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Tag: Ambode

  • T.H.E.S.E Ambode sef…

    T.H.E.S.E Ambode sef…

    WHY should any State in Nigeria want to beat Lagos State to tourism power? Has any in France beaten Paris to the game? Has any in Italy beaten Milan to it? Why should small fries take advantage of the advantages that Lagos has failed to harness to fake a leap to lead spots in tourism and entertainment?

    For decades, Paris, a trendy city in the heart of France has maintained its identity as the art and fashion hub of Europe and a leading tourist destination in the world; so is Rio, the pride of Brazil which is described as the most visited city in the southern hemisphere, known for its natural settings and carnivals, while Dubai remains the business and cultural hub of the Middle East of modern appeal.

    A comedian while wooing his crowd in Calabar last December said to them: “I’m now getting popular in Lagos oo.” Such is the spirit – you are yet to start for real as an entertainer if you have not been ‘bathed in the Lagos waters’. The state remains the entertainment hub, not just for music artistes who have fought their way to stardom, coming from far away Jos, Abuja, Enugu, Bayelsa, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Uyo, Warri, Kaduna and other parts of the country, but also for the Nigerian motion picture industry called Nollywood. Therefore, if Lagos is where the success of music and film starts and ends, what is left for rivals to latch upon?

    The Gambian economy is predominantly dependant on tourism. But what does the country sell other than beach resorts that thrive on serene environment, clean waters, scorching sun and security for revellers. Lagos has more, with potential even for more when you consider its entertainment centers, historical sites, cultural events, natural landscape and topography traversed by sea and lagoon waters, enormous beaches and waterfronts, sea foods and other numerous delicacies that define a true metropolitan city.

    However, the missing gap has been the inability of leaders to harness these beauties for the all-important social and economic benefits, thereby letting these unique materials to continue to beg for a messiah. Now, we have one.

    For the first time, what seems like a strategic programme of action was pronounced as part of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s entertainment and tourism agenda for Lagos State during his political campaign as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    I find the T.H.E.S.E acronym quite pungent in harnessing the creative sector’s variables that are capable of stimulating the economy through alternative IGRs, even as it tends to empower the youths and make Lagos a fun city desirable by all.

    I could see T.H.E.S.E, a Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment/Arts Sports for Excellence project taking off with a new romance being extended to players in the entertainment industry. In the last quarter of last year, the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) had a different experience in Lagos, hosting filmmakers and enthusiasts from Africa and the Diaspora, who explored as many entertainment centers as possible. Also, with the support given to EbonyLife’s Fifty movie by the Lagos State Government and its Ministry of Culture and Tourism, headed by Foli Coker, entrepreneurs who had sought succour for their projects in states other than Lagos appear to be returning to base.

    One major event which also defined Ambode’s government’s readiness to walk the talk was the One Lagos Fiesta, a five-day concert staged across five Lagos communities – Ikorodu, Epe, Agege, Badagry and Lagos Island – and parading performing artistes too numerous to mention.

    The event which used to hold solely at the Bar Beach water front, probably partly for security reasons had its first test run in the five communities without a single case of violence. Interestingly, Lagos is fast restoring the confidence of revellers in line with Ambode’s campaign promises. No doubt, the level of commercial activities at the One Lagos Fiesta environs is what the traders would wish had continued, even as the success story remains an attraction and sense of belonging to visitors and tourists alike.

    However, one major put-off for visitors yearning to come to Lagos is the terrible traffic condition that has come to be associated with the city. But with 114 roads earmarked for construction and reconstruction by the incumbent administration, including the Blue Light Rail project from Marina, there is no doubt that the impossibles will begin to happen in terms of free traffic flow and access road networks.

    What more does the Lagos economy needs to make exploit? T.H.E.S.E Ambode sef… using his pedigree as a public finance and management-consulting expert to make more people want to see Lagos before they die. Na wah.

  • Nigeria’s unity is paramount, says Ambode

    Nigeria’s unity is paramount, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said the cohesion of Nigeria was paramount, urging Nigerians to embrace peace.

    He stated this at this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held at the National Arcade, Lagos.

    Aside remembering all fallen heroes, the governor said it was important for Nigerians to dedicate their lives to Project Nigeria because the country’s unity is more important than anything and anyone.

