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Ambode and Diaspora festival
On Wednesday May 3, Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode was host to the committee on Diaspora Festival, Badagry, 2017 led by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs. It was the first time a governor of the state would demonstrate overt commitment and interest in a festival whose content, context and concept have demonstrated so much potentials to open up the state to outbound tourists via the ancient city of Badagry close to two decades now. In his response to the presentation earlier made by Hon. Abike Dabiri and this writer on the need for the state to blaze the trail in harnessing the benefits associated with Diaspora engagement and reintegration into the state’s socio-economic make-up and how international tourism would flourish with the festival, the governor declared that Lagos remains the capital of the black states in the world and that Diaspora Festival will do well to position the state for diaspora reconnection and eventual return. Governor Ambode further declared the festival as an elongated programme of the 50th anniversary of Lagos State which he stated, shall continue until the end of the year and that the Diaspora Festival, Badagry 2017 would form a cardinal part of the events commemorating the creation of Lagos State.

The governor unequivocally expressed government’s commitment to recreating and developing potentials in Badagry and advised that a framework for its sustainability on annual basis should be put in place. The governor concluded saying ‘We’ll support everything that is Badagry’.

One cannot but applaud the governor’s uncanny ability and insight to decipher potentials and opportunities for growth and development where it seems none to others. Diaspora festival is a peculiar kind of festival that is a common phenomenon that has become a force in driving international tourism along the coastal states of West Africa. In Ghana it is referred to as Pan African Festival (PANAFEST); in Gambia it is called Homecoming Roots Festival, in Senegal it is Goree Diaspora Festival, and in the Republic of Benin it is referred to as Voodoo Pilgrimage Festival, to mention just few. These festivals have been designed to attract the historic African Diaspora back to their cultural and ancestral roots. The importance attached to the festival by these countries is reflected in the fact that the presidency of the respective countries is involved in its organization. This is premised on the history of enormous socio-economic opportunities and potentials the diaspora has come to symbolize for many countries across the globe. Many of these countries have created ministries of diaspora and tourism for the purposes of diaspora engagement and building their economies through cultural connections.

The formation of the diaspora is generally premised on dispersals of people into spaces which could either be voluntary or forceful. In mapping the history of African Diaspora, three historical dimensions can simply be configured: the people of African descent that had migrated from Africa in the pre-historical period about 6 – 7 million years ago to populate other parts of the world (based on the proven hypothesis that Africa is the birthplace of humanity); second is those that were the consequence of forceful dispersals as a result of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade starting from the 15th century; thirdly, those Africans that found their ways in foreign lands as a result of failure of social, economic and political order in their respective countries and the economic pull of the global North. As a fall out of these historical trajectories, people of African descents are to be found today in all continents of the world.

It is however to be noted that these groups of African ‘emigrants’ have evolved and developed into economic, technological, intellectual and social capital in their countries of residence. But inherent in the complexion of the diaspora is the fundamental issue of vestigial discrimination culminating in constant nostalgia to link up with the primordial or ancestral homeland as the ideal final home of return, hence there is always the element of personal or vicarious relations to the homeland development in an ethno-communal consciousness, though not all diaspora share this ideology.

Therefore, beyond sending remittances and other indirect investment through stocks, bonds, and deposits accounts and the growth of specific sectors such as tourism or information technology through means other than direct investment which have been very instrumental to economic recovery and development of many countries all over the world, the diaspora can also promote trade and foreign direct investment, create businesses and spur entrepreneurship, and transfer new knowledge and skills. In the contemporary African socio-economic world that labours under lack of investment and international business acumen, lack of professional and technical skills, isolation from global networks of knowledge, and exclusion from global supply chains, proper and coherent diaspora engagement policy can fill this vacuum and reposition Africa for global reckoning. The reason therefore is not far-fetched why the African Union in 2005 declared African Diaspora as the ‘sixth region’ of the continent. But much still needs to be done in this respect.

The Diaspora festival is in itself a global tourism product which has been described as a ‘nostalgic tourism’. It celebrates the identity, culture, history, heritage and tradition of a given people in a given destination usually in the primordial homeland at a given period. In other words, the festival aggregates both the tangible and intangible cultural resources as expressed in the history, artefacts, monuments, places of memory, religion, topographical attraction and the rustic environmental ambiance of the homeland as instigator for homeland nostalgia or pull factors for the diaspora temporal or permanent return. The festival is usually weaved around the tragic history of Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade as occasion to celebrate African history, freedom and achievement of the Black race.

The adoption of the Diaspora festival by Governor Ambode with the symbolic Door of Return ceremony as against Point of No Return, a vestige of the gory slave trade history in Badagry is awesomely historic. The state will go down in history as the first in Africa to symbolically open its door to diaspora return and engagement. In developing tourism, the state needs such a mega event as Diaspora festival or Diaspora tourism to drive and achieve its tourism development target as contained in the Lagos State Development Plan 2012 – 20125 of attracting 150 million annual tourists arrival and that tourism revenue to contribute 10% to the State’s GDP. The state remains the most endowed in terms of tourism resources and if fully harnessed and developed will catapult the state from its present fifth position to first economy in Africa in no distant future.

