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Tag: Ambode

  • 59 casual workers petition Ambode

    59 casual workers petition Ambode

    Fifty-nine casual workers with the Lagos State Judiciary have appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to regularise their appointment.

    The 28 court recorders and 31 judicial assistants claimed that they were employed between 2005 and 2009, adding that their appointment has not been regularised since then.

    In their July 17 petition to Ambode, the workers claimed that life has become unbearable for them as they are paid peanuts.

    The workers said they were paid between N30,000 and N40,000 monthly, noting that their colleagues on regular appointment are paid three times that amount.

    The petition was signed by their representatives, among who are S.O Fajuyi, O. Aderibigbe, O.A. Fatogun, A.O. Adeshoye and K.A. Ologbonori.

    It was sent to the governor through the Chief Judge, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission and Chief Registrar of the High Court.

    The petition reads: “The above category of workers wish to intimate you of their condition of service under the High Court of Lagos  and equally solicit your assistance in improving same.

    ” The first set of these categories of workers were employed in 2005 vide a letter dated October 6, 2005, titled, “Contract Employment”  and issued by the Lagos State Judiciary Service Commission dated 6 October, 2005. The contract was modified to a two year renewable contract on 21 April, 2006. Other sets of these workers were subsequently employed between 2006 and 2009.

    “We came into this establishment as young men and women, armed with various qualifications and professional experiences, with the sole aim of rendering our services diligently to the success of this great state.

    “It is however with heavy heart that we beseech you to come to our aid.  We plead with you to help restructure our present status”.

  • We’ll replicate Dubai Marina in Badagry, Epe, says Ambode

    We’ll replicate Dubai Marina in Badagry, Epe, says Ambode

    •Governor inspects roads, housing projects

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday vowed that his administration will replicate the Dubai Marina project in Badagry and Epe axis to harness the state tourism potentials.

    The governor revealed this while fielding questions from reporters after embarking on inspection of on-going projects in Epe, Lekki and Ajah axis.

    He said the government has decided to develop its tourist sites that could match the best in the world to boost its economic prosperity.

    “The road will be dualised with about five metres of walkway to make it pedestrian friendly. The intention is to build a modern Marina that can compete with others worldwide. We have already incorporated some of the world Marina design into the project.

    “There might be some hotel and malls that will encourage 24-hour commercial activities. It will be a mega terminal for water transportation,” Ambode said.

    The governor added that the Badagry-Marina Lagoon reclamation project would be completed by the end of August. He said the Epe-Marina Lagoon reclamation project was a complete redevelopment plan to facilitate growth of the area and promote tourism.

    Ambode explained that the government gave the project to a contractor, FCC Construction Company, based on what they had achieved in the construction sector.

    He said: “The reason we embarked on these projects simultaneously is to actually duplicate what you see in Dubai-Marina. This is a whole stretch of two kilometres of real estate and new tourist centres that we are putting in Epe and Badagry at the same time.

    “We believe strongly that coming out from our retreat that we said we are going to grow the IGR of Lagos State by 2017 to N30 billion and by 2018 to N50 billion. We believe that some of these projects that we are commencing now are just inlets to our dream of growing the IGR.

    “We believe that by the time we expand the tourist potentials of the state, especially Badagry and Epe, we will be able to get new investors into the state. They will be doing other things away from what we already have at the moment.”

    The governor, who was accompanied on the inspection by some top government functionaries, also inspected the Adeniji Adele transport interchange outward Third Mainland Bridge, where he ordered massive enforcement against illegal dropping and picking of passengers at undesignated bus stops.

    Ambode also inspected the on-going rehabilitation and upgrading of Freedom Road and Admiralty Way in Lekki, as well as the on-going bridge being constructed at Ajah Roundabout.

  • Ambode hails renaissance group

    Ambode hails renaissance group

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has lauded the Renaissance Group for the distribution of 300 GCE forms to promising youths in the Epe division of the state.

    He gave the commendation at the Epe Local Government Area Secretariat during the presentation of the forms to beneficiaries.

    Represented by the Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr Kehinde Joseph, Ambode noted that education is as the bedrock of development that can drive innovation and provide solutions to human problems.

    He said that it is in realisation of this fact that the state government has continued to give education adequate attention as amplified through of its free education policy in public primary and secondary schools in the state.

    The governor urged other organisations and well-meaning individuals to emulate the good gesture of Renaissance Group.

    Renaissance Group chairman Mr Biodun Muritala had earlier stated that education and capacity building of youths within Epe Division was one of the cardinal programmes of the group, to  expand access of disadvantaged students to education and engender general interest in education.

    According to him, more than 500 youths have benefited from the programme.