    “Without them (fallen heroes), there will be no Nigeria. So, it is also important that we all should dedicate our lives and also remember that the position of Nigeria is significant and important for all of us to be together.

    “The unity of Nigeria is more important than anything you can think of. It is only when we are united that we can make progress. That is why we are so particular about the development of this country.

    “The country is bigger than any individual, and we advice all Nigerians that the cohesion and unity of Nigeria is paramount at this moment.”

    Similarly, Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, urged Nigerians to pray for members of the Armed Forces as well as see the celebration as a period to redouble efforts to keep Nigeria together.

    In his remark, Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu, noted that remembering fallen heroes was a must-do task, urging Nigerians to unite to ensure peace and progress.

    Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), BEECROFT, Commodore Abraham Adaji, said everyone has a stake in ensuring that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes are not in vain.

    “We all have a stake to ensure that their sacrifice is not in vain. Everyone needs to be cautious in their utterances, conduct and the way we live so that our heroes that we are remembering today and their sacrifices will not be in vain,” he said.

    However, Lagos State Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Col. Fola Akande, decried the high cost of purchasing emblems from the headquarters, calling on the government to revert to the old price.

    He also noted that the pensions being paid were low, appealing to the President to implement the review he promised the legion.

    He said: ‘’We don’t have any issue with pension in the legion. There is nobody who is entitled to pension that is not getting it except for a few, which could be a problem of omission.

    ‘’The only problem is that the pension being paid is lower than what should be paid.

    “Normally, they promote people in service and increase their salary the same time with our pension. But for the past five years, they were increasing their salary without increasing ours.

    ‘’Although the President had promised that after this December he will look into the matter, we are pleading that they speed up the action.

    ‘’As for the widows who were left behind, there is no contribution from the government. But we have tendered our problem to the Lagos State Government and we know that something will be done about it.

    ‘’There are many widows who have no one to cater for them and they have children with school fees to pay.

    ‘’Even we who are alive, we know it is not easy to pay school fees, not to talk of those without parents. But we have narrated our problems to the state government.

    ‘’We also ask that the price of the emblem be reduced. The purpose for selling it is to gather money for the poor people like the widows, sick and disabled people and the children.

    ‘’The emblem sells for N2000, which is too much. In those days we get 40, 000 emblems for N40,000,’’ he said.

    Also at the event were the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Funmilayo Atilade; the Deputy Governor, Idiat Omobule and Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, among others.

  • Nigeria’s unity is paramount – Ambode

    Nigeria’s unity is paramount – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Friday said the cohesion of Nigeria was paramount, urging Nigerians to embrace peace.

    He stated this at this Year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held at the National Arcade,  Lagos.

    Aside remembering all fallen heroes, the Governor said it was important for Nigerians to dedicate their lives in project Nigeria because the country’s unity was more important than anything and anyone.

    “Without them (fallen heroes), there will be no Nigeria. So, it is also important that we all should dedicate our lives and also remember that the position of Nigeria is significant and important for all of us to be together.

    “The unity of Nigeria is more important than anything you can think of, it is only when we are united that we can make progress.

    “That is why we are so particular about the development of this country. The country is bigger than any individual and we advice all Nigerians that the cohesion and unity of Nigeria is paramount at this moment,” said Ambode.

    Similarly, Lagos Monarch, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, urged Nigerians to pray for members of the Armed Forces and see the celebration as a period to redouble efforts to keep Nigeria together.

    In his remark,  Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu, noted remembering of fallen heroes was a must do task, urging Nigerians to unite to ensure peace and progress.

     

  • As Ambode walks the talk

    As Ambode walks the talk

    A political commentator, Ayo Oyoze Baje, examines the activities of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration in the last seven months and passes a vote of confidence on the Lagos State governor

    Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality–– Warren Bennis

    THE point of convergence between the variegated views propounded by several thinkers on what impactful leadership entails,dovetails to the twin relationship between vision and action.Within this matrix are the five C principles of character, courage, confidence, candour and compassion. Add that to the unfailing three H elements of hard work, honesty of purpose and humility and the picture is almost complete.While the late pan-Africanist, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana described leadership in the political spectrum as “the realisation of what is possible”, Morrealeet al explains it as “the ability of the leader to influence and inspire the followers towards set objectives and goals.”

