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  • Ambode, Sanwo-Olu for Lagos CAN’s IDDS

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Governor-Elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu are expected at the 2019 Inter-Denominational Divine Service (IDDS) of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos State chapter.

    It holds on Saturday, March 23 at The Shepherd Hill Baptist Church Obanikoro, Lagos.

    Lagos CAN chairman Apostle Alexander Bamgbola told reporters on Friday that the theme of the programme is “Walking in the perfect image of God”.

    He said: “Once in a year, the entire body of Christ, under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos State, comes together, historically on the 2nd Saturday of the month of February to have a solemn assembly of prayers and thanksgiving, unto the Lord

    “It is important to emphasise that the five blocs of CAN cover all Christian denominations: Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, African Church, The Apostolic and Christ Apostolic Churches and all the Pentecostal churches, under the umbrella of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

    “On this one day, Christians of every denomination come together in one spirit and one accord to pray, praise and worship Jehovah The Almighty God.”

    Bamgbola pointed out it would be a great time of unity and oneness in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

    “Signs and wonders always accompany this singular event in an unusual way, because of the mighty presence of the Lord God Jehovah.

    “Furthermore, it is a time to give thanks to God specially, for the peace and prosperity of LAGOS State, our own Jerusalem.

    “This year we decided to postpone the date of the IDDS till after the elections, while the church remained fervently prayerful in the interim.

    “It is therefore a momentous occasion of thanksgiving and praises to God, for the peaceful elections in Lagos State and across the landscape of Nigeria.’’

    The guest preacher is His Eminence, the Catholic Arcbishop of Lagos, Rt. Rev Alfred Adewale Martins.

     

  • Ambode orders investigation of collapsed building

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has commiserated with families of victims who lost their lives, most of whom are children in a three-storey building, which collapsed in Ita Faaji area of Lagos Island on Wednesday.

    Ambode commiserated with the family when he visited the scene of the collapsed building.

    The three-storey residential building, located at No 14, Massey Street, Opposite Oja, Ita-Faaji, housing a primary school on its pent house, caved in at about 10am trapping scores of pupils of the school in the process.

    Ambode got to the scene of the incident at about 2:42pm, describing the incident as unfortunate.

    He appealed to residents to allow rescue operators the space to carry out their operations without any hindrance so as to rescue more children still trapped under the rubbles.

    “I want to commiserate with the families of those that lost their lives in this collapsed building.

    “I want to quickly let Lagosians know that this is quite an unfortunate incident. All we are trying to do is to scale up this rescue operation.

    “Our response units are already here; we are getting additional cranes to be able to go deeper than where we are now to rescue more lives.

    Read Also: Ambode congratulates governor-elect, lawmakers-elect

    “I just want to appeal to people that when we are doing this kind of rescue operation, yes, sympathizers will naturally come but I want to appeal that they should give the rescue workers the chance to save more lives,” he said.

    The Governor said his Deputy, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, had also visited the hospitals where some of the victims rescued had been taken to, assuring government would immediately take over their treatment and foot their entire bill.

    “The Deputy Governor is in the hospital actually taking care of those that were rescued and taken to the hospital most especially the children.

    “On the part of government, we would immediately take care of whatever it is that we can do, including the hospital bills.

    “All we are interested in now is to save more lives and also see how those that have been rescued are put in proper place and proper care,” he said.

    Giving a brief of the situation, the Governor said he had received information that the building was a residential one, with the school operating illegally within the premises, adding that about two floors of the building sunk to the ground.

    He said most of the buildings in the area had been marked for demolition but that some property owners in the area defied such notices, assuring structural defective buildings would be demolished.

    “The first observation is that this is an old building and it is only the Pent House and the other floors that we have been able to use to rescue people.

    “So far, from what I have been briefed, we have rescued about 25 people and some already dead but we were earlier informed that it was a school, the building is not technically a school, it is a residential building that was actually accommodating an illegal school so to speak on the second floor.

    “Like we have said, we have been carrying out a lot if integrity tests on the buildings in this neighborhood and as you can see, some of them have been marked for demolition but we get resistance from landlords but we must continue to save lives and we would intensify our efforts to see that those have failed our integrity test, we would ensure that they are quickly evacuated and we bring the structures down,” he said.

    Ambode also said that a full scale investigation would be carried out immediately rescue operations are concluded, vowing those found culpable would be severely dealt with in accordance with the relevant laws.

