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Tag: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

  • NUT names Ambode most friendly governor

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, was named the best teacher-friendly governor of the year during last Thursday’s World Teachers Day celebration by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Abuja.

    NUT President, Comrade Michael Alogba-Olukoya, who presented the award to the Governor’s representative, Mrs Oluwatoyin Edu (chairman, Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria), praised Ambode for providing “an enabling environment for teaching and learning in public schools in Lagos State while also prioritising teachers’ welfare and rewarding hard work”.

    In his speech at the Lagos NUT event held at the sports complex of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, announced plans to hire 500 more teachers.

    He said the teachers would be those trained to teach core science subjects as well as Mathematics, English, Yoruba, French, Computer Science, Creative Arts and Home Economics.

    The Governor also announced the approval of the promotion of primary school teachers to Grade Level 17 for them to be at par with counterparts in the civil service, noting that it was unprecedented in the annals of the nation’s education reforms.

    He said experience has shown that teachers perform better in the classroom when they are well motivated and are well appreciated.

    “Today, teachers’careers are no longer terminated as principals. But many are reaching the pinnacle of their careers as tutor-general/permanent secretaries. Administration of schools, which was decentralised through the districts has enhanced efficiency, proper monitoring and assessment.  This has also imbued in our teachers a sense of belonging,” he said.

    Speaking further he said teachers would be provided with quality infrastructure and regular training to build their capacity.

    Other benefits include allowances, bonus and personal emoluments paid by companies.

    Lagos State NUT Chairman, Otunba Adesegun Raheem, said if there was any subset of workers needed to be empowered, it was teachers.

    According to him, teachers rendered their services without any insurance cover and under all forms of fear and trepidation. However, he said they were yet to be elevated to the status of their counterparts around the world.

    Raheem said challenges facing the education sector in Lagos could be addressed by: teacher recruitment and retention, increased running cost of schools, resuscitation of the Lagos Eko secondary education project and its extension to primary schools, reinstatement of abrogated allowances and professionalism of teachers.

    The NUT chair also advised teachers to register with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), which is conducting its first professional examination for teachers on October 14. Already, he said over 15,000 teachers had registered to take the examination.

    Raheem counselled the teachers to give their best and help their pupils.

    “I hereby charge you to shun all forms of delinquent behavior which may smear our impeccable names. Punctuality is the soul of business. As parents ourselves, let us teach and relate with our students the way we want their teacher to relate with them in school,” he said.

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Mrs Sarah Joseph, called on governments at all levels, to prioritise not only the work of teachers but also retrain them. She lamented that most government efforts and the initiatives of non-governmental organisations had been focused on students and schools particularly.

    She said teachers were special specie of servants that deserves much more than other professions.

    “I dream of a Nigeria where teachers are exposed to the best trainings in the world to command the respect of their students and society at large. I dreams of the day this noble profession will be deemed most respectable and fitting, I dream of that day when top graduates will jostle propositions in the teaching service, I dream of that day when teachers would be ranked one of the best paid class of professionals”.

    National NUT President, Comrade Michael Olukoya, represented by Mrs Adebukola Kareem, said the theme of this year’s World Teachers’ Day, “Teaching in freedom: Empowering teachers” was chosen to draw the attention of the government and relevant authorities to the avalanche of issues relating to the professional status, terms and working conditions of teachers.

    He also highlighted some of the issues which include: teachers’ award, Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, retirement age for teachers, terminal grade level of teachers, and local government autonomy.

    Awards were presented to various teachers, including Raheem; Permanent Secretary, Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office (TEPO), Mrs Sewanu Amosu; former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Elizabeth Ariyo; and Director-General, Quality Assurance on Education, Mrs Aderonke Soyombo.

    Others are: 2016 Best Principal, Mrs Bilikisu Oluderu; 2016 best head teacher, Mrs Victoria Oguntunde; best teacher (secondary category), Mr Babatunde Ajanaku; and best teacher (primary category), Mr Musa Mufutau.

     

  • Lagos begins waste bag distribution

    Lagos begins waste bag distribution

    The Lagos State government has commenced the distribution of waste bags to households in communities across Lagos in line with its commitment to achieving a cleaner, healthy and safer environment for residents.

    This is in line with the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), which was initiated by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led government.