Diaspora festival as a nostalgic form of tourism has the potentials to turn around the history of tourism in Lagos State. California is a state in the United States of America whose economy is dependent virtually on tourism. Today California is the 6th largest economy in the world. As a matter of fact the economy of the global North is hinged 70% on tourism. Tourism has become an integral part of the global economy that cannot be ignored. Lagos is well positioned for fantastic tourism development and a huge potential to become a major tourists destination in Africa with its socio-economic performance indicators of being host to over 2,000 industrial establishments, 10,000 commercial ventures, 22 industrial estates, responsible for 30% of the nation’s GDP, and accounts for 80% of national aviation traffic, 70% of national maritime cargo freight, 50% of national energy consumption.

What is more, with a population that hits 20 million in 2015 according to the UN making it the third largest city in the world and the socio-economic indices and demographic details enumerated above, and monumental efforts of the present administration towards infrastructural development, reclamation of marinas, security and the erection of world class statues in strategic centres in the state are steps consciously taken by the governor to prepare the ground for thriving tourism business in Lagos State.
- Olaide-Mesewaku writes from Badagry, Lagos State.
June 2, 2017
Re: Ambode at mid-term: Things not done

The beauty of democracy is the latitude it provides the governed to ventilate their views on sundry matters relating to governance, especially those that affect their well-being. This is guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) under Section 39(1) that provides for freedom of expression. The truth, however, is that criticisms should be objective, fair and just to all concerned. They should also be based on the full knowledge of the workings of the government.

When they are jaundiced, self-serving, meant for character assassination or are promoted out of sheer primordial sentiment, they lose their value. It is on this premise that I take a critical look at the recent article with the title: ’Ambode at mid-term: Things not done’ published in The Nation of Friday, May 26, 2017. One must admit that he, like most public affairs analysts and indeed a vast majority of the good people of Lagos State have humbly admitted that the incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has excelled so far in the science and art of governance. From security to infrastructural development, education to health care delivery, transportation and tourism, he has a fantastic score card to show for his two years in office. That is as far as fairness goes on Osuji’s piece.

For instance, his question on how many inner roads” have been repaired or refurbished” demands an illuminating answer. It is surprising for one who was part of the recent entourage of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) to his successor during which the former spoke on the efforts of the latter to be ignorant of some salient facts on the matter. Lest he has forgotten, 141 inner roads were repaired in the first year of this administration and contracts have been awarded with contractors on site for 181 others.

The initial plan was for the repair of 25 roads in each local government per year, which would have translated to over 4,000 roads over four years, but for the current recession. With the current pace of road construction and refurbishment, about 60 per cent would have been put in good use. Out of the 8,650 roads in Lagos, 6,200 are owned by the state. Yet, the Ambode-led administration has impacted positively on both major and inner roads, reinforced by the ultra-modern bridges at Abule-Egba, Ajah, Agboyi-Ketu and that linking Badagry to the Whispering Palms resort. Add these to the new lay-byes at strategic places and the picture of an all-embracing road development master plan is clear, at least to discerning observers.

Such observers would also cringe at the claim by the writer that drains are not being cleared in Lagos State. This is pure fallacy! Ambode is the first to have bought modern equipment that clear drainage and get rid of water hyacinth. This has assisted in no small measure to allow for the smooth movement of speed boats and ferries with the effect felt at the coastal parts of the aquatic state.

The governor’s Midas touch is felt at the local government level. This runs against the grain of Osuji’s claim that they “have not been up to speed with the governor”. Perhaps, he needs to be reminded that Ambode cut his teeth as an astute administrator at that level of governance. Having worked in 13 of the 20 councils in the state, rising to auditor-general of local governments, he knows his onions when it comes to grassroots administration. He knows that they will perform to their optimum only when they are democratically-elected. That has informed his timely decision to facilitate the conduct of local government elections, with officers running their affairs for the next four years, as against the previous three, as recently approved by the House of Assembly.

That respect for the constitution has also been extended to the critical area of security. The governor knows that the primary purpose of government is to ensure the security of the citizens and guarantee their welfare in line with Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. That informed his donation of modern security gadgets, including helicopters, speed boats, armoured and saloon cars to the tune of N4.6 billion within his first three years in office. Not long after, another N2.6 billion for more equipment and increase in the insurance of police officers.

Recently, he paid N25 million to the families of police and military victims of the ambush in Ikorodu. While this is not to deny the pockets of kidnap in the state, it should be realised that insecurity and specifically terrorism is a global challenge. The recent attack in Manchester, United Kingdom, attests to that in spite of their technological know-how.

Furthermore, it is most uncharitable the comment he made on the issue of tourism. It is on record that with the knowledge that tourism is a veritable tool to increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and for youth employment, he encouraged AFRIMA and International Jazz Festivals. Even during the campaign, Ambode was the first to have the BELIEVE Concert that engaged 200 local artistes, including Davido and Olamide. This has since metamorphosed into the One Lagos Festival.

So, with the industry creating over 300, 000 jobs, establishment of five theatres in the five divisions and the rehabilitation of the National Theatre, it is sad for one to state that nothing has been done to boost tourism in the state.

