The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ambode

  • Ambode: Consolidating good governance in Lagos

    Ambode: Consolidating good governance in Lagos

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has surpassed the expectations of Lagosians in the last 20 months in many respects. The security challenges he faced initially when he came on board had led many observers to dismiss the governor’s campaign promises as idle talk. But gradually he is transforming the state. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE reports.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has not left the people in doubt, about where the administration is heading. Lagos has witnessed tremendous progress since he took over the reins of power 20 months ago.

    The tempo of development in road construction, housing for the masses, market and commerce expansion, continuation of the light rail project, beautification of streets, provision of health facilities and hospitals, agricultural expansion, security, lighting up major streets, wooing investors and exploration of oil in commercial quantity has changed the status of the state.

    Against this background, Lagosians have hailed the governor as one the most progressive-minded chieftains of the party that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) could showcase  on its scorecard.

    Under the governor’s leadership, Lagos has been acknowledged as a fast-growing economy in terms of infrastructure and capital.

    Lagos is better assessed when the torch is illuminated on the following projects:

    Roads

    The proposed megacity project requires good network of roads. To realise this, new roads are coming up, while bad ones are being rehabilitated in prime locations, as well as the grassroots.

    During his campaign and flagging of the administration, Ambode made it clear that 114 roads would be constructed annual across the state. Under the scheme, the Ejigbo-Ikotun road which was a nightmare to motorists and other road users has been fixed. Other terribly bad roads rehabilitated include: the Mosan Okunola road, the Oshodi-Isolo road, the Bariga-University of Lagos road, the Mile 2-Orile Iganmu road, the Ajegunle-Marine Beach road, the Apapa-Ijora Causaway road and the Ikorodu-Ojota road.

    The Abule Egba-Abeokuta road, which is currently undergoing construction, is expected to harness the potentials of the international link of the axis, through the Owode-Idi-Iroko road, Ogun State. The Lekki-Epe Expressway and other major roads now toll gate to raise money to maintain the road. The government has constructed flyover bridges at Ajah, Ojodu-Berger and other Lagos suburbs. Observers believe this will reduce the rate of accidents suffered by pedestrians when crossing the roads.

    Residents of Apapa have also been thanking the governor for rehabilitating their major link road. The Apapa road was a source of sorrow to those who have one transaction or the other to carry out in the industrial area. The heavy-duty vehicles plying the road do not only cause damage to it, but also impede easy flow of traffic. Under Governor Ambode’s watch, the administration has rolled out new operational rules for heavy-duty vehicles, to ensure that they do not infringe on the rights of other road users.

     

    Security

    Following the upsurge in criminal activities at the outset of the administration, security has been a top priority for Governor Ambode. With the prospects of Boko Haram and Niger Delta militants invading Lagos, the governor has put the security personnel to task.  Though some militants accepted responsibilities for the attack at Ikorodu, Ambode quickly rose to the occasion to nip the unpleasant development in the bud. He acquired 10 armoured tanks, three helicopters for aerial surveillance and policing. He also acquired 15 armoured personnel carriers (APC), dozens of Isuzu trucks and others safety gadgets, to aid the operations of security men in the state. Some residents of the riverine areas of Ikorodu who had relocated, because of the threat from the militants, were encouraged to return, because of government intervention.

    Today, any kidnapper caught in Lagos will face summary execution when convicted. The new law has been hailed by observers. Other states have been understudying the Lagos security template, to check criminality in their domain.

    To boost security at the grassroots, the government plans to recruit 5,000 personnel for its Neighbourhood Watch initiative. They are expected to earn N25, 000, with other allowances. The governor said the gesture will assist in policing and returning sanity to troubled communities.

    Ambode said: “There is a law that has just been passed, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law 2016. In line with the resolution taken by the Lagos State House of Assembly, we will go all out to make sure the agency is activated.

    “All our neighbourhoods will be covered. We will provide all the necessary equipment and resources to ensure that we establish what we call community policing and that is the way to go.”

     

    Disability allowance

    Those living with disability have not been abandoned by the government. The administration has floated an empowerment fund of N500 million, to the disabled members of the society a sense of belonging. The money is meant to assist them to acquire skills and enable them set up venture that will enhance their standard of living. The disabled had been abandoned to their fate in the past.