    The CLI aims to make Lagos the greenest city in Africa by 2029, reducing the accumulation of solid waste, promoting best practices including reducing reusing and recycling, preventing public littering and disposal of waste, improving the quality, practices and treatment of waterways, wastewater and sewage, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution to decrease the impact on climate change.

    CLI will also engage in environmental based projects to address and reverse degradation and decrease Lagos’ crime rate with the creation of over 27, 000 direct and indirect jobs to alleviate poverty. Visionscape is a leading global environmental utility group assigned by the Lagos State Government to provide the waste management services.
    Operations Director of Visionscape, Tarak Sahay, said one million bags will be distributed in this first phase of the exercise.

    “In the last six months, we have surveyed the entire city of Lagos and collated vital data to make this initiative very effective. We, therefore, understand population density of the communities and areas we are working even up to the number of streets and households in the state. This fair assessment aids us to know the amount of waste that can be generated in any particular location. And accordingly, we are going to create adequate capacity required in terms of the number of bins for the areas.

    “So, when they use the nylon bags to hold their domestic waste, they will move it to the collection points where we have located nearest to them. And the CLI workers will take it from there. In the long run, we will be providing the waste bags to each household in the entire city of Lagos.

    He also reiterated that plans have been made to ensure wastes are collected weekly, adding that community involvement is important in achieving the goals of Cleaner Lagos Initiative.

    Other top executives of Visionscape including Mr. Tunji Sasore, Operations Manager; Mr Thomas Forgacs, Chief Operations Officer and Mr. Aravindu Valmeekan, Operations Manager, Lagos West as well as the Area Managers attended the interactive forum.

    Among the highlights of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative are: Regular collection of waste with trucks and properly kitted operators, proper distribution of bins across the state, effective operation of sanitation workers, sweeping daily in every Local Government Area (LG) and Local Council Development Area (LCDA), regular cleaning of waterways, highways and drainage system to prevent flooding.

  • Winners named in Badagry quiz

    Yaqub Muqtedir, an SS1 pupil of Ansaru-Deen Grammar School,Badagry; Adbulrahamon Abubakri, a JSSI pupil of Vanguards Academy Odushengolu, and Sulaiman Morgan, also of Ansar-U-Deen, have emerged first, second, and third in the quiz contest organised by Badagry, Olorunda and Badagry West Local councils to celebrate the Eid-El-Fitri.

    The children quiz contest, which also produced Andulrahmon Najiyyah, a JSS2 pupil of Vanguards Academy, as well as Moshood Assmau, a JSS3 of Easter Springs International School, for the fourth and fifth places, formed a part of activities put together for the celebrations.

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who expressed his appreciation to the quartet as they were being presented with their gifts at LASG VIP Chalet, Badagry, venue of the event, urged youths in the area to acquire knowledge so they would not be available for atrocities.

    Addressing guests and residents of Badagry, Ambode lamented the growing cases of ritual killing in the area, saying Badagry was not known for such.

    Speaking through Babatunde Hunpe, his Special Adviser on Environment, Ambode said youths who ought to have been empowered through quality education constitute a majority of perpetrators of heinous crimes.

    “Very recently,” Ambode said, “we realised cultism has been gaining ground and lives are being lost. Unfortunately, this is not good for us because Badagry is known for peace. I therefore call on the youths to buckle up and work with the security agencies to address this problem.

    “We are also aware that youths around here have been throwing punches at government through social media. I want to indulge the youth that whatever you heard in the community, always find time to cross check and hold your leaders accountable rather than spreading rumours online.”

    Hunpe described the event which was first of its kind, as Ambode’s initiative geared towards celebrating the Eid-el-Kabir festival and fostering unity among Badagry residents regardless of political or religious affiliations.

    Both Badagry and Badagry West local governments chairmen, Oluwasegun Oniludae and Gbenu henugbe Joseph, attested to the capability of such event to foster oneess among residents.

  • Kudos for Lagos schools renovation

    Kudos for Lagos schools renovation

    Chairman, Committee on Education of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Olanrewaju Ogunyemi, has commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the ongoing renovation of schools.

    Ogunyemi spoke with reporters after he led his committee members on a tour of some of the renovated public schools.

    He said he was impressed with the renovation and rehabilitation he saw during the tour.

    “This government must be commended for its efforts. The Governor has really done so much in the last two years, particularly in overhauling infrastructure in the education sector.

    “What we have seen so far shows that there is so much hope for education in the state and I would say that the dilapidation of infrastructure in the schools has been turned around.

