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Tag: Lagos State

  • Lagosians’ happiness my priority – Ambode

    Lagosians’ happiness my priority – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said the guiding principle of his administration since inception has always been the implementation of policies and programmes that would engender true happiness and make life simpler and comfortable for the people.

    He spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting with religious leaders held at Lagos House in Ikeja, said all along, the State Government under him, has worked assiduously to scale up the provision of critical infrastructures that would bring comfort to the people, assuring that such remained a priority.

    He urged religious leaders in the State to use the Pulpit, the Mimbar and other platforms to preach patience, perseverance and tolerance amongst all Nigerians, and also pray for the success of not just his administration but the overall development of the State.

    Governor Ambode, who commended religious leaders for their prayers and support for his administration and the State Government, said it was on record that Lagos has the best level of religious tolerance in the country and that it was a thing of joy that in spite of the challenges in the nation, God has continued to guide and direct the affairs of the State.

    The Governor also recalled the role played by religious leaders in the process that culminated in his emergence, saying despite all odds, God in His infinite mercy, chose him as Governor, and that as a person, he has decided only to do things that would please God and bring true happiness to the people.

     

    On efforts of the government to encourage peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship among people of different religions in the State, Governor Ambode said arrangement has been concluded to decentralise the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), which is a body set up to resolve all religious conflicts under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

    Already, the Governor said he has approved the establishment of NIREC offices in all the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas of the State, adding that necessary machinery have been put in place towards the inauguration of the offices in January 2017.

    In his presentation, Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Emeka Uche commended Governor Ambode for the stakeholders’ forum and infrastructural development of the State, saying that such forum was important for religious harmony.

    Also, Imam and senior lecturer at the Department of Actuarial Science, University of Lagos, Dr Tajudeen Yusuf commended the Governor for the 114 roads initiative, the Rent-To-Own Housing policy, prompt payment of salaries of workers, among others, but urged that more should be done with regards to inculcation of entrepreneurial skills on young ones right from primary school.

    While lauding the Governor for the meeting, Yusuf also asked religious leaders to always preach peace, love, tolerance and togetherness, among others.

    Some of the revered clerics present at the meeting include Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo; Lagos State Christian Association of Nigeria Chairman, Apostle Dr. Alex Bamgbola; Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Ibrahim Garuba Akinola; President, Muslim Community of Lagos State, Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi, among others.

     

     

  • Ambode, Bagudu launch Lake Rice

    Ambode, Bagudu launch Lake Rice

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and his Kebbi State counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, on Wednesday, officially launched the long awaited Lake Rice to be sold to the public at N12,000 per 50kg bag.

    Ambode told a news conference in Alausa, Lagos, that the public would from Thursday, Dec. 22, have access to the rice in 10 designated areas in Lagos State as would be advertised by the government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 50kg rice will sell for N12,000, while the 25kg and 10kg will sell for N6,000 and N2,500 respectively.

    The Lagos State governor described the launch of the rice as historic, saying the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Lagos and Kebbi in March 2016 had started yielding fruitful results.

    He added that “we signed an MoU in March 2016 with an understanding that being proudly Nigerians, we want to come out with what will be made in Nigeria and what is good for Nigerians.

    “We took all that President Muhammadu Buhari said on the need for us
    to grow our food and we decided that we would prove a point and that is what today is all about.”

    He explained that Lake Rice was grown and milled in Nigeria, with extremely high quality.

    He noted that “we also have Ofada rice and imported rice in the country and we want to show our people that Lake Rice is the way to go.

    “The major difference between Lake Rice and imported rice is that imported rice has a minimum storage capacity of five and six years but Lake Rice is fresh.”

    The governor said that the state would expand its rice mill as it had the largest consumption market in Nigeria.

    Ambode said interested buyers would need to get a ticket to pay for a bag of rice in the bank before going to any of the locations for collection, adding that this was done to allow the rice to go round and for everyone to have access to it.

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    “We want to ensure that this rice goes to everybody. You cannot buy twice,” he said.

    Earlier, Bagudu said 16 months ago during the National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, he entered into a discussion with Ambode for a joint partnership for the production of rice in view of what was happening in the country.

