The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ambode

  • Ambode: Power of performance

    A winning governor will attract endorsements that are justifiable.   So, it is logical and predictable that Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is enjoying an abundance of justifiable endorsements.  He is qualified to seek reelection and his endorsers are backing him for a second term in office. The beauty of the endorsements is that they are based on what he has to show for his time in office so far. In other words, he has attracted powerful endorsements through the power of his performance.

    The three lawmakers representing Lagos State in the Senate – Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) and Solomon Olamilekan (Lagos West) – said in a letter of endorsement: “We particularly are proud of the infrastructure development that you have brought to the entire state in general and to our districts in particular. Your smart solutions in tackling the traffic and security challenges that initially faced your administration have become template for other states to copy. Also, your strategic partnerships with Kebbi and Kano States have thrown more light to the capacity of Lagos State and the creative manager of man and resources which you are. We must also mention that through the course of the period which our country battled with an economic recession, you made sure that Lagos State remained well above the curve.”

    Similarly, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Representatives from Lagos State endorsed Ambode for a second term in office. They also presented a letter to him, asking him to seek reelection. The Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who led the caucus, was quoted as saying:  “Because of the giant strides of our amiable Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in the last two and a half years in governing the State; because of the things he has done across the board, across all the Local Government Areas, across different sectors, we sat together and we decided without a dissenting voice to seek his audience and endorse him for re-election in 2019 as the Governor of Lagos State.”

    Also, the chairmen of the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State endorsed Ambode for a second term in office. The Chairman of Conference of LGs and LCDAs in the state, Omolola Essien, who is also the Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government, said: “Our decision to support him for another term in office is based on the fact that he has performed extremely well; we can all see that everything that he has done in Lagos State, no other state has been able to do that. He has done very well.”

    It is noteworthy that Ambode’s endorsers are not only APC members who want their party man to continue in office. Various other groups and individuals want Ambode to seek reelection.  For example, on April 11, the National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS) held a rally to support Ambode for a second term in office. Another example: Traditional rulers in Lagos State of Ijebu extraction have unanimously endorsed him. The traditional rulers are from Epe, Eredo, Agbowa-Ikosin, Ikorodu and Ibeju-Lekki.

    The point is that Ambode represents forward-looking governance, which Lagos needs to develop.  Listed 12th among the world’s largest 35 cities in 2015 when Ambode became governor, the former federal capital is work in progress, and the development-related results of Ambode’s progressive efforts are unmistakable and applaudable.

    The range of Ambode’s vision leaves no room for underdevelopment in any area, whether it is lighting up the city, keeping the city clean, building homes, rebuilding roads, providing security, tackling transportation, building theatres and so on.

    Interestingly, last year, Ambode published his “random thoughts” in a thought-provoking newspaper article in which he said:  “I am sharing my thoughts in this article, not necessarily as the Governor of Lagos State but as a Nigerian; a Nigerian who wants to see progress and sustainable growth in our country. I have been lucky to be administering over a state that has been put on the right track by my two predecessors, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). I do not think I have done anything special except to bring my own style of leadership, my own experience and my vision. Lagos, as it is, has not reached its peak but we can see signs of progress and positive transition to the Lagos of our dreams. What bothers me personally is that I do not see the same level of progress elsewhere in the country. I am not happy that most states in our country are not advancing like Lagos.”

    Through his concept of “One Lagos,” Ambode has promoted inclusive governance as key to inclusive growth.  It is commendable that his administration’s inclusive governance and inclusive development efforts continue to drive development at the grassroots.

    He continues to work for good governance, but recognises that development takes time. “It will take time but I believe in the philosophy of Think It, Plan It and then Act It…We must and are expected to think through all our policies properly and to the end before planning and executing. The difference between the thinking time, planning time, the execution time and the action time demanded by the populace is what makes people cry out,” he reasoned in his article.

    Ambode is impressively focused on remodelling Lagos and making it a model megalopolis. It is a tribute to Ambode’s quality governance that the country’s other states cannot resist applauding his governance model. He has shown that well-rounded governance is an expression of well-rounded thinking, and has demonstrated the possibilities of political governance in a country that needs models of creative thinking in high political office.