    “I must commend the governor and the Ministry of Education ably led by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, for a job well done, and for monitoring the contractors to deliver a good job,” he said.

    Ogunyemi also praised the  House of Assembly for ensuring that the executive is closely monitored: for appropriating funds, following up and monitoring to ensure funds are judiciously used.

    Ogunyemi recalled how the committee, as part of its oversight functions, visited Model College, Meiran, about a year ago, and complained about its poor facilities. He  is happy that the government promptly responded and the school now wears a new look.

    He said: “We visited the school over one year ago and we complained about the state of facilities there. The hostel accommodation, the toilets, the classrooms, the water system have improved.

    “The House of Assembly is happy that our Governor is working and that the Ministry of Education is responsive to the observation of the House.

    “I think on the whole, we are pleased that our oversight function is yielding the desired results. We came and we spoke, and the government has responded.”

    According to him, the committee would ensure that upgraded facilities are used very well. He added that the principals of the schools have been told to ensure that the hostels masters and captains ensure facilities are maintained.

    Ogunyemi explained that it is important for the state government to overhaul the facilities in the schools regularly. He therefore used the opportunity to call on corporate organisations, well meaning members of the public and philanthropists to support government to make education better.

    “We need public spirited individuals, corporate organisations and philanthropists to come up and exhibit corporate social responsibility and support education.

    “Education will always produce personnel that would go back to work in those organisations.

    “I am happy that some organisations, individuals and corporate bodies are contributing to move education forward in the state,” Ogunyemi said.

    Some other schools visited by the committee included Millennium Junior and Senior Secondary School, Egbeda; Estate Junior High School, Ifako/Ijaiye; and Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School, Agege.

     

     

     

     

  • Waste management takes revolutionary approach in Lagos

    Waste management takes revolutionary approach in Lagos

    Waste management is a major challenge in every metropolitan society. Lagos is no exception. Fifth columnist are not helping matters. But Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has unveiled a revolutiuonary approach that promises to turn the state to the cleanest in the country, WALE AJETUNMOBI reports.

    With a population of over 22 million, Lagos had course to grapple with resurgence of waste in major parts of the state. The development was attributed to the new waste management policy of the state government encapsulated in the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI). Yet more than casual observers noted that the sudden appearance of waste in some parts of the city, was the handiwork of those who are not comfortable with the policy and have vowed to stand against its implementation.

    However, they have their match in Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Last Wednesday, he told Lagosians of how the new policy, when fully implemented from next month, would indeed transform the waste management subsector and bequeath a functional, healthier and livable environment to the people of the state.

    The ultimate goal of the initiative, said the governor,  is to make the mass of the people healthy, and when the people are healthy, they are likely to be more productive and productivity according to him, is about services and goods, which in turn, will translate to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the State.

    The assurances of the true intention of the new policy came to fore at the 2017 Third Quarter Town Hall Meeting, the 8th in the series, held at the Badore Ferry Terminal in Ajah.

    Addressing a large gathering of politicians, artisans, concerned Lagosians and residents at the meeting, which was specifically designed by his administration to intimate people about the policies and programmes of government and as well get the necessary feedback, Ambode said he deliberately asked that the meeting be held at Ajah taking into account the flooding recently witnessed in the area, and to assure the people that government was working round the clock to comprehensively address the challenges once and for all.

    He urged residents of the State to be patient with government on the Cleaner Lagos Initiative billed to commence next month, saying that the policy which is a holistic and comprehensive waste management plan was currently in its gestation period.

    He said once fully operational, waste would be collected in line with international best practices, while all parts of the state would always be kept clean.

    The governor, however, urged residents to adopt new attitude to disposing waste and desist from dumping in drainages and canals, assuring that the government would provide adequate bins to discourage indiscriminate dumping.

    While giving further explanation, the governor said: “The question to ask is why are people putting their waste in the drains and canals hoping that somehow the water will flush it away? The answer comes back to government because we have not been able to provide the people with enough bins or places where they can put the dirt.

    “They cannot leave the dirt in the house so they must have a channel to get it out. Another question is, has government been able to provide enough locations, bins, bags and so on? where they can put that refuse and then we can collect it and when we collect it efficiently, as part of their attitude, they will not go back to the canals and the drains. They will only go back to where we have provided for them.

