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Tag: Babajide Sanwo-Olu

  • ‘Ambode, an achiever Lagosians will miss’

    The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) on Monday described the outgoing governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, as “an achiever and administrator per excellence Lagosians will miss”.

    Mr Alex Omotehinse, the Chairman of the Lagos State Branch of CDHR, said that Ambode’s achievements were numerous for any resident to gloss over or forget soon.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ambode lost his second term ticket in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is now the Governor-elect of the state.

    “The Lagos State branch appreciate the outgoing Governor, His Excellency Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, for the good works he has been doing in the state for the past three and half years.

    “Without any fear or favour and with utmost sincerity, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has demonstrated his genuine sincerity of purpose and pro-people’s policy in governance which has distinguished him as an achiever in less than four years between 2015 and 2019.

    “The working governor has touched almost every nook and crannies in the state in terms of developmental projects that are visible for any doubting Thomas to see.

    “As a pro-democracy and human rights organisation, we were disappointed that a performing and a reference point governor within and outside his party did not have the opportunity to finish the good work he has started.

    “We believe Lagosians have started missing him from the day he was denied a second term ticket by his party,” Omotehinse said in a statement.

    Read Also: Ambode preaches sacrifice, tolerance

    Omotehinse highlighted some achievements of Ambode to include massive investment in security, road infrastructure, bridges, transport, education, youths’ empowerment and employment.

    “We can see a fortified security in Lagos with N6.6 billion equipment for security agencies, massive road rehabilitation and reconstruction of inner roads.

    “Ambode’s assent to Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law to increase security in the communities across the state is highly memorable.

    “We also see payment of backlog arrears for retirees, setting up of N25 billion Employment Trust Fund and employment of 1, 300 teachers to revive primary education.

    “We can also notice upgrade of schools’ infrastructure, massive light up of Lagos highways and streets. All these and many others to mention but a few are what the governor has done in just 46 months in office,” he said.

    According to him, within the last three and half years, Ambode has convinced Lagosians that a greater Lagos is achievable through tremendous social infrastructure and people’s engagement in governance.

    The rights activist said, assuming Ambode had a second term, by the time many of the ongoing projects were completed, they would be world class masterpiece and befitting.

    “We therefore, implore the Governor-elected, Sanwo-Olu to please ensure the completion of all the nearly-completed projects of Ambode,” he added.

    Omotehinse advised Sanwo-Olu to ensure that all the yet-to-be concluded projects of Ambode be the utmost priority in his first point developmental agenda.

    NAN

     

  • Sanwo-Olu unveils inauguration committee ahead of swearing

    Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Thursday unveiled an inauguration committee that will usher in his administration on May 29th this year.

    Mr Sanwo-Olu, who was in company of his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, presented the committee members at his campaign office on Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

    A statement signed by media officer to the Governor-elect, Gboyega Akosile said the committee is chaired by the Director-General of Babajide Sanwo-Olu Independent Campaign Group (ICG), Mr Tayo Ayinde, while the Lagos State APC Women Leader, Honourable Mrs. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas and Mr. George Osifeko will serve as Vice Chairmen respectively and Mrs. Titi Oshodi will act as secretary.

    While unveiling the inauguration team, the governor-elect said the committee is mandated with a responsibility of organizing a smooth programmes that will usher in his administration. The committee is also billed to reach out to Nigerians in corporate and political sectors, stakeholders and various interest groups locally and internationally to grace the swearing-in.

    Sanwo-Olu urged members of the committee to co-operate and work diligently in achieving their mandate. He also tasked the team members to streamline their activities with the plans of the outgoing government and work with security agencies in order to have smooth transition.

    Read also: Sanwo-Olu,  Hamzat to unveil key roadmap

    Mr Ayinde assured the governor-elect and his deputy of the committee’s readiness to organize a seamless swearing-in programme.

    He pledged the committee members’ readiness to work assiduously towards achieving an inauguration ceremony that will become a reference point in annals of political events in Nigeria.

    ”I want to assure your Excellencies that sitting before you are highly experienced men and women who have contributed tremendously to various industries. I can attest to their individual capacity to deliver on the terms of reference of a smooth inauguration ceremony.” Ayinde State.

