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Tag: Ambode

  • Ambode to UBEC: formulate quality policy direction

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has urged the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to formulate quality policy for education commissioners to help them in the discharge of their responsibility.

    Ambode gave the advice when the commission members visited him at the state secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, after their 18th quarterly meeting hosted by Lagos State Government.

    Receiving them on behalf of Ambode, Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule said since primary and junior secondary is the foundation for higher education it was important for the commission to prioritise policies that can promote quality education.

    He said: “Since state governments depend largely on your advice and quality policy direction for the implementation of our programmes especially in primary and Junior secondary schools, it is essential that  your commission should try from time to time review our policies and  give useful advice and quality policy guidelines that can help us to implement sustainable educational programmes  that will fast track the growth of standard and quality education that will make our education rank among the best in the world.”

    UBEC Executive Secretary Dr Hamid Boboyi hailed Ambode for his “achievements in critical sectors like education, economy and health in the last two years”.

    According to Boboyi, the government has transformed the state through its urban renewal and infrastructure development projects.

     

  • Ambode lifts Queen’s Baton Relay for Commonwealth Games

    Ambode lifts Queen’s Baton Relay for Commonwealth Games

    Gov of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode Monday received the Queen’s Baton Relay forthe 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Lagos house at Ikeja.

    A delegation was led by Honourable Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung and the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Lehmann to the state house to make the presentation.

    The Queens Baton Relay is the main curtain raiser for the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia next year.

    The Queen’s Baton Relay is the traditional curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games and has been an inclusion in the Games program since the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games in Wales.

    The state Gov has however assured that sport facilities in the state would be made available for training ahead of the 2018 Gold Coast Games in Australia.

    He said, “My government is committed to uplifting all the sports facilities that abound in Lagos so that they can be used as a platform to encourage athletes and improve sports development.

    “In the last three weeks, we have been trying our best to see that some of the sports facilities within the state are reactivated.

    “With the help of our hardworking Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, we believe that these facilities will be available for all athletes’ usage ahead of the Games.’’

    Ambode appealed to different agencies and authorities in the country to provide facilities and equipment for all athletes.

    “We all know that it is being hosted in the beautiful city of Gold Coast and we believe it’s through proper preparations that we can boost Nigeria’s chances of winning gold medals.

    “I believe this Queen’s Baton Relay will jump start our preparations and training,’’ said Ambode.

    He added that he was delighted to receive the Queen’s Baton Relay which is going across 70 countries.

    “I am delighted to be part of this historical moment, I’m glad it’s going through Lagos to other countries,’’’ he said.

    Responding, the president, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, said thanked the governor for finding time to receive the Queen’s Baton Relay.

    He charged athletes to take advantage of the facilities that abound in Lagos State and other places to prepare for the Games.

  • Ambode’s birthday gifts to Tinubu

    Ambode’s birthday gifts to Tinubu

    •Hard times ahead for criminals in Lagos

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, aside hosting a state dinner to mark Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s 65th birthday, also honoured the former governor with brand new roads and bridge. Two days before, he also rebranded a project dear to Tinubu’s heart, the Neigbourhood Watch, writes WALE AJETUNMOBI

    Aboru and Abesan communities in Alimosho, popular as Tinubu’s Country, in Lagos came alive five days ago.  A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was there to inaugurate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s projects to mark his 65th birthday.

    People trouped out in thousands to receive Tinubu and other eminent Nigerians, including Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule; former Deputy Governor Femi Pedro; Senator representing Lagos West, Solomon n Adeola; Senator Ibrahim Kazaure from Jigawa State; Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa; and members of the Lagos State Executive Council.

    Ambode described the event as a historic day in the life of the people of Alimosho and the state. He recalled his visit to the Aboru  in March 2016, saying that aside the state of the road, which was totally unacceptable, there were reports of series of deaths and fatal accidents caused by the presence of a valley, adding that he immediately directed that work should commence in the area.

    He said: “Exactly one year after, we are here to keep our promise to the good people of Aboru, Abesan and other communities and reaffirm our commitment that no community or area will be left behind. Every Lagosian counts. We are a government of inclusion.”