    The governor said: “We will roll out all our empowerment programmes to assist all the youths, artisans and the needy. People living with disability will start getting support from government quarters.”

     

    Domestic violence       

    The governor has also been insisting that women are treated with dignity and respect. To this end, the war against domestic and sexual violence team was constituted. It was charged to campaign against all forms of misdemeanor that will portray women in low esteem and treated as inferior species.

    Nigerian women suffer untold degradation and molestation almost on daily basis. The campaign has enhanced the prestige of women in private and public places. He has equally matched the deal with appointment of women into key positions.

     

    Health

    The health sector has also been receiving the deserved attention of the administration since it came on board. The administration has commissioned no fewer than 20 mobile care unit ambulances. Other 30 ambulances were deployed to hospitals across the state.

    As a result, the mobile care units have been saving lives daily, especially those of victims of road accidents. The intensive clinical service rendered by the unit is being applauded by the public. They said the service provided by the unit is comparable to those obtained in advanced societies. The governor has approved the recruitment of paramedic staff and special medical coordinators, to ensure that 24-hour services are available in General Hospitals and Primary Health Care (PHC) units.

     

    Agriculture

    Farming also received a boost under the present dispensation. Through Ambode’s foresight, the administration has been making impact in the area of agriculture. The government has established commercial farms in areas like Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu.

    To sustain plans to feed Lagosians, Lagos and Kebbi State entered into an arrangement to produce rice for the teeming population in Lagos. The Lagos-Kebbi rice, otherwise known as LAKE Rice, was sold to Lagosians during the yuletide season at affordable price. The rice deal brought relief to many homes groaning under the recession.

    The administration’s efforts in the area of agriculture have been commended by analysts. They believe that such arrangement will further cement the relationship between people from the north and those from the west.

     

    Improved revenue

    The recession notwithstanding, the state has been raking in more money into its internally generated revenue (IGR) purse. This has turned out be one of the saving graces of the state last year. As at December 16, the state raked in N287 billion in IGR, which is a whopping N19 billion more that what was generated the year before. The governor gave credit to Lagosians for their dedication to civic responsibilities.

    He said: “The tax payers are the ones giving the little energy that we have and even though when they say Nigeria is in recession, somehow Lagos has been able to do it and it is because people are paying their taxes.”

     

    Education

    To ensure that those living in poor communities of the state have unrestricted access to good education, the administration upgraded schools in those areas. Schools in Ijora-Badia, Ajegunle, Amukoko, Okokomaiko and Makoko slums benefitted from the education programme. It went further to launch a free adult education programme, to take care of the illiterate adult communities that wanted to better its lots.

    The governor said the 552 centre would increase to 1000 and that 1000 teachers would be engaged to drive home government plans. The courses at the centre include: fashion designs, soap-making, bread-making, furniture, bricklaying and masonry.

    The Lagos State University (LASU), the College of Education Ijanikin, the Lagos State Polytechnic and other higher institutions in the state have witnessed relative peace, due to government commitment to enhanced learning environment. Teachers, principals and school administrators received their promotion, while fresh ones were employed.

     

    Oil exploration

    Lagos under Ambode joined the league of oil-producing states in the country. The emergence of Lagos as an oil-producing state would make it the undisputable largest economy in the country. Experts have even posited that Lagos has a larger economy than some African countries.

    The Group Executive Director of the Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, said it was a good development that Lagos is now a proud oil-producing state. Other companies have indicated interest to partner with Lagos to tap into the oil project. The venture will result in employment generation for Lagosians and other Nigerians.

    The executive director said the discovery of oil in Badagry would be a lot more attractive for investment, when prices begin to rise at the international oil market.

     

    Transportation

    The transportation system has also been enhanced under Ambode. He commissioned new luxury buses to ply routes such as Ikorodu-Mile 2, Lekki-Ajah and other highbrow areas of the state. The improvement resulted in employment for drivers, bus conductors and transport administrators. Members of the Road Transport Workers Association of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, recently urged the governor to build bus stops across the councils to cater for the need of commuters.

    The light rail project started under the past administration is moving according to plan. The waterways are also being integrated into the transport network, as more ferries are joining the existing commercial fleets. Thus, Lagosians are now making more use of the waterways to beat the traffic jams usually experienced in the metropolis.

