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Tag: Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

  • Lagos health insurance scheme commences in 2017 – Ambode

    Lagos health insurance scheme commences in 2017 – Ambode

    • Welcomes Partnership With Insurance Firms To Grow State’s GDP

    The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday said the much awaited Health Insurance Scheme of the State would commence in early 2017, expressing readiness to partner with key players in the sector to use insurance to grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Lagos.

    Speaking at the commissioning of the new WAPIC Insurance Corporate Head Office, located on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, the Governor said there was no question about the strategic importance of insurance to any economy, saying that his administration was open to policies and initiatives that would make the sector to thrive in the State.

    “The insurance business is here to stay and I want to also say that I give our government’s commitment to allow this sector to grow. I will like to partner and also learn how we can grow the GDP of Lagos through your industry. On our part, we know very clearly that early next year, we are going to start our Health Insurance Scheme and I just think that the drivers are the majority of the people who are seated here and it is important that we partner together and also learn together,” Governor Ambode said.

    While challenging the key drivers of the insurance sector to come up with draft bill that would accelerate insurance business in Lagos, Governor Ambode said he was open to initiatives that would make the sector grow and contribute positively to the growth of the State.

    He said there was great need for insurance for individuals and the legal regulatory framework to be explored and expanded with the view to ensure the growth of the sector, adding that it was important for government not to be left alone to handle all issues affecting or that should affect the sector.

    He pledged the commitment of the State Government to continually identify and support organizations such as WAPIC Insurance to accelerate the efforts at creating the new Lagos of positive dreams, assuring that as a government, his administration would explore ways to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    According to the Governor, “We are committed to introducing new incentives for businesses in Lagos to enable them grow and also support our society and take more of our youths off the street. The ease of doing business is of concern to us and as a result, we are working to improve the indices of doing business in Lagos, while we continue in our commitment to carry out judicial and security sector reforms.”

    Besides, Governor Ambode congratulated the board and management of WAPIC Insurance for adding a beautiful edifice to the State, which he said had brought total change to the landscape of the entire Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

    He said the company had distinguished itself as one of the insurance companies that have pro-actively partnered with the State Government with insightful recommendation on key issues of governance and welfare of the people particularly in the areas of safety, security of lives and property through insurance such as relating to building collapse, fire accident, amongst others.

    Earlier in his welcome speech, Chairman of WAPIC Insurance, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said from his trips across Africa, there has never been any public functionary like Governor Ambode who understands the importance of the insurance sector, saying that the knowledge came out of the deep understanding of economics and the fact that insurance is the most important economic sector of the world according to modern day reality.

    He said insurance makes the world livable and cheaper, adding that the commissioning of the new building not only signpost the transformation of WAPIC Insurance, but also the transformation of insurance sector in Nigeria to take its rightful place.

    Governor Ambode also received a donation of N20million on behalf of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) from WAPIC Insurance.
  • Lagos critical to Nigeria’s recovery from recession – Ambode

    Lagos critical to Nigeria’s recovery from recession – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday said the State has a critical role to play in taking Nigeria out of the current economic doldrums, just as he harped on the need for partnership between government and the private sector to address strategic challenges confronting the nation.

    Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House in Ikeja when he received on courtesy visit members of the Governing Council of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), who came to notify the Governor of the hosting right of the 22nd World Conference of Banking Institute to be held in Lagos in April 2017 and other activities of the Institute,  said Lagos, as the economic hub of Nigeria and the West African region, contributes about 70 percent of the financial services in the country, and as such the State was in a good stead to lead the nation out of recession.

    The Governor said the visit by the CIBN Council led by its President, Professor Segun Ajibola was apt as it came at a time that Nigeria was undergoing recession, but the cheering news was that the country was abundantly blessed with a group of people that can actually help the country out of recession, to which many of them are members of the Institute.

    He, therefore, harped on the need for partnership between the government and the private sector, saying: “This is like a clearing call, we need this partnership to  take us out of the doldrums. Irrespective of the fact that Lagos contributes like 70 percent of the financial services in this country and if there is anything that can take us out of recession, it has to start from us and from Lagos.”