    Against this backdrop taking Lagos State, the country’s commercial nerve centre and a microcosm of the Nigerian-state to the next level requires a man who knows the state like the wavy lines on his palms. Given its status as a social melting pot,  with people of different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, including foreign nationals, whoever steers its ship should not only be conversant with its enthralling aquatic splendour but must muster the courage to ride the unpredictable socio-political and economic storms.

    Good enough and thanks be to God that as recent events have evolved and proven we have become witnesses of the portrayal of these rare and sterling qualities in the persona of Mr.AkinwunmiAmbode.Indeed, a competent leader  must exhibit the ability to delegate duties to the right people and motivate the led majority to be at their best. By his appointment of seasoned and well-heeled professionals into sensitive leadership positions he has amply demonstrated this. The end result is that the work is done at the right time and for the benefit of the people. This becomes even more expedient, given our prevailing democratic culture which must be cultivated from the collective wishes and needs of the people.

    Since May 29,2015 he has shown us that a leader should possess a calm and composed disposition, be able to communicate effectively, exude enthusiasmabout his work and be committed to excellence. From his rapid response to victims of disasters, putting smiles on the faces and pockets of retirees, adopting and including ‘a-meal-a day’school feeding programme in the 2016 state budget, Ambode has come to symbolise the leadership that has a caring heart. This is reinforced by the provision of 20 Mobile Care Unit ambulances, 26 Transport Ambulances and instituting war against sexual and domestic violence in addition to approving toll- free line report on cases of rape and related incidents.

    Furthermore, the focus on sound educational development, to ‘kick illiteracy out of Lagos’,with the recruitment of 1,300 qualified teachers to get it right at the primary school level is commendable. There is little doubtthat in no distant future graduates of tertiary institutions in the state would become wealth creators as he recently admonished the newly sworn-in Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun.

    On the economic front it is instructive for the government to have in placed checks and balances for revenue inflow, establishing Treasury Single Account(TSA) for transparency and accountability. By wooing investors from across the globe and enhancing the security of the citizenry through the donation of state-of-the art security gadgets to the re-branded Rapid Response Squad (RRS)he has exhibited the fact that a leader must be able to identify his people’s most critical needs. And that he must articulate them in a priority list as well as institute measures and mechanisms to mitigate the challenges as they evolve.

    That explains the reason behindthe re-jigging of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs) to make them more dynamic, pragmatic and cost-effective in running state affairs,for the first time in 22 years. Gone with the wind of change is the Ministry of Rural Development. In its place is the more people-oriented Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment Generation. This will definitely facilitate the proper use of the N25 billion youth empowerment fund for  betterentrepreneurial performance.

    Similarly and with the aim to make his government more people-oriented, the former Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has since been expanded with the mandate of community affairs. Its focus on Tourism, Arts and Culture are in tandem with his campaign promise to make the Centre of Excellence the haven of Tourism on the African continent, if not the world.

    Also significant is his administration’s focus on solid and stable infrastructural development across the state. This is in recognition of the strategic significance of good road network in boosting socio-economic activities in the state.This would assist in job and wealth creation for faster economic productivity.Some of these places include Ikotun, Ejigbo, Ayobo, Ijegun, Badagry. The 10-lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway is on course. Government has started work on the rehabilitation of some 90 roads by the Public Works Corporation. Flyovers for Abule-Egba and Ajah with work at Pen-Cinema in Agege are part of the budget.The drainage alignment at Ile –Epo and rehabilitation of the damaged portion of the road is billed to be completed by April, 2016. Also, the recent commencement of construction of 114 roads in Lagos State by the Conference of Local Governments and Local Council Development Area attests to the importance the government places on the welfare of the people.

    The question to be answered is if he, Ambode is walking the talk. Let us therefore recall what  that he told Lagosians during the campaigns. Said he:”As we collectively face the challenge to make Lagos a better place to live in, we must recognise our strength in diversity. A common national identity where everybody counts. I shall run an open government of inclusion that will not leave anyone behind. No matter your age, sex, tribe or any other Status, as long as you reside in Lagos, we will make Lagos work for you.” This is most inspiring.

