The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ambode

  • Community without king seeks Ambode’s intervention

    Community without king seeks Ambode’s intervention

    Hundreds of residents including members of Olofin Royal Family of Isheri-Oke Church in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos on Wednesday stormed the Lagos House and House of Assembly to demand for immediate intervention in the prolong “obaship tussle” in the community.

    They said there had been vacuum since the demise of the former king about 18 years ago.

    Government, they said, is yet to install the heir-apparent to the stool despite several appeals and petitions.

    The protesters, led by Lekan Odunsi, accused some influential persons in the government of behind the delay.

    They carry placards, which reads, “All we are saying give us Olofin Chieftaincy,” “Isheri Oke Church deserve a king,” “Governor Ambode Please stop the injustice and give us our throne,” “Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, stop embarrassing Ambode’s government.”

    According to Odunsi, a prince in the community: “For 18 years, the government has consistently refused to listen or consider the yearnings of our people’s request for the approval of their chosen monarch notwithstanding judicial and historical facts presented to successive governments.

    “Our long sufferings and oppression became manifest and aggravated in recent time when the family’s Chieftaincy Declaration for the Obaship stool presented a name to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for the requisite approval.”

    Odunsi lamented that the vacuum had led to the under development of the area because no leader could present their cases before the government

    “We demand that Governor Ambode to use his Executive Fiat to settle the matter,” he said.

    Responding on behalf of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Adebisi Yusuf, assured that the matter would be given speedy attention and appropriate action be taken.

    “I can assure you that we, lawmakers will be thorough in looking at this. The house will set up a panel to investigate the matter and appropriate recommendation will be made and we shall surely invite you back as soon we arrived at a decision,” Yusuf said.

  • Prayer session for Tinubu, Ambode, others

    Prayer session for Tinubu, Ambode, others

    The Mainland Independent Group (MIG), a socio-political movement in the Mainland  Local Government Area, has commended the APC Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his immense contribution to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria.

    Speaking on behalf of the group at a special prayer session organized by the group, for peace and progress of Lagos State and Nigeria, its Leader and Chief Co-Ordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Alao Megida, described the APC Leader as a special gift of God to Lagos State and the nation as whole, adding that he represents more than any other political figure, a great hope in the drive to elevate the nation to greater heights of peace, growth and development.

    Hon Megida  seized the opportunity to commend his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who he described  not only as a mother of all mothers, but the best senator that has  ever presided over the political affairs of the Lagos Central Senatorial District.

    They gave kudos to their patron, Hon Tunji Bello, for the huge financial assistance he has continued to render to the group over the years. They described the veteran journalist, lawyer, and Secretary to the Lagos State Government as a pillar of the MIG, a philanthropist and a God-fearing man who, over the years, has continued to use his resources to cater for the welfare of the group, ranging from the elders, widows and the underprivileged as a whole.

    At the elaborate prayer session, which attracted a large turnout of members, prayers were rendered for the governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, for sustaining the progressive legacy laid down since the Bola Tinubu administration in Lagos State.

    Prayers were also rendered Asiwaju Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Hon Bello and Mrs. Ambode, wife of the Lagos State governor.

    Leaders of the group, who were present on the occasion, included Hon Sunday Kotiito, councillor representing Ward B, Yaba LCDA; Hon Kafayat Akinpelu, councillor representing Ward G Mainland L. G; Apostle John Miller; Alhaja Folashade Morenikeji, Woman Leader; Hon Kayode Aransiola , Chairman; Alhaji Ganiyu Salako; Hon. En-Rufai Tajudeen and Alhaji Megida.

  • Tinubu, Ambode, Saudi don, others for GMP convention

    Tinubu, Ambode, Saudi don, others for GMP convention

    The National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Professor of Chemical Pathology, King Abdul Azeez University Medical School, Saudi Arabia, Abdulwahab Noor-Wali will lead other personalities to this year’s Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP) convention.

    The convention, themed “People, Money and Power: The Task Ahead,” is scheduled between Saturday and Tuesday at Peninsular Resort near Budo Hospital on Lagos/Epe Expressway, Lagos.