Much unfair too is the comment that not much is being done in sports development. What about Lagos hosting two international marathons that drew 300 athletes from across the globe? What about the building of five stadia across the five divisions of the state? What about grassroots football development with clinics in primary and secondary schools to identify talents? What about the partnership with Barcelona Club of Spain and the emerging football league in the state?

Nevertheless, while we agree that there is still more to be done and the government is open to criticism, such should be objective, unbiased and done in the overall interest of the state and not for personal interest.

Ajanaku is the Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Media & Strategy

June 2, 2017
Family lauds Ambode’s mid-term achievements

The family of Arota Ologun, from Orile-Oshodi in Oshodi Local Government Area of the state, has lauded Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for commissioning numerous projects within two years of assumption of office.

The head of the family, Chief Teslim Adeola Almaroof, said the result of the governor’s performance was evident to all, as most parts of the State had been positively touched in the transformation agenda and inclusive governance approach of the present administration.

According to him, the governor’s feat was not unconnected with the fact that the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu threw his spiritual weight behind Ambode.

He noted that the monarch’s love for peaceful coexistence among the people had attracted investors to the state.

He stated that the massive progress being recorded by the governor cut across all sectors of the State, adding that Ambode has hastened up the spate of infrastructural development in the state without leaving any stone unturned in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

He pointed out that one of his sterling strides was the area of massive construction/reconstruction of ‘114 Roads’ project where each of the 57 local councils in the state got two roads, the recently commissioned Ojodu Berger pedestrian bridge and also Abule egba and Ajah flyovers. As gathered, it was part of the governor’s campaign promises to mitigate traffic congestion on the axis.

On the governor’s “light up Lagos” project, covering 365 streets, he said Ambode’s philosophy that a well lit Lagos metropolis would reduce crime had yielded fruits.

Almaroof stated that the governor has not disappointed the people who reposed the confidence in him and elected him, adding that he had done well in two years, when some states are still grappling with mere payment of workers’ salaries.

“From Alimosho LGA to Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Local Government Areas, he has touched one area or the other. The development covers other sectors, such as health, education, security, among others.

He congratulated Ambode, saying for making judicious use of tax payers money and giving everybody a sense of belonging, irrespective of political, religious or tribal affiliations.

May 31, 2017
Ambode opens Epe, others for business

Epe, Abule-Egba and other parts of Lagos State now boast of good road networks and bridges, which will change their fortunes forever, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

Epe, an Island town which is home for many prominent Lagosians, was in the woods. The roads leading into it gave the impression that you were entering into one small town. That was then; not anymore.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has changed all that, even though he is only executing the first phase of his plans for the historic town.

The governor has inaugurated network of roads in the town with a pledge to commence other massive road projects.

Speaking while inaugurating the Epe roads, Ambode revealed plans by his administration to construct a standard eight-lane road from Ikorodu to Epe via Agbowa, Itoikin and Ijebu-Ode.

He said the road project would be delivered through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to that effect is about to be signed.

The governor also revealed that in a bid to scale-up the socio-economic integration of the Southwest, the state government, in partnership with Ogun State, would construct a top-class road from Mojoda to Ijebu-Ode Junction.

The roads reconstructed and upgraded under the Epe Phase 1 Project include Lagos Road (Oke Osho/T-Junction/Aiyetoro Roundabout), Professor Agbalajobi (Aiyetoro Garage/Ita Marun-Ottin) and Oloja Estate (Bature/Otunba Adeniyi/Omotayo/Uthman Mustapha/Adekunle Rahman) roads.

While inaugurating the roads, Ambode, said the completion of the project was in line with his promise during election campaigns to address the challenges of gross infrastructural deficit, flooding and erosion that the people of Epe had lived with for decades.

He said: “It gladdens my heart to see that, two years into the tenure of this administration; the dream of transforming Epe and its environs into a modern city is becoming a reality. The narrow roads are being redefined to give Epe a face lift. The network of roads has been complemented with street lights to provide illumination, improve security and enhance socio-economic activities.

“This is consistent with our pledge to ensure inclusive growth, where no part of the state will be left behind or neglected. The ongoing infrastructural development in Epe is a foundation for economic progress and development.”

He added that the plan of his administration was to open Epe town to local and international investors who would be keen to take advantage of the ongoing transformation of Ibeju-Lekki axis which is being turned into an industrial hub.

Aside the roads, the governor said when the ongoing Epe-Marina project is completed, Epe would be transformed into a world-class destination for tourists and adventure seekers.

Giving details on other road projects in the axis, the governor said work had already commenced on the Phase II of the project from Oke-Oso-Araga-Poka and Epe-Poka-Mojoda Road, while the proposed Phase III is the Mojoda to Ijebu-Ode Junction Road to be delivered in collaboration with Ogun State.

Besides, the governor expressed optimism that the Ikorodu-Agbowa-Itoikin-Ijebu-Ode and Itoikin Epe Road projects would provide viable alternative routes to Lekki-Eti-Osa-Epe Expressway which will witness increased vehicular movement resulting from industrial activities at the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

“We are optimistic that the future prosperity of Lagos State is secured. The development of the East-West wings of the state is our sure bet to prosperity,” he said.