    Mr Muritala commended the governor for his leadership and philanthropist posture which he noted has motivated the group to embark on the humanitarian programme since its commencement three years ago.

    He challenged beneficiaries of the programme to put in their very best in the GCE exam, promising that the group will offer scholarship to the best student in each Local Government and Local Council Development area within the division to further their education at the higher institution.

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Ibrahim Monsurat, promised they will put in their best to reciprocate thesponsors gesture.

     

  • Ambode: we’ll rescue Oniba from his abductors

    Ambode: we’ll rescue Oniba from his abductors

    Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode has said everything is being done to rescue the abducted Oniba of Iba, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni.

    The governor presided over an emergency Security Council meeting on Monday attended by heads of security agencies in the state. He said efforts were on to make kidnapping a thing of the past in the state.

    Briefing reporters at the end of the meeting, Police chief, Fatai Owoseni said government and the security agencies were bothered about kidnapping, adding that efforts are on to rescue all those kidnapped recently including Oba Oseni.

    “What we want to assure the people is that we are putting efforts together to ensure that not just the monarch is rescued but also other victims of kidnapping and we will bring those criminals to justice,” Owoseni said.

    The emergency security council meeting, he said, was to appraise security issues.

    On kidnapping, Owoseni said: “All of us are bothered. As the people are bothered, government is bothered and law enforcement institutions are bothered. We are looking at the issue of kidnapping and the only thing we can tell the good people in Lagos is that government is doing everything possible and is deploying all arsenal of the state towards ensuring that we put a stop to all these and at the same time seize this opportunity to tell the fellows engaging in these activities to channel their energy to lawful conduct because there is no excuse to say that because they cannot vandalise the pipelines again, that is why they are resorting to all these soft targets kidnapping.

    “They should divert their energy into productive use. The government has opened up lots of opportunities for people that want to access soft loans for small scale businesses and industries; the Bank of Industry (BoI) for instance is there, they have been putting up adverts, let them have a change of mind, drop their weapons, access these funds that government at the state and federal levels had created and for those of them that have certificates and saying that yes we have stopped bunkering and there is no other thing for us to do, there are platforms that have been created by government for them to be meaningfully employed.”

    Also yesterday Deputy Governor Idiat Oluranti Adebule appealed to the abductors to release the monarch.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos, Dr Adebule said the monarch would be rescued soon and be re united with his family and subjects.

    As custodians of traditional norms and institution, she said, royal fathers deserved honour and respect from the citizenry, adding that the state is working with the security operatives to rescue of the monarch.

    Dr Adebule urged law enforcement agencies to ensure that the monarch is rescued unhurt.

    “To the law enforcement agencies, we know they are trying which is why we have being enjoying peace in Lagos state, but they need to step up their intelligence gathering to fast track the rescue of the monarch,” she said.

  • Ambode hailed on efforts to link communities

    Ambode hailed on efforts to link communities

    The Sole Administrator of Agboyi Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Alhaji Rasak Ilelaboye, has hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for initiating a move to link Agboyi communities with Alapere, Ketu and the rest of Lagos State through the building of an overhead bridge.

    Ilelaboye, who addressed reporters during the visit of a special team sent by the governor from the Ministry of Works and Housing to assess the area, said it was good that Agboyi communities would be opened to the rest of the world.

    The team that visited the riverine communities included the Commissioner for Works, Ganiyu Johnson, Commissioner for Housing Prince Gbolahan Lawal, Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Security Mr. Ganiu Okanlomo Sanni, Surveyor-General Olutomi Ajose Sangowawa and others.

    Agboyi communities have been an island for ages, where people have to cross the river through a boat to connect the three communities. But with the intervention by the government, an overhead bridge will be constructed to link the communities with the rest of the communities in the LCDA.

    Ilelaboye said: “This will be the second time the team will visit the area since I assumed office as the sole administrator. It is an indication that Governor Ambode means well for the residents. Somebody made Victoria Island, what it is today. The people of Agboyi will never forget Governor Ambode for taking this bold step.”

    “Today’s visit is a follow up. As you can see, the people are happy because Agboyi 1, 2 and 3 will be linked. Not only that, schools will be established here, hospitals will be established here, a housing estate will also be sited. Economic activities in the area will increase.”

    According to him, “the people have been sensitised. I have been doing that since I became the sole administrator. They have nothing to fear. The baale, chiefs and residents are carried along. We will all enjoy. I also told them that this governor, who is a God-given governor, fulfils promises.”

     

  • Oba-elect petitions Ambode over plot to kidnap him

    Oba-elect petitions Ambode over plot to kidnap him

    An Oba-elect, Babatunde Olarinde of Oguntedo Town in OriAde Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, has petitioned Governor Akinwunmi Ambode over threat to kidnap and kill him.

