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Tag: Lagos state Governor

  • Ambode lauds Oshiomhole’s development strides

    Ambode lauds Oshiomhole’s development strides

    …drums support for APC guber candidate, Obaseki

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday lauded his Edo State counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for his achievements in the last seven years, saying that it has impacted positively on not just the economy of the State but the country in general.

    Ambode who spoke when he visited Governor Oshiomhole at the Government House, Benin, said he draws inspiration from Oshiomhole’s style of leadership to bring good governance to the people of the State.

    Governor Ambode who was recently appointed as the Chairman, All progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship Election slated for September 10, 2016, said, “On a personal note, I am very proud of all the things you have done for Edo State and even this country Nigeria, and I can say the few achievements I have actually attained in Lagos State were driven and inspired by the kind of energy you bring to governance and I am very proud to be associated with you and the government of Edo State.”

    He said he was pleased and humbled to be saddled with the task of leading the APC campaign to retain the State, adding that continuity was germane to sustain the path already laid down by the present administration.

    “I have come here this afternoon to accept physically the daunting task which has been laid upon me by our national party and appointing me as the chairman of the gubernatorial campaign committee of the gubernatorial election coming up in Edo State.

    “I am very pleased and humbled by that appointment. And I have come here, firstly, to apologize for not being around on Saturday when the committee was inaugurated because of some exigencies, and to show my presence a few days after, and my commitment to ensure that our gubernatorial candidate not only wins the election, but he is able to show his footprints just like what the present governor has done, that the APC and the change mantra is really in totality about what we want governance to be in Nigeria,” he said.

    Governor Ambode further added, “I like to also say that what we have ahead of us as a party, that is, APC, is beyond ordinary election. We need to take Nigeria out of its doldrums, and the only party that can do that is APC, of which we are happy to be aligned with your state and other progressive states in the country. And that is why we are here as brothers, we offer ourselves and we will continue to also send the same message across board across all the progressive states.”

    He said that Lagos State would explore the opportunities available to develop a major commerce and economic relationship with Edo State as soon as the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki emerges as Governor of Edo State, expressing optimism that the partnership would ensure that Edo develops at a faster pace.

    He said, “What I can promise your Excellency is that we have decided that we will bring the whole machinery of the Lagos model to Edo State. In addition to that, we believe strongly that Edo State has the potential of becoming a giant in Africa also, and this relationship is beyond the fact that it is historic, we also want to use this platform of this campaign to start a major paradigm shift in terms of economic and political relationship between Edo State and Lagos State.

    “If we are to look deeply, we believe strongly in the potential of Edo State which actually lies in the symbolic relationship that it can have with Lagos.

    And that is why I am personally taking this responsibility of being the campaign chairman to ensure that beyond the campaign and the success of the election, a major commerce and economic relationship commences immediately with the in-coming governor, and also to let us actually start to have bilateral economic and political relations that will be of benefit to the people of Edo State, firstly, and then to the improvement of the economic growth of Edo State.”

    On his part, Governor Oshiomhole commended the Lagos Governor for taking his assignment as the Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for Edo State governorship election very seriously.

    He said, “For us in Edo, it is clear that you have taken this assignment seriously. It is one thing to accept an assignment, but the passion with which you have accepted it, and to the extent to which you are determined to go to ensure that we do everything we need to do to continue to retain the governance of this state.

    “Under your leadership, I have no doubt. We couldn’t have had a better campaign organization. So, I thank you for that.”

    Oshiomhole who introduced the Governorship candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Mr Philip Shaibu to Governor Ambode said, “We have a credible messenger that you are going to be able to help us to market, and we also have a compelling message to put across to Edo State. And we believe the election will be won on the basis of the pedigree of the political parties, the pedigree of the individual and what the two parties have to show to the people.”

     

     

  • Kidnapping: Efforts on to rescue Iba monarch, others – Ambode

    Kidnapping: Efforts on to rescue Iba monarch, others – Ambode

    …Convenes emergency Security Council meeting with Police, Service Chiefs

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday presided over an emergency security council meeting attended by heads of security agencies in the State, just as the State Government assured residents that efforts are being put in place to make kidnapping a thing of the past in the State.

    Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni said government and all security agencies in the State are bordered about the emerging crime of kidnapping, and that efforts are on to rescue all those kidnapped recently in the State including the Oniba of Ibaland, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni.

    “What we want to assure the people is that we are putting efforts together to ensure that not just the monarch is rescued but also other victims of kidnapping are rescued and we bring those criminals to justice,” Owoseni said.

    He added that the emergency Security Council meeting was principally to holistically appraise the security issues confronting the State, as well to assure members of the public on the priority and importance that the State attached to their welfare and security.

    Speaking on the spate of kidnapping in the State, Owoseni said: “All of us are bordered. As the people are bordered, government is bordered and law enforcement institutions in the State are bordered. We are looking at the issue of kidnapping and the only thing we can tell the good people in Lagos is that government is doing everything possible and is deploying all arsenals of the State towards ensuring that we put a stop to all these and at the same time seize this opportunity to tell the fellows engaging in these activities to channel their energy to lawful conduct because there is no excuse to say that because they cannot vandalize the pipelines again, that is why they are resorting to all these soft targets kidnapping.

    “They should divert their energy into productive use. The government has opened up lots of opportunities for people that want to access soft loans for small scale businesses and industries, the Bank of Industry (BOI) for instance is there, they have been putting up adverts, let them have a change of mind, drop their weapons, access these funds that government at the State and federal level had created and for those of them that have certificates and saying that yes we have stopped bunkering and there is no other thing for us to do, there are platforms that have been created by government for them to be meaningfully employed,” the CP said.

    Owoseni, who addressed journalists alongside heads of other security agencies in the State, the State Attorney General, urged members of the public to stop patronizing street traders, saying there have been instances where criminal elements hide within them to launch havoc on unsuspecting citizens.

    He said the law against street trading had always been in place even before Governor Ambode came into office, but that the enforcement was being implemented responsibly considering the mood of the society.

    He said: “The law has been there even before the present executive governor came into power, so what we are doing as responsible government and responsible security and law enforcement institutions is to further engage like the Governor did last time on television on the evils of street trading.

    “It is not just about stopping the street trading, it also has the security elements. The fellows that are on the roads under the guise that they are selling, some of them are also criminals. There are criminals hiding within them to commit some havoc and for people that are also patronizing them like the Governor has said, everybody is just thinking this is a new law but it is not. We know the mood of the society and we want to balance our enforcement and that is why we are doing a lot of public enlightenment.

    “We are also telling our people that some of those people that they patronize, some of them sell things that would cause havoc to the people. Some of those items they sell are either expired or poisoned because they know you are on the move and you want to grab quickly.

    “Some of these guys also carry weapons under their shirt that they can use to harm people including those beggars. So, these things put together, it is going to be a win-win situation if our people avoid patronizing street hawkers and the hawkers can also form a formidable front and meet the government and ask for the creation of corner shops for them. They are on the roads and vehicles can also hit them, so there are lots of dangers involved and that is why we are engaging the people via enlightenment on the dangers involved,” he said.

  • Kidnapping: Efforts on to rescue Iba monarch, others – Ambode

    …Convenes Emergency Security Council Meeting With Police, Service Chiefs

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday presided over an emergency security council meeting attended by heads of security agencies in the State, just as the State Government assured residents that efforts are being put in place to make kidnapping a thing of the past in the State.

    Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni said government and all security agencies in the State are bordered about the emerging crime of kidnapping, and that efforts are on to rescue all those kidnapped recently in the State including the Oniba of Ibaland, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni.

    “What we want to assure the people is that we are putting efforts together to ensure that not just the monarch is rescued but also other victims of kidnapping are rescued and we bring those criminals to justice,” Owoseni said.

    He added that the emergency Security Council meeting was principally to holistically appraise the security issues confronting the State, as well to assure members of the public on the priority and importance that the State attached to their welfare and security.

    Speaking on the spate of kidnapping in the State, Owoseni said: “All of us are bordered. As the people are bordered, government is bordered and law enforcement institutions in the State are bordered. We are looking at the issue of kidnapping and the only thing we can tell the good people in Lagos is that government is doing everything possible and is deploying all arsenals of the State towards ensuring that we put a stop to all these and at the same time seize this opportunity to tell the fellows engaging in these activities to channel their energy to lawful conduct because there is no excuse to say that because they cannot vandalize the pipelines again, that is why they are resorting to all these soft targets kidnapping.

