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Tag: Ambode

  • Amaechi meets Ambode in Alausa

    Amaechi meets Ambode in Alausa

    The Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday met with the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, behind closed doors at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja.

    The minister, however, declined to brief journalists on the purpose of the visit.

     Amaechi, who arrived at the Lagos House at 10:55 a.m. drove himself in a black SUV and was accompanied by a four- vehicle convoy.

    The closed door meeting lasted about an hour.

     But journalists in the Governor’s Office who had waited at the entrance of the meeting venue for over three hours, hoping to ask the minister some questions left the place disappointed.

     Shortly before Amaechi stepped out, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, had announced that there would be no room for question and answer session.

     Amaechi, who came out thereafter in company of the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello and some of his aides, declined efforts by the journalists to speak on the purpose of the meeting.

     “I don’t want to be misquoted again,” Amaechi simply said and made his way into his car.

     

     

  • Lagos shuts hotels over N354.75m tax evasion

    Lagos shuts hotels over N354.75m tax evasion

    The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service ( LIRS ) on Thursday shut 11 hotels, restaurants and event centres over alleged failures to remit their taxes under the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Laws of Lagos State 2009.

    Mr Seyi Alade, Director, Legal Services of the LIRS, said this after a state-wide tax law enforcement exercise in Lagos, adding that the firms owed the state government N354.75 million in unpaid taxes.

    Alade said that the government had started full enforcement of all aspects of tax laws on defaulting taxpayers.

    He further warned that failure to file Annual Tax Returns, false declarations in returns filed and evasion of taxes were criminal offences punishable by severe fines and jail terms upon conviction by a court.

    “Any failure to deduct and remit taxes as and when due in Lagos State will now attract very serious monetary penalties.

    “These penalties include sealing of the company, seizure of the goods and chattels and criminal prosecution of principal officers of recalcitrant entities.

    “We are presently prosecuting 52 high net-worth personalities and 20 entertainment celebrities before the State High Court for offences ranging from failure to file Annual Tax Returns, false declaration in Returns and tax evasion,”he said.

    He added that over 200 corporate bodies were currently being prosecuted before the High Courts for failure to file returns and remit their taxes to the government.

    Alade advised that taxpayers should take advantage of the window of opportunity created by the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), to regularise their tax status relating to previous tax periods.

    Read also: Ambode orders census of worship centres in Lagos

    “In exchange for full and honest disclosure of assets and income, such taxpayer will benefit from the forgiveness of overdue interests and penalties till the 31st December 2017.

    “Declarations made from 1st January 2018 will attract interest but no penalties up to the end of the scheme on March 31, 2018,” he said.

    He appealed to all taxable individuals and business entities operating in the state to ensure prompt remittance of their taxes to avoid the additional payments of interests.

    Alade added that business entities and taxable individuals who failed to remit their taxes promptly would also suffer penalties and disruptions to their businesses as a result of tax evasion.

    He listed Regia Luxuria hotel, Golden Hope hotel, Westown hotel, Liberty Hall, Seven Eagles Spur and El Shaddai Margvee hotel among others as some of the affected companies.

    NAN

  • Why there’s no religious crisis in Lagos, by Ambode

    Why there’s no religious crisis in Lagos, by Ambode

    •Governor inaugurates 798 NIREC members in councils

    The cooperation among Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths is the major reason why there is no religious crisis in Lagos State, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said yesterday.

    To deepen the collaboration among the religious faiths, Ambode yesterday inaugurated 798-member Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) at the 57 councils of the state.

    The event was held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja.

    The governor called for enhanced religious tolerance at the grassroots.

    This, he said, is to deepen the level of religious freedom, understanding and spirit of neighbourliness.

    These, he said, Lagos State is noted for and have kept the state in the forefront in term of peaceful coexistence, religious harmony and socio-economic development.

    According to the governor, Lagos is occupying prime position among other states in the country, because it “does not joke with the issue of spirituality, and in turn the spiritual leaders have not abandon the state with prayers.”

    He praised NIREC Lagos State Chapter for ensuring that potential problems were always nip in the bud, as Lagos has not recorded any religious or ethnic conflict for so many years.

    “It has become necessary to take NIREC to the local level. Today marks a milestone in the anal of governance in the state as NIREC is introduced to the councils; today is another promised fulfilled,” he said.

