The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mrs Ambode

  • COWLSO: ‘Women must be committed to national development’

    COWLSO: ‘Women must be committed to national development’

    The Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) has advised women to be assertive in their actions in order to contribute to national development.

    This was one of the recommendations at this year’s National Women’s Conference organised by COWLSO at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    In her remarks, the wife of Lagos State Governor and Chairman of COWLSO Mrs Bolanle Ambode urged participants to deploy the knowledge gained at the confab for their personal benefits.

    Mrs. Ambode said women should embrace entrepreneurship at this challenging period to make positive impact.

    In the area of agriculture, she challenged women to have good mentors, and to be consistent and persistent in doing things right as challenges were stepping stones to success.

    She also urged them to take advantage of the paradigm shift from crude oil to the agricultural sector as major revenue earner for the country.

    The wife of the governor said one of the things learnt during the conference was that stress contributes to death of six out of 10 people worldwide, adding that as such, women should conduct annual comprehensive medical check-ups, exercise regularly, maintain ideal body weight and shun habits such as smoking and hard drugs, among others.

    Speaking, Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode urged women to implement all 21 resolutions reached at this year’s COWLSO Conference ahead of the 2018 edition.

    The governor reiterated government’s commitment towards supporting the course of women in Lagos State.

    The special guest of honour, the Governor of Adamawa State, Bindo Jibrilla, represented by his deputy, Matis Babale, in declaring the conference closed, urged women to be nation-builders. He urged them to be creative and industrious, so as to positively transform the family, community and the nation at large.

    The communique read by Prof. Ibiyemi Bello also advised women to have entrepreneurial disposition which would be helpful in overcoming challenging situations.

    The conference said there should be more advocacies to encourage women to explore their innate abilities to make a difference.

    The conference admonished women to source for funds through grants, equity and debt financing.

    The conference also urged government to provide land and environment conducive to good farming for women farmers, adding that women could source funds through grants, equity and debt financing, among others. The communique urged government to provide more opportunities and full support for young women and youths to acquire skills for agri-business, while women should be empowered to take care of the family, community, and nation, among others.

    Recall that three cars were won last year, while six cars, comprising one Hyundai 110 and five MG cars were won alongside all expenses paid trips to Dubai among other gifts won at the gala night.

    Certificates of appreciation were presented to friends of COWLSO who included Chief Michael Ade-Ojo; Chi-Nigeria Limited and Chevron Nigeria Limited.

  • The failed conspiracy against Mrs. Ambode

    When sheer ignorance degenerates into pure political mischief, couched in sleazy slogans, guttersnipe language and derogating doggerels, all with the mandate of the pull-him-down syndrome, especially from so called social commentators, there is cause for serious societal concern. When also an issue that is strictly within the purview of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has seen those same mischief makers climbing the rooftop to literally cry more than the bereaved, Nigerians cannot but begin to ask the pertinent questions.

    The first of course is to find out if indeed Pastor Femi Taiwo, whose sack has triggered his sympathisers’ sentimental angst was under the employment of the Lagos State government? The answer is “Yes”. He was until recently, the chaplain of the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, as part of the office of the First Lady and owned by the state government. And if so, has that government got the mandate to hire and to fire him, and any other civil servant for acts of gross misconduct? The response again is another resounding “Yes!’

    But what about the First Lady, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; has she got the constitutional power to sack any civil servant? Of course, not. Yet, one Paul Onomuakpokpo in his recent puerile piece on the said matter tried, but vainly too to convince his readers to that effect. He wrote: “The state government does not want us to link the ordeal of the pastor to the insufferable arrogance of the governor’s wife. It wants us to accept that the pastor had been a serial offender and it was the culmination of his offences that led to the termination of his employment and eviction.” We may not blame him based on his crass ignorance of the acts of misdemeanour his good friend has committed.

    For instance, he might not have known that the good pastor flouted the church rules by going behind it to seek for N75 million to fund a questionable youth empowerment programme. We may also forgive Paul for being ignorant of the pastor’s mania for money to have collected another N40 million without the knowledge of the church council. A “poor pastor” indeed!

    Furthermore, it is utterly saddening for the concerned writer to have delved so morally low as to describe Mrs. Ambode as Lady Macbeth. He should have known much better. Contrary to his erroneous insinuation, those who have had the opportunity to meet with her on a personal basis would testify to her being imbued with the virtues of humility and commitment to the service of God. These are inborn attributes that have seen her rise to become a Deacon in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

    In fact, not a few critical observers of the exemplary achievements of her husband within two years in office have attributed it also to his God-sent wife. She has been a conscientious companion, a confidant and prayer warrior. Such a virtuous woman would never, ever engage in acts capable of undermining her husband’s career success. But the writer wants the public to believe otherwise.