The Chairman of Epe Community Development Committee (CDC), Chief Yinka Tobun, said the transformation of Epe within a short time was pleasantly surprising to the people.

He said: “Epe, once sleepy and rusty town is being transformed to a modern one. We are marveled and dazed by the level of development that Governor Ambode has brought to our town within a short time. We are very appreciative of this.”

May 15 to May 19 was a week the people of Lagos State will never forget in a hurry. It was a week which Ambode delivered some landmark legacy projects to the people, ranging from top class flyovers, roads, pedestrian bridges, lay-bys and segregated bus terminals, among others. It was indeed, as many observers have noted, a week that changed Lagos.

As part of activities marking the 50 years of Lagos State, Ambode has been inaugurating several projects initiated and completed by his administration, but the inauguration of May 15 to 19 would be symbolic in the history of the state.

First on Tuesday, May 16, Ambode, to the admiration of the people of Ojodu Berger, inaugurated 98 metres pedestrian bridges (the longest in Nigeria), lay-bys and slip road.

Speaking on the interventions in Ojodu Berger, Ambode said his administration, at inception, identified the axis as one of the major traffic flashpoints that required urgent attention, adding that the decision to transform the place to a hub was informed by the strategic importance of the axis being a major gateway into the state.

Ambode said a food court would also be built where people can relax before climbing the pedestrian bridge, as well as an inter-state bus terminal within the Ojodu Berger axis for buses coming from outside Lagos to drop and load passengers, while inter-city transportation system would move commuters within the city.

Besides, the governor assured that his traffic interventions would not only stop at the Ojodu Berger axis, but would also be an ongoing process to create solutions to traffic congestions in every part of the state.

The Ojodu Berger project was conceived by the state government as a response to the yearnings of the people of Ojodu Berger Community for an improved, efficient and gridlock-free road network, as well as the need to preserve the sanctity of life of Lagosians who, hitherto, were endangered by the need to cross the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The scope of the project include 98 metres pedestrian bridges with illumination, 150 metres length lay-bys on both sides of the expressway, 500 metres length of retaining wall with varying height from 3.5 metres to seven metres and two multi-by bus park/bus lay-bys on Ogunnusi Road with public convenience.

Other scope of the project include 650 metres slip road connecting traffic outward the expressway to Omole/Olowora Junction, 700 metres Ogunnusi/Wakatiadura dual carriage road from Kosoko Road Junction to the expressway, 250 metres PWC Road to the expressway, street lighting on all the roads and multi-bay bus parks, signalisation of all junctions, pedestrian walkway and drainage infrastructure, among others.

After inaugurating the Ojodu Berger project, Ambode, on Wednesday, May 17, moved to Abule Egba and Ajah where he inaugurated flyovers and major link roads as part of the creative solutions to address the perennial traffic associated with the areas, as well as boost economic activities in both axes.

Residents of Abule-Egba, a Lagos suburb, can also testify to the Ambode magic. The Ajah flyover was completed within a record time of 10 months, while that of Abule Egba was completed within 13 months.

The Ajah Bridge is a 160 metres long dual carriage way with total length of 620 metres, while the Abule Egba Bridge is 1.3km with a water fountain. Both bridges were designed with traffic signalisation, street lighting, walkways, service ducts and drainage infrastructure, among others.

The governor, who spoke at separate events in Ajah and Abule Egba to officially open the Bridges, christened as ‘Jubilee Bridges’ for public use, said while the motive behind Ajah Bridge was to improve connectivity in the axis and facilitate economic growth, the Abule-Egba Bridge was about opening up other areas of the state and improving the lives of residents in the area.

Ambode recalled that Ajah was troubled with terrible traffic gridlock daily, which, according to him, was crippling business activities, causing loss of valuable man hours and revenues.

He said the bridge would eliminate the traffic jam usually experienced on the road while the 2.7km Freedom Road and 2.2km Admiralty Way, which he also inaugurated, would provide an alternative route to the Lekki/Ikoyi Bridge, thereby, easing traffic at Lekki Phase 1.

“We had to give this project priority because of its strategic importance to the economic growth of the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Ibeju-Lekki-Epe axis. This axis will play key role in the future prosperity of Lagos State as the home to many multi-billion Naira private investments in the Lekki Free Trade Zone as well as the upcoming seaport and airport.

Ambode said beyond the bridge, his administration was already looking forward to activating the Badore Jetty in line with efforts to commence reforms in the state’s water transportation initiative.

He said the intervention would see the creation of a bus route from Badore to Langbasa and Ajah axis, rehabilitation of the Badore Road and create alternative routes through Oke-Ira to the Epe Expressway, while the alternative slip road which motorists used while the construction of the Bridge lasted would be closed to accommodate a new bus terminal.

At the inauguration of Freedom Road and Admiralty Way in Lekki few minutes after, Ambode said: “In continuation of efforts to open the axis for economic activities, the state government, in partnership with the private sector, would commence construction of 8km Regional Road to serve as alternative route to connect Victoria Garden City (VGC) to Freedom Road.”

When the governor’s train moved to Abule Egba, where thousands of residents waited in the sun for hours, to inaugurate the flyover, he said the area was a strategic route for commercial and social activities which was riddled by heavy traffic gridlock, hence his administration’s decision to redesign the traffic flow chart of the axis to ensure better connectivity between Lagos and Ogun states.