    Other members of the committee include:

    Mrs. Obiageli Onu

    Mrs. Funke Bucknor Obruthe

    Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo

    Mr. Kamal Salau-Bashua

    Mr. Olatunji Disu

    Mr. Kappo Emmanuel

    Mr. Bolaji Durojaiye

    Mrs. Olabopo Odiachi

    Mr. Bimbo Onabanjo

    Mr. Ajala Rasaq

    Mrs. Taiwo Abiodun

    Ayiri Oladunmoye

    Mr. Gboyega Akosile

    Mr. Lanre Adeyinka

    Mr. Sesan Daini

  • Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat to unveil key Lagos road map

    Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat will on April 27  unveil key road map to adopt in actualising the vision for a greater Lagos at a special dinner to appreciate Lagosians for massively voting for them at the recent governorship election in the State.

    Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled a total of 739,445 votes to defeat their closest challenger and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimi Agbaje who got 206,141votes.

    The appreciation dinner, according to its organisers Vision LOUD, is designed for the governor-elect and his deputy to thank residents of the state for the overwhelming support they received at the poll, and to also unveil the strategies to be adopted in achieving the set objectives for the state.

    Vision LOUD, a socio-political group championing the Lagos of higher dreams, in a statement on Wednesday by its National Coordinator, Owoseni Olukotun, said aside Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat, the event, which is billed to hold at Civic Centre, Victoria Island by 6pm prompt, would also be attended by APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who is to serve as father of the day.

    Read Also: Tricycle owners hail Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat

    Other eminent Nigerians that would grace the event, according to Owoseni, include APC chieftain, Chief Pius Akinyelure (Chairman of the day); former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith (Co-chairman); former Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Majority Leader of House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi; renowned finance expert, Mr Wale Edun; former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake; and Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Hakeem Fahm.

    Olukotun particularly expressed strong optimism in the ability of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat to place the state on sound footing for upward trajectory across board, saying that it was evident that the state would be in good hands with the duo, adding that they would be speaking more about their plans for the state at the event.

    “The manifesto of the Governor-elect as captured in the five pillars of developmental agenda for the state aptly presents a clear vision and roadmap in critical sectors including Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy; as well as Entertainment and Tourism.

    “From a careful appraisal of the manifesto and the eloquent manner with which the Governor-Elect and his deputy presented the agenda to Lagosians at various platforms, we know that Lagos is in for a great time which is in tandem with our vision for the State.

    “So, at this upcoming appreciation dinner, the Governor-elect and the Deputy Governor-elect will be speaking more to their plans and also specially thank the people for the massive support at the poll,” Olukotun said.

     

  • Beyond lamentations

    Last week, when I wrote my piece setting an agenda for the Governor-elect of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on refuse disposal, I knew I could not do that in one piece. Yet, I deliberately avoided numbering the write-up even though I knew I would not be able to exhaust all I had to say in only one piece. I now realise the wisdom in taking that decision. If I had not taken the road I took, it would have been impossible for me to suspend action on that aspect; in which case, I would not have been able to give today’s topic the urgent attention that it required.

    I had hitherto thought it is too early to begin to chart an agenda for President Muhammadu Buhari, and that that should wait until he is about starting his second term; that is all things being equal. But things seem to be getting out of hands, particularly on the security plain. Indeed, one good reason one should begin to set an agenda for the president is because he is no longer the action man that many of us thought he was. Some have even said it was his second-in-command when he was military head of state, the Late General Tunde Idiagbon (retd), that was behind what seemed were the government’s tough stance on issues then. The president has not confirmed this though; but he has confessed that age is no longer on his side. We saw an example of this on how long it took him to appoint his cabinet after the 2015 elections. So, it can never be too early to begin to advise a president who does not appreciate that time waits for no one. About 47 months ago, when he was sworn in as president; the president had probably thought four years was eternity. In the next six weeks or so, his first four years in power will be over.

    Lest we forget, I had said in one of my write-ups shortly before the elections that we first have to drive away the thief before returning to tell the owner of the stolen property that he too did not keep his property well. Meaning what? Meaning that  we should first support President Buhari to defeat the then Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate in the election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, not necessarily because of any superlative performance but because the opposition party did not take its eyes to the market while shopping for Buhari’s successor. If it did, it would have come up with a more formidable challenger. But the opposition party knew what it was doing: it knew Atiku was the only person in the party who so much believed the party could win and was therefore ready to literally burn billions in search of the elusive presidency. I still stand by my statement.