    Other personalities expected the 5th edition of the annual convention are Secretary-General, Global Network of Religions for Children in Kenya Dr Mustafa Ali, Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr. Musa Yusuf, Director, New Horizon School, Minna Sheikh Nurudeen Lemu, National Missioner, Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Prof. Ishaq Akintola,  Online Business consultant Kifayah Adeniyi-Omotosho, Ny’mat Akashat-Zibiri of Television Continental (TVC) Your View programme, among others.

    A statement by GMP’s Head of Admin Mr. Sulaiman AbdulKabir said, “The convention focuses on developing programmes that improve the quality of life, expression of true professionalism in the ideal Islamic perspective, realisation of balance and integration of career, spirituality and family.”

    The convention, AbdulKabir said, will feature entrepreneurship opportunity, networking, personal and spiritual development and excursion.

  • Jafojo family urges support for Ambode

    Jafojo family urges support for Ambode

    The family of former Lagos State Deputy Governor Rafiu Jafojo has urged Lagos residents to cooperate with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in his efforts to transform the state.

    Jafojo’s son, Adeniyi, thanked the governor for naming a park after the former deputy governor.

    He noted that future generations will remember him too for his giant strides.

    Prince Adeniyi Jafojo, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said the monument named after his father showed that the government appreciated his contributions as an Awori patriot and deputy governor in the defunct Lateef Jakande administration, who was a model in the Second Republic.

    He said: “On behalf of the Jafojo family, I like to thank Governor Ambode for his people-oriented policies and programmes. The governor has lived up to expectation in all ramifications and successfully built on the legacies of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his highly esteemed leader.

    “The Jafojo family is grateful for the honour the governor has done our late father, Alhaji Rafiu Bakare Jafojo, a former deputy governor of Lagos State and an APC elder, by naming a park after him. I urge Lagosians to continue to give their support to the administration that has delivered so much dividends of democracy to them. Governor Ambode is a reference point in good governance.”

  • Ambode releases 12 Kirikiri prison inmates

    Ambode releases 12 Kirikiri prison inmates

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday released twelve inmates of the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Apapa in the exercise of his power under the Prerogative of Mercy.

    The inmates, who have spent between 20 and 34 years in prison, were released after  satisfying the basic conditions of remorse, good behaviour and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the society.

    Speaking while handing over the governor’s release order to the Lagos Prisons Command, Chairman of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Prof Oyelowo Oyewo said the  inmates’ release showed the  government’s commitment o  justice sector reforms through prison decongestion.

    Oyewo, who represented  Ambode at the event,  said the exercise was pursuant to the governor’s power under the constitution  to show mercy  and also offer hope to  inmates who have demonstrated capacity to be re-absolved into the society.

    Oyewo said  the released inmates’ families, in accordance with the guidelines, were also made to guarantee that they would not return to the world of crime.

    He implored other inmates to be of good behaviour as  the governor was determined to release as many of them as met the requirements for freedom.

    According to him,  a reform is being proposed to put a parole system in place to secure  the database and to monitor  freed prisoners after their release.

    Lagos Command Controller of Prisons  Tunde Ladipo praised Ambode for his commitment to justice sector reforms and prison decongestion. He said the inmates’  release had brought hope to them.

    He recalled the release of 18 inmates in March,  adding that the development would help in decongesting prison, which he described as a major issue in the administration of justice system.

    He urged the governor to come to assist the command with logistics, construction of security tower, and procurement of CCTV cameras, among others.

  • Ambode okays three more technical colleges

    Ambode okays three more technical colleges

    Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the establishment of three additional technical colleges for the state, increasing their number from five to eight.

    Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule made this known yesterday at the  2016 and 2017 graduation of the five technical colleges held at Agidingbi, Ikeja.

    The proposed technical colleges, she said, would be sited at Alimosho, Ibeju and Badagry.

    She said the colleges would further help youths and unemployed graduates to acquire new skills and opportunity that would help them create jobs.

    Adebule noted that technical and vocational skills were crucial to achieving self-reliance and sustainable economic growth.

    The government, she said, had invested in the development of technical and vocational education so as to  produce high  quality technical skills for the provision of quality services.

    ‘’The fact remains that the best way by which we can help create employment opportunities , stimulate economic growth in our state and nation and alleviate poverty is to equip our youths with skills  they can use in creating jobs for themselves and become self-reliant ‘’  Adebule said.