    Ambode urged the appointees to see themselves as the representatives of the government on religious matters at the local level, saying “you must show leadership by exhibiting high level of moral and spiritual responsibilities. You are chosen by God; show Godly attitude.”

    Home Affairs Commissioner Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, said 14 persons were selected by leadership of the Christians and Muslims in the state for the appointment.

    Since NIREC was established at the national level, AbdulLateef said, Lagos has been proactive, by establishing the state chapter, and by consciously upgrading and enhancing NIREC’s operations due to the continues rewards  from the council’s activities.

    He reminded the appointees that Christians and Muslims shared a lot in common, adding “if all the people in the communities were made to understand this, there would not be any reason for conflict.”

    The Commissioner said he foresaw a future when Christians would be fighting the cause of Muslims and Muslims would be fighting the cause of Christians, based on high moral values and larger societal interest, rather than pecuniary or other selfish emotional interests.

  • Ambode’s wife opens LTV Xmas fair

    Ambode’s wife opens LTV Xmas fair

    Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode has declared open the Lagos Television (LTV) Christmas fair.

    She called on all Lagosians, especially fun lovers and school children to be a part of the various entertainment events slated for the Christmas season and end of the year celebration by the State Government.

    Ambode, represented by the wife of the Permanent Secretary, Office of Civic Engagement, Mrs. Joke Odeyemi made the call on Saturday while declaring open the 33rd edition of the LTV annual Christmas Fair at De Blue Roof, LTV premises, Ikeja.

    She assured Lagosians that the state government had concluded plans to make the yuletide season and beyond a time of endless fun and entertainment for all fun lovers.

    She noted that all the events and many more that would be holding this yuletide season further confirms the status of Lagos as the entertainment hub of Africa.

    Ambode advised that the main Christmas message should not be trivialized in the name of fun and merry making, stressing that Christ is the reason for the season.

    She urged all to emulate the meekness, simplicity and holiness of Jesus Christ, who rose from a very humble birth in a manger, to become the savior of the world.

    The General Manager, LTV,  Mrs. Funke Moore described the 2017 edition of the Fair as a special one, coinciding with the Golden Jubilee celebration of Lagos State created in 1967.

    She said the celebration would witness quiz competition among school children with focus on Lagos State.

    She said the rationale behind the competition is to test the knowledge of the children about the information they have about Lagos State.

  • Ambode praises Adefarasin for donations to schools at The Experience

    Ambode praises Adefarasin for donations to schools at The Experience

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has commended House on The Rock Church for donation of ICT infrastructure to 100 schools in the state.

    He said the furnishing of 100 secondary schools across Lagos State with modern, fully equipped, air conditioned, functional Computer Laboratories by the church was worthy of emulation.

    The governor spoke at the weekend during the 2017 edition of The Experience concert at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

    Ambode, in his goodwill message, commended the idea of the concert, saying it had continued to attract people from all walks of life, different faiths and socio-political persuasions in the last 12 years.

    The concert, he added, has dismantled the barriers of political affiliation, ethnic origin and doctrinal differences through unhindered expression of faith through music and engendering a legacy of love, peace and unity.

    He also lauded Presiding Pastor of the House On The Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, for his various humanitarian interventions and corporate social responsibilities in the State, saying that it was a testament to his leadership qualities.

    “You have shown leadership and a spirit of excellence which has seen House On The Rock engage in several nation-building activities across the country, particularly in Lagos State.

    “Your contributions to interreligious dialogue, empowerment of the youth, social reformation and health care continue to positively impact the citizens of this state and on behalf of the people of Lagos State, we thank you,” the governor said.

    Ambode said the state was firmly on track to becoming a globally-competitive, dynamic and sustainable megacity, however stressing that it would require the cooperation and contribution of all and sundry for the state to realise its full potentials.

    He said concerted effort would be required to sustain the developmental strides the state has recorded in the last 50 years and ensure that the future of the state is secured.

    The governor said: “Young and old, male and female, student and teacher, employer and employee. We must all rise to the challenge understanding that collectively, we can make this happen!

    “We must be the change agents who will deliver a deliberately developed Lagos State to be bequeathed to future generations.”

    Stressing that the interests of Nigeria could not be determined along religious, political, ethnic or social lines, Ambode said that leaders in the country must rise to their responsibilities, put the nation first and determine what  is  just  and  equitable  for   all Nigerians.