     

    Housing, drainages

    The administration has also reformed the existing Rent-to-Own mortgage scheme, which is intended to make many Lagosians landlord. The Commissioner for Housing, Gbolahan Lawal, said the scheme is aimed at making housing more readily affordable and accessible for Lagosians.

  • Ambode: Facing 2017 with increased vigour

    When Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State delivered his epochal address at the Yoruba Tennis Club, Onikan in Lagos late last year, he reminded most history-minded observers about the vision of United States of America’s President, John F Kennedy when he was hosted by a joint session of the Congress on May 25, 1961. The US leader told the lawmakers of his ambitious dream to send an American to land on the moon before the end of that decade.

    It was a tall order because the world had only known of the unmanned Sputnik shock of the Soviet Union in 1957 and the feat of the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin who became the first man in space on April 12, 1961. He orbited Planet Earth to the consternation of the whole world. But now Kennedy was daring to overthrow that record with the goal of making man walk on the moon before 1970.

    His dream became a reality on July 20, 1969 when US astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped off the Apollo spacecraft onto the moon’s surface, scoffing those who mocked Kennedy as a daydreamer, turning the joke on those who said his plan was doomed to fail.

    Now, watchful Nigerian commentators are beginning to draw a comparison between Ambode’s yearning projection to make Lagos the third largest economy in Africa and Kennedy’s wild aspiration to take man to the moon. Both are transcendent ambitions that bring forth the ability of great leaders to overcome challenges that come with far-fetched dreams and visions.

    But then, what is a leader if he does not raise the bar of governance and administration if they don’t forsake old benchmark to create new ones.

    A purposeful leader must be marked by his knack to dream dreams with both eyes opened while others are snoring in sleep and allowing the world to go by in its settled state. A good leader would harness available resources, even if negligible, and bring into being new resources needed to create a fresh order thought to be unrealizable by those given to pedestrian thinking.

    That was what Ambode did when he presented his vision of the Lagos of the near future to members of the Yoruba Tennis Club 2016 Christmas Eve Dance. This is how he summed it: “We are committed to making our state globally competitive because by virtue of our indices. Lagos State has become a major city-state in the world. We are Africa’s fastest growing market and still the 5th largest economy in Africa with a GDP of $91billion. The drop in our GDP value from $131billion is as a result of the fluctuation in foreign exchange but our ultimate goal is grow our GDP to move from 5th to 3rd largest in Africa.”

    There is no magic to how it can be achieved just as there was no magic related to man’s conquest of the moon after the idea was broached to a disbelieving world.

    With a GDP of $91billion, Lagos is at the moment the 5th largest economy in Africa. It surpasses that of Ghana whose GDP is $38.6billion dollars. It is also bigger than those of a couple of Sub-Saharan nations put together. Lagos also has a population estimated at 24million, which again exceeds the total figure for a number of African and European countries. It is instructive to state that some 15.2million of these residents are in the bracket of the productive force, which puts Lagos as the state with the largest share of the working population down the Sahara. The state is also home to 65% of Nigeria’s business, hosting over 2,000 manufacturing companies, 200 financial institutions and the largest collection of small and medium enterprises in Africa.

    These are formidable statistics a visionary leader can wield to take the society to the acme of social and economic transformation. In the hands of an ordinary leader, they do not conjure a potential for radical greatness. But it is different with Governor Ambode. He is exploiting these facts and figures to call into being a Lagos that would leap into the league of the world’s major city-states like California and New York, both in the United States of America.

    The point I am making is that it takes a man with an Olympian mind with objectives that go beyond the ordinary to harness latent advantages into progressive reality even with all its corresponding challenges. For instance, planning revolutionary changes for Lagos brings with it numerous concerns such as infrastructure renewal, human capacity building and insecurity that come with a burgeoning population of immigrants seeking economic opportunities. These are by-products of urban development and the landing of a 24 hour economy Ambode is working out.

    The governor isn’t scared by the change to come. Indeed he is backing his vision with generous but pragmatic budgetary provision. He has improved on the capital-recurrent ratio in the 2017 Appropriation Bill just passed into law by the State House of Assembly. For the empowerment of the citizens, he is focusing on employment generation, youth emancipation and vocational training. The budget also plans to build what he has described as “world class infrastructure” to position Lagos as the 3rd largest economy in Africa.

