The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ambode

  • Ambode: three Lekki-Ajah roundabouts to go

    Ambode: three Lekki-Ajah roundabouts to go

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said three more roundabouts in the Lekki-Ajah axis will be removed to ease vehicular movement.

    The three roundabouts, according to the governor are Igbo Efon, Chevron and Third Roundabout.

    Ambode said the Ajah flyover would be completed by May.

    The governor spoke when the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited, led by its Chairman and Managing Director,  Jeffrey Ewing, visited  the Lagos House, Ikeja.

    The governor said the roundabouts would be removed next week.

    He said since assumption of office, his administration had tried to improve on the business environment and assured his guests that  the government would continue to invest in security and infrastructure.

    “We have tried to improve services within the state and the area of operation of Chevron which is the Lekki axis is not left out.

    “I like to use this opportunity to say, we will commence the elimination of additional three roundabouts in the axis, most especially Chevron, Igbo Efon and Third Roundabout.

    “We believe doing that will totally eliminate traffic in that axis and we hope to also open the Ajah Flyover before the end of May,” Ambode said.

    Ewing said he was at the Lagos House to advance the partnership between Chevron and Lagos State.

  • Ambode: Extension of Aboru-Mosan Road Project

    SIR: I humbly write to first congratulate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on his exemplary performance ever since he took over the mantle of leadership in Lagos State. May God continue to bless him with the strength and wisdom to excel.

    Personally, I have always believed in his ability, hence my open letter to him in The Punch of Tuesday July 21, 2015 (page 29) and The Nation of August 3, 2015, on the need to reopen the closed link road at Alimosho junction of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. He heeded the call by opening the road to ease the gridlock in the area on Tuesday September 1, 2015.

    As Oliver Twist, I am using this medium to request the extension of the ongoing Aboru-Mosan Link bridge/road and street lights to the end of the Mosan road linking the Iyana-Ipaja/Ayobo road, as this would further give room for uninterrupted traffic flow.

    The road currently terminates at the canal end of Mosan linking the Federal Low Cost Housing Estate (Shagari Estate) while construction is still ongoing. I, on behalf of people in our community, would like to appeal to the governor to help us extend the construction to cover the remaining one kilometre dilapidated road to enhance visibility in our area.

    I had personally rehabilitated the road years back with street lights and regular maintenance, so I shall appreciate the governor’s urgent response to assist us complete the route.

    I strongly believe in his ability, and I believe this request will be honoured by him.

     

    • Otunba Tony Abiodun Adenubi
  • Girl, 16, eyes Ambode’s seat

    Girl, 16, eyes Ambode’s seat

    A 16-year-old Miss Oyerinde Deborah of Jagunmolu Girls’ Senior Grammar School, Bariga Lagos has promised to display brilliance that will make her emerge overall winner of this year’s Spelling Bee competition in order to become a One-Day Governor of Lagos State.

    She spoke after she emerged the winner in the contest organised by the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) for senior and junior schools.

    She said: “My focus is to make myself and my school proud at the end of the contest. My determination is to emerge the overall winner, become a One-Day Governor of Lagos State, win a scholarship and all the prizes attached to the contest.”

    She competed with 10 other contestants from other schools.

    While Agada Emmanuel from Archdeacon Adelaja Secondary School emerged second, Perry Emmanuela of St Luke’s Junior Grammar School took third position.

    Master Sulaimon Basit of Ayetoro Primary School won the overall best in the primary school category and Master Okonkwo Chidubem of Igbeyinadun Primary School emerged second position while the third position was won by Nojeem Fawaz of Baptist Academy.

    Miss Oyerinde commended Senator Oluremi Tinubu for initiating the competition, saying the idea had increased pupils’ academic excellence, good reading habits, spelling skills, vocabulary and developed correct English use.

    She thanked the state’s Ministry of Education, former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for continuing the good idea.

    The Sole Administrator of the council, Prince Sanya Oshijo congratulated the winners of the competition, even as he urged them to work harder to enable them to emerge winners at the state level.

    He said one can become successful in life even if one did not attend private school.

    According to Oshijo, majority of the people who made it in their professions such as doctors, accountants, pilots, governors and presidents, were products of public schools.

    “We will continue to support the schools within the council by providing the needed materials that would enhance good learning,” he said. He ordered the re-construction of the collapsed fence of Igneyinadun Primary School.

    He thanked the initiator of Spelling Bee Competition in Lagos State, saying it had enabled pupils of public school to compete favourably with their counterparts in the private schools.

    He said the competition had spurred them to achieve better spelling skills and become proficient in English language.