    “They should divert their energy into productive use. The government has opened up lots of opportunities for people that want to access soft loans for small scale businesses and industries, the Bank of Industry (BOI) for instance is there, they have been putting up adverts, let them have a change of mind, drop their weapons, access these funds that government at the State and federal level had created and for those of them that have certificates and saying that yes we have stopped bunkering and there is no other thing for us to do, there are platforms that have been created by government for them to be meaningfully employed,” the CP said.

    Owoseni, who addressed journalists alongside heads of other security agencies in the State, the State Attorney General, urged members of the public to stop patronizing street traders, saying there have been instances where criminal elements hide within them to launch havoc on unsuspecting citizens.

    He said the law against street trading had always been in place even before Governor Ambode came into office, but that the enforcement was being implemented responsibly considering the mood of the society.

    He said: “The law has been there even before the present executive governor came into power, so what we are doing as responsible government and responsible security and law enforcement institutions is to further engage like the Governor did last time on television on the evils of street trading.

    “It is not just about stopping the street trading, it also has the security elements. The fellows that are on the roads under the guise that they are selling, some of them are also criminals. There are criminals hiding within them to commit some havoc and for people that are also patronizing them like the Governor has said, everybody is just thinking this is a new law but it is not. We know the mood of the society and we want to balance our enforcement and that is why we are doing a lot of public enlightenment.

    “We are also telling our people that some of those people that they patronize, some of them sell things that would cause havoc to the people. Some of those items they sell are either expired or poisoned because they know you are on the move and you want to grab quickly.

    “Some of these guys also carry weapons under their shirt that they can use to harm people including those beggars. So, these things put together, it is going to be a win-win situation if our people avoid patronizing street hawkers and the hawkers can also form a formidable front and meet the government and ask for the creation of corner shops for them. They are on the roads and vehicles can also hit them, so there are lots of dangers involved and that is why we are engaging the people via enlightenment on the dangers involved,” he said.

  • Ambode reiterates zero tolerance to noise pollution

    Ambode reiterates zero tolerance to noise pollution

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday restated the government’s resolve to enforce relevant regulations on noise pollution in the state.

    He made the remarks when the MTN Foundation distributed 250 hearing aid devices to beneficiaries in the state, including children less than one year old.

    The Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Primary Health, Dr. Femi Onanuga, stressed that no individual or corporate organisation would be spared in government’s renewed onslaught against defaulters.

    He urged the 250 beneficiaries of the MTN Foundation Hearing Aid support project in Lagos State to join the crusade of campaign against noise pollution in the society.

    It is the first phase of MTN Hearing Aid Support Project, during which 1,500 devices will be distributed to hard-of-hearing persons in six states of the country.

    Also speaking, Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, described MTN as a company with a high sense of commitment to the execution of corporate social responsibilities.

    Handing the device to some beneficiaries, Mrs. Ambode said, “All these years, the company has maintained a clear lead in diligent fulfillment of its social covenant with the people and society. Its outreaches had touched a large percentage of the population across all age categories”.

    She hinted that coincidentally, the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), would do a similar programme later in the year, urging the beneficiaries to use the devices as instructed and also handle them with care.

    Speaking earlier, the Director, MTN Foundation, Mr. Denis Okoro stressed the commitment of the foundation to continuous upliftment of the welfare of challenged persons.

    He also thanked the State Government for being the first to establish a department totally dedicated to overseeing the welfare of challenged persons.

  • Tree planting means to combat global warming – Ambode

    Tree planting means to combat global warming – Ambode

    …Targets 10m trees for Lagos by 2020

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday cautioned residents of the State to desist from indiscriminate and uncontrolled felling of trees, just as he harped on the benefits of tree planting to healthy environment.

    Speaking at the 2016 Annual Tree Planting Day organized by the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) at Ikosi Senior Secondary School, Governor Ambode described tree planting as the most reliable and cheapest means of combating the effect of global warming, flooding and climate change, adding that such was the more reason why people must protect the trees and plant more to replace those removed.