    As the 2019 elections approach, it is foreseeable that Ambode will enjoy more endorsements. Any objective measurement of his first-term performance cannot deny that his administration has had a significant impact on the development of Lagos State. There is no doubt that Ambode has done enough to earn a second term in office.

  • Road Projects: Stakeholders laud Ambode, urge speed

    Prominent stake-holders in the Lagos East senatorial district of Lagos State have commended the numerous road construction projects embarked upon by the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, saying the Isawo Owutu and Igbogbo roads, among others, when completed, will further open the area up for development.

    Speaking under the auspices of the Eminent Persons of Ikorodu Division (EPID), under the Chairmanship of Prof. S. A. Sanni, a pan Ikorodu Division socio-political and economic organisation, the stakeholders also urged the governor to speed up the processes of moving contractors to sites where necessary and ensure the smooth running of the construction projects where applicable. The liaison group said it will soon enter into communication with government on how to alleviate the effects of the development on the people by providing some palliatives.

    In a release signed by Sir Engr. (Chief) R. O. Shoderu and Chief Tele Oduloye, Chairman and Secretary of the liaison group respectively, the group said the various reports of the consultative committee it constituted to look into the ongoing road projects in the division revealed that the people of Ikorodu are virtually happy about the developments and are willing to co-operate with the government and the handlers of the said projects across the division. It, however, noted that the notice before the demolition exercise in Igbogbo was rather short.

    “The Kabiesis, chiefs and the entire people of Ikorodu Division express profuse thanks to His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State, and the Lagos State Government for approving and embarking on construction of super highways of over seven kilometres each to pass through major areas of our division. We stand by the government in the current phase (demolition of structures), in spite of the pains being felt by some of us as we believe the completion of the roads will bring gains to us.

    “It has been emphasised at various meetings by our traditional rulers and leading socio-political leaders that the state government would not delay payment of compensation to those affected by the demolition exercise. We hereby passionately plead that the government should give this a priority attention,” the statement read in part.

    While appreciating the immense effort of the Kabiesis towards the fruition of the road projects, the group further commends the involvements of illustrious sons and daughters of the division such as Prince Biodun Ogunleye, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Hon. S. O. B. Agunbiade and Hon. Nurudeen Solaja, for relentlessly pursuing the approval and commencement of the projects by the state government.

     

     

  • Badagry endorses Ambode for second term

    Stakeholders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Badagry Local Government Area have endorsed the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, to contest as governor of the state for the second term in the 2019 general elections.

    Conveying the endorsement of Governor Ambode for the second term by the people of all communities in the local government area at the Badagry Local Government Town Hall on Thursday, the chairman of the local government, Hon. Olusegun Onilude, said the decision to support the governor for the second term was borne out of his laudable achievements to transform the state from a mega city to a smart city through infrastructural developments within  three years.

    He said these glaring and unprecedented achievements spurred the people of the local government area to work for the victory of Mr. Ambode in the 2019 governorship election in the state to further deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the Badagry division and the state at large.

    “Your heavy investment in the effective community policing of the state through the Neighbourhood Watch programme, provision of health care facilities across the state, well-designed employment and empowerment programmes to engage the populace and your concern for a clear and healthy environment were strong encouragements for your endorsement.

    “For us in Badagry, your endorsement is triggered by the genuine concern and interest you have shown in our growth and economic development through the construction of the 500- seater Cinema Hall at Hospital Road, Badagry, the exploration activities of Aje Oil, the Badagry Deep Seaport project, the free trade zone project, the ECOWAS market project, the development of our tourism potential and above all, your kind gesture of upgrading some of our traditional rulers in Ajara as Aholus,” Onilude said.

    In his own speech, former Lagos State Head of Service and APC chieftain in Badagry, Mr. Sunny Ajose, said Governor Ambode had impacted positively on the lives of the people of the area within a short stay in office.

  • A welcome understanding

    For the otherwise high-flying Ambode governorship, the present refuse crisis in Lagos is a threatening legacy blight.

