Tag: Mr Akinwunmi Ambode

Lagos State To Enforce Child Protection and Safeguarding Programme

Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State, Child AbuseLagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved the first ever Executive Order establishing a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy in Nigeria.

The governor said the policy was designed as a catalyst for driving awareness and commitment of all stakeholders, including every member of the community, towards the protection of children.

Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, in a statement, said that the programme was developed to put management systems in place to create and maintain a safe environment for children.

He added that “in clear terms, the policy also articulates procedures to be adopted when disclosures of abuse are made”.

According to Mr Kazeem, the Executive Order which was signed by Governor Ambode on December 16 highlighted the emphasis which the present administration placed on protecting the lives of all children in the state.

He noted that the order applied to all State Government organisations, all public and private schools, child centred institutions and orphanages located in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.

UBEC Decries Number Of Out Of School Children

Incidences Of Child Abuse

The Attorney General stressed further that the policy also provided the steps that must be followed in the case of a disclosure, the role of the Designated Child Protection and Safeguarding Officer, as well as the process of reporting and dealing with allegations of abuse against members of staff.

“The Executive Order now makes it mandatory for Child Protection policy to be integrated into the induction programme of newly recruited staff into child-centred institutions. As regards employment of staff, it is now mandatory for all child-centred institutions to conduct detailed background checks.

“Ultimately, the ratification of this Executive Order would reduce and possibly eliminate incidences of child abuse, establish a culture of early identification of trends and effective intervention to limit the occurrence of cases,” he said.

child-female-girl

The Justice Commissioner noted that in the next coming months, the Lagos State government would strongly drive adoption of the policy to ensure that all child-centred institutions adopt and adhere strictly to the provisions of the order, while electronic copies would be made available on the state’s website and other relevant social media platforms to ensure proper dissemination.

“The State government therefore uses this medium to sound a very clear warning to all child-centred institutions both public and private, that it would no longer tolerate negligence in ensuring the safety of children under their supervision.

“Failure to adhere to the content of the policy would warrant significant repercussions varying from withdrawal of licenses to filing of criminal charges due to negligence,” Kazeem warned.

The ratification was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs at the State’s Ministry of Justice, Bola Akingbade.

Lagos To Issue 60 Bln Naira From Bond Programme

Nigeria-NairaThe Lagos State government has concluded plans to issue 60 billion naira this year out of a 500 billion naira bond programme to be issued over the next three to five years.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Friday said the bond was approved by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Lagos state had in April agreed to pay off holders of an outstanding 167.5 billion naira bond before maturity to cut its interest payments after a plunge in oil prices slashed government revenues.

The new bond, which the state plans to issue will be channelled to infrastructure projects, Governor Ambode said.

“The 60 billion naira bond approved for the current year would be used to accelerate the aggressive infrastructure development ongoing in the state,” he said in a statement.

Lagos is the first state to announce a bond issue since the country slipped into recession in the second quarter. It is also rare among Nigeria’s 36 states in generating around 70 percent of its revenue internally from taxes.

Most other states depend on their share of federal oil revenues.

“The financial arrangement of the state is such that bond programmes embarked upon are easily repayable through internally generated revenue,” Ambode said.

Buhari Assures Nigerians of Change Despite Recession

Muhammadu Buhari, CorruptionThe President, Muhammadu Buhari ‎says his administration is not oblivious of the difficult times Nigerians are presently going through.

He however assures that in line with the promises made to Nigerians, his government is determined to ensure that change becomes a reality.

President Buhari made this known in Osogbo, after commissioning the 3000 capacity Osogbo Government High School along Iwo road and some other projects completed by the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as part of the celebration of the states 25th anniversary.

Accompanying the President on the visit were the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, as well as his Oyo and Borno States counterparts, Governors Abiola Ajimobi and Kashim Shettima.

Security has been beefed up at the Osogbo Government High School, site of one of the projects commissioned, as policemen from the Bomb Squadron Unit as well as men of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps were seen with sniffer dogs combing the area

Ambode Calls For Higher Police Presence In Lagos

Akinwunmi Ambode, Ibrahim Idris, PoliceLagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has requested for more Police presence in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos.

The Governor’s call comes in the wake of recent civil disturbances occasioned by suspected militants and oil thieves within Lagos and its boundary communities.

He made the appeal on Wednesday when he received the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, at the Government House.

Governor Ambode specifically requested for more Police patrol of the waterways, assuring that his administration would play its part by ensuring that the welfare of officers in the line of duty was taken care of.

He vowed that the state government would deploy adequate resources to ensure that militants and oil vandals threatening the peace of the state were flushed out.

The Mr Idirs told the Governor that his mission was to visit Police formations and assess areas where major operations were being conducted.

He commended the Lagos State government for its support to security agencies in the state.

The Police boss, who initially arrived at the Lagos Police Command Headquarters, had earlier went into a closed door meeting with community leaders in the state.