    “Since then, we have been working assiduously on this after we signed the MoU.”

    Bagudu said the product could stand any integrity test in Nigeria as it was of high quality.

    He added that “Lake Rice is of high quality. I am proud of this joint venture but we can do more, we are glad that we are launching this commodity today.”

  • Children development my priority – Ambode

    Children development my priority – Ambode

    Wife of the Governor ofLagos state on Tuesday urged children to develop good character and grow up as responsible citizens.

    She spoke at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, at a Children’s Party organised by the State Government to mark the end of the year.

    Mrs Ambode, who listed the qualities of a good child to include humility, discipline, respect for elders and fear of God among others, told them that good character would recommend them for great opportunities in future.

    She also charged them to take their education seriously, as hard work and academic excellence remained the most reliable stepping stone to success and would also book a comfortable place for them in the society.

    She said, “You all are beautiful children of destiny, I wish every one of you merry Christmas and a happy New Year in advance. I want you all to grow up as good children. Always listen to your parents, be of good behaviour, respect the elders, do not join bad gangs and always pray to God to guide and direct you at all times.”
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    Speaking further, she thanked parents for making the children very beautiful and prayed that their labour over them would not be in vain.

    She charged the parents and privileged individuals to remember to extend a hand of love to the less privileged children not only at Christmas but always.

    The Governor’s wife appealed to mothers to teach good morals to their children from a tender age, quoting from Proverbs 22-6 which says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”.

    While urging them to enjoy the fun of the day, she charged the children to remain focused on climbing to greater heights in their academics and future endeavours.

    In his remarks, State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode commended parents in Lagos for training their children in the right path, saying that his administration would continue to give the best to improve the all round development of children in the State.

    ‘We are happy to see our children grow up, our intention is beyond giving them a good education, but to also give them good recreation activities that would make them good successors and great leaders of the future.

    The Governor also assured that the end of the year party which brings thousands of children together to have fun during the yuletide would not only be sustained but would be bigger and better in subsequent editions.

  • Lagos postpones sale of lake rice

    Lagos postpones sale of lake rice

    The Lagos State Government on Friday said it could not commence the sale of its lake rice on December 15 as earlier planned.

    Mr Sanni Okanlawan, Special Adviser on Food Security to Gov. Akinwumi Ambode, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the rice would now be on sale from next week

    NAN reports that the government had planned to sell the rice at N13,000 per 50kg bag at the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development area headquarters from Dec. 15.

    Okanlawon told NAN the government was installing mechanisms for Lagosians to celebrate the best Yuletide without hiccups posed by money bags.

    “We are working out the modalities to make sure that what the government intends to sell at N13,000 was not hijacked and sold to Lagosians at N15,000, that is what we do not want.

    “From all indications, hopefully, by next week Lake Rice will be out, so, we want everything to be in place before it is out,’’ Okanlawan said.

    NAN reports that LASG had on Dec. 8 promised that it was ready to roll out Lake Rice on Dec. 15 to Lagosians at N13,000 per 50 kg towards the Yuletide celebrations.

    The Special Adviser made the disclosure during the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry National Agriculture Stakeholders Summit.

    “Lake Rice is the acronym of both Lagos and Kebbi States joint product which will be out to the public on Dec. 15 at a cost of N13,000 per 50kg bag as it is already subsidised by the government.

    “To make it more available, the rice will be sold at the 57 LGA’s and LCDA’s for easy accessibility and to guard against unwanted persons diverting the product, the state has put in place a committee.

    NAN also reports that Lagos State had in March signed an MoU with the Kebbi State Government to produce rice paddy to be milled and packaged in Lagos State.

  • Lagos By-election: Ambode seeks support for APC candidate

    Lagos By-election: Ambode seeks support for APC candidate

    The people of Ifako-Ijaye Federal Constituency have been urged to elect Mr Akinwunmi Olaitan in Saturday’s by-election to ensure adequate representation.

    This call was made by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday, during a rally held at the Ifako Ijaye Mini Stadium in support of Olaitan, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the by-election in the constituency.

