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Tag: Mr Steve Ayorinde

  • Lagos refutes report on health of teachers

    Lagos refutes report on health of teachers

    The Lagos State Government has refuted the claim being circulated in some print and online media that 10 teachers in the Post Primary Teaching Service Commission die monthly.

    A statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, stated that that trend of death was noticed in the records of past administration which compelled the current administration in the State to introduce a quarterly sensitization seminar for teachers in the State employ.

    The Commissioner further clarified that the Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration has not, and did not record deaths of teachers in drone as being reported in some newspapers and online platform.

    He said the Lagos State government has put in place comprehensive health programmes to ensure that its entire workforce remain healthy always.

    “As part of the State Government general wellness programme, Public Servants also enjoy comprehensive free health programme and also four of their dependants under 18 years,’’ he further said, adding that government also operates a well-equipped staff clinic, with modern facility and well-stuffed pharmacy.

    Similarly, Ayorinde said the government organizes regular wellness and screening programmes quarterly as part of efforts to ensure good health of its workforce.

    He said in order to correct the situation of the past, the Akinwunmi Ambode now organizes sensitization seminars on the importance of healthy living as well as provide support for those with health challenge.

    The statement said that the government would continue to provide a conducive working environment to its staff as well as ensure that they remain healthy to enable them render efficient service to the people of the state.

    The Commissioner enjoined all public servants in the state to take advantage of the various health programmes of the government to take care of their health needs.

  • Lagos approves restructuring of LCC loan facility 

    Lagos approves restructuring of LCC loan facility 

    • Saves Over N10bn

    The Lagos State Executive Council on Wednesday approved the restructuring of the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) Loan Facility provided by local and international lenders.

    The State Government in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said that it has paid a total of N9.8billion in full and final settlement of LCC’s indebtedness to its international lender, which granted a 21.16 per cent haircut (reduction) to the State.

    He said as a result, a sum of N3.15billion was saved.

    The Commissioner said that in addition, local lenders, whose interest rate was 18.5 per cent at the consummation of the facility, offered a 12 per cent haircut and also fully paid with a restructured loan at 13.5 per cent, thereby creating a savings of N8.7billion for the Government.

    Ayorinde also reiterated the State Government’s commitment to continue to deploy appropriate public finance management principles to ensure adequate provision of infrastructure to all Lagosians.

    In a related development, the State’s Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi, urged citizens to continue to pay their taxes as at when due, since according to him, more facilities are being provided by government through the tax payers’ obligation to government.

  • Tourism: Lagos to take Centre stage at TIFF

    Tourism: Lagos to take Centre stage at TIFF

    • Eight Nigerians Films to Feature in Festival

    Lagos State Government on Monday said that the State’s tourism and entertainment potentials will take the centre stage at this year’s edition of the City to City Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), saying that eight films produced in the State would be selected to feature at the festival.

    The State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, his counterpart in Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, who briefed journalists alongside the Artistic Director Toronto Film Festival, Mr. Cameron Bailey, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, said the development would help project tourism potential of Lagos to the teaming audience at the festival.

    Ayorinde said the move was in line with the State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode’s campaign promises to make the state a hub for tourism.

    He said the eight films to be selected does not necessarily have to be about Lagos, but films produced by directors based in the State.

    According to him, “what is important is that the films that will be selected will be films by film makers that are Lagos based it won’t matter what subject matter you are dealing with, it is about the creativity the talent you are exhibiting as a Lagos based film maker that Toronto is interested in.”

    Ayorinde said the State Government would be fully involved in any collaboration to celebrate the city and market its potentials as well as appreciate the talent of the motion industry.

    “What this government policy implies is that the Government will promote any initiative that will project Lagos as the home of film making not only in Nigeria but before the entire world,” Ayorinde said.

    Folarin-Coker on his part said the move falls in line with government’s policy that entertainment can be used to drive consumption to create employment and improve the revenue generated in the State.

    “This falls clearly in line with Governor Ambode’s mantra of THESE which stands for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, and Sports for Excellence,” Coker said.

    He also revealed that the long term plan of the Government is to take back dead public spaces such as under the bridges across the State and develop it for residents to exhibit and develop their talents.

    The Commissioner also informed that the State is collaborating with the Federal Government to build a car park at the new museum to help drive tourism.

    Explaining the drive behind the Lagos and Toronto spotlight for the Festival, Cameron said much of the films Lagos produces are not being showcased in Toronto, explaining that the idea is to seize the opportunity of this year’s festival to begin a new dawn for Nigerian films.

    “We have had films like Tunde Kelani’s Abeni feature at the festival as well as Half of a Yellow Sun, which is a collaboration between Nigeria and the UK, but I think this is an opportunity to do more and to go bigger. So what we are doing this year is a spotlight on the filmmakers who live and work here in Laos. We have been so impressed with the ingenuity and creativity of individual filmmakers who have made the Nigerian film industry one of the largest on the planet,” Cameron said.

    He said Lagos, like Los Angeles, Paris and Mumbai is one of the biggest capitals of film around the world.

    He said films produced in Nollywood have spread all over the world, saying though the Nigeria Film business has gone global; the next step was to fully integrate it into the international film industry.