Lagos State Re-opens Mile 12 Market

Ambode on mile 12The Lagos State government has re-opened the mile 12 market, which was shut following a violent clash in Agiliti area.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, announced the re-opening of the market on Thursday, weeks after it was shut down.

The State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, said the decision to re-open the market was reached after a meeting with stakeholders.

He told reporters that agreement was reached with all stakeholders including, traditional leaders, residents and the community development association.

Some agreements reached include: a prohibition on no street trading in the area; all activities relating to the market would take place within designated market premises; a ban on commercial motorcyclists in the area and removal of shanties and illegal structures.

“Relocation Of The Market”

The Commissioner said: “As part of measures aimed at bringing sanity into the market, the government and the market leaders have agreed that henceforth, all activities relating to the market shall be confined within the market area, and that street trading would no longer be allowed in the area”.

The Commissioner added that it was further agreed trading activities in the market would henceforth be carried out in a clean and hygienic environment.

According to Ayorinde, other major agreements arrived with a consensus amongst the various stakeholders include: “Relocation of the Market to another suitable location as the existing market can no longer contain the traders; ban on the use of Commercial Motorcycles (Okada Riders) in the area; peaceful co-existence amongst all ethnic groups in the Market and environs; and removal of all shanties and illegal attachments/structures within the Market area.”

Ayorinde further said that the stakeholders agreed that it was only in an atmosphere of peace and co-existence that their various business and trade can thrive.

He assured the stakeholders that Lagos was a home for all, and that the State Government would continue to provide the enabling environment for every investor to thrive, as the promise of the Governor to run a 24/7 economy is sacrosanct.

Governor Ambode had shut the market on March 3, 2016, after a clash between residents and Okada operators in the Mile 12 area led to loss of lives and property.

Ambode Signs 2016 Appropriation Bill Into Law

AmbodeLagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday signed the 2016 Appropriation Bill of 662.6 billion Naira into law.

While signing the bill into law, the Governor promised that the budget would be faithfully implemented.

It was presented to him by Rotimi Olowo, Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Economic Planning and Budget.

Governor Ambode said that the 2016 budget would enable his administration to focus on present challenges of security, transport and traffic management, physical and social infrastructural development, as well as job creation.

The ceremony, which took place at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Ikeja, was witnessed by members of the State Executive Council, as well as members of the House of Assembly and lawmakers representing the state at the federal level.

Ambode Launches Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem

AmbodeLagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has called for improvement in the welfare of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Governor Ambode made the appeal while launching the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem at the Lagos House in Marina.

He advocated for increase in the support for the military personnel who are protecting the territorial integrity of the nation and keeping the country united.

“As we speak, officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces are on the battle field. They have continued to demonstrate bravery, courage and value in order to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation. They do this on our behalf that we may continue to live in peace and security.

“As we flag off this remembrance week celebration with the Emblem Appeal Launch, I urge you all especially our corporate organisations to donate generously to this noble course in recognition of the sacrifices of our fallen heroes,” Ambode said.

The Governor emphasised the need for all citizens to appreciate the gallant fallen heroes through donations for the welfare and upkeep of their families.

He added that the appreciation was imperative particularly at a period when the nation was faced with the challenges of insurgency in some parts of the country.

“Today, we make a clarion call to all citizens to demonstrate our appreciation of the efforts of these gallant fallen heroes through donations for the welfare and upkeep of the families they left behind especially their widows and children.

“We must continue to acknowledge and show appreciation, not only for what has been done in the past but also to assure those that are still in active service that their efforts and sacrifices will not be in vain,” the Governor said.

Gov. Ambode Inspects Ongoing Road Projects In Lagos

AmbodeLagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday embarked on an inspection of ongoing projects across the state.

Governor Ambode also commissioned the Ipaja-Ayobo and Ikotun-Ejigbo roads where he assured residents that street lights would be installed on the road within three months.

The Governor was accompanied on the tour by some members of the State Executive Council and the inspection began from the Ebute Metta axis of the third mainland bridge.

While speaking, Governor Ambode gave the assurance that the gesture would be extended to neighbouring communities.

Governor Ambode said that his administration is committed to reforming the rural areas by ensuring that the necessary infrastructure are delivered to make life comfortable for residents.

From Ikotun, the Governor visited an ongoing construction work on the popular Brown Street in Oshodi.

Ambode Inaugurates Committee To Boost Power Supply

ambodeLagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday inaugurated a committee to boost household and business power supply.

He also charged them to work assiduously to create an enabling environment that will ensure 24-hour power supply to residents in the state.

The Governor, speaking at the Lagos House, Ikeja, during the inauguration, said that the issue of power challenge must be addressed, in order to achieve sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria and Lagos State in particular.

Governor Ambode said that in view of the importance of the Lagos economy to the nation and the concerns that have been expressed particularly by the business community, his administration has considered it expedient to constitute an advisory committee on power.

He added that no state in the federation is more affected by the state of the power sector than Lagos.