    He is also reforming the solid waste collection and disposal profile to achieve the vision of a cleaner Lagos. Transportation has been schemed for upgrade with the government leveraging on water transportation in combination with rail and road networks for an integrated system that will reduce travel time and earn Lagos the tag of a 24 hour economy.

    Of course tourism has been identified as a key component of the agenda to diversify the Lagos economy, using Badagry, Lagos Island and Epe as hubs. In 2017Ambode has set aside N20billion for these tourism projections.

    Ambode told members of the Tennis Club that these strides of development would be heavily secured by a growing investment in power generation and distribution and more spending on security.

    And going by the success of the eight days, five centres, Lagos fiesta that dramatically changed the social landscape of the state during the end festive season, it is clear from the governor’s presentation that truly he has an achievable vision required to move Lagos from its present stage to a higher level befitting its name, first as the former capital of the giant of Africa and secondly as the economic power house of the Sub-Saharan region.

    Now that the 2017 budget has been signed into law, with the ambitious and plans embedded in it, there is no doubt that the governor and his team are ready to hit the ground running to make this year a better one than 2016.

    • Anibaba, an economist, wrote from Gbagada, Lagos.
  • Ooni charges Ambode on food security in South-West

    Ooni charges Ambode on food security in South-West

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has stressed the need for South–West states to integrate in some many areas including food security to develop the region.

    Ooni gave the charge when he visited the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, at his office in Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday.

    He emphasized that partnership on food security was important for the South West states to explore partnership for the benefit of the people.

    “We can partner in respect of food security. In Osun State, we have land for agriculture and same in Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti States,” the monarch said.

    “You will not believe that 80 per cent of all the products from those farmlands are wasted; it is only about 20 per cent that get to the metropolis of Lagos for consumption.

    He lamented that 80 percent of all the products from those farmlands are wasted, saying it is only about 20 percent that gets to Lagos State from Maiduguri.

    “If only we can synchronize and work together on how to take food security to another level.

    “Traditional rulers have great role to play, we should not leave everything to government. We must all come together because we are closer to our people than government, we should rally round government and support their wishes to encourage the government,” he added.

    Responding, Governor Ambode unveiled plans by his administration to integrate the six states in the South West region to the food security drive in addressing the demand and supply deficit for the overall benefit of the people.

    Ambode, who harped on his commitment to the economic growth and promotion of the traditional values and culture of the Yoruba nation, recalled that in the last one year, the state government joined the Oodua Investment Group in addition to the acquisition of land in Ogun and Oyo States for agricultural purposes.

    The governor said the government would scale up the economic integration of the South West states as well as the cultural heritage of the region.

  • Ambode signs N812.998b budget into law

    Ambode signs N812.998b budget into law

    •Governor: Nigeria will get out of recession this year

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has signed the N812.998 billion budget into law.
    At the Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday, the governor said the economy would bounce back.
    The budget represents N150.41billion increase from last year’s budget of N662.588billion.
    Capital expenditure is estimated at N507.816billion and Recurrent Expenditure N305.182billion.
    The governor said the budget would consolidate on the modest milestones recorded, adding that focus will be on infrastructure, economic, social/ security and sustainable environment.
    His words: “We are optimistic on the recovery of our economy this year. We are encouraged by the budget performance of last year, which stood at 78 per cent.
    “Our government is committed to prudent financial management and equitable allocation of resources for the general good and will ensure proper fiscal discipline in the implementation of this Appropriation Law.”
    He appealed for residents’ cooperation through prompt tax payment to ensure successful implementation of the budget.
    “We encourage all tax payers to continue in this spirit and also take advantage of available multi-pay channels in fulfilling their civic obligations. Do not pay to touts or illegal channels. Make sure your tax payments count.”
    Commissioner for Finance, Economic Planning and Budget Akinyemi Ashade said total revenue was estimated at N642.848billion with a deficit financing of N170.151billion.
    He explained that N476.309 billion representing 74 per cent of the total revenue will be generated internally; N166.539 billion representing 26 per cent is expected from federal transfer, including the 13 per cent derivation.
    Ashade said the State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) is expected to generate N360billion equivalent to 75 per cent of the total internal generated revenue.
    He added that N170.151billion deficit will be funded through a N100billion bond issuance programme and a combination of internal and external loans.
    “We intend to scale up the current two per cent revenue GDP ratio to five percent in 2017 and also bring in more people from the informal sector into the tax net as well as adoption of an automated single billing system.
    “We shall maintain zero tolerance to incidence of under declaration of income by tax payers in accordance with relevance laws.”
    On sectoral breakdown, Economic Affairs has the lion share with N296.717 billion representing 36.50 per cent. Social Protection has the lowest estimate of N6.180 billion representing 0.76 per cent.
    Others include General Public Service N207.155billion representing 25.48 per cent; Public Order N39.722 billion; Environment N56.569 billion; Housing and Community Amenities N50.344 billion; Health N51.447 billion; Recreation, Culture and Religion N12.419billion and Education N92.445billion.

