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Tag: Femi Pedro

  • Tinubu celebrates Femi Pedro at 70

    Tinubu celebrates Femi Pedro at 70

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to renowned economist and former deputy governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro, as he marks his 70th birthday.

    Describing Otunba Pedro as a brilliant mind and dedicated public servant, President Tinubu highlighted his contributions to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria at large. 

    During his tenure as Tinubu’s deputy from 2003 to 2007, Pedro was recognised for his unwavering commitment to excellence and the progress of the state.

    The president also praised Pedro’s accomplishments beyond public office, particularly in banking and entrepreneurship, where he has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth. 

    His leadership and integrity have created opportunities for many, making him a trailblazer in his field and a source of inspiration for future leaders.

    Marking this milestone, President Tinubu extended his best wishes to Pedro, celebrating his legacy of service, patriotism, and dedication to nation-building. 

    He prayed for his continued good health, happiness, and success in the years ahead.

    “Today, I celebrate my dear friend and brother, Otunba Femi Pedro, who will be 70 on January 29.

    “Otunba Femi Pedro is a brilliant mind and a dedicated public servant whose contributions to Lagos State and Nigeria continue to inspire many. As my deputy when I was governor of Lagos, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence and the progress of our nation. This attribute sets him apart as a leader who always puts the people first.

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    “Beyond his years of service in government, Otunba Femi Pedro has distinguished himself as a trailblazer in banking and entrepreneurship. He has created opportunities for many and contributed to Nigeria’s economic growth. His leadership, integrity, and deep sense of patriotism remain a source of inspiration for those who seek to make a difference.

    “As Femi marks this milestone, I join his family, friends, and well-wishers in praying for his continued good health, happiness, and fulfilment in the years ahead.

    “Happy 70th birthday, Femi. May the years ahead bring even more incredible blessings”, he said.

  • Sanwo-Olu celebrates Femi Pedro at 70

    Sanwo-Olu celebrates Femi Pedro at 70

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has praised former deputy governor of Lagos, Femi Pedro for his remarkable contributions to the state economic growth as he marks his 70th birthday.

    Pedro served as deputy governor from 2003 to 2007 under former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    In a tweet on his X handle, Sanwo-Olu commended Pedro’s efforts in restructuring Lagos’ revenue system, describing him as a visionary leader whose work continues to positively impact the state.

    “As the Deputy Governor of Lagos, Otunba Pedro used his banking experience to contribute positively to the growth of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    “His team, as the Chairman of the Lagos State Revenue Mobilisation Committee, restructured, reorganised, and re-engineered the Board of Inland Revenue, increasing Lagos State’s revenue from N300 million to N7 billion monthly within 18 months.”

    The governor, who described Pedro as a “dear older brother,” extended his good wishes on behalf of his family, the Lagos State government, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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    “On behalf of my wife, family, the good people and government of Lagos State, as well as leaders and members of the GAC and APC, I join family, friends, and political associates to congratulate my dear older brother and former Deputy of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro, on his 70th birthday,”

    Sanwo-Olu also prayed for Pedro’s continued good health and strength as he remains committed to serving humanity.

    “I pray that God will give him more strength as he continues to render more service to humanity, Lagos State, and Nigeria.”

  • Less-privileged deserve quality education, says ex-deputy governor

    Less-privileged deserve quality education, says ex-deputy governor

    Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro has recalled how he attended university on the scholarship of the government in the 1970s, saying it is time for him and other beneficiaries  to help the less-privileged get quality education as pay back.

    Pedro said he attended university in the United States (US) after his secondary school at Ahmadiyya (now Anwar-Ul Islam) College, Agege. He said his education was fully sponsored by the Lagos State Government, thereby enabling him to concentrate and excel in his academic work.

    He said he would have been working and schooling, if not for the scholarship which allowed him to concentrate on his education and finish in time to return home to contribute to national development.