    He said the 480 metres bridge linking Aboru to Abesan, both in the Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council of Alimosho Local Government Area would significantly ease the burden of travel between the two communities by reducing travel time.

    The governor said aside the bridge, additional adjoining inner roads to create an efficient road network that will aid connectivity permanently were also constructed.

    Ambode listed the roads to include Church Street, Giwa Street, Victor Fagbemi Road, Ogunfayo Road, Ogundare Street, Salami Kazeem, all totalling 5.5km with drainage, walkways and street lights, adding that the road network would ease the pressure on the Abeokuta Expressway and links residents with Iyana Ipaja, LASU-Iba Expressway.

    Night life is gradually returning to the area as the road and the Link Bridge have been connected to the ‘Light Up Lagos’ Project, an initiative of  the Ambode’s administration.

    The governor also flagged off the turning of sod for the construction of a network of roads within the boundaries of Lagos and Ogun States, saying that it was in honour of Tinubu, whom he described as the brain behind the 21st century Lagos.

    He expressed optimism that the roads which have been identified for immediate construction and rehabilitation would complete the new face of Alimosho constituency, saying that work would commence in one week.

    He listed the roads to include Ikola Road with Odo Obasanjo Bridge – 6.4km (from Ipaja/Command to Ilo River); Ogunseye Road – 1.75km (from Ajasa/Command to Ikola Road);Oko Filling Road – 1.5km (from AIT to Ilo River); Osenatu Ilo road – 620m (from Ibari Road to Ilo River); Amikanle road – 3.1km (from AIT to Ogunseye Road); Aina Aladi road – 1.9km (from AIT to Ilo River) and Aiyetoro Road with a bridge– 1.4km (from New Market/Ishefun Road intersection to Ilo River).

    He appealed to the residents of the communities to cooperate with the contractors so as to enable them deliver the network of roads not later than the scheduled completion date.

    Mosan Okunola Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman Pastor Gbenga Adanri used the opportunity of the occasion to debunk insinuation that the people of the area were not happy with the government and even protested, saying there was nothing of such.

    “I like to debunk the untrue impression that we are not happy with Governor Ambode. There is no truth in it. I don’t know where that is coming from and I must say here that we the people are very happy with him. We are happy because our roads have been put in proper shape and we now have a bridge to travel seamlessly within Aboru and Abesan.

    “Before now, if your wife is pregnant and wants to deliver, to cross to the other side was always a big issue and we always indulged in prayer that nothing untoward should happen but today, we can move freely,” Adanri said.

    Tinubu poured accolades on Ambode over his sterling performance in the last 22 months, saying that the Governor has made him proud. He said the achievements of Ambode were a reflection of a Governor who is not only a thinker but a doer, and expressed satisfaction that he was delivering on the promises to the people.

    Tinubu also inaugurated a primary healthcare centre named after him and donated to Aboru Community by the contractor who handled the projects.

    The former governor said: “Akinwunmi Ambode has reflected that he is clearly a thinker and doer. I want to say thank you because experience is a great teacher and I am experienced. I am on the spot and I have watched things in Lagos since my tenure ended.

    “I was worried hell when you (Ambode) took over, not about your credibility, character or capacity, but because however wise or smart a man is, if there is no resources to back the ideas, production would be zero, progress would be zero.

    “When you (Ambode) took over, I know you inherited a burden of debt. The debt profile of Lagos was high, I was wondering how you will re-engineer and face the challenges to make progress.

    “Today, I can see your report card, you have scored well, and you have shown prudency especially in the judicious use of resources of the State.

    “You didn’t disappoint us. Ambode is silently achieving, meticulously planning, religiously executing and brilliantly giving results for Lagos State,” the former Lagos governor said.

    Tinubu said all over Lagos, the results of good governance was being felt by the people, and wished Ambode sound health and wisdom to continue to lead the State.

    “All over Lagos, we are seeing the results. At Oshodi, on our way down here, you can see what is happening there, that place is a construction site. It used to be a den of robbers but what is going on here now is developmental activities for the benefit of the entire country. Ambode is very quiet, very peaceful, not a noise maker, but he is delivering on the job.