    But there is one issue bothering Nigerians today; and that is security or insecurity, whichever way you choose to look at it. Honestly, President Buhari must do something fundamental and heart-shaking on the security question. I do not know what the president has up his sleeves; but whatever it is; he does not have to wait till he begins his second term, if only to ensure that more innocent lives are not lost to blood-sucking demons that are now prowling like hungry lions, ravaging parts of the country.

    The statistics are grim; too grim to ignore. From Kaduna to Benue, to Zamfara and other parts of the country, the challenge is the same: insecurity. There is nowhere that can be declared safe in the country today; not even the south west, although there is relative calm in the region. Killer herdsmen are still committing havoc daily; terrorists remain defiant even though the government and the military believe they have been degraded. Nigerians see the use of the word ‘degraded’ as pun; given the ferocious manner these killers keep snuffing life out of innocent Nigerians.

    We know that the PDP messed us all up big time; but much as we were ready to listen to this excuse in the last four years, it may no longer sell by the time Buhari returns for a second term, again, ceteris paribus.

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali added a new dimension to the issue, when he alleged that some top traditional rulers were behind the orgy of violence in the northern part of the country. Dan Ali disclosed this in a statement, on Tuesday. According to him, intelligence revealed that high-profile traditional leaders were culpable in the violence, which has claimed scores of lives in the region.”Recently, the government acted on the advice of the Ministry of Defence to suspend all mining activities in Zamfara State and environs following intelligence report that suggested close collaboration between the activities of the bandits and illegal miners.

    “However, in spite of the concerted efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies, some unpatriotic persons, including highly placed traditional rulers in the areas, were identified as helping the bandits with intelligence to perpetuate their nefarious actions or to compromise military operations”, the minister said.

    One would have expected that if the defence ministry had such intelligence, and it believed it to be credible, it ought to have gone after the culprits instead of warning them to desist. At worst, such traditional rulers should have been named and shamed. Nigerians are not interested in government or its officials raising the alarm where criminals are involved; they are interested in result from the action against the criminals.

    The president touched on a sore aspect of the security nightmare when he regretted that bandits have informants within some communities and that certain communities have signed protection deals with bandits at the expense of other communities, thereby creating complications and frustrating government’s intervention. It is the height of frustration and desperation that would make citizens abandon their government only to sign protection deals with bandits. It shows an apparent lack of faith in the capacity of the state to protect them. Yet, security of lives and property is the very first duty of any government properly so-called.

    President Buhari has said he was sad about these mindless killings. But that is not enough. He also said he meets with his security chiefs often, in order to understand their problems and needs. Again, this is not enough. If he is sure the government has done the rightful by way of provision of arms and ammunition as well as other needs of the security personnel, then he should know what to do if there are no noticeable improvements after all said and done. Nigerians are tired of waking up to gory sights of innocent children, men and women being slaughtered like cows for no just cause. They will not continue to have graveside orations and mere assurances of ensuring security of lives and property. The president should live up to his promise of  doing whatever it takes to ensure the country’s security system confronts these public enemies with merciless determination.

    President Buhari has to listen to the cries of Nigerians on this issue and do something. Almost all the sections of the country are crying loud, these cries are too strident to be ignored. As a matter of fact,  the president can only ignore them at his own peril.

     

  • Ambode hails Lagosians for remaining steadfast with APC

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi  Ambode  has inaugurated the state transition committee to ensure a seamless transition to the next administration on May 29.

    Ambode lauded Lagosians for remaining steadfast and committed to the progressive ideals, which the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), has sustained in the last two decades and still continuing.

    The governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello, at the ceremony at the Cabinet Office Conference Room,  Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, added that a smooth transition to the next administration was imperative to ensure that the machinery of government continues to roll smoothly.

    He described Lagos as a delicate state with very significant importance in the economic importance in the economic and social stability of the nation.

    The governor said in about seven-week time, the tenure of this administration would come to an end with a new administration under the leadership of the Governor-elect Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    He added that the gathering was to formally inaugurate the members and kick start the process.

    The governor expressed his profound appreciation to Lagosians for the rare privilege to serve them and  keeping faith with his administration. “Government is not a spirit or a short distance race.  It is an unending race in which every successive administration builds upon the achievement of the past administration.