    Pedro spoke  at a reception for two members of Anwar-Ul Islam College Old Students Association (ACAOSA) 77/78 Set, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), and Dr Abiodun Afolabi, who were recently appointed into Lagos State Executive Council.

    The special guest of honour, who was a senior to Pedro and Afolabi in school, advised the duo to see themselves as ambassadors of their alma mater in government.

    The gathering was full of other old boys of the school, who came to rejoice with the duo. Pedro is the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, while Afolabi is the Special Adviser on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagements.

    Pedro praised members of the set for honouring their mates, noting that they were building on the school’s age-old tradition of watching out for one another through bonding and friendship.

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     ‘’As pupils while in school, we were known for looking out for one another; playing together, eating together, going out together and reading together without losing respect for our seniors. So, when I received the invitation from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a member of your set, I knew that I must be here to celebrate with my brothers. You have done well by honouring Lawal and Abiodun. I wish them all the best in the discharge of their duties.

    “Thanks to Lagos State government who sponsored my education abroad; I did not suffer in the US as I enjoyed the education. I did not know that they were training and nurturing me to come back and serve the state in the capacity of deputy governor. It was a position that afforded me an opportunity to serve the state that awarded me scholarship so many years ago. So, I ensured that we sponsored students through the Ministry of Education,” he said.

    Obanikoro, a one-time commissioner in the state, described the former deputy governor as a pride to the school and a worthy leader. He described Pedro and Afolabi as “our ambassadors”.

  • Lagos Assembly invalidates Pedro’s impeachment

    Lagos Assembly invalidates Pedro’s impeachment

    The Lagos State House of Assembly at plenary Thursday invalidated the impeachment of former Deputy Governor of the state, Hon. Femi Pedro.

    This resolution followed the adoption of the recommendation of the eight member Ad Hoc Committee constituted on July 2, to review the circumstances that led to impeachment of Pedro.

    The House, which passed a vote of confidence on Pedro, said that the allegations of his impeachment were not connected to criminal charges.

    The committee, headed by the Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, in its report said:

    “In line with Rule 51 (6) of the Business, Rules and Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the committee recommends that this House should by a substantive motion review the impeachment passed on Otunba Femi Pedro on Thursday May 10, 2007 by the 5th Assembly.

    “Pardon him and pass a vote of confidence on him as a fit and proper person that can be entrusted with political and administrative responsibilities.”

    36 members of the House were in support of the pardon while only one lawmaker voted against it and another abstained.

    It will be recalled that Pedro was impeached towards the end the tenure of Bola Tinubu as Governor for gross misconducts on May 10, 2007.

    The ex-deputy governor had urged the House to revisit his impeachment in a letter sent to the 8th Assembly on compassionate ground.

    In his contribution, Hon. Rotimi Olowo, the Chairman House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, urged the Assembly to reverse the impeachment for the ex-deputy governor to live a normal life.

    Olowo said that Pedro has shown remorse and needed to be forgiven.

    He said, ” to err is human, to forgive is divine. Pedro has shown much remorse and obedience, let’s pardon him to have his sanity back. Pedro has passed through much psychological trauma.”

    He said the purpose of the impeachment then was not based on fraud or criminal tendencies.

    Hon. Segun Olulade, the Chairman, House Committee on Health commended the adhoc committee for the recommendation to revert the impeachment.

    Olulade also commended Pedro for withdrawing court cases challenging his removal to allow the Assembly wade into the matter.

    According to the lawmaker, Pedro should be forgiven and be allowed to further contribute to the society.

    Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin I) said, “I am in agreement with the report of the committee, all the allegations against Pedro were not criminal.

    “The former deputy governor has displayed a lot of maturity and honourable behaviour. His name has to be cleared. He is a man of integrity and we should clear him of the allegations.”

    However, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Hon. Tunde Braimoh urged the House to direct the Executive to invalidate documents against Pedro.

    Responding, the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said that the House was not absorbing Pedro of the allegation but decided to pardon him for showing remorse.

