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Tag: Be patient

  • Be patient with Ambode, Lagosians told

    Former Head of Service in Lagos State,  Sunny Ajose, has called on Lagosians to be patient with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as he works harder at making Lagos cleaner. He spoke at the Badagry Federation Youth Coalition public endorsement of the governor for second term. Ajose said Visionscape, the new company saddled with the duty of keeping Lagos clean, will soon get its acts right.

    Speaking on major projects that the governor has brought to Badagry that made him win the youths’ support, he recalled that the governor had his first town hall meeting at Badagry to sensitize the people about his development plans. “He is implementing plans that will ensure that youths have opportunities to succeed as entrepreneurs and professionals.

    He further stated that the governor has started opening roads in the area to make movement easier for the people. “There is the 10-lane road coming from Orile. It has gotten to Okokomaiko where there is a PPP arrangement that will take over from there to Seme. It is to make sure that Badagry becomes a hub for tourist activities internationally. “The Aje oil, the free trade zone, and the mega sea port are all coming here soon. We just need to be patient with the governor,” he appealed.

     

  • ‘Be patient with Amosun over projects’

    The Ogun State Elders’ Consultative Forum, led by former Justice of the International Court at Hague, Prince Bola Ajibola, has urged the residents to be patient with the Ibikunle Amosun administration as he strives to complete ongoing projects.

    The forum said there could not be any genuine development without some pains.

    It added that in the end, the pains would lead to joy and many socio-economic values.

    In a statement by its Coordinating and Resource Person, Aremo Taiwo Alimi, at the end of its plenary in Abeokuta, the state capital, the forum said the Amosun administration’s urban renewal effort and infrastructural developments had further enhanced the status of the state as an industrial destination of choice in Nigeria.

    The elders urged the governor to spread more projects to other towns and communities for balanced, rapid development.

    According to the statement, the Elders’ Forum will remain a “non-partisan and independent advisory body charged with the responsibility of providing guidance, insight and direction for state governance and the general well-being of the good people of Ogun State as well as the overall development and sustainable peace in Ogun State”.

  • ‘Nigerians should be patient with Buhari’

    ‘Nigerians should be patient with Buhari’

    Athanasious Okon is the National Coordinator of the Buhari Friends Organisation Network. In this interview with TONY AKOWE in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), he speaks on the calls for the restructuring of the country and the reshuffling of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance and other issues.