    Besides, Governor Ambode said the story of the growth and development of Lagos could not have been completed without the huge contribution of the financial service industry, adding that the sector remained a veritable vehicle that has been able to drive professionals to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the State.

    According to the Governor, “The financial service industry stands out in terms of creating employment for our people, and in terms of contributing to the taxes, and as well creating capacity, and as such it will be unfair not to appreciate and commend everything that the CIBN has actually done to the growth and development of Lagos.”

    Speaking on the hosting right of the World Conference, Governor Ambode expressed excitement at the development, and assured that the State Government will partner with CIBN to use the platform to promote investment potentials in the State, as well as celebrate the 50 years anniversary of the creation of Lagos.

    “Lagos is going to be 50 next year and President of the Council has talked so much about the hosting right of the conference. As a government, we are also trying to brand Lagos as a world class city to live in, and so we will partner and support the conference and list it as part of the events to celebrate Lagos at 50 and use it as a platform to promote financial tourism for the State.

    “Lagos is the financial hub of Nigeria and by extension maybe the West African coast, and the good thing is that the infrastructure we have been able to provide are aimed at allowing businesses to thrive. We are trying our best but the fundamentals remained the fact that the city has to be safe so that businesses can thrive.

    The Governor also expressed readiness to partner with CIBN to create a structured capacity building for State officials with the view to getting a stream of hardworking professionals.

    Earlier, Ajibola commended Governor Ambode for the massive infrastructure development ongoing in the State, especially the improvement on security, the Light Up Lagos Project, ingenious traffic management strategy in strategic locations across the State such as the Iyana Oworo Lay-by, Ketu-Alapere Slip Road, multifaceted Berger expansion projects, Ojota Pedestrian Bridge; road rehabilitation, Light Rail Project, among others.

    “As at today, the banking community is more than happy with the State of security in Lagos State. Our banks are now safer; our ATM locations are safer; we see secured human and properties more than ever before within Lagos and its environs,” Ajibola said.

     

  • 50,000 athletes to participate in 2017 Lagos city marathon – Ambode

    50,000 athletes to participate in 2017 Lagos city marathon – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday said no fewer than 50,000 athletes from across the world are expected to participate in the second edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon billed to hold on February 11, 2017. 

    Governor Ambode, who stated this at Lagos House in Ikeja while addressing a world press conference on the marathon, said necessary logistics have been put in place to make the event hugely successful, and as well promote the tourism potentials of the State.

    The Governor said about 33, 753 runners including 65 elite marathoners from different parts of the world and over 100 local elite runners participated in the 2016 edition held on February 6 this year, while the marathon was adjudged as one of the best in the world.

    He said the government was working to ensure that the 2017 edition of the Lagos City Marathon billed to hold on Saturday, February 11, 2017 would see a major improvement compared to the maiden edition.

    Governor Ambode said that as a result of the success of the maiden edition, several individuals and corporate organisations have contacted the organisers of the Marathon to partner towards ensuring a successful tourney, adding that it would go a long way to engage and empower thousands of Lagosians in various sectors.

    The Governor said that the 2017 edition, would also feature the top ten men and women marathoners in the world, who would also be joined by many gold label, silver label and bronze label marathoners from different parts of the world.

    He said the appearance fees for gold label runners is $50,000, silver label $20,000 and bronze label $10,000, adding that invited local and foreign elite runners would be paid 50 per cent of their appearance fee now and balance up when they arrive Lagos for the tourney.

    Winner of the 2017 Lagos City Marathon, according to the Governor would also go home with a cash prize of $50,000, while second and third place winners will smile home with $40,000 and $30,000 respectively.

    “The Lagos City Marathon is presently ranked 68th in the world, but our desire is to make it the top ten in the world and that is what we are working on with the next episode of the event.

    “Unlike the one held on February 6 this year, where we had over 30,000 athletes who participated, we are targeting a minimum of 50,000 runners who will take the city of Lagos by storm and put the city on the world map for coming up with such a huge event.

