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Tag: Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

  • Lagos Partners Ford Foundation on transformation of Onikan

    Lagos Partners Ford Foundation on transformation of Onikan

    …Initiative to Engender Regeneration of Lagos Island

     

    The Lagos State Government has sealed a major partnership with world’s second largest private foundation, Ford Foundation on the total regeneration of Lagos Island and transformation of Onikan axis to a major tourism hub in Africa.

    Briefing Government House Correspondents after a strategic meeting held at Lagos House in Ikeja with an high-powered delegation from Ford Foundation led by its President, Mr Darren Walker, the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said the State Government was delighted to partner with the foundation on issues of mutual interest, saying that the initiative would go a long way in activating the tourism potentials of the State.

    The Governor said already the State Government was putting finishing touches to the plan to construct a new Museum in Onikan, while the new Lagos History Centre coming on board in the axis and the Presidential Lodge would be transformed to what would be known as Eko Park.

    Going into details, Governor Ambode said: “We just received the President of Ford Foundation, Mr Darren Walker and his team and we are excited that they are willing to partner with us. We have always spoken about the regeneration of the Lagos Island axis. You are also aware that Lagos is planning to build a new Museum in Onikan and also to be able to use the Lagos History Centre and the Presidential Lodge where we want to turn into what we call Eko Park.

    “Ford Foundation is the second largest private foundation that we have in the world. They are very credible and we believe strongly that they are lover of arts and having the foundation partner with us in the regeneration of the Lagos Island axis which we want to use to promote arts and tourism, is something that is very good for Lagos and I am excited to receive them.”

    Also speaking, Walker said the foundation warmly welcomes the partnership with the State Government, and that the team was optimistic about a great future in the State.

    He also eulogized the leadership qualities of Governor Ambode, saying that the vision of the Governor for the State was inspiring.

    “I have admired Governor Ambode from afar for some time and then inspired by his leadership and his vision along with my colleagues, we sought an audience today with him and it was an opportunity for us to learn about his vision for Lagos State and we leave this meeting inspired, motivated and very hopeful about the future here,” Walker said.

     

     

  • Ambode calls for closure of Federal Land Registry in Lagos

    Ambode calls for closure of Federal Land Registry in Lagos

    …Says revenue sharing formula unfair, unacceptable

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday described the continuous operation of the Federal Land Registry in Lagos as an aberration which the current ongoing Constitutional amendment process must address in line with the principle of fiscal federalism.

    Speaking at a joint working retreat of Senate and House Representatives Committees on the Review of 1999 Constitution held in Lagos, Governor Ambode also called on the National Assembly to jettison the proposed Stamp duties Bill currently being considered, which according to him, would cripple the internally generated revenue due to States in the federation if allowed to scale through.

    While faulting the Federal Land Registry in Lagos which was established when Lagos was Federal Capital Territory, the Governor said the continuous operation of the registry was an aberration and it ought to have been closed and all title therein moved to the Lagos State Land Registry, urging the federal lawmakers to urgently correct the anomaly.

    He also called for the restriction of Land Use Act only to the Federal Capital Territory on the basis of the fact that land had always been and should remain a residual matter for the State Houses of Assembly to legislate upon, hence the need for the Act to become Land Use Law of the States.

    On the Stamp Duties Bill, the Governor said: “I will also like to express the imminent dangers inherent in the proposed Stamp duties Bill which no doubt seeks to cripple the internally generated revenue due to States in the federation in favour of a Federal Government Agency- NIPOST.

    “The Bill is presently before the National Assembly and it is a grave threat to the principles of fiscal federalism and as representatives of the true beneficiaries of the Act as it presently stands, there is need to put an urgent and immediate end to its further coordination by the National Assembly which also has the noble tradition that once a matter is before the Court, all activities on the matter would be suspended.”

    He said the call became imperative in view of a case currently pending before the Supreme Court between Lagos State Government Attorney General and Attorney General of the Federation.

    While highlighting some of the unhelpful provisions in the Constitution, Governor Ambode attributed the imbalance in the financial resources of States and Local Governments to the current unhealthy revenue sharing formula which is heavily tilted in favour of the Federal Government, calling for an urgent review to enable other tiers of government realise their potentials and accelerate growth and development.