    “The films that are bought and sold at our Festival, the films that are written about and reported on by the critics and film journalists, the audiences that embrace the films that go on to win the big prizes like the Oscars, those films should include the films from Nigeria, the films from Lagos; the heart of this industry that has become so large and dominant around the world. This is what really projects the image of Lagos and Nigeria, the stories that are being told resonate with the people whether or not they set foot on this country,” Cameron said.

  • Why I retained Arase as IGP – Buhari

    Why I retained Arase as IGP – Buhari

    Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari Thursday explained why he decided to retain outgoing Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase when he assumed office on May 29, 2015.

    The President who spoke at the public presentation of a publication “Cascade of Change: A Decade Of Liberal Thoughts” authored by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said Arase’s dossier and his intellectual capacity in the field of operations was enough to convince him to allow the former IGP to finish his tenure and retire gracefully from the Police Force.

    Buhari who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Femi Adesina quoted Arase as saying that it was very strange for him to have been invited for a farewell dinner in his honour at the Abuja State House on Monday, June 20.

    According to him, the recent practice has been to be sacked on the pages of Newspapers.

    But quoting President Buhari on why he retained Arase till the end of his tenure, Adesina said: “When it was the turn of the President to speak, he explained why he kept Arase as IGP.

    “He said, he saw the quality of his mind and he saw the quality of things, he had written. You know Arase has many publications to his credit and he also saw his capacity as an operation person and he decided to keep him till his tenure expired”.

    Adesina said the President appreciates sound mind and intellect, adding that Buhari said Arase expressed fears that he expected that he would be sacked before the end of his tenure.

    His words:  “While he (Arase) was speaking at the dinner, he told the President that it was very strange for him to have been invited for a farewell dinner, because, what we know in Nigeria is that, you are sacked on pages of newspapers.

    “Arase, also had the fear that, since, he was inherited by Buhari’s administration, he was not sure that he would be retained; so every day, he had the trepidation that he would hear that he had been removed.”

    Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said his administration has succeeded in laying a strong foundation that would propel the State to emerge as a globally competitive City-State, adding that the next line of action was to consolidate on the gains made so far to deliver on first class infrastructure and economic growth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The public presentation of the book was also witnessed by dignitaries including the Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu 1, former deputy governors of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro who represented Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Princess Sarah Sosan, representatives of Oyo and Osun State Governors, as well as the crème-de-la crème of various national dailies, including Chairman Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Mr. Sam Omatseye, Editor, The Nation, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, among others.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • LASG to construct additional pedestrian bridge at Ojota

    LASG to construct additional pedestrian bridge at Ojota

    The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it would construct an additional footbridge at Ojota bus-stop on Ikorodu Road to complement the existing one following the upsurge in its usage.

    The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said in a statement that the decision arose out of the need to reduce the long time pedestrians using the bridge were now spending on queue.

    He said the construction of the additional bridge had become necessary after the newly erected New Jersey Wall on the median of the expressway.

    Ayorinde said that this had effectively curtailed indiscriminate dropping and picking of passengers along the highway as well as dangerous crossing of the road by commuters.

    He reiterated that the need for the construction of the wall, which was similar to the measure taken between Ketu and Mile 12 axis of the road, was meant to reduce fatalities on the part of commuters crossing the highway.

    Ayorinde said it was erected to also reduce the traffic gridlock caused by commercial buses and motorcycles engaging in indiscriminate dropping and picking of passengers.

    He commended the orderly conduct of commuters in the usage of the bridge and  urged them to be patient with government until the new one was constructed.

    Ayorinde said that the project was expected to be delivered within three months and would accommodate the special needs of the physically-challenged for their ease of movement.

  • Gov. Ambode appeals to residents over fuel crisis, power

    Gov. Ambode appeals to residents over fuel crisis, power

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday appealed to residents to bear with government over the lingering fuel crisis and power shortage across the state.
    This is contained in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde.
    “Lagos State consumes more than 40 per cent of the fuel and energy needs of the country and therefore appreciates that the impact of the scarcity would be felt more in the state,” Ambode said.
    He urged residents to remain calm, orderly and law abiding, assuring them that government was doing everything possible within its power to find an immediate solution to the crisis.
    “I share the pain and discomfort of Lagosians.
    “I assure them that the Federal Government is deeply touched by the situation and is working round the clock to alleviate the suffering of the people,” Ambode said.

  • Ambode re-opens Mile 12 market

    Ambode re-opens Mile 12 market

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday ordered the re-opening of the Mile 12 Market following the satisfactory meeting and agreement reached with all the stakeholders involved in the operation of the market.

    This is contained in a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Mile 12 Market was shut by Ambode on March 3 after a clash erupted in the area.

    NAN reports that the leaders of the communities affected in the crisis agreed with the Lagos State Government on Wednesday on the need to relocate the market.

    Some of the major agreements reached by consensus among the various stakeholders include relocation of the market to another suitable location and ban on the use of commercial motorcycles in the area.

    They also agreed on peaceful co-existence among all the ethnic groups in the market and environs, removal of all shanties and illegal attachments within the market area, among others.