    How can Governor Akinwunmi Ambode brilliantly succeed on so many new fronts, yet fail on the notorious Lagos refuse, which even the most skeptical of Lagosians had thought the continuum of Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola governorships had resolved for good?

    That explains the bitterness and anger, among the populace, as they scowl at the rising mountains of refuse in places like Oyingbo, Idumota, Broad Street, Balogun, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Tinubu areas of the Lagos Central Business District, and Mushin, to mention a few places.

    Besides, now common is the very ugly and smelly sight of bouquets of scattering refuse, lined up on medians city-wide, many of these roads brand new facilities that ought to have boosted city beauty, but now reduced to an urban sprawl of cascading dirt.

    The time to dismantle the refuse is now — not before it is worsened by the coming rains; not before refuse, mixed with rain, has ended in a flood disaster; not before it forces a needless epidemic, with a hideous cost, on the health of the citizenry.

    Yet, you could hardly blame Governor Ambode for wanting a better refuse management system, which he introduced under the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) programme.

    Even with the present crisis, that initiative comes with many laudable thrusts, like charging Visionscape Sanitation Solutions (VSS), the new CLI grand drivers, with refuse infrastructure tasks: construction of more transfer loading stations, waste-to-energy plants, recycling facilities, biomass plants, leachate and waste water treatment schemes, dumpsites and land-filled remediation. These capital chores clearly point to where the Lagos refuse management is going: an integrated effort to process and turn the state’s tumbling refuse into rumbling wealth.

    The CLI came with the nitty-gritty: VSS came as the new sheriff in town; and is perceived as elbowing out the old players in the refuse market, the Private Sector Participation (PSP) veterans that drove the market from the Tinubu and Fashola years.

    Though the Lagos State government keeps on insisting it had the market pieced out — household for VSS and commercial and industrial for PSPs, now known as Waste Collection Operators (WCOs), these waste market veterans counter VSS is nothing but a virtual monopoly, invented to elbow the older players out of the business.

    Whatever the truth of the matter among contending claims, what is indisputable is that both sides were bitterly opposed on the new scheme; a near-war refuse situation thus arose.  WCOs not only withdrew their services to bitterly lick their wounds, many of them are accused of deliberate sabotage to make VSS look bad and incompetent. Meanwhile, VSS, even with its avant-garde equipment and superior investment, is clearly overwhelmed, being new in the operating environment. Meanwhile, the citizenry had cashed in on the situation, dumping refuse wherever that caught their fancy.

    That is why the Lagos State government must make this new VSS-WCO entente a new beginning. The VSS entry into the Lagos refuse market may have been close to near-disaster.  But the people — not VSS or even the government — are the net losers. A degraded environment is everybody’s blight. Now, it’s a lose-lose for everybody, even the WCOs, some of which members are accused of sabotage.

    But it is time to turn the situation to win-win. Talking of that, a segment of WCOs has disputed the government announcement that VSS and the old PSPs are now to share the household refuse segment, which the WCOs claim is the real deal. Though some casual observations negate the WCOs’ claim, the protest suggests not all of the WCO segments have been reintegrated.

    The Lagos State government should move fast to rectify that. As many of the WCOs as are ready should be drafted into the scheme. Indeed, the government should declare a refuse clearing emergency with a definite deadline, and press into service the newly integrated gang, to rid the state of these mountains of filth.

    Lagos cannot enjoy progress on sparkling new infrastructure, in new roads, bridges and ultra-modern bus terminals but endure retrogress in the blight of failing refuse management — and attendant catastrophe.

    Such retrogress threatens the emergent immaculate spirit of Lagos, which scoffs at any hint of rot or decay.

  • Ambode and vision of a cleaner Lagos

    SIR: For a city that plays host to over 23 million inhabitants, admits another 6, 000 on a daily basis and is growing so rapidly that it is going to be twice its population size in 15 years, it is no surprise how much waste Lagos generates. One research has estimated that the State generates at least 13, 000 tonnes of waste daily, almost three times higher than what Ghana generates. In spite of this, there is a race to become a proper megacity, like other cities of the world with which it has similar population, but less infrastructure.