    “Today, you (Ambode) have given me a good birthday present. This is a great opportunity for me to be very proud again. Therefore, if we can continue in this direction of infrastructural development in the manner Governor Ambode is moving, Lagos will soon match international states or country anywhere in the world.”

    Nathaniel Ajayi, a resident of Abesan community, described succinctly Ambode’s interventions when he said: “I was born in 1993 here in Abesan, I had always dreamt that one day the kind of development I see in Victoria Island, Lekki and Ikeja will take place here. Today our governor has made my dream come true.”

    Aregbesola and Senator representing Lagos West at the Senate, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola said it was obvious that Ambode started well and is doing well, and solicited the cooperation of the people to engender further dividends of democracy and good governance.

    Two days earlier, Ambode launched the rebranded Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps. It is meant to ensure security of lives and property communities.  At the launch of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps held at Agege Stadium, 177 cars and vehicles equipped with communication gadgets, 377 motorcycles, 377 helmets, 4,000 bicycles and metal detectors were released to the Corp to ensure that illegal weapons are not smuggled into public places.

    Ambode said the move was another giant step towards enhancing security and a vital part of the ongoing efforts of his administration to reform the security and justice sector.

    The governor, who on August 15, 2016 assented to the law that created the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, said the Corps had been designed to provide a second layer of policing in order to ensure that the State and communities are more secure.

    He acknowledged the fact that the Nigerian Police had been very supportive to the State Government especially in fighting crime, but that the need for the Neighbourhood Corps arose from the identified security challenges confronting the State due to huge population, adding that the members of the Corps would complement police especially in areas of community policing.

    “Let me, however, make it abundantly clear that the Neighbourhood Safety Corps is not in any way in competition with the regular Police Force.

    “In actual fact, they are expected to assist and complement the Police by providing useful intelligence for crime prevention and to facilitate the arrest of perpetrators of criminal activities in our communities,” governor Ambode said.

    He added that in realization of the fact that nothing can be more important in law enforcement than educating the people in charge of enforcing the law, the rebranded Neighbourhood Corps have been trained and equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to complement the good work of the Nigerian Police.

    He said in addition to the induction on orthodox community policing techniques, the Corps were also trained on how to mediate disputes and the art of negotiating for peaceful resolution; balancing communal interest in resolving disputes and proactive policing engagement instead of reactive policing.

    “Special hotlines have also been created direct to the Executive Secretary and senior management of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency for easy communication with our communities in the event of any crime.

    “Any valuable information given to the Corps will attract handsome rewards from the state government. I therefore call on all Lagosians to join hands with us to say a final no to crime in our state.

    “All these equipment have been made possible through the judicious use of tax payers’ money and funds from the State Lottery Fund for good causes. Please continue to pay your taxes for a better Lagos.

    “I am very happy to state that through this Safety Corps initiative the State Government has created over 7,000 jobs for officers of the Corps, artisans and other support staff. Job creation is at the heart of economic prosperity and we remain fully committed to a more prosperous Lagos for our citizens,” the governor said.

    Ambode urged the Corps not to indulge in brutalizing citizens, but that they should exercise lot of restraint, patience, understanding and maturity while carrying out their duties.

    He added that to further strengthen security, a new executive bill to regulate employment of domestic workers and security guards would soon be forwarded to the State House of Assembly, explaining that the bill, among others, will prescribe regulations for the set of workers and other details to monitor their activities.

    Ambode said there was no longer any room for child abuse or under aged workers, adding that it had been discovered that domestic workers were largely undocumented and pose a grave security threat in the State.

    He also said the recruiting agencies, under the bill, would be licensed and regulated to ensure safety.

    Ambode also handed over four vans fitted with Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs) to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the State Police Command.

    The Corp’s rebranding and the roads and bridge inaugurated mean economic activities would witness a boom in the coming months, while motorists would have better stories to tell – with criminals singing dirge.

  • Tinubu, Ambode commended over Neighbourhood Security Corps

    Tinubu, Ambode commended over Neighbourhood Security Corps

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and former governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have been congratulated over the inauguration of Lagos Niegbourhood Security Corps which has been on the drawing board since the tenure of Tinubu as governor of the state.

