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Tag: Lagos state Governor

  • Eid-el-fitri:  Ambode urges Nigerians to embrace tolerance

    Eid-el-fitri:  Ambode urges Nigerians to embrace tolerance

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the cause of a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria where citizens regardless of ethnic, religious, political or social status can flourish.

    The Governor in his Eid-el-Fitri message said it is only by embracing peace, unity and fairness that Nigerians can put the country back on the path of growth and development, urging them to embrace the tenets of love, tolerance, forgiveness and brotherhood which characterized the period of the holy month.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the Governor said that the nation needs brotherly love and harmonious co-existence among her citizens above all other things as a means to overcome its numerous challenges.

    While cautioning against acts that would divide rather than unite the country, Governor Ambode called on Nigerians to return to the values of peaceful co-existence and brotherly love.

    He further said: “As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, therefore, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country and the possibility of her taking her rightful place in the comity of nations”.

    The Governor said, “In this all important crusade to rescue our dear country from socio-economic as well as political quagmire, let us all continue to demonstrate those sterling virtues of harmonious and peaceful co-existence as well as willingness to serve in this melting pot of cultures where the multi-ethnic and multi-religious nature of our country is turned into a source of strength”,

    Governor Ambode also thanked Lagosians for their continued harmonious and peaceful co-existence in the midst of diverse ethnic origin and religion.

    “With your demonstration of love for your neighbour and the willingness to serve, our State has continued to be a model of what patriotic Nigerians will want our dear country to be.

    “When peace reigns in the land, we can achieve whatever it is that we want to achieve. Infrastructural development can only be carried out in an atmosphere of peace and respect for our political and ethnic differences,” he said.

    Governor Ambode wished all Muslim brothers and sisters in the State a happy Eid-el-Fitri celebration, just as he enjoined Nigerians in other parts of the country to continue to be their brothers’ keepers.

  • Alade market: Why we support relocation – Iyaloja

    The Iyaloja of Alade Market at Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Chief (Mrs) Aina Adenuga has appreciated the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode as well as the Ikeja Sole Administrator Engr. Abiodun Taiwo for the systematic, people friendly approach to the relocation of the market to their new site. According to her, ‘we are happy that government first provided a better, bigger and more conducive place for us before asking us to relocate. We are happy to be coming to the new Alade Market which we see as a movement to our ‘Promised land.

    Speaking while on a visit to The Sole Administrator of Ikeja Local Government Area, Engr Abiodun Taiwo in his Council office, The Iyaloja told the administrator that out of the 299 present bona-fide allottees in the old Alade market, a total of 250 have collected their allocation papers to the new Alade market after paying the allocation fee of N150, 000. On the issues of a few traders in the old market who are protesting the relocation of the market, the market leader noted that most of them are squatters and those who over the years have erected shanties and illegal shops within the market. ‘I can’t understand why a few people who do not have legitimate papers in the market will want to frustrate the good intentions of the government at relocating us to a better and secured place where even our customers will have enough parking space’, she added. According to Chief (Mrs) Adenuga, the traders are already putting final touch to their respective shop in preparation to the July 18th official opening of the new Alade Market.

    Responding, the Sole Administrator, Engr Taiwo said that his administration is ready to listen to anyone who has a genuine case regarding the movement of the market especially if such persons are allottees of the old Alade market. “The good thing is that we have more than enough shops to go around both the old alottees whom we are obliged to give back their shops in the new location as well as another over 200 shops to sell to new prospects.”

    He therefore called on any one who’s genuinely interested in having a shop in the market to approach his office for necessary actions. According to him, ‘it will be totally unfair for any group to play down government good intentions of relocating the old Alade market which has turned into a nuisance around the ever busy Allen Avenue and environs., Engr Taiwo added.