    Proper waste disposal continues to be a challenge, because not only does it affect the allure and aesthetics of any place, but it also directly impacts on health, industry, social living standards and economic prosperity. Realising this, the Lagos State government of Lagos, under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode embarked on a Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), beginning in 2016, with an aim to address waste management and protect the environment. This initiative also engendered a transition from the local PSP operators in the state to Visionscape Group, whose subsidiary, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, was brought in to save the day. The question now on the lips of Lagosians is whether the saviour does not itself need saving at this point.

    While, the imprint of two green leaves, one light coloured and the other much darker, can be seen in most places across Lagos, on collection trucks, outfits and disposal bins heralding Visionscape,  the rate of return in terms of value provided to the state is not at par. Understandably, the previously existing waste management scheme in Lagos needed a face lift; there was a need to deploy new technology, have proper and efficient collection, transportation, disposal, treatment and resource recovery mechanisms, and the idea of a new entity to enable this was surely not a bad idea. To my mind though, the company came on board without fully realising, understanding and preparing for the weight of duty it would be fraught with. Perhaps, it had not imagined that the waste capacity of Lagos was way over what it had seen or heard, or even been told by perhaps, obsolete data. Thus, in the early days of Visionscape in Lagos, and till now in certain areas, heaps of waste can be seen piling up for days and weeks, a testimony to the fact that anything less than daily collection of waste in Lagos would not work.

    I would also fault the transition from the local PSP operators to this company, the downside of which was borne by Lagosians as local PSP operators refused to collect in the interim and Visionscape had not been mobilized to kick off. The long-drawn court battle and the government’s rush to move on with the new company could have been better handled. Admittedly, no transition of such magnitude, especially when making a direct replacement, can be free of the entire drama, yet it could have been better managed with a collaborative structure, which would eventually have phased out the local operators slowly, letting the foreign company handle operations alone. It is a smart step too, as the foreign company will not have to deal with so many teething challenges of understanding the new landscape. In this regard however, I am glad the Visionscape has taken on partnership with the local PSP operators. They should also work quickly to infuse scavengers into their chain of operations.

    The cries of the people of Lagos regarding efficiency and effectiveness are valid. The turnkey solutions and efficient waste management promised are yet to be deployed. Flowery news of the Medium Term Note, RFID indent systems, UHF transponders and GPRS sensors and all technology being deployed makes no meaning to the average Lagosian until the dirt pile in front of his house is not there the next morning, and the next, and the next. Till then, mere promises of better delivery cannot suffice.

    So, while, I must urge Lagosians to be patient with this new player trying to understand our field and mode of play, Visionscape has to also step up its game. A lot of advocacy work and awareness should be embarked on for Lagosians for re-orientation on waste disposal and environmental culture. This can be achieved by partnering with various environmental non-profit organisations already operating in the state.

    To the Lagosian, I must chide you too, because, while Visionscape has its own responsibilities and shortcomings, the Nigerian culture of disposing waste at any point where it seems convenient, regardless of how it harms the environment, is a problem. We also have our role to play in keeping our environment clean, refraining from emptying waste in the gutters, paying up sanitation charges where necessary, and reaching out to the waste company where there is an urgent need to have them collect, and they have failed to. The challenge of waste management is one involving various players along its value chain, and neither the government nor the waste company can play our individual roles for us.

     

    • Caleb Adebayo,

    Lagos.

  • Ambode: We are delivering more with less

    The Lagos State Civil Service has led the way in reducing waste in government while increasing productivity, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, has said.

    The governor said this had been made possible partly through extensive investments in knowledge and skills in the Civil Service.

    Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions Dr. Akintola Benson during a training organised for workers in Lagos, spoke on the topic: “Adopting the lean process improvement culture in the Civil Service to further reduce waste and optimise productivity”.

    He said the state civil service was delivering more with less, noting that the importance of eliminating waste in government cannot be overemphasised.