    Adefarasin, while presenting the handover certificate for the ICT infrastructure donated to the Lagos State education system by the Church to Ambode, said he (Governor) has produced new levels of development in the State.

    “It gives me great pleasure to present this certificate to the chaplain of nation building, the action Governor in Nigeria, one who we are very proud to call our own.

    “We are hopeful that we would do more partnership with your government to help bridge the divide to give more kids the opportunity to excel and be part of nation building,” Adefarasin said.

  • Ambode: skills crucial to growth

    Ambode: skills crucial to growth

    The development of skills and increase of the knowledge of every officer in the public service in crucial to economic growth, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    He spoke yesterday while delivering a keynote address on “Impact of Transformation Leadership on Work Ethics, Innovation and Attitudinal Change” at ongoing training of civil servants.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner of Establishments, Training, and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson, said he is passionate and devoted to transforming the state through his policies.

    To achieve this, he said the public service must be modern, responsive, skilled and knowledge-exposed in Nigeria and Africa.

    He stressed that the workers must have attitudinal change to be productive, noting that productivity is irrevocably tied to organisational productivity.

    He said: “It is my hope that every officer in the Lagos State Public Service adopts the positive attitude and beneficial work ethics required to achieve the corporate objective of moving the state forward.

    “As a government, we will continue to stimulate productivity by prioritising innovation, attitudinal changes and transformational leadership.

    “Productivity in the workplace will often translate into acceptable service and interaction. The total client experience is key to satisfying key stakeholders, and almost all highly productive organisations use this to gain customer loyalty.

    “In our own case, our customer is the public. That is, the good people of Lagos State. When each officer in the civil service is productive, the public will enjoy huge benefits and satisfaction which will positively rub off on the reputation and morale of the public service as a whole.

    “I believe employees are an investment, and like any investment, they should yield a healthy return to the organisation. Therefore, when employees are highly productive, the organisation achieves its goals of investing in them in the first place.

    “Productivity helps to motivate the workplace culture and boost morale, thus producing an even better organisational environment.”

  • Ambode, Ofeimun for Bola Ige lecture

    Bola Ige Centre for Justice is organising lectures to commemorate the 16th anniversary of Chief Bola Ige’s death.

    They are titled: “Lagos Forensic Centre and future of crime prevention on African continent” and “Increasing ethnic agitation: A call forrestructuring or devolution of powers?”

    They will be delivered by Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Mr. Odia Ofeimun, a literary giant, on December 30 at Aurora Conference and Event Centre, by NNPC Mega Station, Ring Road, Osogbo, Osun State, at 11am.

    The Chairman of the occasion is Araba IfayemiElebuibon, Araba of Osogbo. Special Guest of Honour is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC). Guest of Honour is Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Executive Governor of Oyo State. Father and mother of the day are Olooye Lekan Alabi, the Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadanland and Princess Bisi Sangodoyin, an Ibadan-based gender activist. Chief Host is Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Governor of Osun State.

    This celebration of life, which was first staged on December 17, 2002 and last staged on December 20, 2016.

  • How to tackle poverty, by Ambode

    How to tackle poverty, by Ambode

    •12,935 graduate from skills acquisition centres

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday listed entrepreneurship and job creation as pivotal ways to tackle poverty in the country.

    The governor spoke at the graduation of 12,935 students from the various skills acquisition centres across the state.

    The event was held at the LTV Blue Roof in Ikeja.

    The large scale entrepreneurship and massive jobs were the twin battlefronts through which government could aggressively deal with poverty, he said.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Rotimi Ogunleye, Ambode said: “It is only those that have skills that will get jobs and only those that are educated can acquire skills. We are not only creating skill and healthy graduands, we are also producing self-employed individuals, who will be employers of labour in not too distance future.”

    He said it was heart-warming that as against a total of 5,951 trainees graduated in 2016, “we are giving each of today’s 12,935 graduands an opportunity we did not have. We were trained to study and look for jobs. But we recognised today how much the world has changed and we are determined to prepare you for the future by training you to create jobs for yourselves and others rather than wait for jobs to be created.”

    The governor said Lagos State was in the forefront of job creation through the Ministry of wealth creation and had set up Employment Trust Fund to promote entrepreneurial activities that would be powered by youths.

    Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Mrs Lola Akande, said the graduands were trained in Hairdressing and Cosmetology, Catering and Hotel Management, Computer Training, Textile Designing/Hats making/ Beads stringing, Barbing, Printing Technology, Shoe Making and Leatherworks, Furniture and Woodwork, Welding, Block Laying, Adult Literacy, among others.

    “To further enhance their success as business owners, our Trainees undergo Entrepreneurial training and Industrial Attachments in well established companies and organisations across the state.

    “To the 12,935 trainees graduating in various skills today, let me encourage you to consider yourselves as people with great ideas and competencies which make the sky only your beginning. The onus is therefore on you to go forth with a determination to contribute to the economic and industrial advancement of the country,” she said.

  • How Nigeria can tackle hunger – Ambode

    How Nigeria can tackle hunger – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday listed entrepreneurship and job creation as pivotal to Federal Government’s quest to tackle poverty and hunger in the country.

    The governor spoke at the graduation ceremony for 12,935 students of various skills acquisition centres in the state.

    The event took place at the Blue Roof, LTV ground in Ikeja, Lagos.

    He expressed optimism that large scale entrepreneurship and massive jobs were the twin battlefronts through which government could aggressively tackle poverty and hunger in the country.

    Ambode, who was presented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Rotimi Ogunleye said: “Equally, it is only those that have skills that will get jobs and only those that are educated can acquire skills. Consequently, we are not only creating skilled and healthy graduands, we are also producing self-dependent and self-employed individuals, who are employers of labour in not too distance future.”

    Read Also: How to end Apapa gridlock – Ambode

     

     

  • Lagosians’ safety my top priority, says Ambode

    Lagosians’ safety my top priority, says Ambode

    •Governor receives military chiefs

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said the people’s welfare remains his administration’s top priority.

    Speaking when he received commanders of armed forces formations in the state at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, he said in the last two-and-a-half years of his administration, security agencies have cooperated with the government and worked hard to ensure safety of lives and property.

    Lauding the cordial relationship among security agencies in the state, Ambode said  there had never been any major civilian-military clash since the advent of his administration in 2015. He urged the military to sustain the peaceful atmosphere in the state.

    He said: “All the security agencies in the state have been extremely cooperative with us. They have been able to put down that foundation that we have always wanted. Without security, there will be no development and irrespective of the changes we have had in terms of leadership of armed forces formations in the last two and half years, they have all done extremely well.

    “Lagos is a cosmopolitan state and no matter how much efforts or resources government is putting in place, if there are no leg runners to execute those resources or even use them effectively, we will not be talking about peace.

    “My aim is to ensure that every Lagosian sleeps and wake up comfortable and whatever it takes for us to do that is through the utmost cooperation of security agencies and I believe that you will offer that and as we move Lagos forward, it will have positive impact on Nigeria as a whole because everything good that happens in Lagos, is a reflection of what is happening in Nigeria.”

    While assuring that the State Government would not relent in supporting security agencies with critical infrastructure and logistics to enhance their job, the governor also urged them to continue to put the equipment procured for them into good use for the overall security and comfort of the people.

    The Governor also disclosed that the State Government has perfected plans to acquire Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, which is a specialised light aircraft, to secure creeks and riverine communities in the State.

    General Officer Commanding (GOC), Airforce Logistics Command, AVM J’afaru Yahaya who led other service commanders including GOC 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Peter Dauke; Commander, 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ellias Attu; Commander, Military Intelligence Brigade, Brigadier General T.J Kareem; Commander, 651 Base Service Group of Nigerian Navy, Air Commodore Musbau Olatunji, said they were at Lagos House to assure the state government of their commitment to ensure security-tight environment for people to go about their lawful business.

    Yahaya commended Governor Ambode for his massive developmental strides across the state, as well as efforts to position Lagos as a cosmopolitan city not only in Nigeria and Africa but in the world.

    He also lauded the governor for the support to security agencies, saying the move by the government to acquire ISR platform would go a long way in securing the creeks and helping security agencies to fish out criminals.

    “I thank Governor Ambode for all the support he has rendered to security services particularly in the area of vehicles and other logistic support. I am aware you are at the verge of recording another feat – getting an ISR platform to ensure a 24/7 surveillance in the creek areas of Lagos State so that we will be able to fish out the criminals that disturb people from going about their lawful business,” Yahaya said.