    “Now, do we have enough equipment to clean Lagos? Are we having enough dino bins, plastic bags, compactors that can go round the population of 22million people? The answer before now is no. We are the largest waste producer in the world more than New York. New York produces 10,000 tonnes of waste every day, the waste accounted for in Lagos is 13,000 tonnes per day, not to talk of areas that are not documented.

    “Do we have enough equipment and compactors? We don’t have, but how do we get it? We have not increased the taxes you are paying. The population is increasing and by that fact the waste is increasing and we have not increased revenue. But we need new equipment. Some people were doing it for us before but we all saw the equipment they have been using to clean up the State and the truth is they can never do it right.

    “If we say we want to be a smart city and globally competitive, we must use the approach that allows you to collect waste in a globally competitive way and that is what we have done with the CLI without me punishing tax payers. We have a partnership that provides 600 brand new compactors without me paying one naira yet and with the partnership, we will provide 27,500 sanitation workers in all our wards across the State, who will be uniformed and clean Ikorodu, Ayobo the same way they clean Victoria Island and then they will provide bins where our people can now have the culture and attitude to put their dirt in the bins instead of putting it in the canals and drains,” Ambode said.

    Ambode said the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development chairmen have been mandated to ensure constant cleaning of the environment, while officials of the State Government would be moving round to evacuate waste.

    Under the CLI, apart from the 600 brand new compactors that would be used to collect waste, 900,000 electronically tracked bins would be provided in homes across the State, while wastes generated by the commercial sector would be handled by licensed private sector participants waste managers otherwise known as PSP operators.

    The dump sites in Olusosun, Igando and other areas which had been major eyesore would be closed for Engineered Sanitary and Engineered Hazardous Landfills which are being constructed by the new partners, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Limited. For efficient collection and disposal operations, the State Government has also concessioned three Transfer Loading Stations/Material Recovery Facilities at Agege, Oshodi and Simpson and three Waste Depots at Mushin, Ogudu and Simpson with the aim of rehabilitating and retrofitting the facilities to world class standard.

    In addition, while the 27,500 sweepers would be deployed to all the political wards in the State to keep the inner streets clean, mechanised sweeping equipment would be deployed to all the highways to prevent the incidence of sweepers being hit by oncoming vehicles.

    Speaking on other issues at the Town Hall Meeting, Governor Ambode said work on the proposed expansion and reconstruction of the Oshodi-International Airport Road would commence next month, while plans are already underway to commence the construction of 181 local government roads also next month.

    On the Oshodi-International Airport Road, Governor Ambode said the construction, which has already been awarded, would see the transformation of the road from four lanes to 10 lanes, from Oshodi to the International Airport with interchange and flyover that would drop commuters to the Local Airport.

    It would be recalled that in May 2017, Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo approved that the road be handed over to the Lagos State Government for total reconstruction.

    Ambode, who had described the current state of the road as a national disgrace, said that work would begin in earnest come September.

    On the delay in the commencement of rehabilitation of 181 inner roads, Governor Ambode said the development was due to the fluctuation in dollar rate at the time the bid was last opened, but that a new bid would be opened in the next two weeks, while work would commence in September.

    “By the next two to three weeks, I will reopen the advert to get a new cost and all things been equal the job would start on the roads by end of September,” he said.

    Governor Ambode also assured residents that the State Public Works would seize the period of the break of the rainy season to fix all potholes across the State in order to improve drive time for motorists.

    As part of the initiatives to enhance commuting within the State, the Governor said new modern bus terminals would be constructed commencing from this quarter in Marina, Ajah, Ojota, Agege, Iju Ishaga and Iyana Ipaja, while as part of the integrated transport system, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) would be constructed to connect Badore Jetty to Ajah.

    Ambode also said that his administration has earned the trust of Lagosians in the last 26 months, adding that taxes paid have been judiciously utilised to make life more comfortable for residents in the state.

    He thanked Lagosians for cooperating and helping his administration to translate its visions and plans for the state to reality, noting that without their taxes, it would have been impossible.

    “I urge all other taxable individuals yet to join the tax net to go to the nearest Lagos State Inland Revenue office to register.  Feel free to honour your civic obligations.  We believe we have earned your trust.  Every kobo paid as tax will be judiciously used for the good of Lagosians.

    “Our government feels emboldened by the tremendous support and cooperation you have continued to give us. This was also evident in your action of July 22nd when you voted massively for the All Progressives Congress during the just concluded Local Government elections,” Governor Ambode said.