    So far he kept faith with his solemn pledge made to the people.Good enough, Ambode has kick-started this with the full implementation of the state developmental agenda.Before the heady days of the political campaigns in 2014/15, not much was known about this young man as a politician but rather as a top technocrat. A public finance and management-consulting expert, Akinwunmi came forth with a deep knowledge of the Nigerian public sector. He is a former Accountant General of Lagos State who served in that capacity between 2006 and 2012 and in several other capacities including Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance, Auditor General for Local Government and across all cadres of Lagos state’s civil service for a total of 27 years. That was before his voluntary retirement in 2012.

    His foray into politics, as his performance has proved so far was taken with noble intentions. It is not too early to judge him because ‘the morning shows the day’. Even as we urge him to sustain the tempo of development, it is also important for the good people of Lagos to realize that we all have to play our parts effectively as governance is our collective responsibility.

  • Lawmakers back Ambode on demolition

    Lawmakers back Ambode on demolition

    Some lawmakers yesterday defended the demolition of Owonifari Market within the notorious loop of Oshodi by the state government, describing the development as a necessary step towards the actualisation of Oshodi transformation plan.

    The government had relocated traders plying their trade in the market to a newly built ultra-modern Isopakodowo Market in nearby Bolade before the demolition exercise.

    A lawmaker representing Agege federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Taofiq Adaranijo, in reaction to the development, said contrary to the criticisms trailing the action, what Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration has done was a wonderful development aimed at bringing sanity to the area.

    He said: “When you go round other parts of the world, you will hardly see a market in such a place and constructing a bus terminal there will beautify the place and change that environment for good. It will add colour to the megacity that will are dreaming for Lagos and this is a bold step towards achieving the transformation plan.

    “Those are the things we want the governor to continue to do. Although it is going to be hard and it will be a difficult decision to take, at the end of the day, people will appreciate it. They may not see it at the beginning but at the end of the day, they will appreciate it and that is a good step in the right direction,” Adaranijo said.

    Also speaking in an interview with journalists, a member representing Epe Constituency 2 in Lagos State House of Assembly, Segun Olulade, said the demolition was not done with any bad intention, but that it was in the best interest of all residents of the state.

    According to the lawmaker, Oshodi is gradually becoming a haven for criminals and what the government has done will no doubt check crime, enhance security around the area and aid free flow of traffic.

    He said: “Some people are claiming that the traders were not given enough notice to quit the market before the demolition exercise took place as required by law, but when situations like this arise, nobody will say they were adequately notified. There is no reason for anyone to be mischievous about the demolition. The governor means well for the state and that was why the leadership of the market was severally engaged before the government went on to demolish the market.

    “Once again, the people should understand that the administration of Governor Ambode has good intentions. I believe that once government comes on board with its plans for the market, we will all commend government for a job well done and appreciate the action taken”, Ololade said.

    Olulade’s colleague representing Ifako/Ijaiye Constituency 1, Dayo Fafunmi, said the plan of the state government was to make Oshodi a place everyone will be proud of.

    He said: “I am very much aware that the government gave the traders enough notice. The duty of regulating and maintaining the environment for the overriding public interest is paramount in the state.

    “I just want to implore our people to cooperate with the government because the administration of Ambode has good plans for the people,” Fafunmi said.

  • Folly Coker wows Ambode with One Lagos Fiesta

    Folly Coker wows Ambode with One Lagos Fiesta

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Folly Coker, has left his bosses awe struck after proving that hard work and diligence indeed yield results. Coker understands the demands of his new office and does not hesitate to meet them. He put his expertise into use as Lagos State celebrated its One Lagos Fiesta (OLF) and excelled while at it.

    Although the immediate past governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, initiated different activities for the fiesta, especially the Lagos countdown during the Yuletide, the recent edition anchored by Coker under his principal, Governor Akinwumi Ambode, was unarguably the best so far. The event lasted for five days and was held in different parts of Lagos. It was an exciting combination of music and entertainment. It also drew a large crowd from far and near.

