2019: Vice Chairman of APC reveals what will happen if Ambode does not get party’s ticket

The vice-chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Central Senatorial District in Cross River, Cletus Obun, has insisted that the party will still win Lagos State, even if incumbent Akinwunmi Ambode does not get the ticket.

Obun claimed that only politician that matters in Lagos is the the APC’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he hailed as “a master strategist”.“Lagos State and Ambode are not synonymous with APC. Indeed, on the contrary, APC is synonymous with progressive politics and what its leaders represent, which is personified in the person of Asiwaju Tinubu, who has continuously shown that he is a master strategist by his contributions.

“If Ambode does not get the ticket, APC will still win Lagos State.“The manifesto and its programmatic execution is what APC is all about. It is not about persons.“If Asiwaju now sees that there are three persons and they are qualified, clearly any of them that wins is going to execute the programmes and manifestos of the APC,” Obun told The Guardian.

Tinubu has reportedly dumped Ambode and picked Jide Sanyaolu Sanwonolu as his prefer red candidate for the next gubernatorial election.

Lagos State Government - LAKE Rice is now available in a crash prices

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said LAKE Rice was now available at retail outlets , markets, super markets and stores across the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture , Mr Oluwatoyin Suarau, who stated this while reviewing distribution report of the product , said the government flooded the state with bags of the rice because of skyrocketing prices of other rice products in the market, adding that the government would ensure all year round availability of LAKE Rice at affordable prices .

He said, “It is in a bid to ensure availability of LAKE Rice product in every part of Lagos that the government sought the participation of major rice distributors , shopping malls and supermarkets in the distribution of the product . ”

via punchng
The commissioner said the product would continue to maintain its quality and price and would always go through different quality analysis assessments before being released to the market for consumption.
“The ultimate goal of the government is to stop importation of rice and ensure that only locally- produced rice is consumed by residents .
“The rice which is packaged in 50 kilogrammes , 25 kg and 10 kg bags is still being offered for sale to residents at N 12 ,000 , N 6 ,000 and N 2 , 500 respectively.
Suraru stated that various measures had been put in place to protect the price and avoid adulteration so that the aim of the government in ensuring availability and affordability of the product would not be defeated.

UPDATE - Third Mainland Bridge reopens Sunday today

The Lagos State Government has announced that the Third Mainland Bridge, which was temporarily closed for Investigative Maintenance Test , would be reopened by 5 pm on Sunday (today ).

The State Government , in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation , Dr . Taiwo Salaam , said the decision to reopen the bridge earlier than announced followed the completion of the test by engineers.
The government also thanked motorists and residents for their cooperation and patience while the closure lasted .

The State Government , in partnership with the Federal Government , had temporarily shut the bridge for the Investigative Maintenance Test with the closure initially scheduled to last from midnight of last Thursday to midnight of Sunday .

Lagos Has Been Named 3rd Worst City To Live In

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve center, is the third worst city to live in among 140 cities worldwide.

The revelation is according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, EIU’s 2018 ranking of the world’s most liveable cities. The city was ranked 138th of the 140 countries ranked by the EIU.

With a relatively low score of 38.5 per cent, the city was just a little above Syria’s war-torn capital, Damascus, and Bangladesh’s Dhaka. Both cities are hotbeds of violence, destruction and war.

The new ranking saw the Australian capital, Melbourne, lose the title of world’s most liveable city after a seven-year reign after dropping to second by just 0.7 percent. The city was piped to the post by Vienna, which received an overall score of 99.1 percent.

GOVERNOR AMBODE - Water sector, critical to solving traffic congestion

Lagos state Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday expressed the commitment of his administration to provide critical infrastructure and enabling environment for investors to participate in the ongoing efforts to rev up water transportation, saying the sector remains critical to solving the traffic congestion affecting the State.

Speaking at a Roundtable on Water Transportation, organised by the State Government, the governor said though the sector had been left unattended to over the years, the Lagos state government was now committed more than before to fully harness the potentials of the water transportation to the benefit of the people and economic prosperity of the State.