    Obasa said that since Pedro was not convicted of any crime by any court of law, the Assembly had decided to pardon him and undo the impeachment served on him in 2007.

  • Pedro wants Lagos Assembly to revisit impeachment

    Pedro wants Lagos Assembly to revisit impeachment

    Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro, on Thursday appealed to the state House of Assembly to revisit his 2007 impeachment.

    In a letter read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Ganiyu Abiru, the ex- deputy governor pleaded with the lawmakers to revisit his impeachment on compassionate ground.

    The Clerk added that Pedro’s letter was attached with his letter of resignation while leaving office.

    Pedro was impeached by the state House of Assembly shortly before the end of former governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tenure in 2007.

    Speaking on the issue, Rotimi Olowo, a member of the House representing Shomolu I constituency, told his colleagues to reverse the impeachment, arguing that the tone of the letter showed that the ex-governor has shown remorse for his action while in office.

    Olowo described Pedro, who is his close friend, as somebody that is upright in character.

    He said the purpose for carrying out the impeachment in 2007 was not because of fraud or criminal tendencies.

    “The impeachment was not traceable to fraud or misconduct, but because of high-handedness or lack of respect for constituted authority. Mr. Speaker, I suggest we set up an ad-hoc committee to either sustain or revisit the resolution of the 5th Assembly,” the lawmaker said.

    Abiodun Tobun , a lawmaker representing Epe 1 constituency, however gave a contrary opinion.

    He said the 5th Assembly that impeached Pedro had actually done a good job.

  • Femi Pedro set to get grandchild

    Femi Pedro set to get grandchild

    OTUNBA Femi Pedro, former deputy governor of Lagos State, is set to get his first grandchild. The tiny tot is coming from his first son, Bode, who is married to Uche Pedro, the young and fabulous lady behind the premier lifestyle, entertainment and fashion website, Bella Naija. We gathered that the young entrepreneur who recently clocked 30 is on nine-month course.

  • Learn from APC registration, ex-Lagos deputy governor tells INEC

    Learn from APC registration, ex-Lagos deputy governor tells INEC

    Former Lagos State Deputy Governor Femi Pedro has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to learn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership registration, which begins today.

    Pedro told reporters in Akure, Ondo State, that arrangements were made to ensure a smooth registration, urging INEC to study how materials and personnel would be moved to polling units.

    He urged prospective party members to register at the polling units where they usually vote

    Pedro said: “We are ready in terms of logistics, machines and others. Akure will be agog tomorrow and our people will get registered in all polling units.”

    He debunked the report that there was crisis in Ondo APC, adding that “it was just a family misunderstanding.”

    Pedro described the APC as one big family, which co-exists in love, peace and unity.

     

     

  • Pedro joins APC

    Pedro joins APC

    Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A statement Sunday night by his Special Adviser Media, Lanre Anjolaiya , said Pedro took the decision after series of discussions with the National leadership of APC with whom he shared the desire to see Nigeria become great again.

    “ Otunba Pedro is convinced, beyond any shadow of doubt, that the APC offers that veritable platform to put Nigeria back along the path of glory and prosperity. For this reason, I am delighted to announce that Otunba Femi Pedro has formally declared for the APC.

    “ He left the PDP with his teeming supporters and party stalwarts across the Southwest to partner with the party of the progressives – APC – towards the attainment of these noble objectives.

    “ The former Deputy Governor of Lagos is irrevocably committed to help actualize the task of building democratic and institutional standards that are not only responsive and accountable to the people, but one that signpost what an APC-led Federal Government promises as from 2015.

    “ The landmark achievements and performances of the progressive governors and legislators in the APC-controlled States bear eloquent testimony to the tenacity of purpose of the party’s leadership.

    “ Our dear country, more than ever before, is in dire need of purposeful leadership committed to leading us out of the woods; and one for which all men of good conscience must join hands. The task of nation building no doubt comes with challenges and always at great personal costs; yet it must be fulfilled by genuine patriots” Anjolaiya said in the statement.