    “This is unfortunate but we will investigate what has happened and also see the punishment for whoever are the culprits.

    ‘’That is the secondary level but the most important thing right now is to save lives and I just appeal to people that they should give us the chance to save more lives,” he said.

    He assured rescue operations would continue until all victims are rescued, adding that the General Officer Commanding 81 Division and the Brigade Commander were on ground to maintain peace and ensure smooth rescue operations.

    “That is what is important to us and the more lives we save, the better for us,” he said.

    Responding to a concern raised by a resident on the increase in illegal schools in the area, Governor Ambode said all schools that fall within that category would be closed down.

  • Ambode congratulates governor-elect, lawmakers-elect

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat as well as the 40 House of Assembly candidates of the party for their resounding victory at Saturday’s polls.

    Sanwo-Olu was declared winner of the election and governor-elect by the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the State, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede.

    He trounced his closest challenger and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimi Agbaje with 739, 445 votes to 206,141.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the governor said the feat was a reward for the vigorous campaign embarked upon by the APC candidate and his running mate across the length and breadth of the state.

    The statement reads: “Lagosians have spoken loud and clear with their votes and have overwhelmingly voted for a government they believe will continue the trajectory of growth that we have experienced in the last 20 years under the APC.

    “It is therefore with great pleasure that I congratulate our great party for a resounding victory yesterday. Again, the people of Lagos have decided to stay on the path of infrastructural drive, economic growth and all round development.

    “While I congratulate the Governor-Elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat on their well-deserved victory, let me also thank all Lagosians for keeping faith with the APC,” Governor Ambode said.

    “Governor Ambode also congratulated all the 40 candidates of the APC in the State Assembly elections for emerging victorious, adding that it would ensure a seamless relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government.”

    Also yesterday, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Mudashiru Obasa, congratulated governor-elect, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy governor-elect, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat on their victory.

    He felicitated with returning and new members-elect of the House of Assembly for what he described as “hard-earned but well deseved victory at the polls”.

    “It was tough for us all but at the end of the day, a well deserved victory for all members of the All Progressives Congress  (APC), a confirmation of the love Lagosians have for our great party and the giant strides we have been achieving in the state”, Obasa said in statement by his media aide, Rasak  Musbau.

  • Ambode wins polling unit for Sanwo-Olu 

    Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has delivered his polling unit to his party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the governorship election held on Saturday.

    His party, All Progressives Congress, APC, also scored the highest vote in the House of Assembly election jointly held with the governorship election.

    According to result announced at the polling Unit 033, Ward A5, Ogunmodede College, Papa Epe polling center after the counting of vote: APC polled 262, while PDP polled 62. For the House of Assembly election, APC polled 253, while PDP polled 61.

    Ambode who had earlier cast his vote at about 10.00am commended all Lagosians for deciding to promote the real tenet of democracy by performing their civic obligation of coming out to vote in today’s governorship and House of Assembly election.

    Ambode gave the commendation while answering reporters question after casting his vote at his polling Unit which recorded a more impressive turn out than that of the presidential/National Assembly election two weeks ago.

    The governor arrived his polling unit in the company of his wife, Bolanle at 9.55am and cast his vote at 10.00am after accreditation.

    Voting in the governor’s polling unit commenced early by 8.00am while INEC officials arrived by 7.30am.

    Ambode expressed happiness that the election was peaceful, “everything here has been very peaceful, I also understand that across the state, voting is ongoing though there have been reports of delay in some of these polling centers.

    “We implore INEC to make sure that voting materials and all the ad-hoc staff come out quickly so that every person can have the same opportunity to perform their civic responsibility.

    “Voting has been peaceful thus far, security agencies are at work, and we are encouraging every Lagosian to come out and perform their civic obligation without threat or fear.

    I believe that in doing this, we continue to enhance the tenet of democracy. And we believe that with this, we  promote the culture of one man, one vote and improve on the state wellbeing and the good governance that we have always enjoyed”, the governor said.

  • Ambode to workers: prepare for retirement early

    LAGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday urged civil servants to start preparing for retirement early.

    At a training for directors and senior civil servants in Ikeja on “How to prepare for life after retirement, especially the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme”, he said the government would always ensure that retirees got their due through the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions and  Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC).

    They will also continue to receive, through other agencies more support that will add value to their lives in retirement, he added.

    Ambode, represented by Establishment, Training and Pensions Commissioner Dr. Akintola Benson-Oke, emphasised the need to prioritise pensioners’ welfare because of its  ‘’moral, economic, strategic and social implications.”