He said the chaotic traffic situation in some parts of the state, in recent times and the pressure on the road with attendant danger to lives and property, ensued the need to forge ahead with the reforms in the water sector being championed by his administration even more compelling.

“The question to ask is what has brought us to this despicable situation so to speak where the only mode of transportation for over 22million people is road and the road itself is chaotic.
“In the last three years, we have been fighting traffic and unfortunately in the last two weeks, we have seen what has happened in Apapa and what we have been trying to do.

“Just about three weeks ago, we saw what happened with regards to the Otedola Bridge disaster and then the carnage, as well as the inability of government to provide for the needs of the people.

“So, among the over 22 million people, almost 8 million are walking on the streets every second and at the same time, 86 people enter into Lagos every one hour according to United Nations statistics for 2016 which is the largest in the world.

“So, if other states are failing, more people are going to be coming to Lagos and that means maybe right now, there are 120 people entering Lagos not wanting to go back and the only mode of transportation we have for them is just the road and that is why we are coming up with other modes

Lagos State Governor, We’re under siege; You can’t surrender Lagos to trucks and refuse

Gov Ambode, you used to be bothered. About traffic logjams, about commuters mugged in traffic snarls, about every nuisance. But not anymore . Trucks have occupied Lagos. And you don’t seem perturbed.

Mile 2 has been shut down for three days now. Apapa is occupied. The nuisance has spread towards Oshodi and spilled as far as Ikorodu road. Our roads have become truck parks. You used to be concerned. We had thought you would sort it out when you took on it with determination. But it appears you have abandoned us to the menace.
Your Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials   fold their hands and watch. They have joined us in our collective helplessness. And everyday the nuisance grows, their nonchalance increases, our helplessness deepens.
A few days ago I was trapped in the traffic mess . A LASTMA official waved and smiled at me. I waved back out of courtesy. People get retrenched from banks these days and find themselves in all kinds of jobs. I thought he was one of them. He approached with an elaborate smile of familiarity. I took down my window . He put his head into the car.
He didn’t call my name. For a split second I felt I had made a mistake. He could be a robber. I looked for   his name tag but my eyes couldn’t see anything. Fortunately , he wasn’t that kind of a wolf.  He wanted to know if I was in a hurry. I told him I was.
He offered to get into my car and pilot me, run against oncoming traffic , and get me out of the mess. I thanked him with a frown, and rejected his offer. He felt humiliated. He left and went back to his perch, to observe and isolate the desperate and prey on them.

Governor Ambode, you disorganized refuse collection. I understood your explanation. You wanted to harmonize it. But you didn’t have a well thought-out , feasible alternative. You left Lagos drowning in refuse for months. I noticed you were not as sensitive as you used to be. The heaps and piles were everywhere. Flies and rodents danced on the roads.

The government showed neither haste nor anger. I have lived many years in Lagos. I have seen trucks in Lagos. But I have never seen trucks take up whole roads in vast portions of the state for many months. I have never seen trucks constitute more nuisance at any other time than now. You have to do something drastic. You can’t surrender the center of excellence to trucks and refuse.

via vanguardngr

Former governor Fashola used to heap the blames for the Apapa mess on the PDP. It has since degenerated. The vice president once flew around Lagos . And hopes rose. It all seemed that a methodical assessment and a definitive solution had come at last. How have all that fizzled out and yielded anything?
Governor Ambode, have you noticed the influx of suicidal Okada riders into Lagos. A locust invasion would have been more bearable. You can’t let Lagos degenerate, my governor. You have done relatively well , you cant mess it up now. You have worked hard. It is painful that your performance is now being tarnished by trucks and refuse.
Governor Ambode, Lagosians are in anguish. You showed responsiveness in the past. You have to roll up your sleeves now and   take back the state. You have to sweep away these maniacal Okada riders. And you have to clean up the spillage of trucks into peoples homes and lives. The state is suffocating. The refuse mountains are coming down. But what is left is enough to trigger 100 epidemics every month.
Governor, the people trust you. You cant let them down. This misery is avoidable. Please, do not take Lagosians for granted .
Eko O ni Baje oooo

57 Council Chairmen Endorse Ambode For 2nd Term

The Chairmen of 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State have unanimously endorse the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode for a second term in office.