  • Ambode appoints Private Secretary as new LASTMA GM

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday appointed his Principal Private Secretary, Mr. Olawale Musa, as the new General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

    Musa takes over from the former LASTMA GM, Bashir Braimoh, who has been redeployed to a yet unknown ministry.

    The new General Manager resumed work on Monday at the Oshodi headquarters of the traffic Agency.

    Addressing officers of LASTMA, Musa pledged his commitment to staff discipline and free flow of traffic on Lagos roads.

    He vows to ensure a highly mobile, efficient and effective traffic management system in the state.

    Musa said he would ensure that the agency worked in line with the best global practices, urging every LASTMA official to demonstrate discipline on duty, shun corruption and give adequate respect to road users.

    He called for the cooperation of motorists and members of the public in government’s effort to reposition the agency for better service delivery.

  • Ambode signs 2017 budget

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday signed the N812.998 billion 2017 budget into law.

    Ambode, who signed the budget at the Lagos House, Ikeja, expressed optimism that the country economy country will bounce back this year to bring the nation out of recession.

    The newly signed budget represents N150.41bn increase from N662.588bn for 2016. The budget capital expenditure is pegged at N507.816bn while the recurrent expenditure is N305.182bn.

    Ambode said the 2017 budget will consolidate on the modest milestones recorded in 2016, adding that focus will be on key areas of infrastructure, economic, social/ security and sustainable environment.

    The governor, “We are optimistic on the recovery of our national economy this year. We are encouraged by the budget performance of last year (2016) which stood at 78 per cent.

    “Our government is committed to prudent financial management and equitable allocation of resources for the general good and will ensure proper fiscal discipline in the implementation of this appropriation law.”

    He appealed to residents’ cooperation through prompt tax payment in order to ensure successful implementation of the budget.

    “We encourage all tax payers to continue in this spirit and also take advantage of available multi-pay channels in fulfilling their civic obligations. Do not pay to touts or illegal channels. Make sure your tax payments count.”

     

  • Ambode, One Lagos Fiesta and T.H.E.S.E

    In contrast to Napoleon Bonaparte, who once said that “the best way to keep one’s word is not to give it”, an uncompromising penchant for keeping his word has become the trademark of Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

    One of his most consistent campaign promises was to ensure that Lagos becomes the tourism and entertainment hub of Africa. The vehicle through which he hopes to achieve this is T.H.E.S.E – an acronym for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sporting Excellence. With the global drop in oil prices and the resultant economic downturns which our country currently experiences, the pursuit of T.H.E.S.E. is, indeed, a strategic platform for the much needed economic diversification. Since his assumption in office, Governor Ambode has left no one in doubt about his resolve to grow the Lagos economy and empower the youth through several alternative means which include the tactical promotion of tourism, entertainment and sports.

    Towards this end, Lagos has played host to quite a number of global and continental entertainment events. One of such is an evening of Jazz which the governor hosted in commemoration of 2016 International Jazz Day. Equally, the City of Lagos beat other major African cities to the hosting right of 2016 AFRIMA. Similarly, a one of its kind Lagos Street Party was held in 2016 while Lagos equally posted a remarkable showing at the 2016 edition of Nottingham and Toronto Carnivals. At the Toronto Carnival in particular, eight films by Lagos State-based filmmakers were selected for red-carpet premieres and screenings. Think of the mileage that this gives to Lagos and all the filmmakers not only in terms of publicity but business opportunities and exposure on such massive global platform.