    The Governor, who was represented at the event tagged: “Lend a Hand to Save Trees,” by his wife, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode said the importance of tree planting to the society cannot be overemphasized as trees provide oxygen, cool the atmosphere, help conserve energy, save water, prevent erosion, save children from ultra-violet Rays and provide food, among other benefits.

    Governor Ambode said the annual programme on tree planting was a veritable platform for Lagos to meet the target of 10 million trees by 2020, noting that the peculiarity of the State as a coastal city-state makes it prone to several environmental challenges, a situation which demands that the government and the people must carry out infrastructural development without jeopardizing the environment.

    He said: “The fast growing urban development areas across the State must curtail the uncontrolled felling of trees and ensure all developers adhere to all the Town Planning and Greening regulations.

    “We must plant trees to replace those removed from vast acres of land so that we reduce the rate of ocean surge and erosion with its attendant problem of displacement of homes and communities.”

    While alluding to the estimate of scientists that the world needs 30 billion trees annually, Governor Ambode said a world without trees is a world without life, and so as a people, Nigerians must resolve to ensure that trees are not only saved, but efforts must be geared towards planting more trees.

    According to the Governor, “Lagos has become a positive reference point in Nigeria about creating a Green environment. We remain committed to this cause and will vigorously pursue the State Greening Policy of total regeneration of degraded sites as part of our pact with Lagosians. We will do even more.

    “Already, the Security and Light Up Lagos initiatives of our administration are complementing our beautiful city at night and ensuring the parks and gardens that are safe for relational purposes.”

    Besides, Governor Ambode disclosed that work was at advanced stage at the parks being constructed by the State Government in Alimosho and Ikorodu, adding that the projects would soon be completed and opened for public use, promising that government would enforce tree planting along all new roads being constructed, maps well as create more gardens and ensure the upgrade of all open spaces in Lagos.

    The Governor, who said government alone cannot achieve the greening policy, advocated a collective action by all relevant agencies and organizations to achieve the vision of bequeathing a greener and healthier environment to generations yet unborn.

    He also urged the Federal Government to lead the campaign for each of the States of the federation to resolve to plant at least one million trees annually which will translate to 360 million trees across the country by the next decade, saying that such would go a long way to protect the nation.

  • Ambode vows to make Badagry Africa’s hub of tourism

    Ambode vows to make Badagry Africa’s hub of tourism

    …Presides over exco meeting in ancient town

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday presided over the State Executive Council Meeting held at the VIP Chalet in Badagry, just as he said that his administration has fine-tuned plans to make the ancient town of Badagry a hub of tourism and resort enterprise in Africa within the next 18 to 24 months.

    The Governor, who spoke to journalists shortly after embarking on an inspection tour, said his administration would spare nothing to make Badagry a flashpoint for developmental projects in the State.

    The Governor said, “Our eyes are set on Badagry, let’s do something for the future. We are going to open up Badagry forever.”

    Ambode, who was accompanied by all members of the State Executive Council, also inspected ongoing projects and other government establishments in Badagry which according to him was an immediate response to the questions and suggestions from the 2016 Second Quarter Town Hall Meeting which held at the Muslim Community Praying Ground in Badagry on Tuesday.

    He also inspected the road under construction from Badagry Expressway to Whispering Palms Resort, where he said that the contract for completion would be awarded next week, which according to him would further boost the tourism potentials of the area.

    Ambode also paid an unscheduled visit to the Badagry Asphalt Plant, where he also seized the occasion to commission the facility.

    Addressing the workers at the Asphalt Plant, Governor Ambode commended them for the duty and commitment to work, saying that his administration is not unaware of their hard work just as he assured that they would be duly rewarded.

    Adding his voice, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, said that this was the first time, in his many years in service in the State Executive Council, that a Government would be holding its Executive Council Meeting in Badagry.

    This, according to him, was a good sign of the visionary leadership Governor Ambode was providing in the State.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, reiterated the symbolism and importance of the State Executive Council Meeting, which according to him was holding in Badagry for the first time.

    Ayorinde said that the decision of the Governor to take the meeting outside the Lagos House, Ikeja, for the very first time, was a clear indication of the Governor’s readiness and commitment to spread development to every nook and cranny of the State.

    He said that the Governor had spent three days in Badagry, which according to him, goes to show that every part of the State is secured and the Governor can perform his duty in every part of the State.