    According to him, with good and sound processes relating to management of time and resources, meagre resources can be extended to produce outstanding results.

    “The ultimate objective of this training is to identify and codify the methods, means, and strategies for ensuring that the state Civil Service is positioned to do more with less. At the end of this training, officers of the state should be able to produce even more outstanding results with less money, less personnel, and in less time. This, at the end of the day, is ultimate productivity. It frees up resources, both human and capital, for investment in other competing fronts for the benefit of the good people of Lagos State.

    “Many civil servants feel that their priority should be matters of policy, not operations; others resent the notion that they are somehow part of a production line. Moreover, without the incentive of the profit motive, these government managers may believe they have neither a reason nor the levers to pursue a lean approach,”he said.

    He continued: “I will be the first to acknowledge that as has been well documented, persuading people to embark on the lean journey, where the last stop may be their own removal or reassignment, is not easy. To succeed, public-sector organisations must find a way to align their growth strategy, providing new and better services at limited cost, with a regard for the interests of their workers. Although lean programmes may cut the number of public-sector jobs, the goal is to make the remaining ones more rewarding. Incentives come from the prospect of more meaningful work, potentially with room for greater autonomy or a chance to develop new skills.”

    The governor urged participants  to actively participate in the discussions and contribute meaningfully to realising the objectives of the training, adding that it is in the state’s corporate interest to do so.

    “This is because, if the state civil service is able to perfect the art of lean management and operations, the service will be able to eliminate the three sources of loss, which are waste, variability and inflexibility,” noted.

     

  • ‘Why Ambode should go for second term’

    Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Home Affairs Chairman Layiwola Olawale spoke with Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN on why Lagosians are asking Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to seek re-election.

    What is responsible for the popular demand for re-election of Governor Akinwumi Ambode for second term?

    We are all living witnesses to what Governor Ambode is doing in Lagos State. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the architect of new Lagos, laid a solid foundation for the development of the state. Former Governor Babatunde Fashola actualised the plan and Ambode is consolidating on the good work of his predecessors. He has performed creditably. To secure Lagos, the Ambode administration procured helicopters for air surveillance; acquired patrol vehicles including state of art information technology for security agencies. All these facilities have helped the security agencies in checkmating the criminal activities of kidnappers and Bado boys in Ikororodu.

    Under Ambode, the Internally Generated Revenue of Lagos State has increased to N30 billion per month. The state government pays students’ West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees; the government has embarked on structural development of schools through rehabilitation and renovation; new schools are also springing up. The Lagos State University (LASU) is the best tertiary institution in the country today in terms of infrastructure and staffing, courtesy of Governor Ambode. The facilities in public health institutions have been upgraded such that foreign health officials now have confidence in Lagos State Health programme.

    Through Ambode ingenuity, traffic menace has been reduced in Lagos, particularly in Alapere, Abule-Egba, Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu through the expansion of roads and construction of fly- over in strategic areas of the state. Epe is now accessible, following massive road construction embarked upon by the state government.

    Ambode has taken development to the grassroots through the rehabilitation of roads across local government areas. He went a step further by constructing roads and bridges leading to Ogun State borders, some of which were commissioned last weekend.

    The list of his achievements under three years in office is endless. The reward for hard work is more work. One good term deserves another. That is why there is spontaneous demand for his second term. I am in total support for his re-election so that he can accomplish his mission.

    How have you impacted on your constituents?

    As a legislator, I represent the interest of my constituents through robust legislative debate in the House. I sponsor bills and motions that will promote good governance and improve the well-being of the people of the state.

    Beside the constitutional responsibility, I have facilitated employment opportunities to members of my constituency in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) like the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Teaching Service Commission and the judiciary. I organise free tutorials for secondary school students during holidays. Every year, I procure 200 West African Examination Council (WAEC) forms for those who want to sit for GCE; provide free school uniform;  organise career talks for students to guide them in their future undertakings and donated a trophy for football competition among the ten wards in Mushin constituency.