Rising from a meeting with the Governor at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, the council chiefs said their decision to support Ambode for another term was on account of the need to allow him continue with the massive infrastructural renewal and transformation of all parts of the State.

The governor had in recent time received series of endorsements for a second term in office from critical stakeholders and sectors in the State which just means he is going for a 2nd term!

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode leads walk against sexual and gender based violence in Alausa Ikeja

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (5th left); his wife, Bolanle (middle); Chief Judge of the State, Justice Opeyemi Oke (5th right); Chief Whip, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Abiru (4th right); Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (3rd right); Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal (right); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (4th left) and others during a Symbolic Walk Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, March 12, 2018.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode alongside his wife, Bonlanle Ambode and other important dignitaries participated in a Symbolic Walk Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, March 12, 2018.

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[NEWS] Lagos State government issues 20-day ultimatum for markets clean up or risk closure

The Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode has expressed displeasure with the present state of various markets across the State, saying that leaders of the various markets must prevail on their members to clean up their dirty surroundings within the next 20 days or risk closure of their markets.
The directive was issued in Alausa during a stakeholders forum with market leaders in the 57 local governments and local council development areas of the State.

Governor Ambode, who was represented at the event by Commissioner for the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Folami said the present administration abhors the dumping of refuse on roadsides, medians, bus stops as well as markets, urging market leaders to promptly rid their environment of waste.

He said dumping of refuse within the market environment poses health hazards, discourages customers and residents from patronising stalls within the markets, thereby reducing economic activity within the market environment.“You have 20 days to clear the refuse in your markets.

The State Government would not hesitate to shut down any market that is dirty because we will not be happy to see any market within our metropolis dirty”he stated.Ambode emphasised that the State Government’s resolve to ensure a cleaner and healthier Lagos informed the Cleaner Lagos Initiative and the recruitment of street sweepers across the State. He urged the market leaders to prioritize the cleanliness of their markets and cooperate with Visions cape officials by ensuring prompt and proper packaging of their waste for easy disposal.

He admonished the market leaders to ensure their members desist from street trading and urged all traders to get shops within the markets so as to ease the flow of traffic and prevent road accidents.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Fola Padonu solicited the support of market leaders to justify the huge resources already committed to the Cleaner Lagos Initiative by the Lagos State Government.“All markets must be kept clean, the State Government has spent so much on various projects and we want you all to be partakers of these benefits. Work with us to ensure Lagos is cleaner.”the Permanent Secretary said.

Lekki & Ikoyi Toll Fares To Be Increased By February - LCC

The Lekki Concession Company Limited has announced that it will increase the tolltariffs being charged at the Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza on the Lekki-Epe Expressway and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza with effect from Thursday, February 1, 2018.

The LCC said in a statement on Friday thatthe upward review of the tolls followed “extensive consultations held with stakeholders in the Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway of Lagos State.

Although details of the new rate were not disclosed in the statement, the firm said N100 would be paid by any driver of a minicomputer bus using the Lekki-Epe toll plaza, which is an increase of N20 on the N80 currently being charged. This, it noted, was the agreement it reached with the drivers’ union during the consultations.

Tension in Idumota, Lagos over the killing of NURTW leader, Kunle Poly’saide, Ganiu Bankusa (Peiro)

There was tension at Idumota Area of Lagos Island, Lagos, yesterday,following the assassination of the personal assistant to a leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Kunle Azeez aka Kunle Poly...The deceased is identified simply as Ganiu(aka Piero).