    In a congratulatory message to the governor, the Police Assistance Committee (PAC) commended the initiative of the establishment of the corps designed to assist and complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the areas of the prevention and combating of crimes and ensuring the protection of lives and properties within Lagos  State through information and intelligence gathering, a similar function the PAC has been performing all over Nigeria in the past two decades.

    In the message signed by its Director General, Dr. Martins John Oni, the PAC expressed its readiness to always share its wealth of experience and impart its vast knowledge in community policing acquired overtime through international exposure with the newly created Neighborhood Safety Corps through a workable synergy and regular participation in our seminars  and workshops organized from time to time amongst stakeholders on security matters.

    The PAC commended the choice of DIG Israel Ajao (rtd), a seasoned police officer ,as the Chairman, Board of Neighborhood Safety Corps, describing him as a well-tested and trusted police officer who can make the corps to achieve its objectives and ensure discipline within the organization, stressing that the corps should collaborate effectively with other security agencies to work towards secure communities in Lagos State by  constantly sharing information and intelligence with the agencies.

  • Ambode hailed for Alimosho’s transformation

    Ambode hailed for Alimosho’s transformation

    A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Otunba Ladi Olo, has described the infrastructure inaugurated by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in Alimosho as commendable.

    He said investment by the government in roads would improve socio-economic activities.

    Olo, addressing reporters at the inauguration of roads, bridge and primary health centre built by the Lagos State government in Alimosho, said Ambode should be praised for developing the area, “even in this era of recession.”

    He said: “This achievement is a testament to the fact that with proper leadership and management of resources, Nigeria can witness abundance once again.”

    The APC chieftain said it was commendable that Governor Ambode used his accounting acumen in managing the state’s resources.

    He hoped the infrastructure would solve flooding and insecurity.

    His words: “These areas used to be flooded whenever it rained.  Life and property have been lost following torrential rains. Motorists dared not take their vehicles home. They parked somewhere and trekked home.

    “I can tell you that residents have even raised the fear of mass demolition in this area. Some landlords have sold their houses, some have abandoned theirs because of years of neglect. So, the coming of Ambode has brought a great relief. It is an achievement Alimosho residents  will forever celebrate. We didn’t know it would happen; especially this Aboru-Abesan link bridge. But it has happened. We can’t wait for the completion of Abule-Egba bridge.”

    Olo said Alimosho people would be grateful and loyal to APC.

    He hailed the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for giving Lagos State Governor Ambode, a great manager of resources, who has changed the face of the state despite the recession.

    “Little wonder personalities gathered to celebrate Asiwaju Tinubu on Tuesday at the colloquium. See the  leaders that gathered,  local and foreign, to celebrate him. You cannot have someone like Ambode as a son and not celebrate the man who produced him. It is a great honour inaugurating  roads in Alimosho, to mark his birthday. He deserves even more,” Olo said.

  • Between Ambode and Fashola 

    Governor Ambode is a politician. Ex-Governor Fashola is a technocrat. They will naturally see things differently. Their body language during their recent official engagement in Lagos did not only bring out their differences but also betrayed the frosty relationship between them. If you missed that, you couldn’t have but observed their choice of words as they laboured to give an impression that all was well. As if to soothe the raw nerves of his guest whom he had accused of frustrating the efforts of his administration, Ambode broke the ice by observing that ”whatever it is that we have done in the last 22 months is just more or less a fall out of the great achievements the former governor had already put in place.”

    Ambode, the brilliant politician, however did not forget to quickly add that the “remarkable change between 1999 and now was made possible by the solid foundation laid by Ahmed Bola Tinubu.” Reading in between the lines, it is not difficult to understand Ambode’s subliminal message: If Tinubu, in spite of laying the solid foundation, was humble enough to describe himself as ‘the visionary’ and Fashola ‘the actualiser’, the minister should look beyond mischief makers demonstrating in his name to emulate Tinubu who as a leader did not feel diminished by the success of his predecessor.