    I am passionate about providing employment for our people. I have been on the employment drive since 2002. Between 2002 and 2007, I was the Special Assistant to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu  on Transportation. When Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) was created, I was able to assist many of our people in getting job with the agency. It was one of the reasons they voted for me massively in 2015. Besides that, I sometimes go out of my way to get jobs for them outside my influence.

    Why has peace continued to elude Mushin, your constituency?

    The menace of thuggery and insecurity in Mushin can be attributed to societal factors; the youth unemployment is a major factor. An idle hand is a devil’s workshop. Mushin has been associated with political violence since the First Republic during the Western Region crisis that culminated in arson- “operation wet e”. It was a protest against injustice meted out to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his supporters by the Federal Government led by the late Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Mushin was part of the old Western Region then. The people of Mushin vehemently rejected the result of the 1965 Western Region election that was rigged for the late Chief S. L. Akintola’s Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP). Mushin became the epicentre of the struggle.

    Mushin is not the only flash point in Lagos; there are other areas too. We have been trying to reverse the trend of criminalities in Mushin by engaging the youths. We are doing this through vocation training so that they can acquire skills and become self employed and even become employers of labour. There are those who came to Lagos in search of green pasture; they live in Mushin but when they could not find gainful employment, they take to robbery, burglary and other criminal activities in order to survive. These are the characters giving Mushin a bad name.

    We will continue to engage the youth. We have put many things in place for our people like recreation centres, adult education programme so that the vast majority of the populace would be able to read and write which will help them in their chosen vocations. Mushin has produced good people in all spheres of life. By constructively engaging the youths, I’m sure they will change for better.

    Some are suggesting that the black spot in Mushin should be acquired by government. What is your view?

    No. I won’t subscribe to that idea. The lands belong to the people; they have been holding the land for centuries. It will be unfair to dispossess them of their property because of the criminal activities of few ones living among them. The bad ones should be fished out and charged to court. We have responsible people living in Akala and Idi-Oro, For example, the Chairman Of Ojuwoye/Odi- Olowo lives in Akala street.

    What should your constituents be expecting from you before the end of the Eighth Assembly?

    They should expect good things. I will continue with the good job that I am doing. I will complete the on-going borehole projects. I have always been accessible to them. I live with them. All empowerment programmes initiated by me will continue. I can never abandon my people.

    Will you seek re-election in 2019?

    I believe in my constituents and the political leaders. I was able to achieve all I have been able to achieve because of their support. If they ask me to continue, I will abide with their decision.

  • Group scores Ambode 100 per cent

    The Regional Leaders Council (RLC) of Lagos State, last week said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode scored 100 percent in socio- economic sectors of the state.

    The group said this while conferring its prestigious Award and Certificate of “Praiseworthy Grassroots Governance Award” to the governor.

    They said it was in appreciation of the “quality leadership, delivery of dividend of democracy to the grassroots and the entire people of Lagos State.”

    The council consist of leaders and heads of Sarkin Hausa/Arewa Community, Sakin Fulani Community, Nupe North Central Community, Igbo Leader (Eze Ndigbo), and Mayor of South-south region in Lagos.

    The Award was received by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Benjamin Olabinjo at Alausa, Ikeja.

    RLC Leader and Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja, Uche Dimgba, said the Award represents the voice of all the regional groups in Lagos in their desire to work in unison to ensure that Ambode is returned for a second term.

    Dimgba noted that the award “is in line with rewarding good for good and sing praise of someone who is doing great work for his people.”

    Olabinjo enjoined the leaders to continue to ensure the peaceful co-habitation of the people in their respective communities, as the governor is working to make Lagosians happy by the provision of infrastructure that would make life comfortable for all and sundry in the State.

    He urged the leaders to mobilise their people to register with INEC and obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) which is very important for participation in the coming elections.

     

  • LASPOTECH students endorse Ambode for second term

    Students of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) have endorsed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos for a second term in office.

    The students led by the President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Jubril Adewale, in a statement made available to The Nation on the launch of the “Direct Campaign & Enlightenment (DiCE)’’ initiative in Ikorodu, said endorsing the governor for a second term was borne out of the need to ensure he continued his education improvement drive in the state.