    Ayorinde said that the stakeholders agreed that it was only in an atmosphere of peace that their various businesses and trades could thrive.

    He assured that Lagos was home for all, and that the State Government would continue to provide the enabling environment for every investor to thrive.

  • Building collapse: Death toll rises to 29

    Building collapse: Death toll rises to 29

    The death toll at the collapsed five-storey structure located at the end of Kushenla Road, Chisco bus stop, Ikate Elegushi in Lekki area of Lagos State, which collapsed on Tuesday morning has hit 29.

    South West Spokesperson of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye confirmed to our reporter that more bodies were recovered from the rubbles Wednesday bringing the death toll to 29.

    General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Micheal Akindele who also confirmed the death toll, said 18 bodies were recovered on Tuesday.

    Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has ordered the suspension of work in the area by Lekki Gardens, the construction company behind the collapsed building.

    The Governor in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, also asked all the directors of the said Lekki Gardens Company, to report to the Commissioner of Police, within the next 24-hours, in their own interest.

    Ambode who also expressed condolences on behalf of the government over the death of construction site workers, who lost their lives on Tuesday as a result of the collapse, said the initial enquirers by the state government showed that safety standards had been dangerously compromised, coupled with weak supervision which must have led to the collapse of the building.

    He said the state government will no not fold its arms and allow unnecessary loss of lives and property.

    “Such criminal neglect will no longer go without appropriate consequences,” he said

    He however commended the timely response and intervention by the combined men of the Lagos State Emergency Authority (LASEMA), the Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Red Cross, National Emergency Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Building Control Agency and the Rapid Response Service (RRS), which helped to save the lives of about 15 persons who were retrieved from the rubbles alive

     

  • Why we demolished Oshodi market – Lagos

    Why we demolished Oshodi market – Lagos

    The Lagos State Government says the demolition of Owonifari Market in Oshodi area of the state was done to further ensure security and bring sanity to the area.

    The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, gave the explanation at a news conference on Thursday while clarifying issues involved in the demolition exercise.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Government on Tuesday shut the market and ordered relocation of affected traders and shop owners to the newly built Isopakodowo market stalls at Bolade in the area.

    The market was demolished from Tuesday night till the early hours of Wednesday.

    Ayorinde said that the traders were formally served a quit notice on Dec.21 before the demolition exercise, through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

    “It is important to be informed that the issue of that market had been on for nothing less than 10 years.
    “The state government had been engaging with the leadership of the market to say that we could no longer continue with the manner in which that area of the market was being used.

    “So, for 10 years, there has been back and forth engagement between the government and the leadership of the market,” he said.

    Ayorinde said the leadership of the market, in the last three years, had refused to move.
    “Certified that we have provided a befitting alternative, we started another round of engagement with the leadership of the market.
    “The governor appealed to them through the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs.
    “They met with members of the state executive on Dec. 16, 2015, where the governor reiterated his plans for Oshodi and the need to relocate them.

    “A few of them expressed certain misgivings, but largely, they felt that if their interests were accommodated within the Isopakodowo market that they were willing and ready to move.

    “We advised that discussions should be ongoing, particularly regarding how much they will pay for each stall within the market,” he said.
    Ayorinde said that on Dec. 21, 2015, the governor went on a tour of the market, particularly Isopakodowo Market, where he again met with the leadership of the Owonifari Market.

    According to him, it was eventually agreed that, based on the proposition from the market leaders, what they were willing to pay for each market was N5000 monthly.

    “There is really no market anywhere that you will be paying such an amount in a month for a market.
    “The governor agreed with them and we said we were ready to concede.

    “Along the line, convinced that our New Year project was to relocate them to Isopakodowo Market, we got intelligence reports that as at during the Yuletide, a number of criminal activities were going on there.

    “We also got reports that the place was harbouring criminals and a number of untoward activities.

    “This, of course, necessitated that we should move immediately to safeguard lives, property and to ensure that there was no breech of peace.

    “This was what led to the demolition exercise,” Ayorinde said.

    He said the intention of the government was certainly not to destroy any goods.

    “We believe a good number of the traders, if not all, had moved because they were aware they needed to move.

    “From reports, quite a good chunk of them acknowledged that they were properly served and that they were ready to move; many of them packed their things just before the end of the year.

    “Government, I should say, will not be blackmailed because we have done everything humanly possible.

    “We believe very strongly that Isopakodowo Market is quite ideal, a lot bigger than where they were,” he said.

    Ayorinde said the aim of the government was to ensure that the area of the market conformed with the type of image that it wanted the state to be.

    “It is to return sanity to the place, to beautify the market and construct a world class bus terminus around the place.

    “We also believe the exercise will largely reduce the gridlock that is associated with that area and the criminalities that were rampant in Oshodi.

    “What we have done is in the interest of the generality of residents,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, who was present during the demolition exercise, said the Owonifari market had become a den of notorious criminals.

    “I was present during the demolition, the traders had removed their goods; there was only one shop where we met goods and the goods are with us,” he said.

    The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Folami said a bunker was discovered in the market during the demolition.