    The chilly relationship had been kept away from the public until Ambode’s public expression of frustration with Fashola’s Ministry of Works over his efforts to fix the broken MM International Airport Road. He had told journalists while inspecting some ongoing projects in Lagos that, ”the present state of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road was a national disgrace and required immediate attention to salvage the nation’s image.”  He blames the Federal Ministry of Works which, according to him, “believe that they should do the road, but have not been able to do it all these years past,” and has now constituted itself into a stumbling block at a time the state is ready with “a design of 10 lanes from Oshodi to the International Airport, cash and a willing contractor set to start and finish the work in six months.”

    Fashola , the technocrat, seems satisfied  establishing his ministry’s support for Lagos State which,  according to him, approved ‘the use of the Federal Ministry of Works yard at Oworonsoki for Lagos State Government to create a lay-by to ease traffic; granted Lagos State the Rights to manage the Street Lighting on the 3rd Mainland Bridge to support the security initiatives of the State, a request which the previous Federal Government administration had denied Lagos State for years; and that the Hon Minister also ‘supported the approval of the World Bank Loan of $200m to Lagos State, again a request the previous administration had denied Lagos State.” But the technocrat missed the point. His narratives are unrelated to the broken MM International Airport Road. In fact, with Fashola’s tales, it is not out of place to be wondering if he wants a medal for doing the right thing.

    And when it came to addressing the source of Ambode’s frustration, it was a litany of excuses. First, Raji Fashola tries to educate us on the complexity of decision-making process by the National Executive Council (NEC).  This, according to him, involves thorough debate of all issues,  and in the case of roads, it sometimes requires making surveys, maps and other material available to assist members understand the location and connectivity of the roads.’ He also wants the public to understand that Ambode’s request is complex as two of the roads he wants to take over connect Ogun State. Kaduna State, with a less complex request, according to him, followed due process by waiting for ten months to get NEC’s nod. Fashola, who does not see this as evidence of indolence on the part of NEC, seems to be asking Ambode to suspend all plans and await NEC’s due process.

    With the above scenario, we need not search any further as to why our federal system is dysfunctional at a period government has become a science with templates for managing federal government projects, procurement,  acquiring real properties and for construction. It explains why, instead of adopting the best practices in the world, we would rather settle for retroactive laws to legalise confiscation of private and public land and properties, as was the case with Babangida,   or come up with disingenuous laws enacted for the purpose of sharing our national patrimony, as was the case under the Obasanjo’s monetisation policy

    Fashola is probably too refined to become intoxicated by federal power, to deliberately set out to sabotage a state he had selflessly served for eight years as governor, but this does not make him any less dangerous to Lagos State or the west he represents in Abuja. Fashola, as a technocrat performing a political function, poses a danger to those he represents.

    For instance, as governor of Lagos State, his critics claim he was not particularly supportive of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN). His artless argument was that Lagos was not part of the west. It is only Fashola, the technocrat, who would not remember that the Federal  Capital  administered by the  Federal Ministry of Lagos Affairs had always been part of the west; that it was after  Dr. Olorunnibe’s  refusal to step down to allow Zik go to the centre to represent Lagos  in the early fifties that politicians like Ozumba Mbadiwe moved the motion to cede Lagos out of west, a motion ignored by Prime Minister Tafawa Balewwa  and that Ikeja, Agege, Mushin, Ikorodu, Epe, and Badagry  were taking out of   western Nigeria by Decree 14 of 25 May, 1967,  to create the present Lagos State.

    Hiding under the excuse that the roads Ambode wants to take over connect Ogun State as the reason for inaction seems to vindicate those who said the west did not need a technocrat but an astute politician in Abuja where everything is politics and where, with devious moves, deal makers could reduce a victorious party to an opposition party overnight. Fashola must realise that even as President Buhari’s foreman, he is in Abuja as a politician to protect the interest of the west, especially after eight years of marginalisation by a vindictive ex-President Obasanjo and another six years under ex-President Jonathan, his godson.

    He must not delude himself by assuming President Buhari, his principal, is not a politician. Politics flows naturally in his blood and, by the way, no one understands power politics more than a Fulani man.