    “For us in Lagos State, it has been a progressive race in which every successive administration build upon the achievement of the past administration,” Ambode said.

    He urged the committee jointly to be  chaired by the Deputy Governor-elect Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and Secretary to the State Government and members of the committee to accord the assignment the diligent and commitment it deserves.

    Read Also: Ambode lauds NYSC for election role

    The Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, stated that putting in place the committee members was important for  continuity.

    He added that the members would put in their best to achieve the best results.

    Also speaking, Hamzat noted that a seamless transition is very necessary between the present administration and the incoming one, adding that it is in the best interest of the state.

    He gave a commitment that the committee members would hit the ground running and would work hand in hand for the progress of the Centre of Excellence.

    The 20-member transition committee also include: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem as the Dep,  Co-Chairman,  the Head of Service as Dep. Co- Chairman,  Commissioner for Finance  Mr.  Akinyemi Ashade – member,  Commissioner for Works,  Ade Adesanya – member, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Fela Bank-Olemoh – member,  Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule – member and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Olujimi Hotonu  – member.

    Others are: Permanent Secretary State Treasury Office/Accountant General  Mrs.  Abimbola Umar – member,  Permanent  Secretary Ministry of Economic Planning  and  Budget  Mr. Yomi Kadiri – member, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi -member, Mr..  Sam Egube – member, Dr.  Muyiwa Gbadegesin – member,  Tayo Bamgbose-Martins – member, Mr. Bayo Sodade  – member,  Mrs. Solape Hammond – member, Mrs. Bunmi Fabanwo – member, Mrs. Bukola Odoe -member and  Mrs. Toke Benson -Awoyinka, member.

  • Kidnappers demand N3m ransom for Fire Service chief

    The kidnappers of the Lagos State Fire Service Acting Director Rasaki Musibau have demanded N3 million from his family, The Nation learnt on Tuesday.

    Musibau and six others were abducted at Iwoye along the Epe-Itoikin road, Ikorodu, last Saturday.

    The incident, it was gathered, occurred while the Fire Service chief and others were going to Epe.

    The kidnappers blocked the Itoikin bridge, ambushed occupants of a Sienna, Corolla and a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and took them away.

    The Nation learnt that the abductors are also demanding N500,000 from the families of six other abductees.

    Some neighbours told The Nation that the Fire Service chief’s family are planning to raise the money.

    According to them, the response of the government has not been encouraging.

    Musibau, who they said, is the chairman of the Landlord Association in the area, is due for retirement in two months.

    A neighbour, who simply gave his name as Segun, said he heard from some leaders of the community that the kidnappers are demanding N3 million ransom.

    He said the community may assist the family to raise the money if the government is not proactive.

    Read Also: Navy takes war to kidnappers, others

    “We are yet to see delegation from the office of the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Seye Oladejo. Although, it was learnt that the commissioner is not in the country, that does not stop the permanent secretary or any other top official from the ministry from visiting the family. We only saw the vehicle of the Fire Service the following day the incident occurred,” Segun said.

    Corroborating Segun’s statement, another neighbour, Wale, said the commissioner for Special Duties ought to have returned to the country immediately the incident occurred.

    “This is the normal practice across the world. Somebody in that calibre was kidnapped and the whole place is quiet as if it’s nothing big. I expect the  government delegation to have visited the family and neighbours. Mr Musibau is a community leader in this area,” he said.

    According to him, the kidnappers are asking the families of other people abducted to pay N500,000 each.

    “I am not surprised they are demanding such amount. They have been in this business for a long time without security officers stopping their unlawful activity. Many families who have been victims don’t inform the police because they are afraid that the kidnappers may kill their loved ones. It is because of the personality of the fire fighters’ boss that led to police intervention,” Wale said.

    Lagos State Government has urged Lagosians not to despair over the abduction of Musibau.

    It said all hands are on deck to ensure he and others return safely.

    Briefing reporters yesterday after the Security Council meeting chaired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu confirmed Musibau’s abduction with others, but said security agencies were working to rescue them.

    Muazu, alongside heads of other security formations, expressed optimism of positive result, but declined to give details on the move to rescue the victims.

    “I confirm that there was kidnapping involving the director of Fire Service. Security agencies are working towards the safe release of the victims. We are working to ensure their safe return,” the CP said.