    He added that the Badore Road would be expanded at its entrance from Ajah Roundabout, while plans are afoot to construct Oke-Ira Nla Road as an alternative to totally eliminate traffic along the axis.

    Responding to complaints by a resident of the axis, Mrs Abiodun Dina on the activities of dredgers who are fond of spoiling the road and parking indiscriminately on the road thereby subjecting people to avoidable traffic snarl, Ambode said in as much as government was not interested in shutting down businesses, he said the government would have to wield the big stick if the dredgers fail to comply with rules of engagement.

    The town hall meeting had in attendance the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I, members of the State Executive Council, members of the House of Assembly, top government functionaries, party chieftains, traditional rulers, among others.

  • LASG evacuates waste from Lagos streets

    LASG evacuates waste from Lagos streets

    …As operation deep clean gathers momentum

     

    The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment in collaboration with Visionscape has swung into action and cleared over 12,600 metric tonnes of waste from over 80 locations across Lagos State within 10 days in an exercise tagged ‘Operation Deep Clean’.

    The clean-up of refuse dumps all over the State began in July. Visionscape has been clearing up black spots – illegal waste dumpsites.

    Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare in a statement affirmed the government’s resolve to rid the state of refuse heaps and solicited the support of all residents for the soon-to-be fully launched Cleaner Lagos Initiative.

    “Since the exercise began, over 80 locations across the State have been covered and we are building momentum in spite of the heavy rainfall this season. We are building a new culture of waste management in Lagos State. We are optimistic that all communities in Lagos State will see overall benefits of this drive to put an integrated waste management system in place “, he said.

    Many Lagosians have commended Operation Deep Clean, positing that the impact would be phenomenal once it spreads to all parts of the state.

    Speaking in an interview, Mrs Abiodun Yusuff, a shop owner in Egbeda area of the state, said the good job being done by the government deserved commendation, adding that the government was silently revolutionizing waste management in the state. She said the positive impact of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative is being felt in the state.

    “I was getting worried about the seriousness of the State Government to address waste management because at some point and even in some areas now, you still find heaps of refuse on the road. But I commend the government officials for the good job they did in our area. My only charge to them is that they should not relent but keep on cleaning everywhere and ensure that the state is free of waste,” she said.

    A chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Prince Yakub Abiola Aromasodu has also commended the Lagos State Government for the prompt evacuation of debris from Akobi Crescent in Surulere, saying that the development attests to the commitment of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to address waste management in line with international best practices.

    Following the torrential rain in the state last week, many areas including Akobi Crescent were flooded and overtaken by debris, with people unable to access their streets and homes. Within hours, officials of the Ministry of Environment including the Commissioner were on site and the new waste management partner of the State Government, Visionscape, moved to the area and cleaned it up.

    Responding to the development, Aromasodu, who also resides in Surulere, said the fact that the debris was evacuated within few hours speaks volumes about the ability of the State Government to appropriately respond to issues affecting the state.

    Aromasodu, who is a former PDP Youth Leader in Lagos State and former Coordinator of National Programme for Eradication of Poverty (NAPEP) in the state, said government must now intensify the campaign to educate the people on desisting from dumping waste in drainage channels and on highways and streets.

    “I must commend the State Government and particularly Governor Ambode for the swift response in addressing the situation. I was worried myself when I saw the pictures of Akobi Crescent online showing how the situation was but within hours, the whole area was cleaned up. This is simply a serious confirmation of the fact that the government of the day is committed to transforming the waste management sector as the Governor has said on several occasions and I want to ask them to keep up the good work,” Aromasodu said.

    Over 80 locations have been cleared up spanning from Abijo along Lekki Expressway in Eti Osa Local Government, Oke Afa Bridge around Oke Afa Bus Stop in Ejigbo, Osapa Junction in Lekki, Awori-Oniyaya/Balogun Ilawe in Agege, Alabama Suru Market in Ifelodun area, Durbar Road, Mile 2 (Jakande Estates) Amuwo Odofin, Olaogun Street in Ebute Meta Yaba, Roju Avenue in Kosofe/Ojota, Church Bus Stop at Igando Road, Igando Ikotun, St Finbars College in Akoka, Moshood Abiola Model Market in Agege Lagos, among others.