  • Safety of Lagos non-negotiable, says Ambode

    Safety of Lagos non-negotiable, says Ambode

    • Neighbourhood  Corps creates 7,000 jobs 

    The security of Lagos State is not negotiable, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said yesterday.

    At a launch of Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) at the Agege Stadium, he said the state’s safety and the security of lives and property will now be enhanced.

    The Corps officials, he said, were not in competition with the police but would rather complement the police whose years of experience in securing the state cannot be undermined.

    According to him, the Corps will provide information to the police, assist in facilitating arrest and penetrate inner areas of local councils with their bicycles, motorbikes, whistles and other gadgets.

    “These officers have been trained on how to seek peaceful resolution of conflicts, proactive policing engagement as against reactive policing, dispute mediation, skilful negotiations and other skills that would assist in curbing crime and nipping in the bud the activities of criminally-minded individuals,” the governor explained.

    He urged the Corps officials to be civil in their approach, maintain courtesies and make safety of communities and neighbourhoods their watchword.

    “Be reminded that you have to be a friendly law enforcement team, eschew brutality, embrace civility, display maturity, imbibe the hallmark of patience, be understanding and make sure you earn the trust of every resident of the state,” Ambode said.

    He urged the public to cooperate with the Corps, saying the government would reward residents, who give the Corps “useful tips”.

    The governor said the LNSC created about 7,000 new jobs and thanked the House of Assembly for passing the Neighbourhood Watch Bill into law.

    Ambode said special hotlines have been created to facilitate communication with the Corps Executive Secretary, Mr. Adegboyega Bajulaiye, Chairman Israel Ajao and other top officials via 081-4000-0825 and 070-1722-2480.

    The governor said a bill has been sent to the assembly to regulate the recruitment of domestic staff to ensure their monitoring. He added that there is no longer room for child abuse in the state.

    “Activities of domestic workers over the years are largely undocumented and as such their unmonitored activities posed great threat to  security. Recruiting agencies must be licensed and regulated, henceforth, as our safety is now non-negotiable” the governor said.

    Earlier, Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations Mr. Seye Oladejo said the peculiarity of the state and the emerging security challenges informed the establishment of LNSC.

    “This community protection started unconsciously as the Crude Neighbourhood Watch in 1996, it has, however metamorphosed into a world class community protection outfit with a mandate and determination to stem the tide of soaring crimes at the grass-roots” he added.

    Some of the equipment given to the corps officials include 171 saloon cars, 377 motorcycles, 4,000 bicycles and related accessories.

     

  • AMAA’ll boost tourism in Lagos, says Ambode

    AMAA’ll boost tourism in Lagos, says Ambode

    The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, last Thursday revealed that his administration has concluded plans to begin a total revamping of the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos in time for the 2017 Africa Movies Academic Awards (AMAA) ceremony holding in the State later in the year.

    Ambode, who spoke when he played host to AMAA officials led by its President, Mrs. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe at the Lagos House, Ikeja, expressed optimism that the plan to upgrade the Theatre to world class standard would serve as a viable venue for the AMAA event when completed.

    “I want to also say that I am very particular about the venue of the AMAA, so we would use everything possible to make sure that the National Arts Theatre is ready. We are in a process and before the month ends, we should have something to start doing within the first week of April to getting the whole place ready,” he said.

    Alluding to the fact that Lagos would turn 50 by May 27, the Governor said that the hosting of the AMAA event in Lagos would add more glamour to the celebration of the State’s Golden Jubilee and showcase its hospitality to the continent and the world at large.

    “This is a very historic moment for us in Lagos. 2017 we are celebrating the existence of Lagos for 50 years. Without your sector, there is no Lagos. So, when we say 50 years, we are talking about 50 years of history,” he said.

    Governor Ambode said the recent interventions of his administration in the creative industry was in line with his belief that it represents a new opportunity for economic development and unleashing the potentials of youths, assuring that he remains fully committed to breaking the barriers weighing down the industry from thriving.

    While officially accepting the hosting rights for AMAA 2017, Governor Ambode said the State would take advantage of the opportunity to boost its tourism mileage beyond Lagos @ 50.