“Lagos means business and today, Abule-Egba is open for business. This bridge signposts the beginning of a new era of development that would enhance the standard of living of the people in this axis with the provision of this infrastructure,” Governor Ambode said.

Ambode said the construction of the bridge was the beginning of a process to transform the axis to the new economic hub of the state, assuring that the ongoing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane from Oshodi to Abule-Egba would be followed by another BRT lane from Abule-Egba to Ogun State border.

Ambode said all the adjoining roads disrupted in the course of the construction of the bridge have been awarded for rehabilitation, while a shopping mall would also be constructed opposite the Oke-Odo Market to further boost economic activities in the axis.

At Kosofe Local Government Area where he equally inaugurated eight newly upgraded roads in Omotayo Banwo, Kola Iyaomolere, Omotayo Close, Adetunji Adegbite Street, Ogun Street, Goodluck Street and Prince Oyewunmi Streets, the Governor said the rehabilitation of the roads was part of the efforts to further improve road connectivity and reduce travel time in the axis.

Lagos State Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Tajudeen Agbede praised Ambode for the timely completion of Abule-Egba Bridge, saying that the bridge would eliminate loss of man-hour usually experienced due to traffic congestion in the axis.

He said: “For us as transporters, the bridge will help to boost our business as we will make more money due to free flow of traffic. It will also greatly reduce the amount of money we spend on maintenance of our buses.”

Chairman of Community Development Committee (CDC) in Ogudu, Comrade Adebayo Maradesa thanked the Governor for the multi-faceted projects implemented at Ojodu Berger, saying that apart from saving lives and ensuring free flow of traffic, the aesthetics of the area had been greatly improved upon.

Also speaking on the Ojodu Berger project, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cardinal James Odumbakun, said in his over 50 years’ experience of living in Ojodu Berger, the area had never had it so good.

“Before now, if you want to buy the best bread, just go to Berger over the bridge, you will see all that with attendant risk involved. But today, the entire area has been transformed for good. With the kind permission of the people, since we don’t know Berger that this place was named after, I like to rename it Ojodu Ambode for the transformation. It is God that has chosen Governor Ambode for us and his second term is assured already,” Odumbaku said.

May 31, 2017
Lagos APC lauds Ambode on achievements

•Party: governor not a stranger in government

THE feats achieved in two years by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration are proofs that the Lagos Governor is not a rookie in governance, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday.

According to the party, the governor has not only justified the mandate given to him by Lagosians but has raised the bar of development in the country.

In a statement by its spokesman Joe Igbokwe, the party said Ambode has joined his predecessors in changing the face of Lagos for the better in a recession.

The statement reads: “Governor Ambode and his hardworking team have visible impacts in every local government and LCDA in Lagos with landmark physical development that has endeared the leadership to the hearts of 25 million Lagosians.

“Lagosians have seen the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu critical link bridge at Mosan in Alimosho. They have seen the Ajah Roundabout connecting bridge. They have seen the Abule-Egba bridge statement. They have seen the Berger corridors intervention. Lagosians have seen critical interventions to reduce traffic gridlocks along busy roads in Lagos. Yet Lagosians have not forgotten the outstanding growth in Internally Generated Revenue in the last two years.

“In Lagos we know about the massive investment in security architecture and the huge results. We know about the investment in schools renovation, we know about the huge investment the Agric sector that produced the Lake Rice.

“What about the newly established Neighborhood Watch to complement the existing security Networks and continuous beautification projects around the metropolis?

“That these remarkable achievements are coming at a time when we are celebrating Lagos at 50 give us that the best of Lagos is yet to be, all things considered.

“We salute the sagacity and the courage of this governor. We rejoice with him for the successful celebration of the Lagos at 50. We celebrate his predecessors in the last 50 years. We celebrate all Lagosians who were part of this success story, we remember the fallen heroes of Lagos.

“We are looking forward to seeing Lagos becoming the third largest economy in Africa. We are waiting to see the Lagos budget running into trillions of naira in the years to come.

“We have no doubt in our minds that Lagos will remain the economic nerve centre, the economic hub, the centre of excellence, the Land of Aquatic Splendour, the land of limitless and endless opportunities, the glory of Nigeria, the home of thousands of medium and small scale enterprises and the home of thousands of big companies and multinationals.”

May 30, 2017
APC chief hails Ambode

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in AyoboIpaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Otunba LadiOlo, has hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his sterling performance in the last two years.

He addressed reporters yesterday at a special thanksgiving service at the Lagos House, Ikeja to mark the state’s golden jubilee and Ambode administration’s second anniversary.

Olo said blessing the state with visionary leaders, which has brought growth and development, is something worthy of celebration and thanking God for.

The APC chieftain said Lagosians should not take for granted the peace and security being enjoyed, adding: “These are God’s doing and they are marvellous in our sight.”

He said the success of the Lagos@50 celebration was made possible by Ambode through good leadership and financial ingenuity.

“The involvement of corporate bodies in the celebration is an endorsement of the governor’s performance,” he said.

Olo urged other governors to emulate how Lagos is surviving despite the recession.