    In order to make One Lagos Fiesta a success, a budget of N2 billion was initially presented before it was slashed to N500 million, courtesy of Folly Coker. Having slashed the budget for the event, he ensured that the sum budgeted for it was judiciously used. More than 50 artistes, including the Mavin crew, Olamide and Tuface Idibia, performed live at the event which took place in Lagos Atlantic, Agege, Ikorodu, Badagry and Epe.

    The event was graced by millions of revellers from Lagos, other parts of the country and across the world. The commissioner was commended for the well planned event and Governor Ambode was over the moon as he was stunned by the properly planned and well organised show.

  • Ambode appoints Fagbohun as LASU VC

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved the appointment of Prof. Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun as the 8th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU).

    Fagbohun, a Professor of Environmental Law, was until his appointment, the Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    The appointment was announced in a statement signed on Wednesday by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.

    The statement said, “Following the expiration of the tenure of Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University on 31st October, 2015, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Fidelis Olisamedua Njokanma assumed the position of Acting Vice-Chancellor.

    “A Professor of Environmental Law, Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, was born on 19th October, 1966 and hails from Akesan in the Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos State. Prof. Fagbohun joined the Faculty of Law of the Lagos State University (LASU) as an Assistant Lecturer in January 1991. He rose through the ranks and by the year 2004, he was appointed Associate Professor.

    “He studied Law at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and obtained his Master’s of Law Degree from the University of Lagos and he attended the Obafemi Awolowo University for his doctoral degree programme.

    “At different times, he served as a member of Senate of the Lagos State University, Head of Department of Business Law and later Department of Private and Property Law, Coordinator, Law Centre; Coordinator of the Department of Environmental Law and Allied Disciplines of the Centre for Environment and Science Education of the Lagos State University, and was, for several years, the Editor-in-Chief of the LASU Law Journal.”

  • Group lauds Ambode over 2016 budget, ETF

    Group lauds Ambode over 2016 budget, ETF

    The leadership of National Image, a non-profit youth advocacy organisation has expressed confidence in Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s government to fully implement the 2016 budget signed into law two days ago.

    National Image coordinator, Seyi Bamigbade who spoke to journalists Wednesday in Lagos expressed delight at the 2016 appropriation bill especially in respect of provisions for capital projects and youths empowerment.

    According to the coordinator, the budget tagged “the people’s budget” if fully implemented will translate to a lot of development and create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.

    “We have always had confidence in Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and that was why we gave him our full support during the electioneering period. We know he can do it and considering the provisions in his first full budget, we are not disappointed at all.

    “The budget has a lot of goodies for the youths considering the amount of money appropriated for wealth creation and employment generation. We only want to appeal that those concerned in the implementation of these policies go about it truthfully and diligently,” he said.

    The group also lauded Ambode for signing N25 billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) Bill into law; saying the fund has the potential of pulling thousands of youths out of unemployment markets.

    It will be recalled that Ambode had prior to his election promised to establish an ETF scheme to address the challenges of unemployment in the state.

    According to the governor, each year, the state government would inject N6.25 billion into the fund for a period of four years, making N25 billion cumulatively.

    He added that a board of trustees would be announced in due course to manage the fund, saying that members of the board shall be outside the purview of government.

  • Residents beg Ambode to repair their roads

    Residents beg Ambode to repair their roads

    An appeal has been made to the Lagos State Government to include the Adewale Adegun–Isale Haruna Road, in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, in its priority list of roads to be rehabilitated this year.

    The Chairman of Ifako Harmony Estate Community Development Association (IHECDA) Mr Tunde Akinwumi made the appeal while taking reporters round the two roads rehabilitated by the Community Development Association (CDA).

    He said the Adewale Adegun Road, which traversed Karaole Estate is critical because it links with Isale Haruna and could take traffic off the newly expanded College Road for motorists going to Ogba in Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    He said former Governor Babatunde Fashola, in July last year, directed Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), to rehabilitate the road, wondering why the order was not obeyed.

    He said his CDA, in conjunction with Karaole CDA had written to Governor Akinwumi Ambode concerning the development, but nothing has been forthcoming.

    He said: “The Adewale Adegun Road falls squarely within the purview of the mandate of the state government because it would lead to Isale Haruna and through it to another council area, Ojodu LCDA.