     

     

  • My five graduate kids can’t find work – Senator laments

    My five graduate kids can’t find work – Senator laments

    .Falana, Ananaba back calls for restructuring

    A former Secretary to the Taraba State Government Senator Abdulahi Bala Adamu on Friday lamented that despite their university degrees, five of his children are out of work.

    Bala disagreed with “the perception” that Nigerians from the north have it rosier in the country because a northerner – President Muhammadu Buhari – is in power.

    He said the country’s economic challenges affected all Nigerians, irrespective of their region of origin or religion.

    The former gubernatorial candidate in Taraba State spoke in Lagos yesterday at the 2017 National Conference of the Public Administration and Management Development Institute (PAMDI).

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was the Guest of honour at the event, themed ‘Re-engineering the Nigeria state: Challenges and prospects.’

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) delivered the keynote address.

    Falana and Dr. Paul Ananaba (SAN) were afterwards conferred with conferred with Distinguished Professional Service Award and Fellowship Award.

    Adamu, who represented his state at the 2014 national conference, said the calls for restructuring was resounding across the country but that there were differences as to what it meant.

    He urged Nigerians unite and forge a consensus on how to make the country better.

    Adam said: “The idea of existing federal structure and the clamour for restructuring that we are inundated with cannot be wished away.”

    He added: “This perception of domination or injustice, I think, is based on a false premise.

    “As I stand before you, I had the privilege of getting free education from primary, secondary, university and even post-graduate degree qualifications all paid for by the state.

    “I had the privilege of serving my state at the highest level as secretary to government and head of the civil service, I had the privilege of being elected to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but today, I have at least five graduates, my own children, that can’t secure a job.

    “And if you say because a northerner is President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, what has it impacted on me and my family? I believe we need to create a consensus about how to move this country forward.”

    Falana, who was represented by a rights activist Stanley Imhanruor, backed the call for restructuring if it involved true federalism and justiciability of Chapter 2 of the Constitution.

    He said: “It is difficult to talk about restructuring without talking about true federalism.”

    Falana noted that he was “100 percent in support of restructuring provided that the issue of justiciability of Chapter 2 of the Constitution and the issue of redistribution of national resources is revisited.

    “We must restructure Nigeria economically so that the country’s wealth is fairly distributed.”

    He warned Nigerians to be wary of political jobbers who might try to hijack the clamour for restructuring.

    Ananaba, who shared similar sentiments, condemned any attempt to balkanise the country.

    He said: “Nobody should be preaching the balkanisation of Nigeria; that is wrong. But we should be looking at reducing the size of government. This bogus government style will not help us.”

    The chairman, governing council of PAMDI, Prof Uche Jack-Osimiri said re-engineering, rather than restructuring was the way to solve the mounting agitations across the country.

    He urged Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper.

    “We cannot afford to leave one section of the country behind. Yes there is poverty in the north east, but the rest of the country must not leave them behind to die. We must help them to grow, just like West Germany helped East Germany after the fall of communism,” Jack-Osimiri said.

    He noted that the country’s problems were complex, but that the problems had nothing to do with “tribe, federal or unity government. The problem is re-engineering of the Nigerian state.”

  • Lagos crucial to Nigeria’s economic stability, growth – World Bank                       

    Lagos crucial to Nigeria’s economic stability, growth – World Bank                       

    …We’re evolving a viable transportation system, says Ambode

    The World Bank on Thursday said that the role of Lagos to Nigeria’s stability and growth could not be overemphasized, as the State remains the economic gateway to the country and for the rest of the world.

    Country Director of World Bank, Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud who spoke when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the Lagos House in Ikeja, said the giant strides being recorded by the present administration in the State had received global attention, adding that the World Bank was proud to be part of the transformation.

    “Nigeria needs Lagos, Lagos is a huge part of the growth for the country and the growth is about job creation and stability of the country. We are really honored to have been your partner and we would be honoured to continue the partnership.

    “We really acknowledge the national, regional and local importance of Lagos being the gateway to Nigeria and for the rest of the world. There is a success story that is being told not only in Nigeria but globally and that success story is really thanks to the leadership that you (Ambode) brings in with a clarity of vision and also the speed by which you take decisions and implement programmes and projects,” Benmessaoud said.

    He attested to the fact that the engagements the World Bank have had with Lagos have been unique in Nigeria, noting that as the existing partnerships were coming to a close, they were looking at other opportunities to build on the positive momentum and partner the State on its urban regeneration drive.