    He said: “The current revenue allocation formula by which the Federal Government takes as much as 52.68% of centrally-collected revenues in the Federation Account, leaving the States and Local Governments with 26.72% and 20.60% respectively has created a glaring and unacceptable imbalance in the financial resources of the three tiers of government.

    “The sharing formula should be limited to Federal and State governments. Since Local Governments are to come under the purview of the States, allocations to them should be shared to States as they can have as many Local Governments as they wish. The 774 formula is inequitable.”

    Governor Ambode also reinstated his call for special status to be granted to Lagos in the proposed Constitutional amendment being the former federal capital territory of Nigeria, the economic and commercial nerve centre of the nation, and taking into cognizance the high population density and continuous influx of people into the State.

    He said such was even more important considering the fact that whatever comes to Lagos would be in the overall interest of all Nigerians, as the State holds the trigger of Nigeria’s growth and development.

    Besides, Governor Ambode said it was time for Section 214 (1) of the Constitution to be amended to allow States to establish their own Police Service, as the current arrangement was unhelpful to truly protect the citizens.

    He said over the years, the Federal Government had been unable to provide resources necessary to pay, equip and train policemen to the level required by the challenges they face, adding that the situation whereby only about 300,000 policemen are policing more than 140 million which is a ratio of 1 to 467, confirmed the fact that the country was grossly under-policed.

    He said the situation had negatively affected States like Lagos with huge population saying despite the massive financial support to security agencies by most States including Lagos, such was still inadequate mainly because State Governments have no influence over the number of men recruited for or deployed to their domains.

  • Ambode condoles with Bisi Akande over wife’s death

    Ambode condoles with Bisi Akande over wife’s death

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday expressed sadness over the death of Madam Omowunmi Akande, wife of the former Interim Governor of Osun State and All Progressives Congress Chieftain, Chief Bisi Akande.

    Omowunmi, died on Tuesday at the age of 73 in a private hospital in Ibadan.

    The Governor in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, described late Omowunmi as an epitome of humility, uprightness and one who was a pillar of support for her husband.

    “She was a shining example of a virtuous woman, who stood by her husband through thick and thin especially during the period he was incarcerated. She kept the home front together and ensured that his absence did not affect their children adversely,” the Governor said.

    While praying for the peaceful repose of her soul, he urged her husband, Chief Bisi Akande, to take solace in the fact that she has gone to a better place and draw strength from the joyful years they shared together.

    Governor Ambode also commiserated with the children and relatives of the deceased, just as he prayed to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the great loss.

    “On behalf of the good people of Lagos, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Chief Bisi Akande on this great and irreparable loss”, he said.

     

  • Only 600,000 Lagos residents pay tax out of 22m population- Ambode

    Only 600,000 Lagos residents pay tax out of 22m population- Ambode

    …Says State has not increased tax in 10 years

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has identified the need for residents to adopt a willful approach to the payment of taxes as a means of addressing fundamental challenges confronting the State and accelerating development in all sectors and sections.

    Speaking at a sensitization workshop on 2017 Water Technology and Environmental Control Exhibition and Conference (WATEC) held at Ikeja, Governor Ambode said out of a population of 22million, only 600,000 Lagos residents are up to date in paying their taxes, and that such was not helpful to scale up provision of infrastructure and other amenities for the people.

    Responding to a suggestion from one of the participants at the workshop that the State Government should complete the ongoing shoreline protection particularly in the Lekki and Ajah axis as one of the ways to mitigate the impact of torrential rainfalls which caused flooding in the axis last week, Governor Ambode said in as much as government was willing to do such, it was being inhibited by its limited resources.

    He said: “Talking about protecting our shoreline, I want to tell you something. The ecological fund that someone talked about does not exist because the previous government, due to political consideration, never gave Lagos anything and protecting the shoreline runs into billions.

    “Even doing those groins not to allow the water to break cost a lot of money and then with frozen taxes in the last eight to ten years, there has not been any increase in taxes unlike in the United Kingdom for instance where any young person living there knows that once you start working at the age of 18, your civic obligation is that you must pay tax but here nobody takes it as their business that the new road I am using I need to pay something and so they only pay tax when they are inside the real tax net that is you are paying pay as you earn.