    Congratulating the 1, 324 graduating students, Adebule urged them to justify government’s investment in technical and vocational education by maximising the training they received to impact on good service delivery and the fortune of the state.

    The government, she said, invested in technical and vocational education as a strategy for economic growth because findings showed that the state has the nation’s highest population of people less than 25 years of age.

    By 2025, Lagos will be home to around 20 per cent of the nation’s population aged 24 and under. The implication of the findings, she said, is that government must be ready to create jobs every year for the next two decades so as to arrest social unrest and youth restiveness, adding that ‘’  equipping students and workers with the right skills is the first step towards creating more jobs.’’

  • Lagos challenge is daunting, says Ambode

    Lagos challenge is daunting, says Ambode

    Lagos State government is faced with the daunting challenge of providing security, transportation, education and housing for an ever-expanding population, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    He said besides, the most challenging is the all-important task of raising the revenue required to execute and fund strategies and policies of the state.

    The governor, represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson Oke, spoke at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) HR Best Practice Awards Ceremony at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Receiving an award titled: “Award on Best Practice HR”, he said the good news for them was that they had discovered that the secret to challenges of the state came from an efficient and effective public sector administration.

    Ambode said the government believed that by placing premium on the welfare and capacity of its human resources, its seemingly daunting tasks could be satisfactorily discharged.

    He said to execute its responsibilities, the government depended on the indefatigable and resilient officers in the civil service.

    The governor said: “This administration values the unquantifiable contributions of civil servants to governance. It is for this reason, therefore, that it has respect for the work and contributions of CIPM.  Indeed, the policy thrust and strategic focus of this administration has many similarities with the core objectives of CIPM. Any careful observer will know that the Lagos State government has been heavily investing in the training and re-training of its most valued resources: the civil servants. At the forefront of this effort is the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC).

    “The training instituted by the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions and championed by PSSDC has been focused on the re-tooling of the fundamental skills that are required for exceptional performance and enhanced productivity. From the focus on the development of the soft skills required to transform formally-acquired hard skills to tangible value right to the efforts to enhance the leadership skills of the senior officers in the civil service; from the emphasis placed on the need for re-evaluating work ethics to the sharpening of problem-solving skills; from the search for a strategy for keeping Lagos clean to the efforts to maintain and enhance integrity in the revenue accounting processes of the government, one finds that the present administration in Lagos State is focused on transforming the human resources of the civil service to resources that are able, prepared and ready to engage with modern challenges of governance in the 21st century.

    “Along with CIPM, the government believes that its human resources are the most important and valuable of all its resources. For us, this is not merely an attempt to be ‘politically correct.’ Rather, it is the result of a rigorous and reasoned enquiry into why and how organisations succeed or fail. Luckily for Lagos State, we have, at this point in history, an administration that is wholly and totally devoted to advancing the agenda for making Lagos one of the best-served states in terms of the quality of the civil service. We also have an institute that has demonstrated the commitment and capabilities to provide the technical input and impetus required to realise this noble agenda.”

  • Ambode to inaugurate LASEMA Ikorodu Road unit

    Ambode to inaugurate LASEMA Ikorodu Road unit

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will tomorrow inaugurate an emergency response unit at Fadeyi bus stop on Ikorodu Road.

    This is the fourth Lagos State Emergency Management Agency  (LASEMA) Response Unit erected by the government to improve on intervention time during emergencies.

    The General Manager,  Adesina Tiamiyu, said Fadeyi unit would serve residents and motorists on that axis, thereby shortening response time during emergency.

    He added that the unit would complement Cappa-Oshodi, Alausa and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.

    Tiamiyu hailed the governor for his commitment to safety of life and property.

    He said: “The Ambode administration is committed to ensuring safety of life and property of Lagosians through creation of additional response units at strategic locations.

    “This is to ensure sustained intervention in emergencies and disasters. The Fadeyi unit will be unveiled by the governor tomorrow and it will  serve as a despatch centre. “Personnel and equipment will be stationed there for quick deployment during emergencies. Efforts are on to create more centres in other parts of the state.”