  • Lagos spends N115bn on capital projects in six months

    Lagos spends N115bn on capital projects in six months

    …earmarks N20bn for health, education facilities’ upgrade

    ..Ambode renders account of stewardship

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday said that his administration expended over N115.624billion to carry out capital projects between Janaury and June 2016.

    The governor who spoke at the 2016 Second Quarter Town Hall held at the Muslim Community Praying Ground in Badagry local government also put the first half 2016 budget performance to 70 per cent.

    He however said the performance was an improvement of the corresponding period of 2015 which stood at 63 per cent.

    According to him, the capital and recurrent ratio at the first half of the year stood at 50:50, expressing optimism that it would improve in the second half of the year.

    “He said: “Revenue recorded 73 percent performance for the half year 2016 despite the challenging economic environment. Your Government spent a total of N115.624bn on Capital projects during the half year 2016 leading to the Capital/Recurrent ratio of 50:50 with the plan to improve this ratio to 58:42 provided for in 2016 Appropriation Law in the remaining half of the year.”

    The governor also said that his administration has concluded plans to massively revamp the health sector, disclosing that a total of N10bn has been earmarked to upgrade the health facilities across the State.

    He said that modern equipment would be procured to facilitate treatment of patients in the state”s health facilities.

    While highlighing some of his achievements in the last quarter, he restated his commitment to make life more comfortable, simpler and safer for the people.

    He added that his administration would establish a Technical and Vocational School in Badagry before September 2016, as well as embark on upgrade of the infrastructure in all public schools starting from July.

    According to him, “All our Primary and Secondary schools will be upgraded to create conducive learning environment for students and teachers. Another N10bn has been earmarked for this facelift of our Secondary and Primary schools across the State.”

    He recalled the recruitment of a total of 1,300 teachers for Primary Schools, said in the next two weeks, the State Government will start recruiting another 1,000 teachers for Secondary Schools across the State.

     

    Speaking on his plans for Youth and Sports for the quarter, the governor said government would embark on upgrade of sports facilities and would also support and promote age-grade competitions and sponsor outstanding athletes to national and international training and competitions.

    Ambode also disclosed that his administration would pay greater attention to the issues concerning the elderly especially by establishing three Elderly Care Centres across the State.

    He said: “We will sponsor bills to the House of Assembly which will make specific provisions for the elderly in our society and create a framework for care for the aged. Our priority is to commence the provision of Three Elderly Care centres across the Three Senatorial Zones and further urge the private sector for support and collaboration thereafter.”

    The Governor said as a follow up to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit in Cappa, Oshodi, an outpost unit would be situated between Ojo and Badagry in this quarter with two other outposts in Fadeyi and Lekki.

    Governor Ambode, who spent hours interacting with various groups such as Corporate organizations, religious leaders, youths/physically challenged, market men and women, Non-Governmental Organizations and the political leaders, disclosed his greater plans to revive the tourism potentials of Badagry, saying the long term plan includes the establishment of University of Hospitality.

    The event was well attended by traditional rulers, including Oba Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi I, members of the State Executive Council, Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Olamilekan Solomon, stakeholders, among others.

  • Lagos earmarks N20bn to revamp health, education sectors

    Lagos earmarks N20bn to revamp health, education sectors

    … Spends N115bn On capital projects in six months

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said his administration has concluded plans to massively revamp the health sector, just as he among other things, revealed that the sum of N10bn has been earmarked to upgrade the health facilities across the State.

    Ambode, who spoke at the 4th Quarterly Town Hall Meeting held at the Muslim Community Praying Ground in Badagry, said modern equipment would be procured to facilitate treatment, while government would also invest massively in capacity building of the medical staff, all in a bid to provide world class health care for the citizenry.

    “We have commenced a comprehensive action to rehabilitate and upgrade the facilities in all our hospitals. Modern equipment will be procured to facilitate treatment and we will invest in capacity building of our medical staff. We intend to spend over N10bn on our hospitals across the State before December this year.
    We will recruit and train medical professionals in areas of rare specialization and special needs,” Ambode said.

    Speaking on the half year 2016 budget, Governor Ambode said the overall performance of the budget stood at 70 percent, which according to him, was an improvement over the corresponding period in 2015 when the performance stood at 63 percent.