    “We are closing our ongoing portfolio which is very small right now, we would very much like to support you and go for the next generation of programmes that are responsive for your vision. We are very pleased to partner with you as you set an agenda for a transformative State,”

    He said the visit to the Governor, therefore, was to explore ways to build on the existing partnerships in the areas of transportation, energy and the environment towards meeting the growing demands of residents as well as attract more investors into the State.

    “The objective of the visit is to maintain and capitalize on the positive momentum that we have created through our partnership over many years and also to see how we can leverage that partnership in helping you, supporting you achieving your vision for the urban transformation in Lagos State that will enable you to create a livable city, bringing more jobs that will not only retain and expand the existing businesses but also attract new businesses and generate more revenue for the State and attracting the private sector,” he said.

    Responding, Governor Ambode thanked the World Bank for their partnership over the years, noting that they have contributed immensely to the success story of Lagos State, especially in the transportation sector.

    Alluding to the fact that Lagos was the first State in Nigeria to receive budget support from the World Bank, the Governor commended the successful execution of the three Development Policy Operations (DPOs), saying that the State has been able to show evidence that the partnership had been very successful.

    “It’s been very fruitful and we’ve become totally responsive to ensure that whatever it is that we are getting in terms of support from multilateral institutions, we show credibility also to show that we plan well for such support and we are willing to also continue to abide by international standard to ensure that whatever it is we are getting as support, it is used for the common good of every citizen in Lagos which is the whole essence of service,” the Governor said.

    Governor Ambode also said that his administration has fashioned out a work plan to integrate water, rail and road transport system to evolve a viable means through Lagosians can commute within the State with ease.

    “I think the new sets of proposal are the kind of strategy we should put for Lagos State and that’s what this visit speaks to. I will like to see a strong support in the transport sector, so that we have support for water, rail and other infrastructure that goes with it. Like I said, we already have a work plan that integrates the three together which we would share with the World Bank and also improve on our discussions in terms of advisory management, financing and also different kind of support that ultimately help us to deliver the dividends of democracy that we actually promised our people.

    “We are very serious that we want to improve on transportation, improve on environment and also power because we believe that’s the whole essence of making the State investor friendly.

    We have improved a lot on security and we just think that moving 23 million people on a daily basis in a comfortable way would mean that we will have to integrate our transport management system in such a way that you can move actually on water, using the rail also and then the road,” he said.

     

  • Lagos@50: Ambode lauds peaceful co-existence among ethnic groups

    Lagos@50: Ambode lauds peaceful co-existence among ethnic groups

    …As Ashimolowo Challenges State To Break New Grounds

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday attributed the peace and stability in the State to the harmonious relationship and peaceful co-existence among diverse ethnic and religious groups in the State.

    Speaking at a special thanksgiving service held at Lagos House in Ikeja to mark the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the State as well as the second-year anniversary of his administration, Governor said the State has also been blessed with visionary leaders who he said have worked hard to chart the path for growth and development of the State from inception.

    The Governor said it was on record that over the years, the State has grown in leaps and bounds and had become home to all citizens of the world, and most importantly, a place where hope comes alive and dreams are actualized, attributing the development to the tireless efforts of the people and the mercies of God.

    “Lagos has enjoyed peace and stability as a result of the harmonious relationship and peaceful co-existence of diverse ethnic and religious groups across the State. Most importantly, it has been blessed with great visionary leaders, who worked so hard to chart the path for the growth and development of our State from its creation till date.

    “This was the Lagos we all were privileged to grow up in; the Lagos that has given us the opportunity to be what we are today and the Lagos I am honoured to lead at this auspicious moment.

    “I want to appreciate God for His mercies, compassion, grace and blessings on the State thus far. I thank God for the citizens of the State, who through their selfless services have all contributed in no small measure to the enviable status the State has attained,” Governor Ambode said.

    The Governor added that as the State continue the journey of another fifty years, his prayer was that God would not forsake the State and would continue to raise leaders with vision, character and ability to take Lagos State to a position of eminence in the comity of modern City States.

    Besides, Governor Ambode thanked all Lagosians and the Lagos@50 Celebration Committee for their contributions to the success of the year-long celebration of creation of the State.

    In his sermon at the service, Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Matthew Ashimolowo said for the State to occupy its pride of place and accelerate development in the coming years, leadership of the State must work hard and aim high.

