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Tag: Idiat Adebule

  • Ambode pledges support for growth of entertainment industry

    Ambode pledges support for growth of entertainment industry

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Saturday pledged that his administration would continue to provide platforms for showcasing and celebrating creative arts, talents and originality.

    Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, made the pledge at the 13th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards(AMAA) in Lagos.

    He said that every successful stakeholder in the industry found Lagos state to be a home as it was the hub of the entertainment industry in Africa.

    “Lagos is a place that provides all the support and opportunities necessary for the entertainment and creative industry to thrive.

    “The stakeholders in this industry have shown that they can achieve much more in terms of boosting revenue base, the GDP as well as creating wealth and employment for our people.

    “Hosting this awards is a great boost to our determined efforts to maximise the huge and largely unharnessed social and economic potentials of the entertainment and tourism industries in our state.

    “As a government, we will create the enabling environment in terms of infrastructure, policies and avenues  for movie producers to get their work across to a larger audience, ” Ambode said.

    In her address, Ms Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Convener, AMAA, said that the awards united the continent through a rewarding system that celebrated excellence and professionalism in the business of motion picture.

    Anyiam-Osigwe said there was the need to engage various governments within Africa to increase support and investment in the creative sector.

    “Our films and film makers are breaking boundaries in the global film making business and they need all the support from government, organisations and individuals.

    “We can use the entertainment industry to forget our ethnicity, remove borders, stop the hate, promote peace and be happy with our diversity, ” she said.

    Berni Goldbiat, head of Jury for this year’s awards said they got about 800 submissions from around the world and they carried out thorough screening to reward, promote and encourage African creativity and originality.

    Nigeria bagged four out of the 30 awards and they include : Best Animation (Got Flowers), Achievement in Production Design (76), Achievement in Make-up (Oloibiri) and Lagos State Award for Best Nigerian Film (76).

  • Lagos to protect children from abuse–Ambode

    Lagos to protect children from abuse–Ambode

    Akinwunmi  Ambode of Lagos State on Saturday said his administration was determined to protect children from abuse or molestation in order  to safeguard their future while  preparing  them for the challenges of life.

    Ambode, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, said this in Lagos at the 2017 Children’s Day Celebration organised by the Ministry of Education as part of activities to mark the Lagos at 50 anniversary.

    The theme of the Children’s Day celebration was “Children of Today, Our Keepers Tomorrow.’’

    “We must protect these children today so that they can protect us tomorrow.

    ”It is a double celebration for us all in the state. It is children’s day and Lagos at 50 celebration.

    ”I was a child like you 50 years ago and some of us occupying leadership positions today got here because of the opportunities given to us by this great state.

    ”As a government, we will continue to invest massively on education because quality education remains the best legacy that we can bequeath to the younger ones.

    ”What we are doing today is to lay a solid foundation for you to build on just as our  founding fathers did 50  years ago.

    “ Very soon, it will be your responsibility to take Lagos State to the level that we all desire in the next 50  years, ” he said.

    Ambode urged children to be change agents and affect their communities by impacting positively on the development and growth of the society.

    In his remarks, Mr Adesina Odeyemi, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, commended the state government for recognising the role of children in the golden jubilee celebration of the state.

    According to him, government has been ensuring free education services in the state to nurture knowledge for a better future.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lagos State was created on May 27, 1967 and the 50th anniversary of the state coincided with the Children’s Day celebration.

    The Children’s Day was set aside   by the United Nations in 1964 to celebrate the importance of children and provide policy makers and families the opportunity to consider policies and programmes to enhance their development.

    Highlights of the programme included a march by pupils and students of primary and secondary schools as well as drama and dance performances.

     

     

  • Innovative public service drives development – Ambode

    Innovative public service drives development – Ambode

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday urged public servants to imbibe hard work and diligence, to build an innovative, creative and globally competitive public service.

    Ambode made the call at an Exhibition by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the State’s Public Service as part of activities to celebrate Lagos at 50.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, said the role of the public service in the development and achievements of the state in the last 50 years need to be celebrated.

    “As we savour the joy of this occasion, we must not lose sight of the whole essence of this celebration, which is to acknowledge our past achievements and chart a new course for a greater and more prosperous state for the next 50 years.

    “As the engine room of this administration, the state public service has a critical role to play in achieving the future that we all desire.

    “I urge you to demonstrate great sense of commitment by keying into the vision of this administration to make Lagos State work for all,’’ Ambode said.

    In her remarks, Mrs Olabowale Ademola, the Head of Service, said the public service was the instrument through which government implemented its socioeconomic and developmental policies in the last 50 years.

    Ademola said the commitment and dedication of public servants contributed to the state’s economic development, wellbeing of citizens and many celebrated achievements of the state.

    She said that the celebration of Lagos at 50 served as motivation to higher productivity in all the ministries, departments and agencies.

    “Gov. Ambode recognised the fact that a state is as good as its public service, which was why today was set aside to celebrate the workforce.

    “As we celebrate Lagos at 50, we pledge our dedication to our duties, such that in another 50 years, the next generation of public servants will have cause to celebrate 100 years anniversary of advancement and rapid development in the state,’’ she said.

  • Why PPP is important – Ambode

    Why PPP is important – Ambode

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday said that there was the need to explore alternative financing strategies such as Public Private Partnership (PPP) to fast track economic growth and development in the country.

    Ambode who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule said this at the 2017 PUNUKA Annual Lecture organised by PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors in Lagos.