    He said: “Revenue recorded 73% performance for the half year 2016 despite the challenging economic environment. Your Government spent a total of N115.624bn on Capital projects during the half year 2016 leading to the Capital/Recurrent ratio of 50:50 with the plan to improve this ratio to 58:42 provided for in 2016 Appropriation Law in the remaining half of the year.”

    The Governor, who reeled out his achievements in the last quarter, said he has greater plans to make life more comfortable, simpler and safer for the people.

    For instance, on education, the Governor said his administration would establish a Technical and Vocational School in Badagry before September 2016, while government would also embark on upgrade of the infrastructure in all public schools starting from July.

    According to the Governor, “All our Primary and Secondary schools will be upgraded to create conducive learning environment for students and teachers. Another N10bn has been earmarked for this facelift of our Secondary and Primary schools across the State.”

    The Governor, who recalled the recruitment of a total of 1,300 teachers for Primary Schools, said in the next two weeks, the State Government will start recruiting another 1,000 teachers for Secondary Schools across the State.

    Speaking on his plans for Youth and Sports for the quarter, the Governor said government would embark on upgrade of sports facilities and would also support and promote age-grade competitions and sponsor outstanding athletes to national and international training and competitions.

    Ambode also disclosed that his administration would pay greater attention to the issues concerning the elderly especially by establishing three Elderly Care Centres across the State.

    He said: “We will sponsor bills to the House of Assembly which will make specific provisions for the elderly in our society and create a framework for care for the aged. Our priority is to commence the provision of Three Elderly Care centres across the Three Senatorial Zones and further urge the private sector for support and collaboration thereafter.”

    The Governor said as a follow up to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit in Cappa, Oshodi, an outpost unit would be situated between Ojo and Badagry in this quarter with two other outposts in Fadeyi and Lekki.

    Governor Ambode, who spent hours interacting with various groups such as Corporate organizations, religious leaders, youths/physically challenged, market men and women, Non-Governmental Organizations and the political leaders, disclosed his greater plans to revive the tourism potentials of Badagry, saying the long term plan includes the establishment of University of Hospitality.

    He also seized the occasion to intimate on his future plans for the State, revealing that his administration was working round the clock to build the economy of the State beyond the dependence on oil, adding, “The future of Lagos is about tourism and services.”

    Ambode added that aside the N500million disability fund aimed at advancing the cause of persons living with disabilities, his administration would decentralize the Lagos State Office of Disability (LASODA) and absolve 200 physically challenged persons to manage their affairs in all the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) in the State.

    He also said the State Government would also perfect plans to bring about seamless waste collection in the State, and ensure clean environment.

    “I implore you to take ownership of all government properties located in your area because they are our common wealth. Remember to pay your taxes as and when due in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

    “On our part, we will continue to ensure judicious utilization of the resources of the state by executing projects that will outlive us and affirm our position as a Centre of Excellence,” Ambode said.

  • We’re on course to transform education sector – Ambode

    We’re on course to transform education sector – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday expressed delight at the winning of the annual Spelling Bee Competition by students of public schools in the State, saying that the development was an eloquent testimony that his administration is on the right path to transform the education sector.

    Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja while hosting the 16th One-day Governor, Master Olaseinde Olufemi Joshua and members of his cabinet, said the fact that winners of the competition emerged from public schools in inner communities was a clear indication that public schools in the State are now becoming exemplary citadel of learning.

    He said: “I must say that I am impressed about the mixture of the people that we are now celebrating. I can personally say that I did watch the school debate on television and I am very excited that the schools from which the winners emerged are from our inner communities in Shasha in Alimosho, Badagry, Ilupeju and also in Mushin.

    “That in itself shows that we are on the right path. We must be able to show that our public schools are exemplary citadel of learning that we can also use to showcase the fact that the future of Lagos is brighter than what we have now,” Governor Ambode said.

    While congratulating the winners of the competition for doing the State proud, Governor Ambode said the competition was one of the ways of encouraging younger ones to venture into position of leadership, adding that development would also go a long way in preparing the students for position of leadership in the future.