    He noted that the competition had increased pupils’ knowledge in English and other subjects as the English language remains the only medium of learning other subjects. The council chief added that other states have adopted the idea as it has become part of their schools’ continuous assessment of the pupils.

    He urged the pupils to embrace reading and focus on their studies. He also urged them to be of good character both in school and at home so as to be good and responsible members of the society. The pupils were also advised to shun thuggery and cultism.

  • Ambode calls for states’ partnership

    Ambode calls for states’ partnership

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday urged states to initiate opportunities that would enable them benefit from each other and explore their strength and strategic partnership for economic development.
    The governor spoke when he received in his office members of the National Economic Council (NEC) Implementation Monitoring Committee on Retreat on the Economy led by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Maina.
    He urged the Federal Government to create a framework that would allow states benefit from each other to foster concentric cycle of growth in the country.
    The governor praised the committee for choosing Lagos as the first state to visit, saying it was a confirmation of the success of the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi states on commodities production.
    Ambode added that beyond the partnership with Kebbi, his administration has improved on the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
    Miana said her team was at Lagos House as part of the flag-off of the Implementation Monitoring Visit in line with NEC resolution and the retreat which the Vice President had with Governors in 2016.

  • Ambode’s cultural logic

    Ambode’s cultural logic

    Well-rounded governance is an expression of well-rounded thinking. In a striking demonstration of the possibilities of political governance, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode continues to raise the bar for cultural thinking in political office.
    Ambode’s latest cultural statement, the presentation of Museum Possibilities and the unveiling of the design for a new world-class museum at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, on March 6, reflects a heightened cultural consciousness.  He said, “Every society must cherish its historical antecedents because they serve as source of inspiration for succeeding generations to discover, appreciate and take pride in their identity. It has become very imperative that we take a step back and revisit our history. It has become important that we renew efforts to preserve and protect our history and historical artefacts.”
    He also said, “In addition, the Lagos House also in Marina will be transformed into the Lagos Historical Centre. The JK Randle Arcade will be remodelled into a world-class recreation/tourism centre. The New Museum will complement and be an important part of the structures being planned for this axis. We intend to regenerate this axis and the museum into an iconic structure that will invoke deep sense of pride in all Nigerians.”
    It takes a thinking political administrator to grasp the cultural dimension of the pursuit of socio-economic development. Ambode continued: “This is the new possibility that is being presented to all stakeholders in the tourism sector and all Nigerians. On our part, our commitment is unshaken and we are eager to make this dream a reality within the shortest possible time. Given the megacity status of our state, we believe this is the right way to go in order to optimally harness the state’s tourism potential for wealth creation and sustainable growth.”
    It is remarkable that Ambode, whose Accounting background perhaps makes him an unlikely cultural enthusiast, has been able to show that there is no room for narrow-mindedness in governance.  There is no doubt that he has brought a breath of fresh air to the breadth of gubernatorial view.
    A further reflection of Ambode’s culture-conscious governance is the publicised collaboration of his administration with the Federal Government towards the renewal of the National Theatre, Lagos. The development is a definite positive for the country’s cultural sphere, particularly because the National Theatre was a subject of negative speculation during the past era of the Goodluck Jonathan presidency when the idea of selling it seemed to be the ruling idea.
    It is an interesting coincidence that the determined moves to redevelop the National Theatre are happening in its 40th year. The architectural masterpiece, which has a revered history and represents unquantifiable cultural value, is unforgettable as the venue of the 2nd World Black Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) held in 1977. It is a shame that the theatre complex was neglected and allowed to deteriorate to the point where a critical intervention is now required for its restoration.  No doubt, a restored National Theatre will enhance the country’s cultural attractions. In particular, it will raise the bar for cultural production and consumption in Lagos, and reignite nightlife in the megacity that is the country’s developmental pacesetter.
    Talking of theatres, it is dramatic that the Ambode administration is building six new theaters which are expected to be completed before the end of the year. Ambode’s cultural focus shows that his understanding of “needs in the society” is not narrow and simplistic. When the theatres take shape, their presence will mark a cultural reinvention that may well inspire a cultural revolution. Certainly, a megacity deserves thriving cultural centres that will raise the bar for cultural production and consumption. The beauty of Ambode’s cultural imagination is the promise of civilisation. It is undeniable that cultural production and consumption have a potentially civilising influence. It is this core value that the new theatres are expected to bring to Lagos life.
    Cultural logic also inspired the reinvention of the storied Tinubu Square on Lagos Island under the Ambode administration.   Ambode’s remarks at the unveiling of the renewed site reflected historical and aesthetic consciousness: “The decision to renovate this monument was informed by the need to upgrade it to a level that befits the status of Lagos Central Business District. It is part of the plan of this administration to develop the Marina and Onikan axis to world-class tourist destinations.”
    Regarded as one of the most-visited attractions in Lagos, Tinubu Square occupies a 2000-square metre space said to have been donated to the British colonial administration by Madam Tinubu. A report said “the structure that was built on the land was the Court of Assizes,” which was replaced by “a tourist water fountain donated by the Lebanese Community in Nigeria to commemorate Nigeria’s independence from British rule in 1960.”
    Ambode painted a portrait: “This magnificent monument was erected in memory of a valiant woman, Madam Efunroye Tinubu, the first Iyalode of Egbaland and one of the greatest merchants of colonial Lagos. It is a celebration of her exploits in the business world and contribution to the foremost status to which our state has attained in the world of commerce.” He promised that “historical monuments such as this will continue to be given a facelift.”
    By paying attention to cultural production and consumption, Ambode has shown a holistic approach to governance. It stands to reason that a megacity needs mega governance. The status of Lagos as a megacity is a reason for mega governance. Nigeria’s megacity in 2015 was listed 12th among the world’s largest 35 cities and credited with an unofficial population figure of “approximately 21 million.” Of course, a megacity has to grapple with mega challenges. Megacity challenges include slums, crime, homelessness, traffic congestion and environmental pollution. It is noteworthy that Ambode continues to respond to these challenges with mega capacity.
    Cultural governance is usually overlooked by leaders whose idea of political governance is strictly one-dimensional; or it is downplayed to a level of insignificance. This is why Ambode is an exemplary political player in this regard, particularly because his impressive cultural interventions have happened in less than two years at the helm. It takes a cultured mind to think culturally. Ambode deserves a garland for services to culture.