    Olarinde’s petition, a copy of which made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, alleged that one Mr Tunde Faduola and some others were after his life.

    The petitioner, of Ajoa Oluokun Family in Oguntedo Town situated along Lagos/Badagry Expressway, urged Ambode to protect and save his life from his alleged assailants.

    Olarinde, a lawyer, in his petition, said that he awarded a contract to Faduola which he failed to execute.

    He said he later revoked the agreement signed between them.

    “Faduola arrested and later charged me to court. Faduola’s wife, a retired police officer, also aided in locking me up at Ogba Police Station and at the State Police Command, Ikeja.

    “These people conspired together to eliminate me. I have remained indoors since November 2015. I wrote a petition to the police and DSS, but there was no response.

    “I hereby appeal to the Lagos State Governor to investigate the matter thoroughly to save my life,’’ the petitioner said.

    When NAN contacted Faduola on phone, he acknowledged knowing Olarinde and said that the oba-elect is owing him.

    “I know Chief Olarinde. He owes me a lot of money; in fact, the case is currently in court,’’ he said.

    Faduola, however, denied ever threatening the life of the petitioner and hurriedly switched off his phone.

  • Ambode reiterates zero tolerance to noise pollution

    Ambode reiterates zero tolerance to noise pollution

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday restated his administration’s resolve to enforce regulations on noise pollution.

    He spoke when the MTN Foundation distributed 250 hearing aid devices to some people, including children less than one year old.

    It is the first phase of MTN Hearing Aid Support Project, during which 1,500 devices will be distributed to hard-of-hearing persons in six states of the country.

    The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Primary Health, Dr. Femi Onanuga, stressed that no individual or corporate organisation would be spared in government’s renewed onslaught against defaulters.

    He urged the beneficiaries to join the campaign against noise pollution.

    The governor’s wife Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, described MTN as a company with a high sense of commitment to the execution of corporate social responsibilities.

    Handing the device to some beneficiaries, Mrs. Ambode said: “All these years, the company has maintained a clear lead in diligent fulfilment of its social covenant with the people and society. Its outreaches have touched a large percentage of the population across all age categories”.

    She said the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) would do a similar programme later in the year, urging the beneficiaries to use the devices as instructed and also handle them with care.

    Earlier, MTN Foundation Director Mr. Denis Okoro spoke of the foundation’s commitment to the continuous upliftment of challenged persons.

  • Lagos ’ll tap tourism potential, says Ambode

    Lagos ’ll tap tourism potential, says Ambode

    Lagos State will tap the full potential of its diverse cultures and tourism in its determination to diversify the economy, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    He spoke at the Ikeja Division’s Colloquium to mark the state’s 50 years celebration, which took place at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, on Saturday.

    He said the Golden Jubilee celebration was an opportunity to tap the state vast potential in tourism to create new investment and jobs for youths.

    At the event in which the co-Chairman of the Lagos @50 Festival, Prof. Wole Soyinka, made brief appearance, Ambode, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Mrs. Aramide Giwason, said the governmentwould ensure that all divisions of the state display their rich cultural heritage.

    On the theme of the colloquium: “Hidden cultures and multiple identities in Lagos”, a speaker, Dr. Olu. Adewale Adeniran, urged the government to focus on Badagry, which he described as a treasure trove of culture and hub of tourism.

    Adeniran, who is the director of the Osogbo, Osun State-based Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU), said most cultures and languages, especially in that axis, might go into extinction, if government failed to intervene.

    He called on the government, to, in conjunction with the Federal Government, begin the process of ensuring that the Sangbeto-Sowero, was listed by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a global culture.

    He recommended that government should begin to build employment opportunities around local industries involved in creation of the regalia and costumes of some of the masquerades, and the transfer of knowledge of the chants, incantations and songs inherent in some of them.

    He said some of the cultures and languages of the people were under intense threat from “imported religions” like Christianity and Islam, which, he added,were out to “kill any form or trace of paganism in the lives of the new converts in their quest for a new promise of heaven”.

    He said if government was desirous of building a culture-based and tourism economy, it should begin by improving on the road network and construct decent and affordable hotels around Ajara, Badagry, Porto Novo and Topo and Igolo, and encourage tourists to some of these sites that were almost extinct.

    Welcoming dignitaries to the event, Chairman of the Ikeja Division of the festival, Chief Olawale Cole, said the colloquium was designed to bring to the front-burner the hidden cultures and multiple identities of the division as part of the investment and tourism potential of the area.

    He promised that the committee would continue to brainstorm to bring the cultural potential of other nationalities that made up the division to the fore.