    He added: “We want to say that the six winners we are celebrating today are worthy to be celebrated and we will indeed celebrate them and use them as examples to encourage other younger ones to reach out so that we can be proud that in another twenty years, these ones will take over from us and we would be proud that we really did the State proud.”

    Besides, the Governor congratulated the State’s Ministry of Education and other stakeholders for sustaining the initiative which started about 16 years ago, and called for the scaling up of the initiative to accommodate more younger students.

    Earlier, the One-day Governor, Master Olaseinde Olufemi Joshua, a student of Shasha Community Senior High School saluted the vision of the wife of former Lagos State Governor, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was the pioneer of the Spelling Bee competition, saying that the competition had helped students in the State to be more dedicated to their studies and strive for excellence.

    He added that the competition would not have been possible without the free education policy of the Lagos State Government over the years, which is being sustained by the present administration.

    Speaking on Governor Ambode’s administration, Master Joshua said: “Barely a year after taking over the reign of power as the Governor of the State, Lagosians have witnessed a rapid transformation of infrastructural facilities and integrated lighting system. There is no gainsaying that Lagosians’ dream of becoming Africa’s model megacity is becoming into reality through your hard work and dedication.

    “This is evident in your meticulous implementation of various developmental programmes. I can easily predict that our visionary Governor Ambode will take Lagos State to the promise land within his first tenure in office,” he said.

    Master Joshua, who said his father could not make it to the event due to health challenges, however, urged the Governor to consider donating a school bus, a well-equipped E-library to his school and the rehabilitation of drainage systems as well as the roads leading to his school.

    Responding, Governor Ambode granted the request for a school bus in Joshua’s school and all other requests in respect of the other schools of the winners.

    He also ordered that Joshua’s father be treated at the health facilities of the State Government.

    Other winners are One-day Deputy Governor, Komolafe Kehinde of Immaculate Heart Senior High School, Maryland; One-day Speaker, Okinbaloye Rashidat of Ilupeju Senior Grammar School; One-day Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ogunfowora Islamiyat of Badagry Senior Grammar School; One-day Commissioner for Education, Abdulkarim Asiyat of Atunrase Senior High School and One-day Commissioner for Science and Technology, Ahwanyinu Sesinu of Kakon Senior Secondary School.

  • Ambode to Muslims: Extend Holy living beyond Ramadan

    Ambode to Muslims: Extend Holy living beyond Ramadan

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday urged Muslim faithful and all Lagosians to carry on with the principles of the holy month of Ramadan which are love, peace, kindness, compassion and happy co-existence.

    Governor Ambode, who spoke in Lagos House, Ikeja at a special Eid el-Fitri celebration organized by the State Government to mark the end of fasting, said it is only when the principles of the season are sustained beyond Ramadan that the fasting period can be given true meaning.

    The Governor, who said that this year’s Ramadan was unique in the sense that the thirty-day fasting period was fully observed, thanked the Muslim faithful for their prayers and urged them to continue to pray for the State and the country in general.

    He said: “As your Governor, I seek for your support and cooperation as we move into the second year of this administration. We must all play our parts and keep relating with this government and we will not fail in making Lagos work for all of us.

    “While thanking everyone that has spared time to join us in this get-together, I enjoin Muslim faithful and indeed all Lagosians to sustain the lessons of Ramadan,” Governor Ambode said.

    Earlier, in her welcome address, Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, thanked God for giving Muslims the strength to complete the thirty-day fasting, but stressed the need for them to remember the essence of the holy month and the expected renewal of faith and spiritual cleansing of souls.

    She said: “It is important for us to continue with the principles of the Holy Month. Ramadan represents love, peace, kindness, compassion and happy co-existence. The Holy Prophet held these principles in high esteem and lived His whole life around them.

    “Therefore, as brothers, sisters, neighbors, co-workers, we must love one another, show kindness to one another and live together in peace. It is when we do these beyond the fasting period that we give true meaning to the Ramadan,” Mrs. Ambode said.

    The event, which attracted hundreds of Muslims who flocked the Lagos House to celebrate the season with the Governor and his family, was also attended by dignitaries from all walks of life including members of the State Executive Council.

    Highlight of the celebration was the Quran recitation, Islamic quiz and dancing competition, with winners going home with prizes courtesy of the Wife of the Governor.