    The lecture had the theme  ‘The Role of Public Private Partnership in Infrastructural Development’.

    He said that PPP had gained wide acceptance as a sustainable strategy for financing and delivery of public infrastructure globally.

    According to him, in adopting such strategy, government is not abdicating its responsibilities but essentially releasing scarce resources for other equally important projects, thus creating s win-win situation for the government and the private enterprise.

    “It is rooted in the fact that government revenue cannot be relied upon as source of funding for developmental projects.

    “The reality of this fact is becoming clearer as a result of reduction in government revenue occasioned by dwindling oil prices and increasing needs of the people.

    “Public Private Partnership has been identified and adopted as a viable strategy that can ensure the desired growth in physical and social infrastructure, as well as make significant impact on the nation’s economy,” he said.

    Ambode said his administration would continue to explore the PPP model, especially in areas such as road network expansion, transportation, housing and environment, for the benefit of the masses.

    In his address, Mr Bolaji Balogun, Chairman of the event, said that PPP was the only sustainable way of financing significant infrastructure in any economy.

    He urged government to create an enabling environment, particularly in the areas of road networks and power supply, to attract investors and private partners.

    Mr Anthony Ross, the guest lecturer, identified political tribalism, increasing population and lack of continuity in governance as problems confronting infrastructure development in the country.

    Ross said that private sector involvement would ensure that issue of wastes, delayed delivery and abandonment that was usually associated with public projects would be minimised.

    In his remarks, Chief Anthony Idigbe, Senior Partner, PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors, noted that there had been a decline in infrastructure development due to increasing population, reducing taxes, social pressure, poor maintenance culture, corruption in government’s procurement processes and others.

    Idigbe said the lack of basic infrastructure such as housing, transportation, roads, electricity, hospitals, schools, water supply and other needs was not only affecting the citizens, but also the nation’s economic development and prosperity.

    He said that the topic was borne out of the dire socio-economic need for infrastructure development in Nigeria.

    “We find ourselves in a sensitive time in history, when government alone cannot finance viable infrastructural projects; private participation is required.

    “This lecture is a part of our annual contribution to the legal, social and economic issues in the country, to stimulate actions that will drive development, ” he said.

  • Schools to resume April 18 in Lagos State

    The Lagos State Ministry of Education, on Thursday, announced that public and private primary and secondary schools operating in the state would resume on April 18.

    Dr Idiat Adebule, the Deputy Governor of the state, who is also  the Commissioner for Education, made this announcement in a statement in Lagos.

    Mr Adesegun Ogundeji, Assistant Director, Public Affairs Unit in the ministry signed the statement.

    In the statement, Adebule said that private and public schools must adhere strictly to the 2016/2017 academic calendar.

    The deputy governor sent a goodwill message to all pupils and parents, wishing them Happy Easter, following the successful completion of the lent.

    She said that the 2016/2017 academic calendar was jointly agreed upon at the state education stakeholders’ meeting before the commencement of the academic year.

    According to her, the adoption of a uniform calendar will enable proper planning and ensure that pupils and students attend school for the number of days required per term.

  • Ambode calls for political reformation in Africa

    Ambode calls for political reformation in Africa

     

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday called for collaboration among political leaders in Africa to reform political process for development and economic transformation of the continent.

    Ambode, represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, made the call at the 2nd African Political Summit organised by the Association of Political Consultants in Africa (APCA) in Lagos.

    The theme of the summit is: “Democracy and Political Consultancy.’’

    “The nature of politics in Africa has for long been a source of grave concern to those who are genuinely interested in taking Africa to its rightful position in the mainstream global system.

    “It is in our best interest and in the interest of our democracy to reform our political process and enhance the engagement of the electorate in the democratic process for credibility and transparency.

    “The resultant effect will be effective leadership for transformative growth and development,’’ Ambode said.

    Also, Mr Benjamin Eisenberg, a Political Consultant based in U.S, said that professionalising politics was the only way for democracy to succeed in Africa.

    Eisenberg said that the recent elections in Ghana and Gambia showed that democracy was growing and political processes in Africa were becoming encouraging and there was need to intensify the reformation.

    “This conference will avail us the opportunity to discuss better ways of training campaign managers to organise voters and help the people to get a better understanding of politics.

    “Professionalising  politics in Africa will enhance moving to issue-based campaign instead of ethnic or tribal politics,’’ he said.

    In a goodwill message, Mr Kipngeno Dunchi, a representative from Kenya, said that there was the need for African countries to reform their political practices for the growth of democracy.

    “We shall be exchanging ideas on how we can really democratise Africa and ensure that our political system has a stronger ballot which will decide the leadership.

    “When we make politics a profession in Africa, we will likely see more people with genuine interest engaging in politics and political affairs will be properly managed,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, Mr Kehinde Bamgbetan, the Chairman of APCA, said that the way politics was practised in Africa, with poor campaign processes, poor financing, poor mobilisation, violence, fear and anxiety called for concern.

    Bamgbetan said that politics in Nigeria and Africa was negatively affecting the growth of democracy.

    “APCA seeks to redefine the way politics is played in Africa.

    “We need to emulate advanced countries where politics is characterised with healthy rivalry and scientific approach.

    “We can achieve such in Nigeria and Africa by following scientific pattern of politics to enhance political practice with healthy competition and reduce corruption in politics for the good of the people,’’ he said