    Governor Ambode’s tenacity in the advancement of T.H.SE.S.E is a reflection of his massive passion for the arts.  It will be recollected that during the campaign, music in particular, played a major role in the campaign train that brought the Governor into office. There were quite a number of artistes who were referred to as ‘Ambode ambassadors’, who supported his aspirations and dreams, which assisted him in giving the best communication campaign ever that would see a governor winning an election in Nigeria. Till date, the governor remains a major rally point for both established and budding national entertainers.

    In a bid to further concretize the plan to transform Lagos into an entertainment nucleus, in 2015 the Ambode administration expanded the scope of the annual Lagos Countdown, an event with which the state government ushers in the New Year. Now renamed One Lagos Fiesta, OLF, the 2016 edition which was on course for seven days clearly lived up to expectations as the euphoria it created is yet to wane, and excusably so.

    As it was the case in 2015, the event held concurrently across the five major divisions of the state viz- a -viz at Agege, Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu and Lagos Island. The plan is to guarantee that every part of the state was given the opportunity to have a taste of the stimulating experience. It is in further accomplishment of Ambode’s pledge to run an all-inclusive government in which every segment of the society is not left out in the scheme of things. Indeed, one of the core objectives of the OLF was to foster unity among all classes and groups of people in Lagos. This is quite imperative in view of the multi-ethnic and mixed religion character of Lagos which has made the metropolis to be termed a ‘mini Nigeria’. Certainly, the inevitability for unity in such a multi-ethnic metropolis as Lagos cannot be overstressed.

    A major unique trait of the 2016 edition of OLF was the profound participation of the private sector. In order to mirror the philosophy of the Ambode administration, the seven–day long event had sufficient private sector interest. This is a deliberate strategy by the state government to fully involve the private sector in the grand scheme to make Lagos the destination of choice for diverse people across the world. In doing this, the state government is just toeing a well-established and rewarding universal path. In adopting this strategy, government is not abdicating its responsibilities but essentially releasing scarce resources for other equally important projects thus creating a win-win situation for the government and the private enterprise as well. The participation of corporate sponsors such as GLO, NBL, MIKANO and others helped turn the fiesta into a massive entertainment project, whose memory will be cherished by many Lagosians for a long time.

    One other key highlight of the fiesta was its perfect security arrangement. That such a massive event was held across five different locations in the state without any security breach is a reflection of the impact of the state government’s massive investment in public security. From the outset, the vision of the Ambode administration is to make Lagos Africa’s Model Megacity and Global Economic and Financial Hub. This can only become a reality if every minute of the 24 hours in a day could be properly harnessed in a secured and safer environment. This explains why most cities that operate 24/7 economy place immense emphasis on getting the security right. A major defining act of the state government since June 2015 is the strengthening of security mechanism in the state through the purchase and deployment of surveillance helicopters, utility and operational vehicles, power bikes, armoured tanks and others worth billions of naira to the state Police Command.   Till date, the governor and his team are not looking back in the onerous task of ensuring a safe and secured Lagos where investors get adequate returns on their investments.

    The 2016 OLF further provided a boost for the attainment of T.H.E.S.E. in the state as the entertainment and tourism sectors received extensive momentum for growth courtesy high demand for related services and products during and after the event. Entertainment spots that were close to the locations of the event actually cashed in on its economic impact. In terms of empowerment, the event created over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for diverse professionals who were engaged in sundry aspects such as publicity, lightning, engineering, decoration, carpentry, welding, painting, catering etc.

    Similarly, with over 50 local artistes on hand to perform at the event, both budding and established artistes were availed the platform to up their act and directly connect with their fans. This has helped a lot of them to pep up their fan base. Indeed, some new artistes that were discovered prior to the main event were given the opportunity to share the stage with renowned stars such as King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Queen Salawa Abeni, Dr. Adewale Ayuba, Sir. Sina Peters, Haruna Ishola Jnr, Tiwa Savage, Phyno, Falz, Olamide, Dr. Sid, Olu Maintain, Big Sheff and a host of others.

    Now, what does 2017 holds for T.H.E.S.E? 2017, no doubt, would further provide a huge boost for the promotion of Ambode administration’s T.H.E.S.E. policy thrust.  With all hands on deck for the state’s Golden Jubilee anniversary later this year, the art, entertainment, tourism and other such related sectors are, once again, in for a great deal.