Piero, Kunle Poly and some security guards, including two policemen, were returning from a meeting around 12 midnight on Tuesday when the gunmen opened fire on them. ..While Ganiu was hit and died on the spot, others sustained varying degrees of injury.

Kunle Poly, who heads the NURTW branches in Idumota, had called a meeting of all chairmen in motor parks in the area around 12 midnight. ..When they were done with the meeting, Kunle Poly, the two policemen guarding him, Piero, and one other union member, left for his car, which was parked at a bridge close to the office. ..Kunle Poly asked Piero to release the car key because he (Kunle Poly) wanted to drive the car by himself.

He asked Piero to go to the passenger’s side. Piero turned togo to the passenger’s side, while his boss headed towards the driver’s side. ..They were all about to enter the car when there was a gunshot. Piero was hit and he died on the spot. The union member with them was hit by another bullet in the hand.

The mopols with them wanted to return the gunfire when the gunmen rained bullets on them. ..They all took cover. Kunle Poly dodged beside the car from where he jumped onto the bridge and escaped to the other side ofthe road. The two mopols took to their heels.

UNILAG Lauds Buhari For Approving TV Station

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving a TV licence for the institution, UNILAG TV.

The vice chancellor of the university, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, made the commendation at a meeting with the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, and the Senior Special Assistant, Garba Shehu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

Mr. Ogundipe expressed optimism that the TV station would enhance research-oriented education and ease communication within and outside the university campus.
He said the TV station would completely alter the communication style in the university, and enhance its visibility across the continent.

The vice chancellor, who was accompanied by the Chair and Head of UNILAG Mass Communication Department, Ralph Akinfeleye, said the approval of the TV station further confirmed the president’s position on promoting free press and unhindered access to information that promotes development.

“It is now on record that the present administration signed the first campus TV licence and we remain deeply grateful to the president.
“The university is a brand. We want the university to be the research hub in Africa, and we are working towards being among the best three in the entire continent,’’ the vice chancellor added.

Apart from the TV station, Mr. Ogundipe noted that the Federal Government’s Independent Power Plant to improve electricity was already ongoing, while the NEEDS assessment fund for training of academic staff had already been received.

Mr. Akinfeleye said it took the university 25 years to get the first campus Radio station licence, but the TV station licence was processed in three years.

“It is interesting that President Buhari signed the first TV station licence for a university. We will use the TV station for pedagogical purity of education,’’ he said.

NAN

Lagos Approves Establishment Of Six New Public Primary Schools

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it had approved the establishment of six new public primary schools under the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

The Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Ganiyu Sopeyin, who announced this in a statement, said the development was in line with the new government policy on education.

The new schools are Community Primary School, Ibasa, Community Primary School, Ajewanwa,  both in Ojo Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Oladele Aĺaka Primary School, Ejigbo, Oshodi-Isolo LGEA,  Iju Ajuwon Primary School, Ifako-Ijaiye LGEA, Osho Sholu Primary School, Ewu Oloye, Erunwen, Ikorodu LGEA and Correctional Home for Boys, Oregun, Ikeja LGEA.

Lagos To Begin Pen Cinema Flyover, Removes Structures Hindering Construction

The Lagos State Government has begun the demolition of structures on the right of way to pave the way for the ongoing construction of the Pen Cinema flyover in the Agege.

The government also recently held stakeholders’ meetings with owners of the affected property and assured them of adequate compensation. However, a Ladun Liadi reader who witnessed the on-going demolition sent in these photos

Source See Photos HERE

Governor Ambode - I Spent N15bn on Security in 2016

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said his administration spent over N15bn in 2016 to beef up security in the stateAmbode, poke at a dinner held at the Lagos House in Ikeja, in honour of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who was on a two-day working visit to thestate.