    On the fears being expressed over likely return of the spate of kidnapping, Muazu said security agencies were working to stop it, noting that there was nothing to worry about.

    “This present case does not mean kidnapping has returned to Lagos. I see this as a very unfortunate incident and I assure Lagosians that security agencies are putting their heads together to ensure we stop this menace,” he said.

    Muazu said the council reviewed the security situation since the last meeting was held, adding that the government, in partnership with security agencies, was working to ensure smooth transition of government to the incoming administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.

     

  • I’ll liberate Ndigbo from opposition politics in Lagos-Ohanaeze President

    When, at the peak of the campaigns for the recent governorship election in Lagos, Solomon Ogbonna, the current President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State, endorsed All Progressives Congress Babajide Sanwo-Olu, he was criticised by his opponents. In this interview with Assistant Editor, Yetunde Oladeide, he opened up on the role he played in the election in the state, the inspiration he got from the elders council of Ohanaeze and his recent challenges as his opponents accuse him of collecting money to endorse the governor-elect. Excerpts

    WHAT has been the experience as the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State?

    I came into office in June last year as President after an election.  I won with 401 votes as against 201. During my campaign, I made some promises though we had no allocation but finance our projects through individual support. I thank God for a few of my brothers who stood by me and said Ohanaeze must stand. They promised to support me with all the promises that I made.

    Let’s talk about the promises you made and what you have been able to achieve?

    I must say that it’s been over twenty something years that they brought Ohanaeze to Lagos but they have no secretariat. I promised to do it and today we have the first Igbo secretariat, we call it Igbo house; Igbo embassy. That legacy is very important and everybody is so happy about it. The second promise is to remember the members of Ohanaeze who are widows. Then after that I talked about transparency. Those are the promises that I made. Even though there are some cabals who said that if I don’t share the money they gave to Ohanaeze members, they would stand against me.

    I think it is time for Ndigbo to come together and put their house in order. We should be talking about positions, how many ministers or Igbo commissioners we would get in Lagos State. They are fighting for what has no proof. The governor-elect is a very good man, he is a good Christian. They said Sanwoolu gave me 250 million naira on 3rd March, 2019 for endorsing him and that I have sold Ndigbo to APC in Lagos State.

    I am an estate developer and art collector. I have over 3000 masterpiece of African artwork in my possession. Some of those who are speculating and peddling these rumors also do not know me. They said I bought three vehicles, one white Hilux, Porche Cayenne and Lexus Jeep with the money. Before I became Ohanaeze President in Lagos, I have series of cars and I think they did not know the cars that I have. We know the people doing this. Another group said he first gave me 66 million naira and that I also got another 150 million naira from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Since I was born, I have not sat with Tinubu for one day. I always see him on television, I have never met him.

    Why did you endorse Sanwoolu; what were the qualities that you saw in him?

    I knew Jimi Agbaje before I knew Sanwoolu. In 2015, I went to the UK and got some materials for Jimi Agbaje’s campaign. In 2019, I took Jimi Agbaje to where they raised funds for him here in Nigeria. But I told him where my loyalty was. It is not about party, it is about the individual. Sanwoolu has the quality; I can never forget my first contact with Sanwoolu. I found out that he is the best thing that can happen to Ndigbo, instead of running into opposition all the time and complaining. I will never regret bringing them to the right position in Lagos State, whether Sanwoolu recognises it or not. What I still tell my people is that there is nowhere in the world where the tenant will be bigger than his landlord. We are the guests, we must obey our landlord. One of the reasons I decided to take this decision is that since I was young, I leverage on the culture and the tradition of people because I am into arts. The Yoruba’s never deviated, no matter how educated they are, they can never intimidate you with their profile, instead they will hide under their culture and tradition. But my own people are very good in intimidation, big profile and millions of certificates. Everybody wants to be a leader; they assess your quality of leadership by who is your father. Is my father a minister or governor of a state? Is my brother or mother in the senate? For me, take it or leave it, I am an ordained child.

    Would you say your support for Sanwoolu has been recognised?

    I am not in a hurry for what Sanwoolu or Lagos State would do for me. I feel that we are still learning when it comes to leadership in Africa. However, I believe that from what I have seen, he and his deputy, Hamzat would perform. I believe that Sanwoolu would carry me along, not only me but Ndigbo. The sacrifice for me is to liberate Ndigbo from opposition politics in Lagos State. That is my benefits.