    “That is the only way we can catch you and so everybody takes it for granted that government will do it and there is nothing like government money, it is taxes that people are paying that you are asking for this shoreline protection, it is from the taxes that you are asking for us to de-flood, it is from the taxes that you are asking for us to do the roads and all that.

    “The number of people paying taxes in Lagos is less than 600,000 people and we are 22million and then 67 percent of the people living in Lagos are below the age of 35 and even the retirees, how much are they paying? They are on pension. So, you have to go through your nose and you want to be as compassionate as possible that in a recession, you don’t overtax people.”

    The Governor said it was time for a convergence between civic obligations and the ability of government to build trust by using taxes of citizens judiciously, just assured that his administration, within the available resources, would continue to invest in infrastructure and deliver good governance to make life comfortable and easier for the people.

    “What I am saying is that there must be a convergence between civic obligations and the ability of government to build trust and be able to tell people that you know what, the little that you are giving me, I will use it judiciously. When I use it judiciously and you see it overtime, trust me, if you pay more, I will do more.

    “Obviously, the vision is there, the plan is there but again it is not driven by anything than the citizens themselves and the area that we need improvement is for citizens to have trust or confidence that the taxes they are paying will be returned back in terms of infrastructure but I can tell you that I am also concerned; I see a lot of things I don’t like but I am inhibited by the amount of money I have,” Governor Ambode said.

  • New model College: Ambode orders contractors to speed up work

    New model College: Ambode orders contractors to speed up work

    …Commissions Remodelled Herbert Macaulay Library In Yaba

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday ordered contractors working on the ongoing construction of new model colleges across the State to speed up work and deliver on schedule.

    The Governor spoke after an extensive inspection of work in the three new model colleges in Angus Memorial High School, Shomolu; Lagos City Senior College, Yaba; and Awori Senior College, Ojo.

    Speaking through the State’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who led other top government officials on the tour, Governor Ambode recalled that at the end of last year, the State Executive Council approved N10billion for the rehabilitation of existing schools as well as the construction of eight new ones, including three model colleges to boost learning experience of students in the State.

    He told the contractors working on the projects to speed up work and ensure that the job must be delivered on schedule.

    Expressing disappointment over the slow pace of work on the new Model College in Awori, the Governor ordered the contractor to work round the clock to meet up with the delivery time.

    “I must say I am not particularly happy with the pace of work (in Awori). We have been to other two project sites approved alongside this project and work has progressed pretty well in those places.

    “The essence of our going round today is to see the level of work in the sites without relying solely on the reports on paper and obviously, we can see what they have done so far.

    “I will be back again in the next one month to assess the progress of work. I hope the contractor at Awori will improve on the pace of work because they have been mobilised. Having been mobilised, they should do what is expected of them,” he said.

    Governor Ambode, who also commissioned the ultra modern Herbert Macaulay Library in Yaba, said the facility would go a long way to improve the reading culture in the State.

    While thanking GTBank for partnering the State to remodel the facility, the Governor urged other corporate organisations to take a cue and invest in the educational sector.

    “On behalf of Governor Ambode, I want to thank GTB for adopting the library and for the transformation work you have done. In the Ministry of Education, we appreciate the work the bank is doing particularly with the Principal Cup and today, we are here to commission the library.

    “For us in the State, we believe strongly that by doing this, we are returning this library back to the general public. It has been a very historic library in the State and with the transformation that has been done, I have no doubt that this library will be assuming a landmark position where all kinds of people can come here to enjoy the benefit. We have the e-library and other facilities here,” she said.

    The Governor also appreciated the Herbert Macaulay family for being part of the transformation and assured that the State Government would continue to uphold the glory of the library.

    Earlier, Managing Director of GTBank, Mr. Segun Agbaje said the decision to partner with the State Government to remodel the library under the Adopt-A-Library Initiative was to contribute its quota to enhance the educational sector.

    He expressed optimism that with the facilities embedded in the library, residents of the State can gain access to a wide range of educational and historical materials to enhance their reading knowledge.