    Explaining the reasons behind government’s determination to relocate the market to the new site, the Sole Administrator noted that ‘with the mega status of Ikeja, the old Alade market can no longer stand the test of time. Coupled with that, most of the structures in the market failed integrity test hence need to have them pulled down”. The Sole Administrator also cited the lack of necessary facilities in modern market in the market which he noted have been provided for in the new site.  ‘’I wonder how a market like Alade in the heart of Ikeja can function without a car park and having just two units of toilet’’

    Ikeja Local Government had already inaugurated a 6 man committee to oversee the smooth allocation and movement all original allottees to the new market. The committee is headed by the immediate past Executive Secretary of Ikeja Local Government Council, Alhaji Adekunle Dally-Adeokun, while other members drawn from among various stakeholders in the New Alade market project include the Iyaloja of Alade Market, Chief (Mrs) Elizabeth Aina Adenuga and the market developer and Managing Director of Masters Reality Int’l Concept, Egnr. Lai Omotola. Others are HoD, Environment of Ikeja Local Government Area, Mr Kazeem Kolawole, Mr Wole Ogunlolu. The Local Council legal officer, Barr, Rabiu Kazeem Dare will act as the committee’s Secretary.

    The new Alade market which is located about 150 metres away from the old one, off Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja seats on 2.5 hectares of land. The market which has been described as one of the most modern of all markets so far in Lagos has 504 lock up shops, 200 units of open stalls, 20 toilets, 350kva and 150kva generators, crèche, 3 boreholes as well as an ample car park that can take up to 350 cars at a time among others.

     

     

  • Live above board, be fair to all, Ambode tells LASIEC

    Live above board, be fair to all, Ambode tells LASIEC

    …Swears-in chairman, members of Commission
    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday swore-in the Chairman and members of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), just as he charged them to live above board and be fair to all parties in the discharge of their duties.

    Governor Ambode, who spoke during the swearing-in ceremony at the Lagos House, Ikeja, said the new Chairman, Justice Ayotunde Philips (Rtd) and other members of the Commission were carefully selected based on their track record of meritorious service and unquestionable integrity, hence they must be transparent and fair to all without giving undue advantage to one party over another.

    The Governor said his administration places high premium on the Rule of Law, just as he vowed that the Executive arm of government would not do anything to directly or indirectly interfere in the affairs of the Commission.

    He said LASIEC, as the statutory body saddled with the responsibility of conducting Local Government elections, has a critical role to play in entrenching the democratic process in the State, and therefore the newly sworn-in members must go all out to ensure the credibility of the electoral process.

    He said: “We have painstakingly selected people of unquestionable integrity and track record of competence to guarantee a credible, transparent and accountable process. Leading this team is Hon Justice Ayotunde Philips, a retired Chief Judge of Lagos State who left a record of meritorious service that saw her to the pinnacle of the Lagos State Judiciary.

    “All I just want to say to all the members is that they must live above board and truly live up to the public expectation as independent umpires. You must be transparent and fair to all without giving undue advantage to one party over another. This is only way that you can guarantee the credibility of the process you supervise,” the Governor said.

    Besides, Governor Ambode thanked members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for their due diligence and subsequent confirmation of the Chairman and members of the Commission, as well as the timely passage of the amendment to the LASIEC Law.

    Members of the Commission are Justice Philips (Chairman), Dr. Bunmi Omosehindemi, Mr. Lateef Raji, Mrs. Toyin Famakinwa and Mr. Olusegun Ayedun, with Mr. Olumide Lawal as the Permanent Secretary.

    Responding, Justice Philips thanked Governor Ambode for the confidence reposed in her and other members, and assured that they would do all within their powers to ensure credible, free and fair elections.

    She also said that her tenure would witness the transformation of LASIEC to an institution that would be envied and emulated by other States of the Federation.

    “I believe in action more than in words and people would see as time passes that we will try to do our best and I hope that we will make LASIEC an institution for all the other states to follow. Lagos always leads and the judiciary in Lagos has led others in Nigeria and we intend to bring the same to bear on LASIEC to become an institution that the rest of the country will envy and will seek to emulate,” she said.

    She added that her team will go back to the drawing board and critically appraise the situation on ground, while an election date would thereafter be determined in due course.

  •  Activities of local, foreign investors crucial for economic growth- Ambode

     Activities of local, foreign investors crucial for economic growth- Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said that the activities of both local and foreign investors in the State are key indicators that would trigger economic growth and enhance the emerging opportunities in the socio-economic landscape of the state.

    The Governor who spoke at the City Hall, Lagos, venue of the 2016 Stakeholders Forum organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business District (CBD) also commended the enthusiasm of investors and entrepreneurs alike to put their money in worthwhile investments in the State.