    “We look forward to something exciting happening in Lagos. We are going to use sports as a vehicle to help develop our youths and when you talk about youth development you have to talk about recreational sports, about how you mentally activate younger ones and we just think that this marathon is one of those vehicles that we should use to galvanise sports in younger ones and even Lagosians at large,” Governor Ambode said.

    The Governor also expressed optimism that the success of the first edition and efforts to make next year’s edition bigger, the Lagos City Marathon would soon be labeled by the IAAF.

    “We may get the CAA label before February 11, 2017; this will be another feat. We have put the necessary machinery in place to have a more elaborate start and a grand finish for this edition. There will also be entertainment at the finish for runners and spectators,” he said.

    The Governor also added that for the 2017 edition, plans have been put in place to accommodate volunteers who would work hand in hand to make the event a success, adding that every volunteer would get a certificate signed by him and their names will be in Lagos State data base for volunteers.

    He said that the State Government was working with other partners to address the challenges and hiccups recorded in the first edition of the Marathon, assuring that he would personally supervise the logistics required for the event.

    “Route education plan will be released early so that Lagosians can plan their movement on race day. There will also be live transmission for the local and global audience. There will be clearer and bolder kilometer marking along the route. Our target is to also make Lagosians proud of this event and make them look forward to it every year,” the Governor said.

    On his part, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, Managing Director of Access Bank, the major partners of the Lagos City Marathon, expressed optimism that the 2017 edition of the race would be bigger and better.

    He said Access Bank was glad to partner with Lagos State, noting that the success of the first edition did not only showcase Lagos to be an avenue for sports development, but also for the growth of tourism and youth development.

  • Photos: Ambode in US, meets Mayor of Boston

    Photos: Ambode in US, meets Mayor of Boston

    L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Faculty Director, Legatum Center & member of UK Prime Minister's Council for Science and Technology, Professor Fiona Murray and Associate Provost for International Activities, Professor Richard Lester during a meeting between the MIT Africa Initiative and Lagos State Government in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

    L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Faculty Director, Legatum Center & member of UK Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology, Professor Fiona Murray and Associate Provost for International Activities, Professor Richard Lester during a meeting between the MIT Africa Initiative and Lagos State Government in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

     

    L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th right), with Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation & Employment, Mr. Abdul Mustapha; Commissioner for Wealth Creation & Employment, Dr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti; Chief of Economic Development, Office of the Mayor, Mr. John Barros; Mayor of Boston, Mr. Marty Walsh; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas and Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Ade Akinsanya during a meeting with the Mayor of Boston at the Boston City Hall, Boston Massachusetts
    L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th right), with Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation & Employment, Mr. Abdul Mustapha; Commissioner for Wealth Creation & Employment, Dr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti; Chief of Economic Development, Office of the Mayor, Mr. John Barros; Mayor of Boston, Mr. Marty Walsh; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas and Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Ade Akinsanya during a meeting with the Mayor of Boston at the Boston City Hall, Boston Massachusetts
  • Yoruba/Egun clash: Residents storm Ambode’s office

    Yoruba/Egun clash: Residents storm Ambode’s office

    Residents of Otodo-Gbame Community in Eti-Osa Local Government, protesting the demolition of over 800 structures within the community, yesterday stormed the office of the Lagos State Governor and House of Assembly, bringing activities at both offices, to a halt.

    Like they did on Monday, the residents besieged the Governor’s office, saying they had come again to express their displeasure over the demolition of structures in the over 100-year-old community.

    As at 2pm, both entrances to the Governor’s office, the House of Assembly, Mobolaji Johnson Road and Governor’s Road were all barricaded by the protesters who chanted several songs depicting the hardship they had been subjected to.

    One of the residents said about eight persons drowned while trying to escape from the scene of the clash, between the Yoruba and Egun residents, through the lagoon behind the community.

    Also, Mobolaji Johnson and Governor’s Road were barricaded by the protesters who chanted several songs to express the hardship they had been subjected to.

    The policemen attached to the governor’s office had a hectic time trying to disperse the protesters who had prevented a guest to the Governor’s office from gaining entrance into the premises, forcing the police attaché to fire shots in the air to scare the protesting residents.