    Among the features of the library include a room dedicated to historical artifacts including some relating to the life and times of Herbert Macaulay, an innovation hub that will serve as a Coding Centre, a lounge/café area, a reading area with updated books and an e-library section, wheelchair accessible ramps and a finished courtyard area, among others.

  • We’ll embark on holistic solutions address flooding – Ambode

    We’ll embark on holistic solutions address flooding – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday said the flooding caused by torrential rainfalls in the State within the last few days would soon be a thing of the past, as the State Government was working towards embarking on holistic solutions to address the situation once and for all.

    Speaking at a sensitization workshop on water management and environmental control held at Ikeja which is a prelude to a Water Technology and Environmental Control (WATEC) exhibition holding in Israel later in the year, the Governor said aside the fact that the issue of flooding was not peculiar to the State or Nigeria as it was a global phenomenon, but that urgent steps are being taken to tackle the challenge in a holistic manner and protect the State from future re-occurrence.

    The Governor, who empathized with people who lost properties to the flood, said that it was painful to see most prime estates flooded with water, roads taken over by floods, while many homesteads literally became pools.

    Describing the workshop as apt coming at a time the State witnessed flooding in some parts, Governor Ambode said in as much as the development was a trying period for him given the fact that so much had been expended in providing infrastructure for the people, but that major strategies would be implemented with the view to bequeathing the State with enduring solution to water management and environmental control.

    “However, if we have learnt anything in the on-going flooding of some parts of the State, it is that there is an immediate, even urgent need for us to embark upon a review and reengineering of our canals and drainage systems.

    “This must be pursued hand-in-hand with a clear and crystal re-envisioning of our water management system. So, in effect, what we should immediately pursue is a holistic solution to what is certain to be a recurring problem. It must be a sincere collaboration between government and the citizenry,” Ambode said.

    The Governor said despite the fact that the State had been denied ecological funds by the previous federal government for political reasons, several reforms were being implemented in line with the capacity of the State Government to protect the shoreline and carry out de-flooding, which according to him, are equally expensive to implement.

    “The issue is when you are talking about reforms, it comes with pains but it is only the vision that drives it through and that is what we are doing,” he said.

    Speaking on the import of the workshop, Governor Ambode said the State Government was partnering with Israel which is one of the first countries to successfully overcome its limitations in water resources to develop water technology and environmental control, adding that the intention would be to explore a wide array of technological advancements and possibilities to ensure best solutions.

    He said as a first step, the State Government would participate at the WATEC exhibition and take full advantage of state of the art technology in Israel, with the view to applying same solution in the State.

    While alluding to the fact that the incidence of flooding was not circumscribed to Nigeria or Third World countries as United Kingdom and even Japan recently witnessed heavily flooding, the Governor said no matter how well a society may be prepared, natural occurrences could not be totally ruled out, and such was why Lagos State and indeed the country fully subscribes to the tenets of Climate Change Solutions by the United Nations.

    “While all the aforementioned examples enjoin us to put our experience and pains into perspective, they also impress on us as a State and a government that we must learn from all these examples in order to better prepare for the future.

    “To that extent, we will reinvigorate our campaign against the dumping of refuse by citizens into canals. We will be stronger in enforcing our physical planning laws especially those building illegally on canals and blocking the free flow of water across the State,” Governor Ambode vowed.

    Speaking on the new waste management strategy being adopted by the State Government encapsulated in the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), Governor Ambode said available statistics show that the State generate 13, 000 tonnes of waste per day which is the highest in the world, and that the new approach was aimed at revolutionizing waste management with particular emphasis on reusing waste for other critical purposes and growing the economy, as against the present practice of dumping.

    Besides, the Governor said as government would be implementing new strategies to find a lasting solution to the problem of water shortages and flooding, it was also important for residents to play their part by bearing new attitudes towards civic obligations at all times, without which the efforts of government would be in futility.

    Also, the State’s Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr Ade Adesanya said the torrential rainfalls witnessed in the State in the past few days accumulated a total of 477mm of water, which was equivalent to the rainfalls experienced in other climes for six months, and that the successful management of the situation was commendable, while expressing the determination of the government to mitigate the impact of such in future.

    On his part, Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Guy Feldman said his country was delighted to partner with the Lagos State Government to bring about lasting solutions to water management and environmental control.