  • Ambode, Fashola and the soul of Lagos

    Ambode, Fashola and the soul of Lagos

    SIR: “In our personal ambitions we are individualists. But in our seeking for economic and political progress as a nation, we all go up or else all go down as one people” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

    I write as a concerned member of the Lagos society, not standing in between but airing my view as an active resident and citizen of the renowned commercial city of Nigeria, one of the largest economies in Africa.

    I watched with surprise the address by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, when he took to the media to address the challenges he is facing while trying to reshape the city to world-class standard. No doubt, Ambode, as studied by me, after meeting with him before and after his emergence as governor, is not the talking type, but what could have spurred him to make his recent public address on the perceived infighting remains a question waiting for an answer.

    Former Governor Babatunde Fashola’s response to Ambode’s press conference says much about his oratorical prowess,  but his answers raise further questions on his position on “Lagos first” agenda.

    It is said that Fashola is not on the same page with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the respected All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader. It is important for the party to put its  house in order, especially given the image of Lagos as a model for the other states in the country, and the position of the APC as the country’s ruling party. Lagosians are watching; the grass may not wait to suffer the wrath of the fighting elephants and the elephants may not see a ground to leverage.

    The nation’s economic capital, Lagos State, has in recent times faced criticism and antagonism from various quarters, such as rejection of its call for special status and the investigation by the House of Representatives on the transfer of the National Stadium and so on.

    The coming together of Lagos State’s finest will strengthen its agitations and further its cause as it seeks to raise its standards to fit its megacity status.

     

    • Eniola Opeyemi,

    Badagry, Lagos State

  • Kidnapping: Council chief seeks Ambode’s help on security

    Kidnapping: Council chief seeks Ambode’s help on security

    The Sole Administrator of Lekki Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Osunnuga Oloruntosin has appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to help with fencing of the newly built LG Primary School, Igbogun.
    The school, a block of six classrooms, was opened for use last Thursday by Governor Ambode, who was represented by Dr Ganiu Shopeyin.
    The fencing, Oloruntosin said, would prevent kidnappers from easy access to the school.
    “As you can see that the school is closer to the lagoon, we need to prevent kidnappers who usually strike through the lagoon from easy access to our children, hence my appeal to our governor to assist with fencing of the school,” he said.
    Oloruntosin also seeks the recruitment of teachers to the school from the state government to complement the non-pensionable teachers employed by the council.
    The council chief also donated 200-capacity boat and life jackets to convey pupils from the riverine areas.
    According to him, education is a necessity and an investment which everybody must embrace to bequeath a better legacy for the future leaders.
    The council, he said, will soon distribute free uniforms and exercise books to all pupils in the council and payment of bursary to higher institution students.
    He appealed to the residents to be patient with the council, saying no ward would be excluded from enjoying democratic dividends.