He advised Lagosians to pay their taxes, to enable the government deliver good governance.

May 30, 2017
Photos: Ambode, wife, Adeboye, Ashimolowo at Lagos @50 service

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); representative of the General Overseer, RCCG Worldwide & National Overseer, RCCG Nigeria, Pastor Joseph Obayemi (left); wife of General Overseer, RCCG Worldwide, Pastor Folu Adeboye (3rd left); wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (3rd right); Senior Pastor, Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo (2nd right) and Pastor (Mrs) Bisi Odesola (right) during the e Lagos@50 thanksgiving service for at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Sunday, May 28,

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), with his wife, Bolanle (right); being presented with CAN Magazines by the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos, Apostle Alex Bamgbola (left) and Rev. Josiah Choms (2nd left) during the Lagos@50 thanksgiving service for at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Sunday, May 28, 2017.

May 28, 2017
Continue to pray for us, Ambode charges Christians

Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode has urged Church leaders and Christians to continue to intercede for greater peace and prosperity of the State.

Lagos, he said, has benefitted a lot from the prayers of the church and will perform better with sustained intercessions.

The governor spoke last Sunday at a special prayer session for the 50th anniversary of the State.

The session tagged 50 prayer points for Lagos at 50 featured prophetic prayers and thanksgiving for the attainment of the milestone.

Ambode said: “There is no doubt your prayers have sustained us and helped to facilitate peace and prosperity at a larger scale for our state.

“Let me ask that you pray even harder as the State moves to the next phase so that we can achieve more for the benefit of our people.”

The governor, who was represented by former Deputy Governor Femi Pedro, assured that the State was in safe hands with the backing of God.

According to him: “This is just the beginning of good things. I am seeing a greater Lagos in the next 50 years, a happier population, a prosperous State.

“I am seeing great things happening to the people of Lagos. I want to promise the youths of today and the generations coming that the leaders of today in Lagos have laid a good foundation for them.”

In his exhortation, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos State Chapter, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, said the state has become a centre for progress and elevation because of the God factor.

“Lagos is great because of God. Lagos is ahead because of Him. Only Him has made it possible for the State to come this far.

“He deserves our thanksgiving because He will do much more for us in the years to come,” he explained.

Lagos CAN Secretary, Dr Israel Akinadewo, urged residents of Lagos to continue to be patriotic and prayerful.

“When we live as good citizens and pray, we shall be greater than we are because God is ready to help us always,” he stressed.

May 28, 2017
Ambode unveils plans for automation of land, tax, justice administration

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday said his administration was putting strategies in place for a policy framework that would evolve a technology-driven land administration and mapping, tax administration and justice administration.

The governor, who spoke at an international conference held at Eko Hotels and Suites as part of activities marking the Lagos@50 celebrations with the theme: “Towards A Smart City: Preparing For The

Next 50 Years Of Prosperity,” said the government has completed modalities for the take-off of the digital switch, all of which he said would come on stream in the coming months.

He said the future prosperity of Lagos is dependent on how well the young ones are equipped technologically and educationally, adding that in line with such, the state government was already focusing on driving growth through key areas such as ICT, transportation, ease of doing business and tourism.

Ambode said if Lagos must become a Smart City, the next 50 years of the State must cut out a path to create a framework for leaders that are not only visionary but also inspirational with passion for development.

He said: “Obviously, this gathering is not about what we have done or what we ought to have done. I am quick to add, that, there is so much yet to be done. Yes, we are always in agreement that the interplay of THINK, PLAN AND ACT is a sure recipe to success; but the practice and process are not fully picked up in textbooks or lectures. Leadership must have passion and commitment for vision before it can be delivered as a product.

“The next fifty years must cut out a path for us to create a framework for leaders that are not only visionary but also inspirational with passion if Lagos must become a Smart City.

“Our State has made this commitment which has the potential to improve lives of our citizens, expand economic opportunities and access to critical public services. The Smart City initiative is Lagos Urban Development vision to integrate all sectors of governance into one box of growth and development – through efficient service delivery to each citizen.

“The future prosperity of Lagos is dependent on how well we can equip our children and youth with technological and educational skills they can use to develop the solutions of the future,” he said.

In his keynote address, Professor Paul Collier from Oxford University, said in its years of existence, Lagos has shown sustained and visible progress, and especially commended the leadership of the State over the years for moving in the right direction.

He commended Ambode for his initiative on mass transportation, but recommended that it should be scaled up with the deployment of technology, while also calling for introduction of tax to stop people from driving private cars to already congested areas.

May 27, 2017
‘Ambode ‘ll sustain tempo of performance’

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Steve Ayorinde spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU and MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE on the 50th anniversary of the state’s creation, how Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is tackling the challenges of governance and the government’s agenda for a better Lagos. Excerpts:

What is the significance of this Lagos at 50 celebration?