    Mr Elijah Adewale, who represented the constituency in the House of Representatives, died on July 20, necessitating the Dec. 3 by-election to fill the vacant seat.

    Six political parties are fielding candidates in the election.

    “We know that this community will move forward and there will be tremendous progress if Olaitan is elected.

    “Let us go house to house and pronounce further that Olaitan is one of us and he will represent us fully.
    “That is what we have promised you, when we make promises, we fulfil more than what we promised,” Ambode said.

    The governor promised massive transformation in the state, particularly in the rural areas.

    “I tell you, by this time next year, you will not believe the progress Lagos has made,” Ambode said.

    He also commiserated with the family of Adewale.

    Earlier, Olaitan promised to fight for the interest of the people, if elected.

    The rally was attended by the Lagos APC Chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale and Sen. Olamilekan Adeola, representing Lagos West Senatorial District, among others.

  • Ambode mourns Rasheed Gbadamosi

    Ambode mourns Rasheed Gbadamosi

    • Says State has lost a great son

    The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday expressed great shock over the passage of foremost industrialist and economist, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi.

    Gbadamosi, a Co-chairman of the Lagos @50 Committee, died on Wednesday at the age of 72.

    The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said he was truly saddened by the demise of the former Minister for National Planning, describing him as a true Lagosian, who was passionate and always willing to serve his state and fatherland.

    “As a foundation member of the first Lagos State Executive Council after the creation of the state in 1967, he contributed immensely towards laying a very solid foundation for what is, today, the foremost state in the country and the nation’s unarguably Centre of Excellence. He also distinguished himself as a Federal Minister and PPPRA Chairman.

    “Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi was a sound economist, one of the best in his generation. His passion to serve his fatherland was never in doubt, so it was not surprising to me that he graciously accepted to serve as Co-Chairman of our Lagos @50 Committee and in the last few months, he was directly involved in the meetings and planning to ensure the success of the celebration.

    “He was the youngest commissioner in Lagos State at 27, an industrialist and a very consistent financial expert. He was a proud son of Lagos state who had paid his dues over the decade. A financial guru and a public administrator per excellence, who would never shy away from letting people know that he was a thoroughbred Lagos boy, born in Ikorodu,” the Governor said.

    Governor Ambode while commiserating with the family of the late economist and art enthusiast, urged them to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and continued to render meritorious service to the State until his demise.

    “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Chief Gbadamosi on this great and irreparable loss. He paid his dues and Lagosians will always remember him,” Governor Ambode said.

  • Police arrest four suspected cultists 

    The police in Lagos have arrested four suspected members of Awawa cult group who terrorise residents of Dopemu and environs.

    Sherif Nahim, Platelet Ismail, Jamiu  Amusa and Abel Babatunde were apprehended on Monday around 9:30am at 29, Abeje Street, Agege.

    The suspects, who were allegedly hiding in the compound, were said to have sustained varying degrees of injustice.

    It was gathered that the police received distress call that the cultists were on rampage around Kadiri and were welding dangerous weapons.

    Contacted, the command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said the suspects have been moved to SARS custody.

    According to her, the Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni has directed that the suspects receive medical treatment in custody.

    She said: “He directed that discreet investigation be done so that other fleeing suspects could be apprehended. The suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.

    “The command would no longer tolerate any act of impunity and recklessness under any guise of cultism.”