    Speaking on the theme: “Pressing Unto Greater Heights, Ashimolowo said for the State to move forward and attain excellence in all ramifications, achievements of the past must be put behind, while greater efforts are made to focus on breaking new grounds.

    He commended Governor Ambode for his giant strides in all sectors and sections especially the Light Up Lagos Initiative, construction of roads and bridges with particular reference to those of Abule Egba and Ajah, saying that the infrastructures have greatly reduced travel time.

    Moving forward, the clergyman who picked his text from Philippians 3: 14, said efforts must be geared towards forging ahead especially in doing things that others thought would not be possible and finishing strong.

    Among notable men of God who graced the service are the National Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Joseph Obayemi; wife of the General Overseer of the Church Worldwide, Pastor Folu Adeboye, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Southwest, Rev. Magnus Adeyemi Atilade; Lagos State Chairman of CAN, Apostle Alex Bamgbola; Baba Aladura, Pastor Akin Adewo; the Very Rev. Ayo Olu Oyadotun, among others.

  • Lagos to criminalise power theft, vandalisation

    Lagos to criminalise power theft, vandalisation

    …Lights up 500km road network in one year

     

    The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it has concluded plans to enact a law to specifically criminalise and punish severely persons who engage in power theft and vandalisation, expressing optimism that it would go a long way to tackle the menace headlong.

    Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Olawale Oluwo, who said this at the ongoing Ministerial press briefing to commemorate the second year in office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, said the State Government was worried that its efforts to ensure streets of Lagos are well lit was being threatened by vandals.

    He said the Government had noticed a trend where some electricity infrastructures are damaged by hit and run motorists, saying that such was detrimental to the quest of the State to ensure that every nook and cranny of the State is lit.

    But he said the State Government was coming up with a law under its Embedded Power Initiative to protect public lighting infrastructures from such destruction and vandalisation.

    “We have noticed this vandalisation in three ways. The first one is that by weekends, between Friday and Sunday, we see a lot of vehicles knock down our electricity poles and we suffer the consequences.

    So, we make sure that each time we apprehend them we make them to pay fines because we cannot prosecute them under a law that is not existing, so the Embedded Power Programme would come with its own Power Theft Law and we would try to embed this street lighting protection under it, so until the law, we cannot prosecute them, we can only continue to fine them to pay for the street light poles they knock down,” Oluwo said.

    The Commissioner also restated the commitment of the State Government to meet its electricity needs and ensure regular power supply not only for industrial clusters, but also to residents of the State.

    He said that beyond powering its own public facilities with the already established independent power plants delivering a combined 47.5 MW, the state government intends to stimulate investment through this initiative with the generation of 3000MW of power through accelerated deployment of embedded or distributed power plants in strategic locations within three to five years to drive the economy and bring additional electricity to millions of homes and businesses.

    “The State Government is therefore in partnership with major international and local industry key players in the power sector to provide a platform for uninterrupted power supply to its citizenry. The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the private sector, is using the strength of its balance sheet to guarantee the deployment of off-grid modular plants of between 20MW to 100MW strategically spread within clusters close to reliable sustainable sources of electricity and power evacuation substation for the exclusive benefit of Lagos residents.

    “Solar energy project is another initiative by the Lagos State Government, focused on implementing power solutions for public facilities. This project aim at delivering a total of 4.59 MV of sustainable power to rural, riverine and public boarding secondary schools, 172 of them and 11 primary health centres located within the rural areas in Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki,” he said.

    He said in the year under review, the Government through its “Light up Lagos” Initiative, achieved 500km of streetlight installations in its bid to light up the nooks and crannies of the State, while over 100km length of street lighting installations are on-going at various locations.

    “In a bold step, the State Government has taken over and adopted the management of all street lights within Lagos irrespective of legacy ownership. In this instance, street lights hitherto controlled by Local Government, Ministry of Works and Infrastructures, LAMATA and those of Federal Agencies like FERMA and FAAN are now under the management of Lagos State Government. The essence is to ensure uniformity of standard, excellent service delivery and provision of a more holistic and sustainable approach to monitoring and maintaining of the installations.

    “It is gratifying to mention that in a bid to save cost, the Lagos State Government has been able to connect some of the street lights to the Alausa, Mainland, Island and Lekki Independent Power Plants; while efforts are on to connect others to the Independent Power Plants,” Oluwo said