    If you had to pick three best political leaders, who would you choose?

    I will choose what I will call the three among the best leaders that Nigeria has ever produced in politics. I will mention Ebitu Ukiwe, the former vice president to IBB. Then the next person for me is Lateef Kayode Jakande and Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have my reasons. Yes, Ebitu Ukiwe is one of the most honest leaders that I have ever had contact with in my life. He is a leader; it is difficult to find a leader who works without listening to gossips. He is very strict, he believes in truth. He doesn’t treat or give people intimidation stories or stories from those who have passed away that you cannot go and find out from them, which is what most Igbo leaders do in Igboland. They intimidate you with age; intimidate you with their capacity, financial capacity and by who and who they have gotten in contact with. They intimidate you mostly with your age and tag it lack of experience. All those qualities, you can never find in Ebitu Ukiwe. Second is Lateef Jakande. I was in Lagos when he was the governor; he went around with Toyota Camry of 81 model, known as Baba Kekere. He build so many estates for the less privileged. The kind of estates they are building now, if you are not a millionaire you cannot think of having houses there. He is a different kind of person, a man of the grassroots.

    If the national body of Ohanaeze supported PDP, why u go against thdid yois?

    I am not going against what the national leadership of Ohanaeze said. My national Leader, Chief Nwodo, is also one of the best leaders in the world. I respect him. Even when I made that decision, I watched his reaction on social media but I didn’t react. My opinion is that if you want to know the best thing as a leader is that you must study your environment. No leader can get it right without hearing from the complainants, eyeball to eyeball. Not just on the telephone or one person going to complain. He came to Lagos and attended the town hall meeting of Ohanaeze and made it clear that this is where Ndigbo are going. I said sir, with all due respect, this is what I see in Lagos and I would need his advice. I said it in public and when he asked why I made the statement, I said my leader, I am sorry. And he took it. But when I saw the way things are going in Nigeria, I cannot continue to be in opposition in Lagos State. It is not about my leader, Chief Dr. Nwodo. It is not about Solomon but we are talking about Ndigbo. This is the state that we have the most concentration of Ndigbo, over a million Ndigbo. This is the state that we have the most investment of Ndigbo. We can’t risk all these; we have to make efforts at securing the state. Even though there was a lot of misinformation that Ndigbo did not come out to vote; it is important to note that that is not just in Lagos State. That is so everywhere and it is because of what is happening in Nigerian politics.

  • Lawmaker to Sanwo-Olu: consult widely before forming cabinet

    A Lagos lawmaker, Prince Bisi Yusuff on Saturday urged the state Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to consult adequately before forming his cabinet in order to get it right from the start.

    Yusuff, a third-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Alimosho Constituency I, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    According to the former two-term Ipaja-Ayobo Chairman, the incoming governor should not do anything alone if he wants to succeed.

    “Sanwo-Olu should not do it alone, he should consult with leaders widely that is my own candid opinion and I would not shy away from saying that.

    Read Also: NGO urges Sanwo-Olu to revamp civil service

    “He should not arrogate the selective power to himself alone. It is when you do that, that people view it as a team work and they would have confidence in him.”

    He said that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and leader of the party in the state would never do anything alone without due diligence in consulting with the relevant stakeholders.

    “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not even do that to anybody if you know him like I do; the “Jagaban of Borgu” would never select alone.

    “He (Tinubu) would ensure that he consulted with every leader in each local government before concluding or coming up with the list.

    “The era of saying somebody is imported from somewhere has gone,” Yusuff, Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (Local) said.

    According to him, Tinubu has trained thousands of his foot soldiers in Lagos, in other parts of Nigeria and even outside the shores of Nigeria on democratic norms.

    NAN

  • No crisis in Lagos APC over cabinet composition, says party chairman

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said there is no crisis in the ruling party over the preparation for the setting up of the next state Executive Council by Governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    The party said the assignment will be performed by the next governor, following his inauguration on May 29.

    Its chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, frowned at the misleading report by a section of the media that the issue had become a bone of contention between the Mandate Group and the Governorship Advisory Committee (GAC).

    According to Balogun, the report was designed to cause disaffection in the party.