  • Ambode’s Wrestle Force Tourney: LOC solicits for support

    The Local Organising Committee ( LOC) of the Intercontinental Wrestle Force Championship has called on good citizens of Lagos to give their total support for the competition.
    The Intercontinental Wrestle Force Championship is being packaged to celebrate the achievements of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos since he assumed office. The tournament will be held across 14 centres in the three Senatorial Districts of Lagos from December 4 to18.
    Chairman of the LOC, Otunba Dengel Anifowoshe said that the competition needed the support of every citizen of Lagos State because it is an event meant not only to celebrate the Governor, but showcase the rich tourism potentials of the state to the outside world, as more than 49 international wrestlers across all continents of the world would converge in the state to do their trade.
    “We want to tell the world that we are ready and we are more grateful to the Governor of Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode for giving us the approval and all support to organise the event. That is why I am calling on every Lagosian to rally round us, most especially the corporate organisations, political office holders across all tier of the government, as we celebrate our esteemed and sports loving Governor, “said Otunba Anifowoshe, who is also the Chairman of the Community Development Association’s (CDAs) in the state.
    Coordinator and Initiator of the competition, former Nigerian international wrestler, Prince Hammed Olanrewaju Mohammed said about five titles will be at stake during the two weeks tournament which will start in Epe and end at the Agege Stadium. The titles include are the Super Heavyweight, Heavyweight and the Ladies bout, while prizes will be awarded to the Most Entertaining Wrestler, winner of the Most Brutal fight of the tournament, the Best Dressed Wrestler and the Best Lady Wrestler.
  • Lagos pledges to protect people’s rights

    Lagos pledges to protect people’s rights

    The Lagos State Government has promised to protect and respect the rights of all.

    The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Funlola Odunlami, said this at a workshop  by the Public Advice Centre (PAC)  held at the Combo Hall of the Lagos Television.

    “In Lagos State, the protection and advancement of human rights is the cornerstone of the rule of law, the Ministry, therefore, places high premium on various programmes that provide free access to justice for Lagos State citizens.

    The government, she said, would continue to take the lead in legislation and law reform initiatives.

    Mrs Odunlami re-assured residents that they would have access to justice.

    “The workshop will, therefore, give members of the public a good opportunity to learn and know more of the Centre’s role, its positive impact in ensuring that rights of individual resident of the State are well protected and guaranteed,” she said.

    Mrs. Odunlami said PAC was established to give free legal advice, independent information to residents of the state on issues, adding that the Centre also assists in referring the users to other appropriate government and key non-governmental agencies to deal with respective issues brought to them.

    The Solicitor-General appealed to the public to take full advantage of the gesture of the services provided by the centre.

    In his paper, the Executive Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, advocated the decentralisation of the agency as it was with Citizens’ Mediation Centre, stressing the need to open offices in various local governmnet areas to enable the public to have access to the centre’s services.

    Speaking on “Advising the public in the season of shock and distrust”, Executive Director, Access to Justice, Mr Joseph Otteh, stressed the need to avoid corruption in the judiciary.

    According to him, the judiciary is a major factor why people have lost many case.

    ”The judiciary must avoid many of the things that cause delay in court. We must also bring an end to corruption of justice. Judiciary as an institution is polluted and this must change,” he said.

    He added that to change the face of the administration of justice, there was the need to have a strategic plan that is geared towards influencing the life of the people.

    “Courts should be reformed. We should work with our justice institutions in the state to see how we can stab out delay and corruption in the justice system in Lagos State,” he said.

    PAC Director, Mrs Margaret Asumah, said PAC would attend to those who come for advice and refer them to the appropriate agencies to deal with their matter.

    This, she said, was necessary to make access to justice easy, noting that many people had issues but did not know where to go.

  • First Storey building in Nigeria records 1,800 visitors in 9 months — Manager

    First Storey building in Nigeria records 1,800 visitors in 9 months — Manager

    The Facility Manager, First Storey Building in Nigeria, located in Badagry, Lagos State, Mr Hodonu Daniel, has said that 1,800 visitors have been to the site in the last nine months.

    Daniel told newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos that visits to the structure, now 170 years, were made between January and September.

    Recall that the foundation of the building was laid in 1842 and the house was completed in 1845.

    “Our peak period is during the New Year, Easter, Sallah and Christmas holidays and on public holidays.

    “We are used to recording about 180 visitors in a month but it varies. We have recorded 1,800 visitors in the last nine month,’’ he said.

    He said that some of the visitors that patronised the facility were local and foreign tourists, students, adults and children.

    “Students patronise the building more than others,’’ he added.

    Daniel said that this year’s patronage was better than the previous year’s.

    “The difference in the record of visitors that patronised the building this year compared to last year was not much,’’ he said.

    He urged the Lagos State Government to support the management in giving the building a facelift that is of international standard