    One of the residents, Muhammed Zana, said: “Officials of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) shot in the air to scare us. They almost run over us with their cars. But we have resolved to continue to barricade the entrance until we get assurance from the governor or his deputy, directing the police to leave their community.”

    Moses Dansu, who said he is the son to the Baale of Otodo-Gbame community, lamented that he couldn’t tell the whereabouts of his family, saying “My family is scattered. I don’t know where they are at the moment. My father, the Baale has been arrested without any charge.

    “I voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to come into power but I am disappointed that the party has come back to demolish our houses. I am a barber in the community. All my tools have been set ablaze by the police. I don’t know where to start. At the moment, I only have one cloth and shoe left and that is what I have on me.”

    The residents under the aegis of Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation also alleged that on November 10, the police came back with a bulldozer and began to set the houses ablaze, adding “Despite call higher levels of the police, including the Complaints Response Unit and others, there was no respite to protect lives and properties.”

    Dansu lamented that the police had been visiting the community since last week and allegedly setting their structures ablaze.

    He noted that “on Sunday, the police stormed the community and set the structures left ablaze. Also, yesterday, they visited the community and chased the residents away to set fire on the structures they found within the community.”

    Another resident, who identified herself as Iya Rahman, said “our mosque has been burnt by the police. They came last Sunday and set all structures ablaze. And when we tried protesting against their action, the police argued that we have been directed to leave the community.”

    As at press time, n official of the state government had attended to the protesters as the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode had travelled out for an official assignment.

  • Ambode appoints DIG Ajao as head Neighbourhood Safety Corps

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday constituted the Board of the Neighbourhood Safety Agency, in line with his quest to further strengthen the security of the State and safeguard its local communities.

    Consequently, the Governor approved the appointment of DIG Israel Ajao (Rtd), a former Commissioner of Police in Lagos and Ogun and DIG Criminal Investigation, as Chairman of the Board.

    In a statement signed by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, the Governor also named Mr. Gboyega Bajulaiye as the Executive Secretary of the Board.

    Other members of the Board include representative Of the State Commissioner Of Police, Suleiman Lewi (CSP); Chairman Lagos Task Force, Yinka Egbeyemi (SP); a representative of the Department of State Security Service (DSS); Executive Security, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Razaq Balogun; Community Representatives of Epe Division, Dengel Anifowoshe; Ikeja Division, Chief Tunde Aboyade; Lagos Division, Mr. Ishola Laguda; Badagry Division, Mrs. Ronke Ogabi; and Ikorodu Division, Mrs Kofoworola Adegboye.

    Kazeem, in the statement, said that law, order and safety of lives and properties has remained a cornerstone of the Governor Ambode-led administration, adding that the constitution of the Board marked another step in the desire of Government to make Lagos safe and secured for its citizens.

    It will be recalled that at the 3rd Quarter 2016 Town Hall Meeting, held at the Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere on October 11, Governor Ambode had announced plans to implement the provision of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law 2016 of Lagos State recently passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    The Governor also promised to recruit 5,000 Corps members into the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, adding that they would be present in all Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of the State, with new recruits expected to earn at least N25, 000 monthly with other allowances.

    According to him, the Neighbourhood Safety Corps was part of efforts of his administration to institutionalise and deepen community policing in the State.

  • Photos: Ambode, Adebule at Lagos food summit, exhibition

    Photos: Ambode, Adebule at Lagos food summit, exhibition

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with President, Nigeria Agric Business Group, Alhaji Sani Dangote (right) and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule during the Lagos Food Security Summit and Exhibition.
    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with President, Nigeria Agric Business Group, Alhaji Sani Dangote (right) and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule during the Lagos Food Security Summit and Exhibition.

     

    R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule, at the exhibition stands being conducted round by the Special Adviser on Food Security, Mr. Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawo during the Lagos Food Security Summit and Exhibition.
    R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule, at the exhibition stands being conducted round by the Special Adviser on Food Security, Mr. Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawo during the Lagos Food Security Summit and Exhibition.