    Earlier, President of AMAA, Mrs. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe commended the Governor for his interest in the creative industry, saying that it has given the sector a major boost in recent time.

    “It’s amazing to have a Governor who is like a family that seems to understand what our needs are. We’ve never had a Governor of Lagos State who has shown so much deep interest in Nollywood,” she said

    She said the 2017 AMAA ceremony, the 13th in the series would feature films from 72 countries with over 23,000 guests from across the African continent vying for various awards.

  • Ambode, Owoseni urged to intervene in land tussle

    Ambode, Owoseni urged to intervene in land tussle

    The chiefs, indigenes and residents of Orile Fowoseje in Ibeju Lekki Local Government of Lagos State have appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to save them from land grabbers.

    They urged Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni to prevent their land from being snatched by hoodlums.

    Spokesman for the community Chief Najimdeen Fatai Ojomu, at a news conference in Lagos at the weekend, said    Orile Fowoseje belonged to Ojomu Royal Family, adding that it had been in existence for centuries.

    He said: “We have been selling land to residents since 1997. They bought the land with the government gazette.

    “We were shocked when land grabbers invaded our community. They were armed and they killed and injured people because they wanted to snatch our land.

    “We are the owners of Orile Fowoseje. The land belongs to us by inheritance because our ancestors occupied it centuries ago.

    “We implore Governor Ambode and Police Commissioner Owoseni to save us from land grabbers. We don’t want to take the law into our hands as law-abiding people. This is why we are urging the government to intervene.”

    The Chairman of Orile Fowoseje Community, Mr. Ajenifuja Adebomi Victor, also implored Governor Ambode and Police Commissioner Owoseni to curb the excesses of the land grabbers “before the situation gets out of hand.”

    Said he: “We have been pushed to the wall. Our patience has been exhausted. We beg our amiable and hard working governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to rescue us from land grabbers. We also appeal to Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni to save us from these hoodlums who have been terrorising us. Enough of these killings and maiming.”

  • AMAA’ll boost tourism in Lagos, says Ambode

    AMAA’ll boost tourism in Lagos, says Ambode

    The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, last Thursday revealed that his administration has concluded plans to begin a total revamping of the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos in time for the 2017 Africa Movies Academic Awards (AMAA) ceremony holding in the State later in the year.

    Ambode, who spoke when he played host to AMAA officials led by its President, Mrs. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe at the Lagos House, Ikeja, expressed optimism that the plan to upgrade the Theatre to world class standard would serve as a viable venue for the AMAA event when completed.

    “I want to also say that I am very particular about the venue of the AMAA, so we would use everything possible to make sure that the National Arts Theatre is ready. We are in a process and before the month ends, we should have something to start doing within the first week of April to getting the whole place ready,” he said.

    Alluding to the fact that Lagos would turn 50 by May 27, the Governor said that the hosting of the AMAA event in Lagos would add more glamour to the celebration of the State’s Golden Jubilee and showcase its hospitality to the continent and the world at large.

    “This is a very historic moment for us in Lagos. 2017 we are celebrating the existence of Lagos for 50 years. Without your sector, there is no Lagos. So, when we say 50 years, we are talking about 50 years of history,” he said.

    Governor Ambode said the recent interventions of his administration in the creative industry was in line with his belief that it represents a new opportunity for economic development and unleashing the potentials of youths, assuring that he remains fully committed to breaking the barriers weighing down the industry from thriving.

    While officially accepting the hosting rights for AMAA 2017, Governor Ambode said the State would take advantage of the opportunity to boost its tourism mileage beyond Lagos @ 50.

    Earlier, President of AMAA, Mrs. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe commended the Governor for his interest in the creative industry, saying that it has given the sector a major boost in recent time.

    “It’s amazing to have a Governor who is like a family that seems to understand what our needs are. We’ve never had a Governor of Lagos State who has shown so much deep interest in Nollywood,” she said

    She said the 2017 AMAA ceremony, the 13th in the series would feature films from 72 countries with over 23,000 guests from across the African continent vying for various awards.