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Tag: Ambode’s wife

  • Ambode’s wife, others condemn violence against kids

    Ambode’s wife, others condemn violence against kids

    Wife of Lagos State governor Mrs Bolanle Ambode yesterday condemned violence against children and called for holistic actions on eradicating violence against minors.

    She spoke at an event organised by the Ministry for Youth and Social Development to mark the Day of the African Child at the Combo Hall of Lagos Television (LTV 8), Ikeja.

    Mrs Ambode, represented by Mrs Kemi Durosinmi-Etti, called on stakeholders to ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence to ensure a safe society.

    She said: ‘’States are enjoined to live up to their obligations to protect children both in war and peace times and to ensure that they build societies that are just and peaceful for all, especially children.

    ‘’Other forms of violence negatively impacting on children’s growth  and development occur through customary practices and the administration of corporal punishment in private and public spaces in the guise of tradition and discipline. Children make up about half of the population in the society; as such if children suffer from violence, all of society suffers the consequences of violence against children and other children’s rights violation. In the same vein, the protection of children’s rights contributes to the wellbeing, security and progress of the larger society.’’

    In her welcome speech, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf restated the government’s commitment of to the protection of children.

    She said: ‘’The Child Development Department in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development has been equipped by the state government to ensure  and protect  the rights of children in various ways, such as organisation of different programmes aimed at enlightening the public on various ways to protect children’s right. As I speak, the Lagos State Government as a responsible government has in place several legal and social policy frameworks that will ensure protection of rights of children at every stage in life. It is of point to note that Lagos State as pacesetter and centre of excellence is the first in the federation to adopt and domesticate the Child Right Law in 2007″.

    A child development expert, Prof Obashoro John, implored parents, teachers, students and the government to play key roles in the protection of children from violence and other deprivations.

    ‘’We know that most parents are struggling with so many things, especially now that the prices of food items have gone up, but they should endeavour to create time to attend to the needs of their children. Government too should provide a conducive learning environment for children to excel in their studies, while both the teachers and children should take their jobs and their studies seriously,” he said.

    There was a debate on the event’s theme.

    A Omole Senior Secondary School pupil, ‘Miss Blessing Samuel’ beat other contestants to clinch the top prize.

    Master Kehinde Daniel of Oregun Senior High School and Miss Oluwagbotemi Ariyo came second and third.

    The winners were presented with prizes.

  • Ambode’s wife tasks women on skills acquisition

    Ambode’s wife tasks women on skills acquisition

    WIfe of the governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, has again charged women in the state to utilise the opportunity provided by various skill acquisition centres, built by the state government, to get skills for their economic empowerment.

    She made the remarks at the inauguration of Funmilayo Mobolaji Johnson Skill Acquisition Centre, in Ajah, a suburb of Lagos, donated by two firms, Huawei  Technologies Limited and Fortis Project Services.

    Ambode said it was not fashionable for women to be idle and expect the husband to bankroll the family expenses, stressing that having something to contribute to home upkeep, goes a long way in uplifting the family.

    Her words: “It is not advisable that ladies and women should live entirely on the income of their husbands. It is always helpful that the woman has something to contribute to the upkeep of the home. It also puts her in a respectable position in the family.”

    She disclosed that the state government had built about seventeen skill acquisition centres around the state that train women, ladies, widows and school drop-outs, in skills like leather works, hat-making, carpentry, shoe-making, soap-making, dress-designing and computer studies, among others.

     

  • Govt can hire, fire any chaplain – CAN

    Govt can hire, fire any chaplain – CAN

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday threw its weight behind the Lagos State government’s decision to sack its Chaplain, Ven. Femi Taiwo.

    The government has the power to hire and fire any chaplain appointed to manage its chapel, Lagos chapter CAN Chairman Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, told reporters.

    He addressed a news conference to clarify the position of the body on the controversy which trailed the sack of the clergyman.

    Bamgbola decried the twisting of the events that led to the decision to separate Ven. Taiwo as chaplain of Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, the state government’s Christian worship centre.

    There were reports that the clergyman was relieved of his duties because of an alleged disrespect for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s wife, Bolanle.

    But CAN said its investigation did not suggest what was being peddled.