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right); President, Nigeria Agric Business Group, Alhaji Sani Dangote (right); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (2nd left) and Special Adviser on Food Security, Mr. Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawo (left) at the exhibition stands during the Lagos Food Security Summit and Exhibition.
    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (right); President, Nigeria Agric Business Group, Alhaji Sani Dangote (right); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (2nd left) and Special Adviser on Food Security, Mr Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawo (left) at the exhibition stands during the Lagos Food Security Summit and Exhibition.

     

    L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Special Adviser on Food Security, Mr. Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawo; Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Toyin Suarau; Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule; President, Nigeria Agric Business Group, Alhaji Sani Dangote; Deputy Director, Trade & Investment, DFID, UK, Mr. John Woodruffe and Project Coordinator, Cassava Transformation Agenda Project, Dr. Richardson Okechukwu during the Lagos Food Security Summit and Exhibition.
    L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Special Adviser on Food Security, Mr Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawo; Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Toyin Suarau; Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule; President, Nigeria Agric Business Group, Alhaji Sani Dangote; Deputy Director, Trade & Investment, DFID, UK, Mr John Woodruffe and Project Coordinator, Cassava Transformation Agenda Project, Dr. Richardson Okechukwu during the Lagos Food Security Summit and Exhibition.

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), with C.E.O, Best Foods Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere (left) and Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Toyin Suarau (middle) during the Lagos Food Security Summit and Exhibition.
    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), with C.E.O, Best Foods Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere (left) and Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Toyin Suarau (middle) during the Lagos Food Security Summit and Exhibition.

     

  • Lagosians consume N3bn food daily – Ambode

    Lagosians consume N3bn food daily – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday said that investors willing to do business in the agric sector in the State can be rest assured of a ready market and returns on investment as the daily consumption of food items in the State is worth over N3billion daily.

    The Governor, who spoke at the maiden edition of the Lagos Food Security and Exhibition Summit with the theme “Actualizing Sustainable Food Security in Lagos State: A New, Comprehensive Agenda’, said his administration remains committed in its efforts towards maximising its comparative advantage in the sector to achieve food security.

    He said Nigeria had no business resorting to importation to feed its citizens, adding that there was no alternative to achieving food security other than tilling the land and embrace best practices that will improve efficiency in the agricultural value chain.

    The Governor said, “Our core policy thrust towards achieving food security is to maximize the comparative advantage of the State in agriculture and establish partnerships with other States of the Federation with comparative advantage in specific areas.”

    Listing some areas of collaboration already activated, Governor Ambode said his administration has sealed a landmark partnership with Kebbi State Government for the development of agricultural commodities such as rice, wheat, groundnut, onion, maize and beef value chain, expressing optimism that the partnership can result in the supply of 70 per cent of the total national rice consumption.

    “We have also acquired agricultural land in other neighbouring States of Ogun and Oyo as well as Abuja. Specifically, 500 hectares of farm land has been acquired for rice cultivation in Eggua, Ogun State, 84.7 hectares at Okinni in Oshogbo for oil palm processing, among others,” the Governor said.

    He said the Lagos Food Security Summit and Exhibition was organized to bring together stakeholders in the Agricultural sector to proffer solutions to the challenges militating against the achievement of food security, noting that the success recorded in the last “Traffic Summit’ that has eased the traffic situation in the metropolis can be replicated in the area of food security in the state.

    He therefore said that in the wake of the economic challenges facing the country there was no better time for the nation to review its approach and the redirection of its energies to food production.

    “Behind every dark cloud, they say, is a silver lining. One of the challenges the current economic recession has brought to the fore is the urgent need to develop a sustainable programme that will guarantee food security for our people. As a nation, in the past, we spent billions of Foreign Exchange on importation of food and food items many of which can be cultivated in our country.

    “Our country is blessed with very good arable land and a climate that supports food production. We can achieve food security and create employment opportunities for our teeming youth if we put in place the right policies and incentives that will attract significant investment into the Agricultural sector,” he said.

    Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Security, Mr. Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawon, noted that that the summit was being organized to institutionalize a food security framework that would guarantee sustainable food security for its growing population.

    He said the summit was designed to realign emerging realities with new global trends on food safety, food processing, food storage, food handling, funding of agribusiness and agric insurance”, adding that it will attract major stakeholders from the Agricultural sector and academia, foreign and local investors, media, civil society and policymakers in government.