     

    • Adeyemi is Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

  • Ambode onstage

    A December 11, 2016, performance by LUFODO Productions at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, was gripping enough to hold the attention of Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. After seeing a play titled Heart beat The Musical…A New Beginning, Ambode was quoted as saying:  “I never believed I could sit down for two hours, I thought I would just pop in briefly and then leave, but this is awesome and fantastic, I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

    What glued Ambode to his seat was the power of the performance. When a performance amounts to non-performance, the audience recognises that it has been short-changed.  This is because performance and non-performance are not and cannot be the same thing. The governor was impressed by the play written by Toyin Otudeko.

    It was a fitting time and place to unveil Ambode’s plan to build theatres where plays like the one he “thoroughly enjoyed” would be performed to appreciative audiences.  He said: “The mere fact that I believe strongly in arts, entertainment and sports, everything that is arts, like I said, before the end of next year, we are going to have five new theatres in Lagos. We are already engaging the Terra Kulture and we are speaking to another consultant and the truth is that we want to have the theatres in Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Alimosho and on the Mainland. We already have one in Victoria Island. But the truth is that this is where the energy of Lagos is and that is where we should go.”

    The governor’s rationale was food for thought: “It’s not so much about physical infrastructure, but 67 per cent of the Lagos population is below the age of 35, so we need to start finding things to keep the younger ones more creative and then open the space for them to be able to just show their talents.”

    It is interesting that a year before he became the state’s helmsman, Ambode in May 2014 published a piece in celebration of Lagos State’s 47th anniversary.  Ambode said in the piece titled “Happy Anniversary, Lagos State”: “As Lagos turns fifty in the next three years, therefore, the future beckons on whoever would take over the baton in the relay of enduring people-friendly policies to solidify and build on these worthy legacies.” His reference to legacies was a tribute to the governmental accomplishments of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who governed the state from 1999 to 2007, and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola who succeeded Tinubu.

    When he spoke about building new theatres, Ambode also said that his administration was looking forward to the climax of the celebration of the state’s 50th anniversary in May, adding that the festivities would be spiced up with several events promoting the arts and entertainment sector. In other words, the Ambode administration is preparing for a mega celebration.

    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.

    Ambode has responded to megacity challenges with attention-grabbing actions.  It is noteworthy that when in November 2015 the Ambode administration donated modern security equipment worth over N4bn to the Nigeria Police Force, President Muhammadu Buhari described the donation as a “remarkable feat.” Buhari urged other state governments to “emulate Lagos State by supporting security agencies that are trying to keep us safe.”  Ambode’s exemplary donation was of national significance because security is significant.

    Food is significant too. Food is a hierarch in the hierarchy of needs. When in March 2016 the Ambode administration signed a record-setting agriculture-related Memorandum of Understanding with Kebbi State’s Atiku Bagudu administration, it was an exemplary move towards a much-needed agricultural revolution in the country. “This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that two states are collaborating to develop their agricultural potential,” Ambode had declared. The logic of this agricultural partnership and how it will enable national food sufficiency and food security, apart from its employment-generation possibilities, is compelling and commendable.

    These two instances should be numbered among the remarkable responses by the Ambode administration to the evolving megalopolis. There is no doubt that the governor’s holistic governance style has touched and continues to touch critical areas in need of gubernatorial intervention. He has proved to be a leader that takes his own words seriously by effectively moving from words to deeds.

    “If we take the concept of resource generation, allocation and distribution into cognisance and apply the principles of good governance, we will achieve economic growth and development,” Ambode said while presenting a paper titled “Public Finance: Probity and Accountability” at a workshop organised in August 2014 by the Lagos State Government and the Lagos Business School. Also, in a newspaper interview he shed light on his understanding of good governance, which is an essential aspect of his vision:”In essence, the elected government is like a caretaker for the rest of the people, overseeing their resources on their behalf. The citizens remain the landlord while the elected officials are only caretakers. Arising from this, good government can only thrive where the resources of the people are judiciously distributed to various sectors/needs in the society in a just and equitable manner that makes life easier for every person.”

    Ambode’s cultural focus shows that his understanding of “needs in the society” is not narrow and simplistic. When the promised 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. The beauty of Ambode’s cultural imagination is the promise of civilisation. It is undeniable that cultural production has a potentially civilising influence. It is this core value that the new theatres are expected to bring to Lagos life.