    Bamgbola cleared the governor’s wife of any wrongdoing, saying reports linking her to the matter were blown out of proportion.

    He said the church was built by the Lagos State government for itself and for the public.

    The CAN chairman said it was the state government that created the anointing service and instituted a Governing Council to run the affairs of the church and report to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

    “The Governing Council has the constitutional responsibility to recruit and terminate the appointment of officers to run the chapel. Two officers run the affairs of the chapel – the presiding chaplain and the chaplain. They are officers of the government, they are strictly employee of the state government and subject to terms and conditions of the government,” he explained.

    Bamgbola said the Governing Council acted within its constitutional authority in terminating the appointment of the presiding chaplain.

    “Having investigated the matter carefully and objectively, we wish to state that the Governing Council that recruited Ven. Taiwo acted within its constitutional authority to terminate his appointment.”

    He said it was wrong for the social media and a section of the print media to criticise the government for sacking one of its employees as it deemed fit.

    The CAN chairman said: ”Mrs Ambode is a true woman of God who fears God and lives a godly life. God raised her at this time.” He said the dust generated by what occurred was unfair to her.

    ”The social media should desist from circulating unfounded reports. The Bible said judge not that you should not be judged. This matter should be closed and be left for the church to handle. We are more than able to handle all matters,” he said.

    The CAN Secretary, Israel Akinadewo, said CAN had taken over the matter, as  Christians in the state come under the umbrella of the body.

    He urged the media to allow the church authority handle the matter, saying the church would not discuss its matter on the pages of newspapers.

    The Bishop of the African Church (Ifako Diocese), Rt. Rev. Michael Adeyemi, said the matter was being managed by CAN and that the church trusted the judgment of CAN to resolve it. Ven Taiwo is of the African Church.

    He said: “The matter is already under control and if we are here to attend this briefing, it is because we are in agreement with CAN. We respect our governor and what he is doing. That was why we transferred the matter to CAN and we are happy with everything CAN is doing.”

  • Remain firm and steadfast in God, says Ambode’s wife

    Remain firm and steadfast in God, says Ambode’s wife

    Women have been charged to remain firm and steadfast as regards their belief and commitment to things of God.

    This was the message by the wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, at the Regional Women Conference of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Region 19, which was held yesterday at RCCG Dominion Sanctuary, Acme, Ogba, Lagos.

    Ambode who was speaking on the theme of the conference, Occupy till I come, pointed out that the charge demand of us that we remain holy and godly in all our ways and in all things. “In other words, we must live as outstanding Christians and as vessels of blessings to retrieve the lost. All that we do must glorify God: our behaviour, dressing, public conduct, and our relationship with others. In other words, our lives should be a model for others beginning from our home,” the first lady said.

    According to her, “the theme also implied that ‘we should love our husbands and children, thereby acting as a stabilising factor in the family. It is mandatory that we raise our children in the knowledge and fear of the Almighty.”

    Speaking further, the first lady pointed out that “it is important that women are economically empowered, as this will enable them focus on and be committed to their most cherished ideals, thereby making them better Christians.”

    Earlier in her welcome address, the convener of the conference and wife of Pastor-In-Charge of Region 19 and Special Assistant to the General  Overseer, (WPICR/SATGO), Pastor Mrs. Helen Oyitso, explained that women must engage themselves in the activity of the master. “Most brethren have placed their interest and desire over and above the service of the master. Struggle for position and titles have kept soldiers bound, not to talk about the pursuits of earthly riches,” she stated.

     

  • Ambode’s wife advises youths

    Ambode’s wife advises youths

    Wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, has urged youths to see the positive sides in the current national challenges.

    She spoke yesterday at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on Victoria Island in Lagos at the presentation of a book, titled: Hallmark of Labour, Volume 8, written by Patricia Otuedon-Arawore.

    The book features three Nigerians: Eminent lawyer, Prof Itse Sagay; frontline Catholic cleric, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie and a renowned diplomat, Ambassador Olu Adeniji.

    Mrs Ambode said Nigerians must emulate the exemplary life of the honourees and draw inspiration from their records, as featured in the book.