     

  • Keep off roads or risk shutdown, Lagos warns traders

    Keep off roads or risk shutdown, Lagos warns traders

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday warned traders in the habit of displaying their wares on the road for sale beyond the confines of the market thereby causing traffic gridlock and other environmental nuisance to desist henceforth otherwise markets where such illegal activities are perpetrated would be shut down till further notice.

    The State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, who handed down the warning at a meeting with leaders of Agbado Oke-Odo Market held at Lagos House in Ikeja, said the activities of the traders who are in such habit had reached a level which the State Government could no longer condone, hence the need for a final warning.

    The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, said the leaders of markets in the State have been warned and counseled severally on the need to rein in on their market men and women to desist from disturbing others through their trading activities on the roads, but some have become adamant.

    He said aside causing avoidable and needless traffic, the traders were also in the habit of dumping their refuse on the road, thereby causing environmental and health hazards.

    He said: “This is just to come and deliberate on the Agbado Oke-Odo Market because of the situation there. The market has become a stumbling block particularly to those using the road. The traders have blocked the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway to the extent that even the contractors working there don’t have place to work because they have taken over the area.

    “They cause a lot of traffic gridlock and people coming from Ota or from Abule Egba don’t have the road to connect other areas of the State. We have warned them consistently but we are yet to get any result. That is why we have summoned today’s meeting.

    “The meeting is basically to call them to order and give them the last warning. The idea initially was to shut down the market today but the Governor decided that we should give them just one week to put things in order,” Bello said.

    He said in as much as government was not interested in shutting down markets, but it would have no choice than to wield the big stick if traders continue constituting themselves as menace to other road users.

    “What we are saying is that the government is not interested in shutting down any market because of the economic implication on the people who have to survive and live.  As a government, we are not interested in shutting down business enterprises and all that, but if it is constituting menace and inconveniencing other people, we will have no choice than to wield the big stick, and that is why we are giving the market leaders the last warning to go and re-order their market.

    “The leaders of the market must sit up and look at how to help government because we cannot say because we are trading, we should inconvenience people who go to work from Abule Egba to Lagos Island for instance and to other places and they have to spend hours on that road just because of the activities of the traders.

    “Apart from that, we have a lot of filth on the road because the market people just dump their refuse on the road. We don’t want that anymore and that is why we are giving this last warning. We don’t want anybody on the road again and whatever we have to do internally as a government, we will not hesitate to do. We will send Task Force and the men of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) to the place to ensure sanity.

    “This warning to Agbado Oke-Odo traders also applies to other markets in the State. Any market where their traders are blocking the road and constituting menace to others will be shut down till further notice,” Bello threatened.

    Responding on behalf of others, Babaloja Araromi Agbado Oke-Odo, Alhaji Mukaila Oyinlola, said as market leaders, they have warned the traders who are in the habit of selling on the road to desist, but their warnings have fallen on deaf ears, adding that the resolve of government was a welcome development.

    Also, Iyaloja Araromi Oke-Odo Market, Mrs Dupe Shonola and Babaloja General of Agbado Oke-Odo Market, Alhaji Abiodun Kosoko urged government to make examples of the perpetrators of the illegal act, but called for expansion and modernization of the market.

     

  • Lagos remains home to all tribes, nationalities – Ambode, Akiolu

    Lagos remains home to all tribes, nationalities – Ambode, Akiolu

    …Back Osinbajo’s Reconciliatory Moves on National Unity

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday commended the measures taken so far by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and by extension the Federal Government to quell tensions generated by agitation from some ethnic nationalities seeking to break away from Nigeria, saying that the unity of the country should be of paramount importance to all.

    Governor Ambode, who spoke at Lagos House in Ikeja when he received on courtesy visit members of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs led by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, said as a State, Lagos would continue to support every effort made to keep the unity of the country especially by maintaining peace and accommodating all.

    Speaking against the backdrop of earlier comments by Akiolu to the effect that the Council of Obas and Chiefs in the State were solidly in support of the peaceful co-existence of people in the country, Governor Ambode said the oneness of the country was of the essence, and that it was important for every segment of the country to promote the unity of the nation.