    What is your take on the call by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the restructuring of the country?
    I think as a major stakeholder in the project Nigeria, a consummate politician,a man with a wide knowledge of the Nigerian political history, as well as a deep knowledge of our differences, especially in terms of religion, social, economic and political, there is no doubt that based on our differences, Atiku’s request for restructuring should be treated in good fate because it is long overdue. Although I am not holding brief for him, my take is that, his view in regard to the much needed restructuring is borne out of visible facts on ground, including the yearnings of majority of Nigerians. The need for us to be addressed simply as Nigerians instead of the concept of Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba, Efik, Edo, Ibibio, Tiv, Itshekiri, Ijaw, Fulani, etc, is what I believe, Atiku is trying to address in his message,and it is indeed a genuine request from a sincere leader. Another thing is our natural resources and the continued dependence on oil. The country is running a mono economy, driven by oil and the attendant consequences of degredation, pollution via oil spillage on farm lands and its effects on other sectors like fishing, drinking water among others. Yet, proceeds from oil exploitation are not really of great benefits to the producing communities, as unemployment, high cost of living, lack of affordable health care, education, good roads network and other areas of deprivation abound. No nation that wants to develop will want to continue like this. There is the need for aggressive and deliberate, but conscious efforts to diversify from the current monolitic economy to other sectors such as agriculture and mining. So, I am in support of Atiku’s position, as we cannot continue like this, considering the dynamic nature of the society.
    Many believe that Atiku had already started his campaign for 2019, with his ulterances in recent times…
    Politicking is simply a daily activity. Even husband and wife, including children in a nuclear family are daily involved in politics. Apart from the above, if we were to do things right as in civilised democracies, nothing is wrong in planning for the next elections from this moment. But that should be done with all manner of civility and decorum. To contest elections and expect to win at high levels of authority requires adequate time for planning, especially as we are gradually migrating from the days of imposition of preferred candidates and carry go syndrome.
    Would you say that President Muhammadu Buhari has met the expectations of Nigerians, considering the suffering the people are currently going through?
    Considering the state of our economy at the time he took over the mantle of leadership, it was evident that we were heading for a failed state. You are aware that there no reasonable amount of money in the treasury to start with, there were sponsored vandalism of oil installations with a deliberate objective to frustrate the economy. It was worse considering the fact that at the time he came into office coin side with the fall of crude oil price in the international market. What miracles can anyone perform in such a circumstances? He came to meet an economy that was already suffering recession. So, instead of president Muhammadu Buhari to start fulfilling his campaign promises and making things happen as expected, he was faced with the challenges of looking for money. He was faced trying to recover money from those who looted our common patrimony and starched them away. It was because of these stolen money that we are where we are today. So, as far as I am concerned, nothing much can be achieved in such precarious situation of near hopelessness occasioned by the actions or inaction of previous administrations, except to start afresh and that what he is doing presently. I can assure you that there is great prospect that things will be better before the end 2017. He has done well in the areas that are visibly within his power, especially the war against terrorism and corruption. A lot is being done in his policy of diversification. Agriculture and other non oil sectors have been rejuvenated and are now adding to our GDP better than it was before Buhari came.
    There are calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet. What is your take on that?
    I don’t personally believe that one year or even two is not enough for any meaningful achievement by ministers, especially when you consider the level of financial handicap they have to grapple with. As far as I am concerned, it is a vicious cycle. Their inability to perform as expected is traceable to the poor state of the economy.These people are working hard with Mr President, to develop means of getting our economy back on course and you know that is very essential for any meaningful development.
    Some officials of the government have been accused of corruption. Don’t you think this is a big blow to the anti-corruption crusade of the government.
    It is not correct to say allegation of corruption against some officials of the government are being protected by Mr President. They are two obvious cases in this regard, which to my knowledge has to do with allegations against the acting EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. To the best of my knowledge, after the said allegations were brought to Mr President’s knowledge ordered an investigation. I think considering the need for due process, it behooves on the president to first of all investigate before taking a decision base on the outcome of investigations. So far, he has done just that and never ignored it as being speculated. My appeal too Nigerians is to give him the benefit of doubt, believing that he would not condone any acts of indiscipline trace to anyone in his cabinet.
    The Buhari government is almost half way to four years, yet nothing significant has been achieved. What has gone wrong?
    I don’t have to accept that position. If anyone is of the belief that close to two years, nothing significantly has been achieved by this administration, I think it would amount to not being fair. Even a child of 8 years who indeed has been following the activities and policies of this government would appreciate what Buhari has done with the problem of insurgency and corruption. Today, no big man can boldly make away with public money with impunity, as was in the case before. Recall the current trials of corrupt people, especially the Dasukigate. Such era of stealing public funds is gone for good in Nigeria. What about the empowerment program which is ongoing? The thousands so far employed during the period under review? Our foreign reserve has appreciated and the non oil sector has been given adequate attention. Railway stations are now busy, our health care system, especially primary health care are far better, and even going to improve more before end of 2017. On the whole, considering the various challenges this administration has been confronted with, including economy sabotage occasioned by those that are adverse to the change mantra, Buhari’s government should be given a pass mark.

  • ‘We need to be patient for change to come’

    ‘We need to be patient for change to come’

    Otunba Denge Anifowoshe is the Chairman, Conference of All Progressives Congress (APC) Local Goverment Chairmen in Lagos State. He spoke with reporters in Lagos on partisan issues. 

    Nigerians are complaining that your party is taking too long in coming. What is your take on this?
    The journey of change may not be as smooth as expected by some quarters because the process of reconstruction takes gradual process but in the end it will be beneficial to all concern
    The economy was in comatose seriously battered with monumental corruption. No nation in the world developed where corruption strives. I have to appreciate the Government at my party APC at both Federal, State and local level.
    What do you think of the anti-graft war?
    I commend Mr President for the bold step he took in figting the corruption head on with determination to reduce the menace drastically if possible uproot corruption from our system. Honestly, if only this could be achieved in four years the physique and thinking of Nigerians would have changed and that will be a great achievement of change.
    How could one imagine looters laundering trillions of naira in abroad when Nigerians are dying of poverty at home. Before the inception of this administration nothing works in Nigeria again crime rate has reached an alarming rate with introduction of kidnapping, rituals, militancy, terrorism with all social devices all over the country.
    The middle class has already be eradicated you are either rich or poor.
    The civil service is not left out. The corruption was so rife with hardly you will get anything done without oiling palms. People who are saddled with responsibility of keeping tax payers money fiddle with it without the fear of God. ghost worker, ghost contract ghost everything where pension fund was not spared.
    How would you assess the performence of President Muhammed Buhari?
    Infact, Mr President has an assiduous task in putting things right and instill discipline and the fear of God in governance of this country. The economic saboteurs who are enemy of change are equally there to contend with. I want to suggest to Mr President that any state where vandalized such as pipelines, blowing of government infrastructure such state should be held responsible by deducting their monthly allocations to repair the vandalized infrastructure. This will serve as deterrent and big caution to other states to curb the citizens and beef up security like Governor of Lagos Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has invested heavily in security in Lagos State.
    Let’s us look at crime in Lagos…
    The governor Mr Ambode deserves kudos in combating crime in Lagos State.
    However, I made bold to say that APC government at Federal level has recorded tremendous achievements in area of security by waging war against terrorism, kidnapping, vandals treasonable agitation and a lot of social vices in the country. The recruitment of security personnels is highly commendable. I am convinced that second year in office will be geared towards economic improvement like I’ve said earlier a country does develop under insecurity and corruption with this given attention in first years in office attention will be focused on the sector of Economy I enjoined all Nigerians to be prayerful and give support in totality to this administration.
    As for my silent achiever. A man whose achievement in one year beats the imagination of Lagosians, an economic engineer, astute administrator. A man who has given Lagos State over 200 new roads within one year in office, light up all nook and cranny of Lagos. A man who re-organised the civil service to the satisfaction of every civil servant by paying the salaries and emolument promptly. I can confidently say that Mr Akinwunmi Ambode won the hearts of Lagosians with his unprecedented achievements so far.
    I must congratulate the leadership of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his vision and foresight in encouraging us to vote for President Muhammed Buhari and Mr Akinwunmi Ambode respectively. It was a right decision. Lagosians should continue to pray for this amiable Governor and pay their taxes reqularly.