    Earlier, Chairman of the Summit, Alhaji Sani Dangote, commended the Governor Ambode-led administration for leading being in the forefront in addressing the challenge of food security, saying that the State boasts of a large population with an economy ranked as the fifth largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, a bulging youth population and capital of the nation’s industrial base.

    He said despite the shortage of arable land in the State, the State Government can leverage on its comparative advantages to not only guarantee food security in the State, but also feed the neighbouring South West States.

    He said the State has the capacity to make agriculture a profitable business, which according to him, would encourage youths to take up agriculture as a profession and contribute their quota towards achieving food security.

     

  • Photos: Commissioning of Buhari Complex in Edo

    Acting Vice Chancellor, Edo University, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor; President Muhammadu Buhari; Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode during the unveiling of the plaque to commission the Muhammadu Buhari Administrative Complex at the Edo University, Iyamho, Edo State
    Acting Vice Chancellor, Edo University, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor; President Muhammadu Buhari; Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode during the unveiling of the plaque to commission the Muhammadu Buhari Administrative Complex at the Edo University, Iyamho, Edo State.

     

    L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Universities Commission, Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed during the commissioning of Muhammadu Buhari Administrative Complex at the Edo University, Iyamu, Edo
    L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Universities Commission, Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed during the commissioning of Muhammadu Buhari Administrative Complex at the Edo University, Iyamu, Edo.

     

    L-R: Acting Vice Chancellor, Edo University, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor; President Muhammadu Buhari, cutting the tape, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Edo State Governor-Elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle behind); Executive Secretary, Nigeria Universities Commission, Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed (2nd right behind) during the commissioning of Muhammadu Buhari Administrative Complex at the Edo University, Iyamu
    L-R: Acting Vice Chancellor, Edo University, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor; President Muhammadu Buhari, cutting the tape, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Edo State Governor-Elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (middle behind); Executive Secretary, Nigeria Universities Commission, Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed (2nd right behind) during the commissioning of Muhammadu Buhari Administrative Complex at the Edo University, Iyamu.

     

    R-L: Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; President Muhammadu Buhari; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun in one of the Lecture rooms in the Edo University, Iyamho, Edo State during the commissioning
    R-L: Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; President Muhammadu Buhari; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun in one of the Lecture rooms in the Edo University, Iyamho, Edo State during the commissioning.

  • Ambode mourns passage of elder statesman, Olaniwun Ajayi

    …Says nation has lost a major progressive voice

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday expressed sadness over the passage of foremost elder statesman and member of the Obafemi Awolowo political family, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi.

    Olaniwun Ajayi, a prominent chieftain of the pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere died in the early hours of Friday morning at the age of 91.

    The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the late Ajayi was a frontline politician who was passionate about the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.

    “Papa was one of the few surviving close associates of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. After Chief Awolowo’s death, he was a consistent advocate for the struggle to see Nigeria achieve the dreams of her founding fathers.

    “He was very passionate about the progress of Nigeria; he was an intellectual genius who had an enthusiasm for the development of his immediate community and the country at large.

    “I recall my last meeting with him just about three months ago at the residence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It was like a premonition. He had admonished all of us to give him a long lasting legacy and ensure that the Yoruba hegemony is not trampled upon and tarnished.

    “This wish of his, as a great Nigerian statesman, and true son of Yoruba land, we are committed to uphold and to cherish,” the Governor said.

    Governor Ambode recalled that Pa Olaniwun Ajayi’s law firm which was established in 1962 grew from being a sole practitionership to one of the largest and open partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa and in its five decades of existence, held briefs for various corporate organisations and the government at both the federal and state levels.

    “There was virtually no sector in Nigeria that Pa Ajayi’s law firm was not prominent. His law firm in no time became one of the most sought after full-service legal practices in Africa,” the Governor said.

    He also prayed that Almighty God would grant the soul of the departed peaceful repose and for the family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.


    “I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, on behalf of the people of Lagos State. Pa Ajayi will be sorely missed”, Ambode said.