A statement made available by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Habib Haruna, Governor Ambode added that Lagos State accounts for over 60 per cent of the industrial and commercial activities in Nigeria.

The governor emphasised that the energy requirement for the state is estimated at about 5,000 Mega Watts, of which only about 1000 Mega Watts is currently being supplied; hence the need to inaugurate a committee that would ensure the power need of the people is met.

He said members of the Committee consist of representatives from the State Government and industry experts from the private sector, urging them to provide a sustainable guide in the development of a road map for reliable power supply in the state, foster collaboration and develop a congress or platform for all major power stakeholders in the state and the private sector.

Members of the Committee include the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Mrs Oluranti Adebule, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Wale Oluwo, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem and the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde.

Other members of the committee include representatives of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Gaslink Nigeria Limited, Falcon Corporation Limited and Egbin Power Plc.

Governor Ambode, shortly after the inauguration tasked the committee to make electricity available to Lagos residents for both business and domestic use, just as he expressed confidence that they would not disappoint.

The Governor also hinted that in order to underscore his administration’s commitment to security of lives and property, his administration has embarked on an aggressive programme of lighting up Lagos.

He explained that major highways and streets are being connected from point to point, using Independent Power Projects (IPPs) and other means effectively.

He also encouraged individuals, private homes and corporate organizations to take up streets or roads of their choice and light them up with connections to their meters and generators, assuring that the state government will reciprocate the gesture by giving concessions to them in the payment of their annual Land Use Charges.

Sports Minister Congratulates SWAN As It Clocks 50

Solomon-DalungThe Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung, has congratulated the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State Chapter, as they celebrate their 50th anniversary.

According to Mr Dalung, SWAN’s laudable achievements in the last 50 years was not only worthy of celebration but should also be imbibed by other professional bodies and unions.

The Lagos chapter of SWAN has lined up some activities to celebrate the group at 50 this week which include the Achievers’ Day, an event designed to appreciate SWAN patrons and friends and the investiture of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, as their Grand Patron.

The sports minister noted that SWAN’s contribution to sports development in Nigeria could not be quantified.

“For decades, SWAN has been informing, educating and entertaining Nigeria with brilliant sports stories, excellent documentaries, celebration of our best moments in sports and defending the rights of the oppressed in the sports industry,” he said.

Dalung, who said he was proud to be associated with SWAN, urged the body to not only continue its watchdog role, but assist President Muhammadu Buhari and other change agents in the All Progressives Congress’ government to fight corruption and other vices that had stopped Nigeria from achieving its potentials in sports.

“Education, entertainment and sports are the most important tools of providing escape from poverty for children from less privileged backgrounds. As at today, our sports industry is facing several challenges, the biggest is corruption which has become a behemoth in the industry.

“Sports journalists should take advantage of President Buhari’s determination to fight corruption and expose corrupt practices,” he said.

The minister appealed to sports writers that government’s efforts in fighting the rot in sports would be easier with their support and cooperation.

He urged SWAN to invest more in training and education of its members. “SWAN should report and celebrate more of its own and turn them to national and global icons,” Mr Dalung stressed.

Gowon Calls For More Prayers By Nigerians For National Development

Gowon visits ambodeA former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on Saturday has expressed surprise that Nigeria has remained intact despite the tensions ahead of the polls and predictions of Nigeria’s break-up.

The former Head of State made the statement while on a visit to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode at the State’s Government House.

General Gowon, however, said that though the 2015 general elections may have been successfully conducted and a transition of power peacefully concluded, Nigerians cannot afford to stop praying for continued peace in the nation.

General Gowon visited the  Governor together with members of Nigeria Prays; a group formed in 1996 with the sole aim of helping seek divine supports for the nation’s problems.

Ambode Urges FG To Disband Federal Task Force On Landed Properties

ambodeLagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to disband the Presidential Task Force Implementation Committee on the alienation of Federal Government Landed Properties.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the Governor said members of the Task Force are carrying out duties inimical to the interest of the State and Federal Government in Lagos.

The Governor’s call is coming on the heels of several petitions lamenting the nefarious and reprehensible activities of the Presidential Task Force on the alienation of Federal Government Landed Properties in Lagos.

According to him, the Task Force, whose existence and legality was still in doubt have unlawfully embarked on a brazen seizure, take over and appropriation of state and federal government properties.

He said the activities of the Task Force has left in its wake a near total destruction, displacement, stoppage including unprovoked mass harassment, intimidation, molestation and denial of the original owners of the land and properties.

Governor Ambode expressed concern that the activities of the Task Force is coming despite their knowledge of an existence of a consent judgment duly entered into by the same committee and some of the petitioners on one hand and an order of Interlocutory Injunction granted by the High Court of Lagos State, with the restraining orders widely published in newspapers.

The Governor therefore called on President Buhari to immediately disband the Task Force, so as to forestall a breakdown of law and order, stressing that their activities presently constitutes a security risk in the state.

It would be recalled that the committee began its operations during the era of the Jonathan administration.