  • Be patient, all will be well, Akiolu tells Nigerians

    Be patient, all will be well, Akiolu tells Nigerians

    Oba Rilwan Akiolu I of Lagos yesterday urged Nigerians to be patient in spite of the hard times in the country. He said all will be well in the course of time.

    “I am confident that the economy of the country, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, will change for good because our president is focused,’’ Akiolu told newsmen in his palace during the celebration of the Isese Festival at Isale Eko area of Lagos Island.

    The present hardship in the country, according to him, is a prelude to a better tomorrow.

    “Let us cooperate with the government. Do not take the law into your hands and always inform the security agencies wherever there are criminal activities,” Akiolu said.

    He appealed to the Niger Delta Avengers to stop bombing oil facilities and put their grievances on the table for the government to address.

    He added: “I agree to some extent with them that certain things have to be done for them, but they just have to give peace a chance and things will work for them.

    “They should stop and put their grievances on the table and the government will address it. It is not too late to mend.”On the festival, Oba Akiolu said it was an inherited custom and tradition which he does not joke with.

    The Isese festival featured diverse cultural activities to enhance interaction and promote harmony in the state and the country at large.

    Numerous Lagosians joined in the celebration of the festival, dancing and singing to various deities.

  • Be patient, Gani’s widow urges Nigerians

    Nigerians have been asked to be fair in their criticisms of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Widow of frontline rights activist Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), Ganiat, gave the charge at the 78th posthumous birthday of her husband organised by the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG) in Lagos.

    Fawehinmi said Buhari should not be held responsible for the looting of the nation’s wealth in the last 16 years.

    She urged members of civil society organisations accusing the president of not having done enough since he assumed office to support the administration’s anti-corruption war.

    The looters of the nation’s wealth, she added, must be identified and made to return stolen funds.

    “Buhari is strong-willed, is not a greedy person and has passion to better the lot of the common man,” Fawehinmi said.

    According to her, the fight against corruption requires collaboration between the people and the government.

    Alhaja Fawehinmi announced the inauguration of the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Hospital in OPIC Estate, Agbara, Ogun State by her daughter, Hafsat Fawehinmi-Oni.

    The hospital, she said, would provide services, particularly drugs, at minimal and subsidised cost that the poor can afford, in fulfilment of Gani’s wish.

    Chairman, GAFAMORG, Ayodele Akele lamented that politicians serve themselves rather than the electorate and that this has resulted in bad governance.

    “Gani believed that good governance means being with the people, knowing their pains, abolishing their poverty, and solving their problems”, he said.

    “We can assert without any fear of contradiction that had our Chief and Comrade Gani Fawehinmi been alive today, he would have hit the courts on several fronts to wage legal struggles against the numerous acts of impunity and insanity that dominate our lives today.

    “Most importantly, he would have hit the streets to lead protests and struggles against atrocities and social collapse that are everywhere around us”, he said.

    Akele lamented the state of degeneration in the country, adding that Nigerians don’t deserve the poor social services being experienced today, such as fuel scarcity, high electricity tariff without improved services and meagre minimum wage.

    Executive Director, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin described Fawehinmi as a strong advocate of democracy who made significant contributions to national growth and development.

    Mrs. Okei-Odumakin urged political stakeholders to imbibe all the ideals that Fawehinmi lived for, stressing that he defended human rights all through his life.