    The training, he said, was designed to ensure that public servants, especially those nearing retirement, were trained so that they could prepare for the future.

    “The objectives of the Pension Reform Law are: to assist persons in the employ of the state government to save towards their retirement and ensure that people who leave or retire from the public service receive their terminal or retirement benefits as and when due,” Ambode said.

    The facilitator of the training, Prof. Pat Utomi of the Lagos Business School, said it was necessary for every civil servant to prepare for retirement.

    The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Rhoda Ayinde,  said the government organised the taining because of its  concern for its workers’ future.

    She said : “The government doesn’t want any of its workers to suffer during retirement, hence this training. We all know what retirement is all about. This is why the Governor Ambode administration wants us to have enough training before we retire so that we can prepare adequately.’’

  • Horticulturists urge Ambode to come to their aid

    Horticulturists working under the Lagos State Parks and Agency (LASPARK) have urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to come to their aid.

    In a statement yesterday, their spokesman, Richards Sogade, who is the secretary, Lagos Landscapers Association, said: “We the horticulturists working under LASPARK hereby write to Governor Ambode, to come to our aid.

    “We have been working in all the parks and gardens, all the landscape of the state, ensuring that the state remains green and beautiful. Our maintenance fees have not been paid for eight months. We have used all our resources and loans from banks to maintain the parks, gardens and the landscape but we have been deprived of our maintenance fees. Most of us have nowhere to go now, as our families are groaning in pains due to lack of money.

    “We are using this medium to appeal to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TInubu, being the leader in the state and the leadership of the House of Assembly to help us appeal to the governor to release our third and fourth quarters maintenance fees, to enable us meet our obligations to our families and pay back the loans obtained from financial institutions.

    “We are committed to the growth and greener Lagos initiative of the state.”

  • Group celebrates Ambode’s wife at 55

    A group, Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vanguard, made up of social activists, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), artisans, political groups and youths, has described wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode as a humble, detribalised Nigerian.

    Coordinator of the group, Mr. Bamigbade Seyi, in a felicitation message on her 55th birthday commended Mrs. Ambode for being a strong pillar for her husband.

    He pointed out her support to the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has manifested in the giant strides recorded across all sectors in the state in the last three and half years.

    He said as a humble and compassionate mother who combines decency and commitment to excellence in personal and public life, she has been able to warm her way into the hearts of residents.

    Bamigbade also described Mrs. Ambode as a role model and shining star in the state’s political firmament.

    “Mrs. Bolanle Ambode is a detribalised Nigerian who has traversed the length and breadth of the state, helping less privileged people, seeking the emancipation of women and the youths for an egalitarian society through her pet project, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative, HOFOWEM.

    “Her undying love for the downtrodden, the deprived and the ordinary folks across the state is widely acknowledged, while her unflinching backing for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration has helped tremendously in the fulfillment of its electioneering promises to Lagosians,” he said.

    Bamigbade said special prayer will be organised for her.

    “As you are savouring the joy of this occasion, it is our prayer that God Almighty strengthens you so that you can continue with you good character for the betterment of your fatherland,” the felicitation added.

  • Ambode gives PLWDs N10m, devices

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday gave N10million to People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs).

    He also distributed devices to 1,000 PLWDs and promised to always protect the rights of the physically challenged.

    At the event held at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television Ground, Ikeja, the governor said the Lagos State Office of Disabilities Affairs (LASODA) had instituted policies, plans and programmes that would guarantee equal rights and opportunities for PLWDs.

    Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Agboola Dabiri, said as a responsible government, the N500 million Disability Trust Fund was created to assist persons living with disabilities.

    He said the implementation of the fund was geared towards the advancement of the cause of PLWDs, adding that individuals, corporate organisations, government institutions, among others could contribute to the fund as a way of jointly ameliorating the challenges facing the physically challenged.

    The governor said the devices and grants would take PLWDs off the streets, them productive to fit into societal life.

    The governor’s Special Adviser on Social Development, Joyce Onafowokan, stressed the need for early support for children with disabilities, adding that any delay in such area could lead to environmental risk such as drug abuse and lack of proper pre-natal care.

    LASODA General Manager Dr. Babatunde Awelenje said the fund would cater for the needs of PLWDs.

  • Ambode hails Senator Tinubu for her ‘life changing projects’

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday hailed Senator Oluremi Tinubu for devoting constituency funds to life changing projects.