  • Kalu hails Ambode for transformation

    Kalu hails Ambode for transformation

    Former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu at the weekend praised Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for transforming the Centre of Excellence with massive infrastructural development.

    Kalu said the infrastructural drive will help attract investment into Nigeria.

    Speaking in an interview at the departure wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on his way to the United States, Kalu said the exemplary leadership thus far shown by Ambode in Lagos puts him in “A – list” among governors.

    Kalu said: “I am very impressed with what is happening in Lagos State and the continuity Ambode has taken.

    “His background as a civil servant has put him in good stead to understand the dynamics of the job.

    “For me , the mark I am giving him is very high . My advice is that he should keep it up and he should not relent in his efforts in trying to defend democracy here.

    if it is well with Lagos, it will be well with other parts of the country.

    “So I believe that Ambode should do more, run more and hit the ground more. I am not saying this for him to go and start sleeping. I have never seen him since he became governor.”

  • Ambode’s frustration over Airport road

    Ambode’s frustration over Airport road

    I read with consternation the frustration expressed by Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode over the non-cooperation by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing concerning the fixing of the International Airport road.

    Ambode is very disturbed about the dilapidated state of the Oshodi-Airport road, which he described as an eyesore and an embarrassment to the whole nation as the road leads to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Despite the fact that Lagos state government is ready to fix the road. The Federal Ministry of Works under the leadership of immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola appears not be forthcoming in terms of granting the required approval for the Lagos State government to embark on reconstruction of the road.

    This is where I am saddened and began to flash back to similar needless muscle flexing and power show between some Ministers and State Governors, especially if they are of different political parties. It is therefore absurd and unfortunate if Ambode’s allegation that Fashola is deliberately withholding approval is true. Fashola was the immediate past Governor of the state and a member of the same APC Federal government which is also the ruling party in Lagos state and who knew the bad state of the Apapa-Airport road and who also experienced frustrations from a PDP led Federal Government over such projects.

    It will therefore be a puzzle for any discerning observer why Fashola should deliberately frustrate Ambode from developing a state where he was once Governor and also did his best in terms of infrastructure. The allegation of Ambode against Fashola’s attitude is very weighty and going by how Ambode presented the facts, many may be tempted to agree that Fashola may actually be blocking Ambode’s opportunity to excel. There is no reason why Fashola should waste any time in granting the required approval for the Lagos State Government to embark on the construction of the all important Oshodi-Airport Road.

    Ambode announced the readiness of the state government to immediately embark on the reconstruction of the road which has been redesigned to accommodate 10 lanes to come from Oshodi to the International Airport with interchange and flyover that would drop you towards the Local Airport. The Governor also announced that the state government is ready with the funds to execute this, immediately approval is granted by the Federal Ministry of Works. So the question now is, what is delaying this much needed approval?

    Ambode could not have expressed his frustrations openly without exhausting all avenues to get the approval from Fashola’s Ministry. Now that we have heard Fashola’s side of the story, one is tempted to believe that there may be some reasons other than bureaucratic bottlenecks considering the not too cordial relationship between Fashola and his successor in the early months of the Ambode administration, which was mainly caused by the disclosure of the huge debt left behind by Fashola. The only thing that would soothe the nerves of Lagosians is for the minister to handover the all important road for the Lagos State government to repair.

    Any attempt to play politics with a road that needs an urgent attention as the statement from the minister seems to imply, might affect the ordinary Lagosian, who will benefit from the road and the positive impact on the economy of Lagos state as it will save a lot of man hour lost to traffic gridlock on that road. Also given the fact that the road is a major entry point to Nigeria from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, the federal government should have gladly be receptive to the offer of the Lagos State government to do it and finish in six months.

    If the allegation is true, Fashola must rise above pettiness and be a statesman that he is supposed to be by immediately putting the interest of the people of the state above any personal animosity he may be harbouring against his successor. With the open expression of frustration by Ambode, there is no way many will not believe Fashola’s action is deliberate considering the fact that such scenario had happened before in Lagos when another Lagosian,  Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe who defected from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and became  Minister for Works (2003-2006), was engaged in a power show with then Governor Bola Tinubu over operations of Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) officials whom he banned from operating on Federal roads in the Lagos metropolis and quickly assembled his own Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) operatives.