    He said in a statement in Lagos that the fake and mischievous report was also meant to cause disaffection among GAC members and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    Balogun said: “There is no looming crisis in Lagos APC. For the avoidance of doubt, the governor-elect, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is focused on the task ahead of him, which is to accelerate the development of the state and improve the wellbeing of Lagosians.

    Read also; Tricycle owners hail Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat

    “He is taking his job step-by-step. No group or individual is knocking heads with another over cabinet. When he is inaugurated, by the grace of God on May 29, Governor-elect Sanwo-Olu will form his cabinet to the admiration of all and sundry.

    “The Lagos APC is intact and solidly behind Mr. Sanwo-Olu. We all share the laudable dream of that visionary APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for a greater Lagos State that accommodates all, irrespective of social status, ethnic origin or religion.”

  • ‘Sanwo-Olu will fulfil campaign promises’

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Tunde Balogun spoke on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at 67 and expectations about the in-coming Sanwo-Olu administration.

    After elections, what next?

    The expectation of the people who voted us was to have good government. They want good governance. They expect us to come out with good programmes which we already have as a party in All Progressive Congress (APC) over the years and we had some cardinal things.

    We have programmes on transportation, health, education, housing and a lot of other areas.

    Firstly, on integrated transportation system, we want to have a type of transportation that has to do with maximum use of all things we have naturally.

    Like inland water ways in Lagos, we want to make maximum use of that, by using boat or ferry to transport people from one point to the other.

    On transportation, we want to make use of some mode of transportation through water, roads, bridges and railway that will be interconnectivity.

    Like, if you are coming with rail from Mile 2 going to CMS, there will be a terminus at a stop where you can be transfer to a bus. Getting out from the boat or ferry through water system to CMS and getting to a bus which will take you to other parts of Lagos.

    Also, we would ensure that the railway becomes one of the main modes of transportation in Lagos that can convey a lot of people at once from a point and take a large number of workers from that point in Lagos to other parts.

    Also, for the health system, we want to have a comprehensive health insurance scheme for Lagosians so that when you pay the premium for the insurance, you will have access to free medical treatment locally and this is part of the comprehensive health insurance scheme we are talking about.

    Read also: I’ll not betray Lagosians, says Sanwo-Olu 

    Also for the schools, we want to rehabilitate all our schools and ensure to have quality teachers with constant training with all teachers.

    We want have a lot of hospitals that will be well equipped. We want to improve the personnel of hospital and to improve the facility there. We want modern equipment for the facility in our hospitals. We want to train the health workers include doctors, nurses and all health officers in the hospitals.

    We want to ensure that our public schools are the best, that is to have quality teachers and the kind of education giving to our children must be standard.

    Also, we want to ensure that our housing programmes are second to none. We want to have a programme that will be a multi-modern system.

    How would you describe Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a leader?

    As a man, he is fantastic and unique human being. He lives his life for others to thrive. He lives a life of service to humanity. I was looking at a picture of him in one of the daily newspaper recently with about five to six leaders in Nigeria such as Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode and Adeola Ipaye, a lawyer. All these men were brought into limelight. They were made by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He promoted them to a leadership position in Nigeria. He did it single-handedly.

    To tell you the kind of man who he is more that any Nigerian, he is a man who have created more leaders than any other Nigerian either dead or alive now.

    He is very kind, generous and a philanthropic. He is generous to a legendary point.

    As a leader in politic, he is experience and brilliant. He has a lot of capital politically and enjoy it because of his year of experience and political acumen. He is a political strategist. In context of African, he has no equal to me.

    What advice do you have to the citizens of the country?

    All Nigerians should learn to live together as brothers and sisters. We should tolerate one another. If we really want build a good country, we must be our brother’s keeper. We must not discriminate against one another, no matter where you come from. Once you are a Nigerian, we should learn to accommodate ourselves and that is the way the country can unite together.

    How can Nigeria be a better place in the next three years?

    The role of a political building is first of all to offer good leadership, exemplary leadership, inspirational leadership that can inspire others to do well.

    To make this country better, a good leader must be ready to unite his people. He must lead them by example so that others can follow. He must be a man who must devoid of violence so that we can continue to live peacefully. He should not be a selfish man. He must be selfless, that is the way a nation can be build.

    What we need in the next three years is such leaders that can lead and leave by example, try and unite the people that can promote the economy of the well-being of the people in the country.