     

     

     

  • Ambode: Lagos enjoys religious harmony

    Ambode: Lagos enjoys religious harmony

    Lagos State  has enjoyed  religious tolerance and harmony in the last 30 months since the coming of the present administration, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    He attributed the development to the  peaceful co-existence  among the people despite being of different faith and ethnic background.

    The governor  spoke on Tuesday at an Inter-Faith Parley of Religious Leaders and Organisations at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House in Ikeja. He said the prevailing peace  also engendered the massive infrastructural development across the state since May 29, 20i5.

    Ambode said the religious leaders’ prayers and support were pivotal to the steady progress  of the state, adding that the event was the government’s way of bringing them together to appreciate them.

    He said: “I just want to say a big thank you to all our spiritual fathers for all your prayers.  You really don’t understand the depth of what you are doing and the truth is this, there is no how anyone can manage Lagos if we don’t have this kind of harmony, that’s the truth. No matter how brilliant you are, how intelligent or how virtuous you are, or you want to do something, one thing is to say that you want to do something; another thing is for it to work.

    “Because you are having millions of people who are having different DNAs and they all converge at the same time to say this is the way to go, and it goes that way, it has to be somebody else that is doing it. You cannot make a pronouncement on a microphone and everyone would sleep on the same side and agree, there is something behind it and that thing is that spirituality’’.

  • Ambode commissions park named after Tinubu, two others

    Ambode commissions park named after Tinubu, two others

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday commissioned a recreational park in Alausa, named after three former governors of the state – Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (retd) Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The park, now known as Johnson, Jakande, Tinubu Park (JJT Park) is sited opposite the Lagos State House of Assembly and sits on a land area of about 21,880sqm with facilities including two waterfalls, children’s playground and free Wi-Fi for use by residents.

    Speaking at a ceremony to unveil the park, Governor Ambode said it was done in honour of the trio who had worked tirelessly for the emergence of Lagos as one of the most prominent City States in Africa.

    Ambode said Johnson, Jakande and Tinubu made sterling contributions during their tenure in office, adding that such would remain indelible.

    He said: “One of the hallmarks of any progressive society is to always recognise and reward the efforts of heroes who contribute to the growth of that society. In the case of Lagos State, we have so many heroes who toiled and laid a solid foundation for the Lagos we enjoy today.

    “Today, we are here to celebrate and honour three past governors of our dear state who were outstanding in their contributions to the development of Lagos State. These eminent Lagosians are some of the very few brave men that stood to be counted on the side of justice and even by their performances while in office have written their name in gold for future generations.”

    “The roles played by Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (retd), the First Governor and Military Administrator of the state; Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the First Civilian Governor of Lagos State; and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor and Architect of modern Lagos; can never be forgotten. They are the true legends of our state, and architects of the Lagos we are proud of today.”

    He said Johnson laid the foundation as the pioneer governor of the newly created Lagos State in 1967 and constructed the 60.7 kilometre Lagos–Badagry Expressway linking Nigeria with countries in the West African sub region, the Itoikin Bridge linking Epe and Ikorodu; the Eko Bridge and a network of roads and bridges that opened up the new Lagos, while Alhaji Jakande, the first elected Civilian Governor of Lagos State, who held office for four years introduced masses-oriented programmes particularly in the education, housing and health sectors.

    The governor added: “Apart from the successful implementation of the Free Education Programme, Jakande also established new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools, and also constructed over 30,000 housing units in indifferent parts of the state for the benefit of low income earners.

    “His tenure also witnessed the completion of the General Hospitals in Gbagada and Ikorodu as well as the establishment of about 20 health centres within the state. Alhaji Lateef Jakande conceived and initiated the Metro line transit system that would have provided a solution to the challenge being experienced in the transportation sector today.”

    He described Tinubu as the architect of modern Lagos, saying his tenure witnessed the development of a blueprint for future development of the state and which successive administrations have continued to build upon and actualize today.

    “One of the remarkable achievements of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was the reform of the state tax administration system which resulted in the state attaining the status of the most viable and self-sustaining state in Nigeria. He also made huge investments in education and initiated new road constructions, required to meet the needs of the fast-growing population of the state.

    “Asiwaju also established the institutional framework which ensured that the state was properly and efficiently run.  It was under Asiwaju’s government that institutions like LIRS, LAMATA, LASTMA and many others came into existence,” Ambode said.