    Speaking at the event, Soyinka’s co-chairman Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi praised the governor for his commitment to culture and tourism.

    He said the sector, if properly managed, could generate huge direct and indirect employment for youths.

     

    He noted that the network of roads and the light-up Lagos project, which is going round the state, would change the face of the economy and stimulate the private sector to drive the process.

    Hailing Adeniran for his”brilliant paper”, Gbadamosi said the colloquium would stimulate debate that would lead to the revival of some of the cultures and practices threatened by modernity.

    He thanked the Ikeja Division for blazing the trail and contributing richly to the celebration.

  • Ambode keen on flood-free Lagos, says commissioner

    Ambode keen on flood-free Lagos, says commissioner

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will ensure a flood-free Lagos in his fight against the effects of climate change, Commissioner for the Environment  Dr. Babatunde Adejare has said.

    Adejare spoke at a one-day media workshop organised by Coastal Cities at Risk Project in Lagos.

    He said the state invested in effective drainage system and created an enabling environment for private sector participation in waste disposal and flood prevention.

    The commissioner, who decried the attitude of some residents practising open defecation and improper disposal of waste, said about 13,000 tons of waste are generated daily, which the state lacks the financial and technical capacity to evacuate.

    This, he said, necessitated  heavy participation by the private sector.

    “There are houses in Lagos, which do not have proper toilets and the landlady is collecting rents, people throw away refuse in our drainages causing flooding, Lagos does not have the capacity yet to take waste management to the level it should be, so we need more capacity in that respect.

    ‘’We need to realise that governance is shared responsibility between government and the people,” Adejare said.

    On waste management, the commissioner said the Olusosun dump would be shut by December.

    “The governor has directed and I will do it, we want to have a standardised waste management system in place,” he said.

    The workshop, with the theme: “Building capacity towards effective communication and agenda setting for enhancing resilience to climate change in Lagos,” focused on the report of a research on coastal cities at risk of climate change.

    The project was carried by researchers at the Department of Geography, University of Ibadan, and focuses on the effects of climate change on Lagos, and other cities, such as Thailand’s Bangkok, Canada’s Vancouver and Manila in the Philippines.

    The team leader for Lagos Dr. Ibidun Adelekan said Lagos would be one of the five cities at most risk of climate change by 2030, from 10.

    Adelekan said sea level has risen by 63.6mm over the 20 year period with an average rate of 3.18mm per year.

    The team leader also said increased urbanization especially in Lekki and Ajah areas of the state has given rise to heavy rainfall and urban flash flooding, storm surge, windstorm and frequency and severity of climate hazards and associated risks have increased in Lagos since the turn of the century.

  • ATPN advises Ambode on Tarzan Jetties

    The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) has called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State to reconsider his decision to seal off the Ikoyi Jetty of Gani Tarzan  Boats and unilaterally revoke the lease agreement the state entered with the water transport company to use some jetties in Lagos as a springboard to develop water transportation in the state and access islands in the state for touristic purposes.

    The President of ATPN, Malan Kabir, in a release titled ‘No, Governor Ambode’, said it was unfortunate that after spending and putting in so much to develop water transportation in the state, hostility is now being visited on Gani Tarzan Boats by the state government.

    His words: “When Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s government approached the Managing Director of Tarzan Jetty,  Mr. Ganiyu Balogun (De Boatman), to invest in the hitherto waterlogged areas to complement the government efforts of easing the monstrous traffic jams, little did the boatman imagine that a day would come when he would be thrown out.

    “When he was encouraged by the then government to rehabilitate the marshy and waterlogged areas, as a businessman, he took it very seriously. He brought his expertise and funds and invested. It became a very good service to the people who moved around daily for their daily bread. He greatly contributed in making things easy for the transportation of hundreds of people.

    “Now the order being given by the government of Ambode is, to say the least, unfortunate. This certainly will send a wrong signal to both local and international tourism investors in the state. Because tourism has a long gestation period where one makes investments and waits to reap the benefits at much later years. This is exactly what Tarzan Balogun and his company did. He made his investments and now it is time for him to recoup his investments”.

    The ATPN, therefore, advised Lagos State to handle the matter properly. The association called for dialogue. It said the state should look back at the days when the state jetties were yearning for development.

    It continued: “We, members of the ATPN, are watching carefully how this issue is resolved. It will help us shape our thoughts. Lagos State must stop and pursue the path of dialogue. This will give the necessary confidence investors need, especially tourism investors, whose investments take a long period to mature.”

    It would be recalled that last month, the Lagos State government shut down Tarzan Boats’ loading jetty at Ikoyi, Lagos and ordered him to vacate the jetties which the company allegedly leased from the state for 25 years.