the campaign from door to door, ensuring that women, youths of voting age were persuaded to join the moving train.

    “It is equally good to note that this transformation is not limited to Epe; it can be felt everywhere in Lagos. The records are there in Abule-Egba, Oshodi, Mushin, Badagry and other places.

    “He inaugurated 21 roads in a day. This record is unprecedented. The roads are not only meant for the benefit of Lagosians, but neighbouring states linking Lagos.

    “I want to say if it is possible to have a third term, we would mobilise for him. The rally we are having is to mobilise women ahead of the coming election. The man has done great things and I am sure we will not find it difficult to market him to the public.

    “We are praying for him that God should give him the same energy to impact more when he wins the election in 2019. My advice to our women is that they should not go to sleep yet because we have to ensure the success of the governor.

    “They have to obtain their PVC, they have to come out en-mass to exercise their civic responsibility. They have to register because without this, they cannot do anything even when they want to vote for him. Your PVC is your power to ensure continuity.

    “We are urging those who think they can displace the governor not to waste their resource because Ambode will get it again and again,” she added.

  • Ambode emphasises need to equip civil servants

     

     

    The civil service represents the permanent government that must be equipped to adequately advise the government of the day, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said.

    He added that they are also to implement government’s programmes, and effectively communicate the reason behind government-sanctioned programmes to the citizens.

    Ambode spoke at a workshop facilitated by Messrs Xls Consult Limited and organised by Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pensions, tagged: “Information Management for Positive Perception of Lagos State Government Programmes.” He said the net effect is that, if civil servants are well-equipped to discharge these tasks, government programmes will be positively perceived by the populace and will receive the needed support for success.

    The governor was represented by Commissioner for Establishment, Trainings and Pensions, Dr Akintola Benson.

    He challenged the civil service to come up with data-backed and data-inspired ideas that will rival the examples of France and Moscow.

    According to him, the popular support, which translated into legitimacy has enabled government to deliver benefits to all. This, he said, implied that citizens’ support for government has to be more concrete than some vaguely positive feelings.

    Ambode noted that in order to go beyond the vaguely positive feelings, there must be positive perceptions of government along three distinct dimensions.

    The government, he said, must be seen as capable and effective in carrying out its activities; it must be seen as treating all people equally and impartially without favouritism or discrimination; and it must be seen to be sincerely caring about each person’s welfare.

    He stressed that it is only when the government is seen as competent, fair, and caring that it can have the kind of support that amounts to legitimacy. He added that three dimensions – competence, fairness, and caring – are all necessary because a lack of any of them is enough to weaken legitimacy.

    He said: “For instance, if the government is perceived as unfair, then its legitimacy is reduced even if it is otherwise seen as being competent and caring. Indeed, it is difficult to argue or disagree with the postulations above. The reason why I have gone to some length to identify these parameters is that I may point out what the objectives of information management by civil servants in Lagos State ought to be.

    “Information has been described as the fuel of government. But when it comes to government, information and the systems that manage it take a front seat. One may suppose that what sustains a government and, in fact, a system of government, is the will of the people. That may be true. But what influences the will of the people is information and the way it is managed. This is why every responsible government will place premium on the establishment, maintenance, and sustenance of a modern, robust, effective and scalable information management system.

    “The responsibility for all these fall on the civil service, of course. In most democracies, the civil service represents the ‘permanent government’ that must be equipped to adequately advise the government of the day, implement government programmes, and effectively communicate the reasoning behind government-sanctioned programmes to the citizens. The net effect is that, if civil servants are well-equipped to discharge these tasks, the programmes of government will be positively perceived by the populace and will thus receive the needed support for success.”

    Ambode stressed that his administration is unrepentant and unapologetic in its dogged belief in the all-important role of the civil service.