    The union also said the initiative will sensitise residents and students on the need to register and collect Permanent Voters Card,(PVCs).

     

    He said the DiCE initiative was aimed at engaging students on a one on one basis, convincing, persuading and arming them with information on the governor’s achievements in the education sector, to enable them in turn engage their parents.

    “We are here today representing the 25,000 students of this great citadel of learning and excellence to say that Gov. Ambode should continue with his good work and determination to make education in the state the hallmark of excellence in Nigeria”.

    “The Governor has proven beyond reasonable doubts, his concern for the sustenance of qualitative educational system in Lagos State”.

    “LASPOTECH has benefited immensely from the administration in the area of the ‘Ready-Set-Work’ initiative, an education value added scheme for tertiary institutions in Lagos”.

    “He has also completed the construction of Block ‘A’ of the School of Technology Complex as well as approved the construction of drainages and car parks for the complex, all of which are ongoing.’’

    He added that other abandoned projects set for completion by the governor included the construction of a High Capacity Auditorium, Construction of an Administrative Block and Sports Complex.

    He therefore solicited the support of students and residents in the state to ensure they register and collect their Permanent Voters’ Card to enable them cast their votes during the 2019 General Elections.

    Also speaking on the DiCE initiative, Semiu Balogun, the Union’s Public Relations Officer said the initiative is hinged on the institution’s 25,000 student population to achieve its goal to have the governor re-elected.

    “We are practically preparing our 25,000 students (part time and full time), to convince at least two parents each with the direct campaign and enlightenment; you can not underestimate the multiplier effects of this initiative.

    “In addition to canvassing for votes, we would monitor and sensitise the student populace on the need to register and collect their PVC because a vote canvassed without a PVC is sheer waste of time and resources.

    “We shall sensitise the public on registration and collection of PVC and consolidate it with canvassing for votes using the DiCE initiative, which is neither a hired nor an accidental idea.

    “It is the Union’s ingenuity, passion to support the re-election bid of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and our strategy goes beyond rhetorics and showmanship; but a complete practical approach to winning election,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Unions to Ambode: upgrade AOCOED to varsity

    THE Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), and Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Otto/ Ijanikin, have urged the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to upgrade the 59-year-old institution to a university of education in June to coincide with its 60th anniversary.

    The unions, at a briefing, noted that the proposed upgrade was long overdue.

    The Nation learnt Ambode may announce the conversion of AOCOED, which is the oldest tertiary institution into a university of education, any moment.

    The unions’ chairmen, Michael Avosentiyen and Wunmi Ombugadu praised Ambode for the initiative.

    Avosentiyen said workers, management and students were already in jubilant mood over the development, adding that they would be happier if the governor could make it a birthday gift in June.

    He said: “We have been able to convince the governor that the university of education is not only the trend; it is also cultural as our society is no longer interested in college of education again as reflected in the college’s previous admission statistics of students who deliberately chose AOCOED as their first choice.

    “The implication of this is that the state government and the college will be at a loss while the staff may not be able to justify their existence.’’

    Avosetinyen noted that AOCOED has the wherewithal in terms of personnel and facilities to meet up with the new status.

    He recalled that various accreditation teams of the National Universities Commission (NUC) had accredited the college’s degree programmes run in affiliation with Ekiti State University on three occasions with 100 per cent endorsement for structures and personnel.

    “In terms of the highest academic degree, which is Ph.D, no college of education in Nigeria and faculty of education in any of the Nigerian universities can beat our college. AOCOED is endowed with over 60 Ph.D holders while about 10 lecturers are getting ready for their defence soonest. Apart from that, more than 50 lecturers are on their Ph.D home and abroad,’’ he added.

    COEASU former national president, Mr. Sam Akindele, AOCOED governing council member, Dr. Lanre Aiyejuyo and two former SSUCOEN chairmen, Adeoye Sofidiya and Mr. Yemi Ayeni, also urged Ambode to anounce the upgrade at the college’s convocation in May.

    They said doing so would jerk up students’ enrolment.