    Inaugurating the Drug Rehabilitation and Skill Acquisition Centre built by the senator in Ajah, he described it as a centre built in honour of an All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in Lagos Central, Prince Tajudeen Olusi.

    The governor described the senator as a dogged, committed, consistent and determined woman, noting that despite the challenges she faced in the course of the project, which she began in 2012, she ensured its completion.

    “So much has been said by everyone on what she stands for. However, if I call her a dogged fighter, I will not be wrong. She has spent two terms in the Senate and has embarked on more constituency projects than any other senator. It’s a confirmation of how she fights for her community.

    “This is a project that began in 2012. She is relating the story of how the 22 community leaders (baales) put her on her toes and because she fought back, this is why we are here this morning.

    “If I say she is a very consistent person and a determined woman, I am not wrong. She has told you how she put us on our toes. We are happy that the resources she has committed to this project did not go down the drain. I thank her for putting us on our toes,” Ambode said.

    He added: “We all know what taking care of the needy entails, especially for a drug rehabilitation centre of this magnitude that has been put in place to take care of those ones who are on the streets without help.

    “In addition to this drug rehab centre, there is a skill acquisition centre to complement the need of whoever we are able to rehabilitate and empower them to become relevant in the community.”

    The governor directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to ensure that the facility becomes operational before May 29.

    In her welcome address, Senetor Tinubu said the project was facilitated through her 2012 constituency intervention project to address the menace and devastating consequence of drug abuse to youths.

    She hoped that the centre would help reverse the statistics that 40 per cent of youths indulged in the use of drugs, including marijuana, codeine, among others.

    Prince Olusi thanked the senator for her gesture, saying it was a special honour for him to be recognised.

    “I am very grateful that this project is dedicated to me. It’s a thing of joy. I thank Senator Oluremi Tinubu, she has shown that she has the requisite qualification and suitability to undertake this job because some are educated, but are not suitable,” he said.

  • Ambode praises civil servants

    THE Lagos State Civil Service has helped to reduce waste and boost productivity, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    He said this was partly the result of the huge investments in knowledge and skills by his administration.

    Ambode spoke during a training  tagged: ‘Effective management strategies for repositioning and higher responsibilities” organised by the ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions in Lagos.

    Amobode, represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson, said the importance of eliminating waste could not be over-emphasised.

    He noted that studies had shown that with better management of time and resources, meagre resources could produce results.

    In other words, the goverrnor, added, organisations and individuals can achieve more with less.

    Ambode said: ‘’Just like other governments, we want to deliver better education, health care, pensions, and transportation services because they know that impatient electorate expect to see change, and fast. ‘’

    He said the participants should have improved skills and enhanced capacities to improve the capacity of the civil service.

    “The state wants workers to embrace a lean culture approach to projects and other establishments’ matters. I believe that the training will make the civil service more productive, efficient, and goal-oriented. Ultimately, it will make the  civil service more suited to support the government to realise its core objective of promoting and enhancing the social and infrastructural objectives of the good people of the state.

    “The team work and synergy hold the key to maximum and ultimate performance. There are some who underestimate the value and importance of synergy and team work. Synergy is everywhere in nature. Synergies are not only about cost reduction. Synergies can be access to markets, exchange of products, avoiding overlaps, and exchange of best practices.

    “Also, since the onset of the great recession, ‘doing more with less’ has become a policy mantra. However, this mantra has not translated into actual implementable policies in most segments of the public service in Nigeria. I believe that the impact of rapidly-changing economic and technological landscape has made government’s task of delivering public service more complex. More than ever before, governments all over the world have increasingly come under serious public scrutiny and fiscal pressure to deliver better outcomes to citizens, and to do so more efficiently.

    “As is evident, Nigeria has not been spared from this in recent times. On the one hand, the dynamism presented by the impact of the interaction of economic, technological and other superintending elements in these scenarios have no doubt made governments’ public service delivery duties onerous. On the other hand, however, it has also opened up opportunities for the exploration of out-of-the-box strategies that governments can adopt if found to better the lot of their citizens.”

    Ambode said fhe funds required to meet such expectations were enormous, especially in developed economies where populations are aging and the public sector’s productivity hasn’t kept pace with that of the private sector.

    “The need to get value for money from governments at all levels is, therefore, under the spotlight as never before. But cost-cutting programmes that seek savings of  one to three per cent a year will not be enough and in some cases, may even weaken the quality of service,” he added.