    The truth must be said: For now, the governor has his attention fully focused on delivering  on the promises he and his party, the APC made to the good people of Lagos during the campaigns than been distracted by spurious allegations based on sentiments. The CAN has taken its position that the sacking of the Pastor is in tandem with its rules and regulations. So, should it be. Anyone who feels aggrieved should know what next step to take.

    The current conspiracy against the First Lady and by extension her husband is one from the pit of hell which will never succeed. Those involved are well advised to channel their energy to worthwhile ventures, or better still to engage in matters that would add value to the lives of Lagosians who are unanimous in their applause for the people’s governor by his sterling achievements.

     

    By Olajumoke Adeleke,

    Lagos.

  • Embrace truth, says Mrs Ambode to youths

    Embrace truth, says Mrs Ambode to youths

    Wife of Lagos State Governor Mrs Bolanle Ambode, has urged Nigerians to embrace truth in all their dealings.
    The charged was made during the 2016 Musical Youth Fiesta Initiative (MYFI) at the Expo Centre, Eko Hotel Lagos.
    With “The Truth” as theme for this year’s edition, Mrs Ambode enjoined youths to imbibe the virtue, saying its embrace would lead to economic and religious empowerment. “Many of the problems plaguing our nations could be attributable to the absence of “truth” which makes the theme for this event very appropriate and timely. Truth, on absolute term, breaks the shackles of disease, ignorance, superstition and poverty. Absolute honesty would guarantee your success and make you stand before kings and not mean men,” she said.
    The yearly music concerts, which was organised by Senator Oluremi Tinubu for children and young adults from across the state, featured music, songs and drama ministrations from different churches in the state. Among other dignitaries was the wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola.
    Speaking on this year’s theme, Senator Tinubu said: “The theme “The Truth” is a peculiar one, especially at a time when our youths are confronted with so many challenges due to advancement in technology. The battle is no longer the fight between ‘good and evil’ but ‘the truth and the lie’.”
    She also enjoined the young to imbibe virtues that impact positively on their development and that of society.
    MYFI Organising Committee Chairman, Jide Sanwo-Olu, the vision of the concert is to bring children and young adult together around the festive season, and give them the opportunity to enjoy quality Christian music and songs; be inspired, thankful to God and dream of a brighter future.
    “I believe that life and success of nations and their bright future lies in the hands of the generation of today. If the youth of today have strong values, the best education, good health, right priorities and full sincerity, then we can say that the future is bright,” he said.
    The event also saw to the graduation of teenagers from the Musical Youth Fiesta Initiative Leadership Academy. The academy targets girls between the age 13 to 18, when you can mould them. Senator Tinubu, along with other mentors, teaches and schools the girls on various areas – the word of God, ethos, ethics and etiquette.

  • Embrace truth, says Mrs Ambode to youths

    Embrace truth, says Mrs Ambode to youths

    Wife of Lagos State Governor Mrs Bolanle Ambode, has urged Nigerians to embrace truth in all their dealings.

    The charged was made during the 2016 Musical Youth Fiesta Initiative (MYFI) at the Expo Centre, Eko Hotel Lagos.

    With “The Truth” as theme for this year’s edition, Mrs Ambode enjoined youths to imbibe the virtue, saying its embrace would lead to economic and religious empowerment. “Many of the problems plaguing our nations could be attributable to the absence of “truth” which makes the theme for this event very appropriate and timely. Truth, on absolute term, breaks the shackles of disease, ignorance, superstition and poverty. Absolute honesty would guarantee your success and make you stand before kings and not mean men,” she said.

    The yearly music concerts, which was organised by Senator Oluremi Tinubu for children and young adults from across the state, featured music, songs and drama ministrations from different churches in the state. Among other dignitaries was the wife of Osun State governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola.

    Speaking on this year’s theme, Senator Tinubu said: “The theme “The Truth” is a peculiar one, especially at a time when our youths are confronted with so many challenges due to advancement in technology. The battle is no longer the fight between ‘good and evil’ but ‘the truth and the lie’.”

    She also enjoined the young to imbibe virtues that impact positively on their development and that of society.

    MYFI Organising Committee Chairman, Jide Sanwo-Olu, the vision of the concert is to bring children and young adult together around the festive season, and give them the opportunity to enjoy quality Christian music and songs; be inspired, thankful to God and dream of a brighter future.

    “I believe that life and success of nations and their bright future lies in the hands of the generation of today. If the youth of today have strong values, the best education, good health, right priorities and full sincerity, then we can say that the future is bright,” he said.

    The event also saw to the graduation of teenagers from the Musical Youth Fiesta Initiative Leadership Academy. The academy targets girls between the age 13 to 18, when you can mould them. Senator Tinubu, along with other mentors, teaches and schools the girls on various areas – the word of God, ethos, ethics and etiquette.