The golden jubilee of any individual or institutions is very important. Therefore, anybody who lives up to 50 wants to do something significant, to mark the milestone. So, if you live up to 50, you will not allow it to go by without doing something to mark the age. Lagos at 50 is significant because, as a state, it is not the only one that was created in 1967 by General Yakubu Gowon. But, as you can see, everything is being done to make the celebration worthwhile. And maybe, there some muffled echoes by a couple of other states, acknowledging their existence for 50 years. Some have not given it a thought, but Lagos has been the only state that is celebrating the jubilee with the extra ordinary attention. Lagos, out of a class of 12 that was created in 1967 has remained an indivisible state so far. Nothing has been created out of Lagos and nothing has been added to it. The indivisibility and its cohesiveness call for celebration. It can also take a lesson from when Lagos celebrated its centenary as a Republic. When Lagos was celebrating the centenary, Nigeria was only 55. The situation was also similar to when Nigeria celebrated its centenary as a geographical area that constitutes Nigeria. And of course, this predates the 55 years or the 100 that we have celebrated in the past. Lagos has always existed. during those days, we interacted with Portuguese and missions. So, in celebrating the 50 years of Lagos as a state, we are also celebrating the rich history of Lagos as a coastal and aquatic region with its enterprising background and people. Lagos is the most accommodating of all states in the country and it has enjoyed the profile of being a commercial city right from time. Lagos is the commercial nerve centre of the country, West Africa and the first largest economy in Africa. We are celebrating this feat; it is like what California is to the United State of America. If Lagos was to be a country of its own, it would be one of the largest economies in the world. Lagos is important for us to celebrate because everything that our country ideally stands out to be is found in Lagos. it can be called a mini Nigeria.

Can you shed light on the challenge of governing Lagos, this mini Nigeria?

There are enormous challenges. they are not challenges that are undaunted, that will not allow you to achieve your purpose. When you have 26 or 27 states out of the 36 states that are struggling to pay salaries and those paying are finding it difficult to pay pension and the like, the effects will spread to those that are paying. Let’s say you have three, four or five that are consistent with payment, so that if, we are to calculate their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), it is not significant. The closest of the leading state is rated a quarter of Lagos IGR profile. That gives you an idea of the kind of pressure Lagos is facing, particularly in the last few years arising from fallout of state that are not well positioned to meet their obligations. In the last two years, the gravity of people moving into Lagos after 2014/2015 because of the electioneering has been quite huge. There is no other city in the world that has recorded volume of influx Lagos recorded within the time frame. That keeps a lot of pressure on roads and attending to security of the state. This therefore, means that, no matter how much Lagos State is generating, it really cannot be sufficient because of the people that need to be catered for in the state. But, Lagos has been lucky, lucky because in the last 15 to 20 years, it has been blessed with leaders that are upright, ingenious, committed and proactive. We had Alhaji Lateef Jankande, General Buba Marwa and, of course, the founding father of modern Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. And uptill now, Lagos is witnessing an unprecedented level of development. So, you can see a city state that is confronted with enormous challenges because it is about the only functional state, not only in Nigeria, but West Africa. And there are examples to back that assertion. Which other state or country do you see this level of development that you have seen in Lagos? You have seen the flyovers being constructed, investment going on, security provided, infrastructure and other projects well attended to. You now have programmes, not only cosmetic beautification of the state, but the one that help to invest in permanent infrastructural projects; the ones make life better for the people. For instance, there is only one Emergency Hospital in the whole of Nigeria perhaps West Africa. It is located here in Lagos by the Toll Gate. I used the facility personally and can testify to its efficiency. A good percentage of people who use that hospital come from outside Lagos. These are people from Oyo, Ogun states and some people come from the northern states, the West African coastal states like Cotonou, Accra and Mali. If an accident occurs outside Lagos, the victims sometimes demand that they be taken to Emergency Hospital in Lagos. So, what do you do in the circumstance? It is either you encourage other states to have the type of hospital in their own states or create addition ones in different parts of Lagos. There is a dilemma to the success of Lagos, the more successful Lagos it has been, the more problematic it has become for Lagos. That is to the extent that people cannot fold their hands or hang their jaws hoping that things will be better in their states. Even those who are interceding on their behalf like the pastors or Imams that things will get better have been moving to Lagos because this is where the opportunities are.

As we conduct this mid-term assessment of the administration, what is the assurance that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will be able to sustain the tempo of what he is doing?