    He added that the present administration is also providing more opportunities to investors and entrepreneurs in the emerging economic profile of the Lagos Mega City in the various sectors of real estate development, marine transportation, commercial and business activities.

    “Our administration is focused on providing more opportunities to investors and entrepreneurs in the emerging economic profile of Lagos Mega City in the various sectors of real estate development, marine transportation, commercial and business activities to create job opportunities and generate wealth for investors in a conducive and secure environment,” he said.

    Governor Ambode, who was represented at the Forum by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello, said the focus of his administration since inception has been to put in place necessary structures that would sustain a 24/7 economy in the “New Lagos”, adding that despite the global economic challenges, “we have ensured that the business districts functioned effectively to move the wheel of economic growth in the Lagos Mega City”.

    He assured that in the months to come, the district will witness tremendous transformation with the completion of the Blue Line rail system and the ongoing reconstruction of the Marina axis.

    The Governor said the gathering was about ways to identify the gaps in the operation of the district and what can be done individually and collectively to uplift the status of the CBD to global standards.

    “It is also about maximizing the investment opportunities in this axis through government policies, incentives and direct intervention in terms of infrastructure provision and upgrade towards actualizing the vision of the present administration of making “Lagos safer, cleaner and more prosperous”, he said.

    He urged the stakeholders to share experiences, ideas and evolve new strategies that will enhance the effectiveness of the Central Business District administration and management for the benefit of all.

    Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on CBD, Mr Agboola Dabiri, reiterated the readiness of the Government to return the lost glory of Lagos Island by bringing back corporate organizations and private companies to the District just as it was in the eighties.

    He added that the State Government has committed enormous resources in rebranding, painting, beautification and general upliftment of the axis to ensure it is conducive for businesses to thrive.

    The event which also featured panel discussions was graced by many important personalities including members of the State Executive Council, members of the State House of Assembly, Body of Permanent Secretaries and members of the Organised Private Sector.

  • Ambode moves to scale up land administration in Lagos

    Ambode moves to scale up land administration in Lagos

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday said that his administration was working towards ensuring effective land administration that would go a long way to secure the future prosperity of the State.

    The Governor who spoke when he received a delegation from Thomson Reuters, led by its Managing Director-Africa, Sneha Shah on a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja, said that the State Government decided to partner with Thomson Reuters to improve land administration in the State.

    He said the State Executive Council has already given its nod to the project that would bring about an effective Geographical Information System (GIS) to generate credible data on land administration in the State, which according to him will aid planning in the State.

    “I am happy to let you know that with the approval of the Lagos State Executive Council, we have a partnership that is going to work for the benefit of all Lagosians and Nigerians in general.

    “This relationship is beyond a business relationship, it is about the development of Lagos and that is the way I have seen it and that is the way we want to carry out this vision. We know that land administration issues in Lagos are of paramount importance to this government.”

    Alluding to the fact that Lagos was fast becoming a leading City-State in Africa, Governor Ambode said that efforts are currently being made to improve on revenue generation from landed properties, expressing optimism that the project would help to achieve the set objective.

    “We know that there are about two million landed properties in Lagos, but right now what we generate revenue on is less than 400, 000.

    “What this project means for us is that Thomson Reuters brings its expertise alongside other partners in this same project to ensure that at the press of a button, we would be able to see all the landed properties in Lagos, and that also secures the future revenues of Lagos.

    So it is of paramount importance that we carry on and make sure that we execute this project,” the Governor said.

    Speaking further, the Governor said, “Beyond the fact that we have had fluctuating exchange rate, we have kept on moving forward with this project and I believe that the next 18 months, Lagos will have a very good data base. We are very glad that this has been a very credible and transparent process and I am happy that we are in this together. We thank you for believing in the economy of Lagos.”

    Earlier, leader of the Thomson Reuters delegation, Sneha Shah said the Firm was pleased to be partnering with the State Government on such project, saying that the administration of Governor Ambode has shown leadership to move the State forward.

    “One of the things is the way citizens are served and it is due to your vision and leadership, we are very pleased to be part of it, am very pleased to be working with such remarkable local partners and I think that is truly the mark of a successful project.

    “It is when you can bring the best of global capabilities with the local implementation, the people who know what is really going on the ground and really and then you create something that is trustworthy, that is sustainable that would last the citizens for years to come. We just want to say thank you to you.”