    He said: “I also want to join the Chairman of Council of Obas and Chiefs in Lagos State to reiterate our support for the Federal Government to keep the unity of Nigeria and also uphold the tenets of the Constitution. We are very happy that all our traditional rulers in Lagos believe in oneness of Nigeria.

    “We are happy also that we are very accommodating. We are also happy that we allow people from other tribes to live with us and we are ready to do everything to support the Acting President and the Federal Government in general that every effort they make, we will ensure that Lagos remains peaceful and then Nigeria remains peaceful,” Governor Ambode assured.

    While reiterating the commitment of his administration to frontally address security issues in the State, Governor Ambode thanked the traditional rulers for supporting his efforts to ensure safety of lives and property in the State.

    “I want to thank you for your support in terms of security. You are part of the security architecture of Lagos State because without you, we will not get the information we are using to reach out to the police and I also want to thank you for supporting our Neighborhood Safety Corps initiative.

    “Like I said, it is about neighborhood safety and we have seen the hands of all our monarchs in the operation of the corps. We believe strongly that we need to put more efforts in the Neighborhood Safety Corps to make sure that this issue of kidnapping and other criminal activities become a thing of the past within the shortest possible time,” the Governor said.

    Speaking specifically on the children that were kidnapped at the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla-Epe, Governor Ambode said at the moment, he would not want to divulge details of efforts being made by government to end kidnapping and other crimes in the State, but expressed optimism that the efforts would yield positive results.

    “Like I said somewhere yesterday, I don’t like running government on the pages of newspapers because sometimes when we do it, it will jeopardize what we are doing on security which is why we have been very tactical about doing media trial in things like this.

    “But just to let our monarchs know what we are doing, I feel very bad each time I hear about this but again life and safety first thereafter we will deal with other things. But to let you know truly that sometimes, some of these kidnapping issues are actually from enemies within but I just pray that when the children comes back, we will be able to talk about those things and so I just ask people to give us some time as we gather intelligence,” he said.

    Earlier, Akiolu commended Governor Ambode for his efforts so far, and prayed for him to have a successful tenure of office, saying that the giant strides of the present government were appreciated.

    He also said that monarchs in the State were very much in support of the peaceful co-existence of the country, adding that every tribe is welcome in Lagos.

    “The peaceful co-existence of everybody is what we are after in Lagos and I have to say that Lagos is home to all,” Akiolu said.

    Besides, the monarch reiterated the call for Lagos to be granted Special Status, saying that doing so would be to the overall benefit of the country.

     

  • Ramadan: Why we are hosting Muslims in 20 Centres – Ambode

    Ramadan: Why we are hosting Muslims in 20 Centres – Ambode

     

    …Urges Monarchs, Religious, Community Leaders, Others to Participate

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday explained the rationale behind the decision of his administration to host Muslims in twenty centres across the State for the Eid-el-fitri celebration, saying that it was part of the strategy to bring about bonding among the people and enhance community participation in governance.

    Speaking at Lagos House when he received members of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs on a courtesy visit, Governor Ambode said it had been observed overtime that people travel from far and near to celebrate with the first family in the State during festivities, and that the decision to host Muslims in various centres across the State was basically to address such trend on one hand, and also to give greater number of people the sense of participation in governance on the other hand.

    He said: “Like you are aware, we intend to celebrate the Ramadan in the various communities and I need to make some explanation here. Before now, anytime we are having festivities maybe Ramadan, Christmas, New Year and so on, people normally converge at the State House to come and greet the first family and so you see people coming all the way from Badagry or coming all the way from Igbogbo or Epe and then they come to celebrate with us.

    “I find out that sometimes, they might even spend N3,000 to get here and go home with maybe N500 and so in my own little wisdom, I think if I make them remain in their communities and they celebrate there, there is likely a position for us to start to practice government of inclusion so that everybody feels government everywhere.

    “Instead of somebody coming from Badagry, the Local Government, the Community Development Associations (CDAs), the traditional rulers, the Chief Imams and every other person will celebrate the Ramadan and recital of Quran in their communities and so there is a sense of belonging and so instead of 2,000 people coming to Ikeja, I am likely to have one million people across the State doing the same thing at the same time and in doing that, they will get the sense of involvement. So, we must practice community governance using our different platforms to celebrate ourselves,” Governor Ambode explained.