    The governor’s wife, represented by Jumoke Benson, said the honourees put in their best in pursuing and attaining excellence.

    She described the book as a great intellectual accomplishment which points to the right and honourable direction for youths and other Nigerians.

    Mrs Ambode said: “Many Nigerians have given up on the virtues of honesty and integrity as the most honourable vehicles to wealth and success. Many think success can only come through crooked and fraudulent means. But the distinguished personalities in the book have proved this wrong. They are integrity personified, going by the records of their public life. They have also shown that we can rely on hard work to attain coveted status in the society.”

    Emeritus Prof Oladipo Akinkugbe, who was the special guest of honour and representative of the chairman of the occasion, Dr Christopher Kolade, reminisced on his days at the Government College in Ibadan, when he, Dr Kolade, and Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka were classmates.

    The eminent academic said Nigeria must return to old ways of value, adding that integrity should be the norm, as elsewhere, rather than the opposite.

  • Ambode’s wife launches pupils’ deworming

    Ambode’s wife launches pupils’ deworming

    Lagos State government yesterday embarked on mass de-worming of primary school pupils.
    Organised by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, it was launched by the governor’s wife, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Maryland.
    Mrs Ambode said it would keep pupils safe from worm parasites, anaemia, malnutrition, stunted growth and low immunity, among others.
    She said: “Also, deworming of children helps in developing them to their full ability which boosts their learning capability. This is a great advantage that cannot be ignored because good academic performance will, to a large extent, determine the future of a child.
    ‘’The programme will extend to private schools in the next rounds. It demonstrates our commitment and importance which we attach to the survival, growth and developmental needs of all our children in furtherance of our all-inclusive mantra where no child is left out.’’
    Commissioner for Youth and Social Development Princess Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said worm-related infection negatively affected the child’s development and academic growth.
    Mrs Akinbile-Yussuf said: ’’School-age children typically have the highest intensity of worm infection of any age group and the most cost-effective way to deliver deworming pills regularly to children is through schools because schools offer a readily available, extensive and sustained infrastructure with a skilled workforce that is in close contact with the children.
    “We believe that regular deworming will further contribute to the good health and nutrition for children of school age, which in turn leads to increased educational attainment. The most disadvantaged children, such as girls and the poor, often suffer most from ill-health and malnutrition, and gain the most benefit from deworming.’’
    The guest speaker, Mr Fred Oduwole, a pharmacist, urged parents to explore natural remedy to ‘’ deworming their children by eating seeds of pawpaw which contains an enzyme that helps to kill parasites in the intestines. Also, pineapple contains digestive enzymes that kills tape worm.’’

  • Ambode’s wife, others move against female genital mutilation

    Ambode’s wife, others move against female genital mutilation

    Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, has organised a high level meeting to discuss the problems of female genital mutilation. The meeting, which was held in Lagos and had in attendance medical personnel, health care givers, and traditional birth attendants, discussed how to protect young girls and women against the harmful practice.
    Female genital mutilation, according to Mrs. Ambode, who is the founder of Hope For Women Initiative (HOFOWEN), is an unhealthy traditional practice, a violation of the rights of girls and women and it also reflects deep rooted inequality between the sexes and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women.
    She lamented that some respected community and opinion leaders inadvertently engage in these harmful practices which include traditional birth attendants (TBAs), local barbers, medical doctors and health workers. “It is painful to note that most of the cases are performed outside orthodox medical facilities without any form of anesthesia,” she said.
    Speaking on the consequences of the injurious practice, Mrs. Ambode explained that a woman can die from excessive bleeding or even become childless for the rest of her life as a result of complications arising from genital circumcision procedure that has no medical or emotional benefit.
    Also speaking at the event, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi pointed out that the practice of FGM has gone down considerably in Ikorodu division with the exception of a few remote villages and hamlets where there are concentrations of people from other tribes.

    Shotobi therefore called for concerted efforts between the committees and the State House of Assembly to update existing laws on FGM or where necessary, promulgate new laws that will deal decisively with the matter in the interest of the innocent girl child.

  • 175,000 pupils benefit from Ambode’s wife’s project

    175,000 pupils benefit from Ambode’s wife’s project

    Lagos State governor’s wife Mrs. Bolanle Ambode has provided shoes, socks and educational materials to 175,000 public primary schools’ pupils.