    Sometime in July last year, when Governor Babatunde Fashola paid a condolence visit to the widow of our former Chairman Kunle Alex Fadipe, he had directed the Public Works Corporation to work on the road and PWC men came, but soon abandoned the project. We have written to the present governor to revisit the road and we hope it would be given priority in this year’s budget.”

    Akinwumi said the IHECDA, through contributions and levies by residents, spent about N4 million in rehabilitating two major roads–the first being Sowemimo Street (which was a 140 square metres stretch) shared

    with the neighbouring Karaole Estate and Harmony Drive (490 square metres long), within Harmony Estate.

    According to him, while Sowemimo Street cost the CDA N2.215 million, rehabilitation of Harmony Drive cost N1.750 million.

    Stating why the CDA took the step in mitigating further deterioration of the roads, Akinwumi, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) said: “We decided to take our destiny in our hands after repeated attempts to get the support of the state and local governments failed. Based on recommendation of some

    experts, we decided to rehabilitate some strategic roads that were common to us. So, we embarked on total rehabilitation of the Sowemimo Street which was in Karaole Estate, and when we finished that, we

    moved into our estate, where we decided to complete the Harmony Drive from where a resident, who had donated the road several years ago, left it off. We completed the entire stretch of the road.”

    He said the CDA, under his leadership, intend to ensure that all inner roads within the estate is tarred in the next two years, urging residents to continue to support the good works of members of the executive through prompt payments of their levies and dues.

    “As far as we are concerned, we would continue to spend whatever money we got judiciously to advance the cause of the estate,” he further stated.

    Akinwumi, therefore, urged politicians to ensure that they deliver services to the people on whose mandate they rose to position of authority. People should have the value for the taxes and levies they are paying to the government, he said.

    A resident of the estate, Mr Olubusi Odole described the road project as “unimaginable”. He said several times in the past, he had bemoaned his luck, as he usually patronises the mechanics for repairs, adding that with the road repaired, that would reduce.

    Another resident, Mr Kunle Fadipe praised the CDA leadership for taking the estate to a new high. His successful execution of the road project without any hitch and inconvenience is a testimony to the power of leadership and integrity.

    A trader who identified herself as Mummy Tomiwa said she was particularly pleased with the completion of rehabilitation work on the Harmony Drive, adding that the topography of the area had badly damaged the earth road before the executive moved in. She further said that with the repair, the pains and worries of residents living in the area have largely been abated.

     

  • Eze Ndigbo hails Ambode

    Eze Ndigbo hails Ambode

    Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu has praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his people-oriented policies and programmes.

    Eze Nwachukwu spoke after Ambode’s inspection of construction work on Ago Palace Way in Okota.

    During the inspection, Ambode expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on road. He said the construction had taken so long, warning the contractor that his administration would not tolerate further delay in completing the job.

    “You ought to have known the importance of this road. Delay in its completion further compounds the pains and anguish the people go through while plying the road. The road is so strategic because it traverses FESTAC Town, Amuwo-Odofin to Ojo Local Government Area, Isolo Local Council Development Area via Ejigbo to Alimosho Local Government Area and other areas. You have up to the first quarter of 2016 to deliver the road, unfailingly,” Ambode said.

    Responding, the General Manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Limited (CCECC) the construction firm handling the project, Mr. Li Bing promised that the company would expedite action on the work in order to meet Ambode’s deadline.

    “We promise to work hard in order to complete the work on time. We will not fail you. We will be accelerating the work in order to complete it before the end of first quarter of the year. We hope we can get more support from the residents,” he said..

    Eze Nwachukwu noted that Governor Ambode’s action which has put the contractor handling the project on toes indicates that he has the welfare of the masses at heart, even as he said that Lagosians always have the luck of being governed not only by governors who are committed to providing good governance to them but also governors who are humane such as former Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Ex-Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) who is currently the Minister of Works, Power and Housing and Governor Ambode.

    He also said if the road is completed as directed by Governor Ambode, residents of the area would be very grateful to him as that will show that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is working towards realising its promises to the people.

    Eze Nwachukwu thanked the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson for pressurising the contractor to complete the road so as to ameliorate the suffering the residents of the area have been experiencing for a long time now.