    Ambode has demonstrated that he is no philistine, which is a plus for a modern political administrator. The new theatres are expected to create a fertile ground for a variety of cultural services that will boost the spirit of the megacity. If Lagos is seen as a theatre with Governor Ambode onstage, it is easy to see that this performer is performing and his performance deserves applause.

  • Groups laud Ambode on achievements

    Groups laud Ambode on achievements

    Some Lagos State-based political groups have hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his efforts in making life better for residents.
    The groups include the Awori Youth Vanguard (AYV); Lagosians Future Group (LFG); Akinwunmi Ambode Movement Organisation (AAMO); Asiwaju National Forum (ANF); De-Fash Movement (DFM); Akinwunmi Grassroot Movement (AGM); Akinwunmi Ambode for Governor Projects (AAGP) among others.
    They described the governor as an exemplary leader who places premium on the welfare of the people.
    The groups, which spoke through its General Coordinator, Mr Seyi Bamigbade at their general meeting, said over 20 political groups, even from the opposition party are backing the governor.
    He said members of the groups cut across the local governments and local council development areas.
    Bamigbade said the groups took the decision after being convinced of Governor Ambode’s leadership qualities, general concern for the common man and efforts to make life more meaningful for residents.
    According to Bamigbade, the level of transformation in the mega city , restructuring in civil service for better performance,  concern for youths and retirees, improvement in primary education, special attention to peoples’ health, transparent governance, road infrastructure and tackling traffic headlong across the state deserve qualify him for his a second term.
    Mr Bamigbade, appealed to Lagosians to support the programmes and policies of the governor to ensure continuity and make Lagos a preferred state to live in.

  • New Year: We’ll not disappoint, says Ambode

    New Year: We’ll not disappoint, says Ambode

    •Aregbesola: no abandoned projects
    •2017 for positive change, says Akeredolu

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday expressed optimism that the New Year will present limitless opportunities and happiness for residents.

    He restated his commitment to initiate programmes and policies that will further showcase the state’s progress.

    “Our vision remains the same: to create a smart mega city where business and creative opportunities abound; where physical and social amenities are world class; and where lives and property are safe and secure.”

    The governor spoke at the grand finale of the 2016 One Lagos Fiesta held at the Bar Beach front in Victoria Island to usher in the New Year.

    “Welcome to 2017, our anniversary year as Lagos will be 50. Lagos is the smallest, oldest, richest, most populous and most prosperous state in Nigeria.

    “We are undoubtedly the world’s largest and most celebrated black city-state.

    “We also recognise the need to reflect and be strategic and this is why our approach to governance has been low in hype and flop but high in performance.

    “We promise not to disappoint you in this New Year,” he said.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, in his New Year message, said: “This year, 2017, is going to be our year of consolidation.

    “We are going to consolidate on all our programmes, especially in education, agriculture and road infrastructure.

    “We are not going to abandon any of our projects. It is going to be our busiest year so far.

    “We have great hope and faith that 2017 will be the best year for us and all the people of Osun.”

    The governor admitted that last year was full of  trials, travails and tests but “it was also a year of great victory and accomplishments”.

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose reassured the people of his administration’s  determination to provide more dividends of democracy for them.

    The governor, in his New Year message, urged Nigerians to hope for a better nation in 2017.

    He urged leaders to be fair and equitable in the way they treat Nigerians.

    Fayose said: “Within available resources, we can boldly say that we have tried our best in the provision of projects and services for our people.

    “We have also touched every part of the state and we are not relenting.

    “Despite the financial challenges we are facing, our administration is assuring the people of more quality leadership. We are undaunted.

    “Our hope in God for a better tomorrow for the people of Ekiti State is not shaken and we are assuring the people that we are on course.”

    Ondo State Governor-elect Rotimi Akeredolu said the New Year will mark the beginning of new thinking and new actions in Ondo State.

    He assured the people of a New Year of all-encompassing positive changes.

    Akeredolu urged the people to support the incoming administration to implant a culture of integrity in public service.

    He called on politicians and public servants to be prepared to make sacrifices.

    In his message titled: “Ondo State Will Rise Again” signed by his media adviser, Yemi Olowolabi, the governor-elect said the state has natural endowments and abundant human resources waiting to be harnessed.

    He reiterated his determination to run a transparent government that is irrevocably committed to developing the state.