     

  • Security: Ambode receives #10m donation from Lebanese community

    Security: Ambode receives #10m donation from Lebanese community

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday received a donation of N10 million from the Lebanese Nigerian Initiative (LNI) for the State Security Trust Fund, charging the body to continue to do more for the State.

    The Governor, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja when he received the Chairman and the directors of the LNI through the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello thanked the group for the initiative, adding that a lot could still be done for the State in that regard.

    “Particularly in the field of security, there is still a lot you can still do for us. Without the efforts of people like you and others in the past, Lagos would not have been where it is today in terms of maintenance of peace and security”, he said.

    The Governor added that with the business pedigree of each of the members of the LNI, the present administration is deeply appreciative of their contribution which, according to him, is a good initiative.

    He said the issue of security cannot be left alone for government to handle and that this was one of the reasons that informed the clarion call to members of the organized private sector to join the State Government in ensuring that the people can sleep with their two eyes closed.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Lebanese Nigerian Initiative (LNI), Mr. Faysal El-Khalil said the members of the Lebanese community have been in Nigeria for over a century doing legitimate business.

    He said the members are, through the latest gesture, demonstrating a reassurance of their commitment to the determination of the present administration to keep criminals at bay permanently.

    Mr El-Khalil said the donation was about how the members of the Lebanese community can give back to the Nigerian and Lagos community which they have been operating for long.

    He said in addition to the security initiative, the LNI has also embarked upon a project towards investing in education by creating an endowment fund in the American University in Beirut where specified number of Nigerians would be beneficiaries.

    Meanwhile, the State Government, through the LSSTF, on Thursday donated 100 hundred level four bullet proof vests and ballistic helmets to the State Command of Nigerian Police.

    Speaking during the donation which was received by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, Executive Secretary of LSSTF, Dr. Abdulrazak Balogun said the massive support to security agencies in the State was part of the strategy of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration at ensuring a safe, secure and prosperous State.

    While stating that businesses and investments can only thrive in a secured and conducive atmosphere, Balogun said there was a need for the Organized Private Sector (OPS) to continue to support government, especially by complementing the sincere and genuine efforts of the present administration in the State at securing lives and property.

    He said: “We just continue to appeal to the private sector to continue to support us. They have been doing so well. As you know, the Trust Fund is based on donor funding and so all we have been able to achieve is from the private sector and we just appeal to them that nothing is too small.

    “As Lagos continues to grow and improve, security challenges continue to increase and we need to forestall this problem in future and we can only do that with the continuous support of the private sector.”

  • Lagos on sound footing to emerge as world class city – Ambode

    Lagos on sound footing to emerge as world class city – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday said that his administration has succeeded in laying a strong foundation that would propel the State to emerge as a globally competitive City-State.

    The Governor, who spoke at the public presentation of a publication “Cascade of Change: A Decade Of Liberal Thoughts” authored by Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said that the next plan of action is to build on the foundation to move the State to the next level.

    “In the last one year we have laid the foundation to make Lagos a globally competitive City-State. In the coming years, we will build on this foundation to move Lagos to the next level, a level of first class infrastructure, services, economic growth and opportunities for all,” he said.

    He said the State has the privilege of housing the largest collection of media houses in Nigeria, saying it was an indicator to the fact that every journalist, editor, columnist and blogger has a role to play in the development of the State.

    “This calls for transparency and constructive engagement with the media to spread our message. Our government will always do its part and we call on the media to be our partner as we build a Lagos State where everybody has a voice, a chance and opportunities,” he said.

    Governor Ambode while commending the author of the book said it would no doubt go a long way to enhance knowledge as well as shed more light on issues of public discourse and enrich policy design and implementation process.

    He said Mr. Ayorinde’s contributions and participation as the arrowhead of the media and strategy team in his gubernatorial campaign was instructive to what the State Government could achieve if members of the team are on the same page.

    “Steve Ayorinde is an unassuming personality whose professional work has impacted on our national life in many ways as a social commentator, moderator of social commentary and now as the Chief Information Manager of Lagos State Government.   I am sure the fire that runs through his veins have been compressed to flow through his latest publication “Cascades of Change”: A Decade of Liberal Thoughts”.