    Governor Akinwumi Ambode inaugurated the exercise, tagged: “Project Bright Steps”, an initiative of Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative (HOFOWEM) yesterday, at Ikeja.

    He said the objective was to show love and care for the less-privileged children, who cannot afford basic things needed for their education.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Idiat Adebule, said women and children were critical policy focus of his administration, adding that the government would provide necessary materials to make learning attractive.

    He said the state executive council approved N10 billion for capital projects to build, renovate and rehabilitate schools.

    “Government has continued to invest in the training and retraining of teachers and personnel in public schools.”

    He hailed HOFOWEM for the initiative, saying it came at a time when Nigerians were going through tough times.

     

  • Ambode’s wife advises civil servants on dedication to duty

    Ambode’s wife advises civil servants on dedication to duty

    •Lagos Perm Sec gets C’Wealth Outstanding Service Award

    Lagos State Governor’swife Mrs. Bolanle Ambode has advised civil servants to imbibe the culture of personal discipline, focus, perseverance to excel and dedication to duty.

    She said such would go a long way in taking them to the peak of their career and enhance public service delivery.

    Mrs. Ambode, who spoke at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja at the conferment of Common Wealth Outstanding Service Award to the outgoing Permanent Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), Dr. Ibironke Sodeinde, said the feat was an eloquent confirmation of productive years and decades of diligence and hardwork, which the awardee put to the state’s civil service.

    Dr. Sodeinde, who is the first woman to be conferred with the award in Nigeria after the likes of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and General Yakubu Gowon, was said to have been honoured for her selfless service to humanity and high sense of dedication to duty.

    In her goodwill message, Mrs. Ambode said the international recognition was instructive as it would spur younger generation of public servants to put in their best to excel.

    She added that it was important for people to understand that only dedication and hard work could guaranty excellence and ensure the attainment of the peak of one’s chosen career.

    “Dr. Sodeinde is an admirable and outstanding civil servant, who put in the very best into her public service career, to reach the apex. As officer, she gave hard work; as director and Permanent Secretary, she gave direction and effective leadership.

    “Everyone wishes and prays to be celebrated this way, but this sort of recognition requires more than prayer. It requires strong personal discipline, focus, perseverance, drive and a determination to excel, all of which Dr. Sodeinde epitomizes.

    “The conferment of the Common Wealth Outstanding Service Award on this exceptional civil servant is a testimony to her possession of those qualities that distinguish her for distinction,” Mrs. Ambode said.

    Dr. Sodeinde, who officially bowed out of service on June 3, has held several positions in the Lagos State Civil Service until her appointment in August 2015 by Ambode as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, and later redeployed as Permanent Secretary in charge of PHCB.

    Responding after the conferment of the award, Mrs. Sodeinde thanked God and the governor for giving her the opportunity to attain the peak of her career as civil servant just one year before her retirement.

    She added that the promotion contributed towards the award.

    She hailed the governor for the wonderful transformation that had taken place in the state since assuming office.

    The retiree added that such was unprecedented and could be attributed to the grace of God and commitment to serve selflessly by the governor and his team.

  • Ambode’s wife denounces domestic violence

    Ambode’s wife denounces domestic violence

    Lagos State Governor’s wife Mrs. Bolanle Ambode has condemned the rising cases of domestic violence in the country.

    Mrs. Ambode lamented that assault on spouses, child-beating and other forms of uncivilised behaviour against women and children is becoming a trend, which must be curtailed.

    “How do you explain a situation where the man you married and one who claims to love you descend so heavily on you at the slightest provocation?

    The governor’s wife advised any woman who finds herself in an abusive relationship to retrace her steps, so she can live to tell her own story.

    She rejected the common and well-worn excuse of societal stigmatisation of women who abandon unpleasant marriages, retorting that when the woman dies in such a cruel marriage, what then does the society say?

    According to her, “Many victims of domestic violence become victims of their own psychological realities. The world of these women is lonely, isolated and filled with fear, with no emotional outlet whatsoever. Sadly, victims wait until it is too late.”