    He said the same strategy was adopted during the Community Day Celebration and it worked perfectly well, adding that with the initiative, government would evolve community participation in governance and enhance the bonding among the people.

    The Governor said on his part, he would also make appearance in some of the centres to celebrate with the people, and urged the traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders among others to also join in the celebration.

    Governor Ambode also thanked the monarchs for pledging to support the moves by government to maintain peace, law and order, especially the pledge to do so during the forthcoming Local Government election in the State.

    Responding to a request to intervene in the crisis rocking the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Governor Ambode said it was gratifying to announce that academic activities would resume in the institution immediately after the Eid-el-fitri holiday.

     

  • Ambode presents N924.7m cheques to 1,438 ETF beneficiaries

    Ambode presents N924.7m cheques to 1,438 ETF beneficiaries

    …Targets 20,000 recipients by December

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday presented cheques totaling N924.7 million to 1, 438 beneficiaries of the Employment Trust Fund (ETF) scheme initiated by his administration to provide entrepreneurs, artisans, traders and others with capital to boost their businesses thereby reducing unemployment and increasing wealth among the people.

    So far, about 4, 000 businesses have benefited a total of N3.5billion from the scheme, while the target of the State Government is to support about 100,000 micro, small and medium enterprises and create at least 300, 000 direct and 600, 000 indirect jobs by 2019 through the initiative.

    Governor Ambode had in January presented cheques totaling about N1billion to 705 beneficiaries who were selected after scaling through a transparent screening process.

    Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at De Blue Roof, LTV 8 in Ikeja, Governor Ambode expressed delight that the government was on course to meet the objectives of the initiative, adding that it was also encouraging that the previous beneficiaries have started repaying their loans, thereby expanding their businesses and creating jobs.

    Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Dr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, made particular reference to one of the earlier beneficiaries simply identified as Jand2Gidi, saying that it was a thing of joy that they have started contributing to the growth of Lagos economy.

    “One of the success stories of this programme which I am very proud of is the achievement of one of the first set of beneficiaries, a company called Jand2Gidi, run by two young women.

    “Today, they have invested their loan in buying motorcycles for their delivery men, and hired people to operate those motorcycles. Not only are they repaying their loan, they have also created at least 10 direct jobs for Lagos residents, thereby increasing the economic activity across the State. We eagerly expect to celebrate many more success stories like this,” the Governor said.

    The Governor, who commended the ETF Board for the good work done so far, equally charged them to increase the pace of work and ensure that by the end of 2017, at least 20,000 businesses would have benefited from the loan program, just as he expressed optimism that the overall target of the scheme would be met by 2019.

    While congratulating the new 1,438 beneficiaries, the Governor charged them and other potential beneficiaries to emulate those who are repaying their loans, thereby ensuring the success of the program

    He said: “It is only when you pay your loans back, and grow your businesses, that we can truly celebrate the success of this program. Your success is our success, and together we will grow Lagos State’s economy and create jobs for our residents.

    “This initiative is another example of taxpayers’ money working for the people. I cannot thank enough all taxpaying citizens for providing the resources from which the State Government contributes N6.25billion tranches annually to the N25billion Employment Trust Fund.”

    Besides, Governor Ambode urged other existing businesses or people desirous of starting one to take advantage of the scheme, assuring that the process of assessing and selecting beneficiaries would continue to be transparent and meet globally acceptable standards.

    In her opening remarks, Chairman, Board of ETF, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru said the presentation ceremony was another milestone by Governor Ambode’s administration, saying that the vision of the Governor in setting up the Fund, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, and his unwavering commitment to its success deserved commendation.

    Omoigui-Okauru also revealed a partnership between the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to improve technical and vocational training in the State.

    Under the programme, she said the LSETF will contribute Naira equivalent of $3million, while UNDP will contribute $1million and the funding will be used to train eligible Lagos residents in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, hospitality and entertainment, while successful trainees will be placed in jobs at the completion of the programme.

    Responding on behalf of beneficiaries, Mr O.A Goriola of November 16 Nig Ltd, commended the State Government for the initiative and pledged that the funds would be judiciously utilized.