    “He represents a generation of conscious journalists who have committed to working towards a better society. We are proud to have him in the Lagos State Executive and he has been involved in various stages in the implementation of our Change Agenda. He has deployed his professional skills, competence and experience in promoting our socio-political reforms through a liberal and focused policy implementation strategy,” the Governor said.

    He urged Nigerians to enrich their personal libraries with the book, just as he called on spirited individuals and corporate organisations to purchase copies and endow the libraries of tertiary institutions in the State for the benefit of the students who are the future of our society.

    In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion and former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba said in the last one year, Governor Ambode has silently embarked on massive transformation of the State.

    Osoba, who alluded to the clearing of Falomo Roundabout in Ikoyi, the ongoing dualization of Epe-Ijebu Road and many other infrastructural projects in Lagos, said he was indeed happy that the Ambode administration has continued in the tradition of excellence that the State had always been known for.

    He also commended the swiftness in which the Governor attends to issue of infrastructural renewal, saying many testimonies abound that Governor Ambode is a silent achiever, adding that such was what governance should be all about.

    On his part, a public commentator and development expert, Professor Pat Utomi recalled the early days of Governor Ambode in office when he was criticized by many as lacking the capacity to lead the state, adding that his response then was “you got to think, plan and act,” adding that he was happy that the Governor has proved him right.

    Utomi, who said the Governor, is endowed with the ability of audacious imagination, alluded to the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of 4th Mainland Bridge that was long conceived, the Eko Atlantic City Project, the Smart City Lagos initiative, the Light Up Lagos Project and the ongoing neighbourhood renewal.

    In her goodwill message, former Managing Director of Concord Newspapers, Dr. Doyin Abiola said she was proud that Lagos has always been a centre of excellence producing people of excellence.

    She said: “I have never met the Governor and I have never had any discussion with him but from what he has been doing so far, it was clear that he was prepared for the job and he has been moving from step to step.

    “I have always wondered how Lagos survived when the Local Government allocation of the state was withheld by the Federal Government. I could not understand it and it was said that Governor Ambode successfully managed the account of the state at that time and so I want to commend them for the good works they are doing and urge them to continue.”

  • Arts, culture, pivotal tool for good governance – Ambode

    Arts, culture, pivotal tool for good governance – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday in Brussels, Belgium, underscored the importance of using art and culture to promote democratic governance and advance people-oriented policies.

    He spoke at the Center for Fine Arts (BOZAR) in Brussels while attending the Center’s 2016 Summer Photography Exhibition as a Special Guest of Honour.

    The exhibition, which largely focused on Lagos under the theme ‘Dey Your Lane – Lagos Variations’, was an attempt to understand Lagos through those who feel it the most and can express these cognitive and emotional responses in an engaging and creative manner.

    Governor Ambode seized the opportunity to call on all political leaders to partner with artists so that they can benefit from their creative and artistic imagination to tackle some of the challenges confronting megacities such as exponential urbanization.

    He also used the medium to announce his administration’s determination to develop a new museum in the State.

    Governor Ambode emphasized that his government’s engagement with the art, culture and entertainment sector, was in fulfillment of one of his key campaign promises, to vigorously pursue Project THESE, which stands for: Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Sport through Excellence.

    The event was attended by Belgium’s senior government officials including the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs, Mr Didier Reynders and his wife, the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Mr. Folarin Coker, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Professor Ademola Abass.

    Earlier in the day, Governor Ambode met with the Managing Director (Africa) of the European Union’s External Action Services, (EEAS), Mr Koen Vervaeke, in Brussels.

    The meeting explored possible areas of collaboration between Lagos State and the European Union.

    Mr. Varvaeke commended the progress Governor Ambode’s administration has made in the last one year, particularly in the area of security and infrastructural development.

    Responding, Governor Ambode said his strides so far in the State were aimed at complementing President Muhammadu Buhari’s strong leadership since he assumed office on May 29, 2015.

    The Governor said, “What we are doing in Lagos is to implement the policy direction from Abuja upon which we campaigned. We are lucky to have this synergy between Lagos State and Abuja and that can only be for the good of Lagos State and Nigeria in general.”