He was not elected to serve for two years; his mandate is for four years. Therefore, if what you are seeing in the last two years has been spectacular, it means that you are only seeing a glass house being built. You will have to wait for the end of the four years to put him in better perspective. We are happy the things we were trying to do at the beginning, which were not quite clear to lot of people in the last five months, are now clear. People are now realising what government plans to do. They now realise he is not a man that comes to wear another person’s shoe. This is the shoe maker himself, who decides the size of his own shoe. If you have seen the level of progress in the last two years, he is duty bound to maintain it. His campaign promise was to adhere to the concept of continuity. However, he added the continuity slogan, which is continuity with a difference. Therefore, he is mandated to work for the people till 2019. But, what is on ground will not terminate in any case then because of the developmental programme that is handed over by his predecessor which is the Lagos Developmental Plan, 2020 – 2025. This is anchored on the economic development, environmental sustainability, security etc. What we have done is to actualise what was handed over, which is based on a tripod of security, job opportunities and wealth creation and infrastructural development. Everything that has been seeing done by Akinwunmi Ambode and he is still doing will be based on that tripod. And in creating the job opportunities, that is why we have that N25 billion Employment Trust Fund. You cannot have a megacity like Lagos and you think the major thing you do is to secure their lives for one or two years. Only a few days ago, Lagos State compensated police officers who died in active service. Their families were given N10 million each and the one that was wounded got N5 million. It means that people are not just going into protecting the lives of others with their own being secured. Plans have been made to take care of their families and their legacies, if anything happens to them. We have also made provision for security gadgets that will add to the security of the state. The city is moving from a megacity to smart city. Lagos does not want to be a megacity, but a smart city because our contemporaries are thriving on the concept of smart city. Therefore, what makes it a smart city? Smart city cannot have just one seaport state; therefore we are working on the Badagry seaport that will create thousands of jobs and other projects befitting of a smart city. You can’t just live from hand to mouth here; we are creating one of the most important cities in the world, which will be like Dubai. We are saying that the city will be given security and development will be driven by technology. We are working on about 13,000 Close Circuit Cameras that will help in the security of the state. This means that Lagos will welcome everybody, but will demand that we live and work by the rules. We are in a marathon to win and the first leg of the marathon is a four year term. However, the seed that would have been sowed will not terminate in four years.

When will the second phase of the rural road construction commence?

It will commence this year. Again, that will take us back to why Lagos State is celebrating 50 years. There is no individual or state in Nigeria or Africa that celebrates its 50 years as Lagos State has devoted it’s time to mark the golden jubilee year. Maybe, something that will be close is Singapore. We have had wonderful times celebrating Lagos at 50. The last few weeks commencing from April to mark the celebration has been the most reported and publicised event. So, by the end of this month, when we would have been done with Lagos at 50, precisely from June/July we would have kick started another round of constructing the 151 road that we promised for which more than 2000 indigenous and foreign contractors applied would have been announced action. In May 2015, we announced that we would do something nobody has ever done in Nigeria, that we would commence 114 roads across the LGA and LCDA that would be delivered, when we celebrate our first year. And toward last year, we said we will not just repeat what we had the previous year, we would add to it, in which case, it would have been two roads per LGA but we realised that there were road network that needed some connectivity to the main road. This mean every council will still get two roads done, but there are some of the LCDA and LGA that cannot terminate in their council, but have to link major roads in order for things to happen. So, instead of 114 we now have 151 because all the roads have already been marked. So, between September and December this year another windfall of infrastructural development would have happened including of course the Pen Cinema Flyover and others to be delivered next year.

Is the fourth Mainland Bridge project still possible?

Yes, it is possible. It is going to happen and before you see the coming of the fourth Mainland bridge, the engineering work would have been going on. That is the level we are.

Has the Federal Government fulfill its obligations, in term of the federal roads?

We have not calculated what the federal government owes in the last two years because that has not been our focus. But of course, up till 2015, Lagos State has always insisted that federal government is owes it about N56 billion. There have been discussions between the federal government and the state government. Nothing has been paid, but again that is not our focus. Our major request will be two folds; it is for the federal government to be reminded its responsibilities about Lagos State, particularly within the Apapa axis. And secondly, for the Federal Government be on the same page with Lagos State government for the fixing of its roads. The state is desirous to fix mainly the Airport road, the BRT corridors at Abule Egba and a few other ones. As you know this is a family affair, there are no issues that cannot be resolved and discussions are on-going. Even if it is the desire of the federal government to fix some of these things and because of their important to the Lagos State government and the desire of the state, we have the wherewithal to deliver, we feel that it is better for the federal government to release whatever it has budgeted to on the projects to the state. It would be better for the federal government to release to Lagos State out of the N51 billion that we have agreed that federal government is owes Lagos State. And if for instance, we get N2 billion out of the money, we would say okay we have receive N2 billion, not as a tax, but out of the N51 billion that we have agreed that the federal government owes us.

Lagos generates N1 billion per day. how can the local government improve on its IGR?

The vision for the local government in Lagos State as we have it is to put people who will deliver in charge. People we want at the council are those who have the same vision on how the third tier of government, an important component of the state, to deliver good governance to the people. With what we have on the ground, we believe they can deliver on that. This time around, that Lagos set the developmental agenda, it only better that we have people with the same vision. If this is done, it would reduce a lot of things, it would reduce the pressure on government and their communities.

What is the position of Lagos in the Southwest regional integration; at a time it has a synergy with a northern state to produce LAKE rice?

Lagos state is an integral and bona fide member of the Southwest. Lagos state is a unique state, which is very welcoming and can be described as a mini Nigeria. We are glad and that underscored that people of Lagos State are from the Southwest. We are glad that Lagos State has now been absorbed into the Odua group of investment business and its core businesses. It is a component of the Southwest and we can see how Lagos is playing important role in the meetings of the Southwest governors. Oyo and Ekiti a PDP states, have hosted that meetings. Ogun State was supposed to host the meeting but because of the unfortunate transition of Dipo Famakinwa of the DG of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) an integral part of Southwest. Lagos State has always played important role and it is well positioned to captain the ship not only of Nigeria because we are already providing import role in the Southwest. And from what we are doing, all other regions will see Lagos State as a region that we need because of its location and because of the leadership position has provided.

• To be continued

May 26, 2017