    The power show ended in chaos as there were frequent clashes between Ogunlewe’s FERMA officials and Tinubu’s LASTMA officials, not to mention other opportunities the state was denied in the Federal Ministry of Works.  It was Lagosians who bore the brunt of the unnecessary show of Federal might and I don’t think we need such scenario any more in Lagos. Despite the fact that the Federal government is owing Lagos State a whopping N51 billion refund on federal roads rehabilitated by the state government, the governor said the federal government should release the N2Billion appropriated for the Oshodi-Airport road in the 2017 budget, for the state government to embark on the reconstruction of the road. This is not fair!

    Ambode also expressed frustration that six months after President Muhammadu Buhari approved the handover of the Presidential Lodge, Marina, the State Government was yet to gain access into the premises. This is also wrong and may send wrong signals out there that Fashola is on vendetta mission because the release of the Presidential Lodge also falls under his Ministry. Why has the key to the Presidential lodge not been handed over to the governor? And why are those involved making very difficult for presidential directive to be honoured? these are germane questions that should bother more than casual observers.

    Every Lagosian would want Governor Ambode to be encouraged to continue with the current pace of work in the areas of infrastructure and security which has made Lagos state a yardstick of governance for other states in the country. Many people marvelled at the regeneration of Ojodu Berger which is a beauty to behold, Abule-Egba Flyover Project and also the Aboru/Abesan Link Road and Bridge Project. These projects are repositioning Lagos to measure up to its status as an emerging mega-city.

    The only way the minister can show his sincerity is by granting the long overdue approval to the state government to immediately embark on the reconstruction of the Oshodi-Airport road, which he said he will complete in six months and also ensure the release of the N2 bilion earmarked for the project.

    Fashola should also obey the presidential directive on the Presidential Lodge by ensuring that access to the building is guaranteed. Anything short of this in the next few days will confirm Governor Ambode’s allegation of vendetta and the insinuation in many quarters that Fashola does not want Ambode to outshine him in performance. This will be so unfortunate and people would easily see him as being petty, mean and sadistic.

    • Gbadegesin wrote from Apapa, Lagos.

     

  • Ambode: we’ll deploy LASPOTECH drone for aerial surveillance

    Ambode: we’ll deploy LASPOTECH drone for aerial surveillance

    Drone, a plane-like object made by Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) staff and students, is to be used for aerial surveillance, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said yesterday.

    Speaking at the institution’s 25th convocation in Ikorodu, Ambode hailed the staff and students for being innovative, promising that government would promote and fund the project to encourage them.

    Ambode also approved the construction of a new main auditorium, administrative block, the renovation of the sports complex and the facelift of facilities on the campus. The new School of Technology Building (Block A) will also be equipped and ` furnished.

    The Governor said it was worthy of note that the 40-year-old LASPOTECH occupies a pride of place among state-owned polytechnics in the country.

    He said efforts must be made to build on the school’s successes in order to make it a true centre of excellence in technological education and research.

    He said being an emerging mega city, tertiary institutions and services in the state must be of acceptable global standards, adding that this was important for the state to compete favourably with other mega cities in the world.

    “Lagos State Polytechnic must rise to the challenge of meeting the technical manpower requirement of both the public and private sectors in not just Lagos State but in the whole nation.

    “We must rise above just providing education for the sake of acquiring a certificate to providing knowledge which will empower our youths to become champions of their generation, to chart their own course and establish enterprises that will create jobs and generate wealth for all.

    “Education is high on the priority list of this administration, and a significant portion of the state budget every year is allocated to education. We recognise the fact that a citadel of learning is as good as the quality of its learning environment in terms of infrastructure, academic and administrative faculties. Our government has invested massively in upgrading the infrastructure and other learning tools in all our tertiary institutions, including this institution.

    “The ultimate goal of this investment in tertiary institutions in Lagos State is beyond meeting the requirements for the accreditation of courses; it is to ensure that tertiary education in Lagos State becomes a benchmark in Nigeria, ranking comparatively with global institutions and producing the leaders of tomorrow,” Ambode said.

    Earlier, LASPOTECH Rector Samuel Sogunro hailed Ambode for his passion for education, noting that he is the first governor to participate in the institution’s convocation in the last 27 years.

    He said despite the prevailing economic reality, the governor raised the institution’s monthly subvention from N153.731million to N210million.

    The governor also allocated N750million for the accreditation of courses billed to take place in the institution, among other interventions, the rector added.

    A total of 9,228 students graduated from 32 departments, with 273 of them bagging distinctions.

    Ambode offered the overall best graduating student, Ejire Adedolapo Abdulazeez, from the School of Pure and Applied Science instant employment in the civil service.