  • Lagos to meet UNESCO education standard – Ambode

    Lagos to meet UNESCO education standard – Ambode

    • Commissions Block of Classrooms, Furniture

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday commissioned newly constructed block of six classrooms, furniture, toilets and borehole at Farm Settlement Primary School, Odogunyan in Ikorodu area of the State, just as he expressed optimism that it would go a long way to complement efforts geared towards meeting pupil/ classroom ratio in line with UNESCO standards.

    The Governor, who spoke at the commissioning of the infrastructure donated by Ford Foundation in conjunction with Journalists for Democratic Rights (JORDER), said the school infrastructure was part of efforts towards restoring and sustaining confidence in the public school system by guaranteeing equal access to quality education to all children especially those with humble socio-economic background.

    He said that the 17 per cent of the current Budget of the State earmarked for the Education Sector was the highest sectoral allocation in the Budget and would go a long way to ensure that every child can access to quality education.

    Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Tunji Bello, reiterated the commitment of his administration to positive reforms in the educational sector through the provision of necessary infrastructure and curriculum development.

    He expressed appreciation to the Foundation in promoting international cooperation and advancing human development through the collaboration with Government, private sector, academia and the host communities.

    “As Partners-in-Progress, we consider this donation a demonstration of your belief in this administration’s policy of encouraging corporate organizations, public spirited individuals and other stakeholders buy into our “Adopt-a-School Initiative”, the Governor said.

    The Governor urged the school community who are direct beneficiaries as well as the Odogunyan community to take ownership and assume responsibility for proper care the new classrooms.

    He also called on other well- meaning and public spirited individuals, corporate organizations and other stakeholders to join hands with the government in order to move the state forward in all sectors.

    The Governor later cut the tape to formally hand over the classrooms and facilities alongside the Representatives of Ford Foundation in West Africa, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, the Executive Director of the Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), Mr. Adewale Adeoye and Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin.

  • Ambode honours 555 staff with long service merit award

    Ambode honours 555 staff with long service merit award

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday presented long service merit awards to 555 public servants who had distinguished themselves over the years, just as he restated his commitment to the welfare of workers in the State.

    The Governor who spoke at the Merit Awards ceremony held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, congratulated the recipients of the award, saying that their diligence, hard work and sacrifice has contributed immensely  to the success story of the State since its creation in 1967.

    He said, “This occasion provides another unique opportunity for me to put on record my heartfelt appreciation for the contribution of the Lagos State public servants to the success of this administration in the last one year. The modest achievements for which I have received accolades could not have been possible without the hard work and commitment of the engine room which the public service represents.”

    Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Dr. Benson Akintola, also seized the occasion to charge public servants to continue to show good examples as law abiding citizens of the State and work together to strengthen public trust and confidence in public institutions by being proactive, diligent, responsive, innovative and timely in service delivery.

    “This is the desire goal of the various reforms and restructuring that we have introduced and implemented in the last one year,” he said.

    He reiterated the commitment of his administration to the welfare of workers in the employ of the State Government, saying that it would continue to remain top priority of his administration.

    “We shall adequately reward diligence, hard work and exceptional performance. Conversely, negligence, indiscipline and abuse of trust shall be sanctioned appropriately in line with rules and regulations of the public service.

    “Once again, I congratulate all the awardees for the meritorious service to the State. I wish you good health and great years ahead as you look forward to glorious end of your career in the State Public Service,” Governor Ambode said.

    Earlier the State Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola said the objective of the award was to encourage diligence, commitment and loyalty among public servants in the State with the belief that it would spur both recipients and non-recipients alike to continue to put in their best at all times.

    She said since the inception of the Award in 2006, several public servants have benefitted from the gesture, adding that this year’s edition was the 10th in the series.

    Ademola also encouraged public servants yet to be honoured to continue to discharge their duties to the best of their abilities so as to merit such honour in the nearest future.

    “Let me assure you that the State Government on its part will continue to provide the necessary and conducive environment for the attainment of your lofty goals. Government will also continue to place a high premium on the welfare of its staff with a view to enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in order to bring out the best in them,” the HOS said.

    Responding on behalf of the recipients, Mr. Ola Micheal-Dawodu, Permanent Secretary who had put in 35 years of service, thanked the HOS and the Governor for giving them such honour, assuring that they would continue to make themselves available for service when called upon.