Thanking the former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Musiliu Smith, who was the pioneer Chairman of the LSSTF,Ambode said that the model he midwifed in 2007 has changed the face of security in the State.“That same template that he (Smith) brought to Lagos that we have continued to use in the last 14 years and it’s been working and in different forums, he has shared how he started it and how we havealso improved on it.“Like the Inspector General of Police said, the template we are using to run the security trust fund is worthy of emulation and he has also averred that they would like to replicate it in other parts of the country and also for men of the Nigeria Police Force,”Recommending the LSSTF model to other states, Ambode revealed that out of the N15bn spent on security last year, the private sector contributed over N5bn.For us to be having the private sector, justto give you a very clear example, as at lastyear, we have spent as a government close to the region of N10billion, but the private sector has actually contributed more than N5billion of their own money into the Security Trust Fund. “There is no way the private sector would do that if they don’t believe in the cause of our Security Trust Fund. So I want to recommend it also to others, it is something that could work in other States. Like you said, funding is a major issue for security in this country and then we can have partnerships with the private and public sector to also help in securing the country,” Governor Ambode said.

Lagos will become Africa’s third largest economy before I die – Says Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President, OlusegunObasanjo, on Wednesday, said Lagoswill become Africa’s third largest economy in a very short time.
Obasanjo made this known at the book launch of a book titled, “MakingAfrica Work”, co-authored by the former president and three other authors.The other authors are Greg Mills, Director of Brenthurst Foundation; Jeffrey Herbst, President of NEWSEUM and Dickie Davis, a retiredmajor general.

The former president said the Lagos State government is working towards making the state an economic hub, which he jocularly said would come to fruition before he passes on.Mr. Obasanjo, who is the chair of Brenthurst Foundation, disclosed that plans are underway for the foundation and Lagos state government to make the state the third largest economy on the continent.

“(Even though) People said I look like someone who is in the departure lounge,” Mr. Obasanjo said, “Lagos will become the third largest economy before I take my boarding pass.

”The former president also said that Africa is not a poor continent, addingthat the continent is only poor by choice.He enjoined Africans to focus on wealth creation and job opportunities, saying the continent should complain less about poverty.

“Africa is poorly managed,” he said, adding that, “We are poor by choice (and) we will also get out of that poverty by choice.”

Lagos bus conductors to start wearing uniform (Must Read)

Bus conductors in Lagos will start wearing uniform as part of efforts to promote the Smart City Initiatives, SCI, of the state government from today.This was disclosed by the National President of the Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria, BCAN, Comrade Israel Adeshola, in an interview with Vanguard.

According to him, the Lagos State government has approved the association’s uniforms and badges with name tag and identification numbers for easy identification of registered conductors.He said the use of badges on uniforms is to address criminal tendencies by some bus conductors,calling on Lagosians to support the initiative. According to him;

”The re-branding of bus conductors in the state which is in partnership with the LagosState Government is a project that has been in the master plan of the state government in a way to stem criminal activities and also protect the lives and properties of Lagosians.
The BCAN has been partnering with the state government through the ministry of transportation to train membersof the association who are now registered by the government.

’’Adeshola, who said the conductor’s job was vital in the transportation sector, noted that the organization has embarked on sensitization and training of members since inception.He also said that the objective is to make conductor’s job attractive, respected and dignified as obtainable globally.

Lagos State Govt. Announces Restrictions of Movement on July 22, Find Out Why

In a press release made available to journalists, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, announced the restriction of movement across the State on Saturday July 22.

The Lagos State Government has announced restriction of vehicular movement across the state on Saturday, July 22, in view of the elections that will hold across the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state.In a press release on Sunday by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the restriction of movement across the State will be enforced between 8am and 2pm on Saturday July 22, to allow for a smooth conduct of the polls and unhindered participation.

According to the Commissioner, the State is known for peaceful conduct of elections, and as such, urged residentsto be peaceful and orderly on Saturday to cast their votes in their respective wards for Chairmen and councilors whoare expected to drive development at the third tier of government.

He explained that as the election that will bring on board a new set of public officers for the next four years at the local government level, the restriction will allow the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and the security agencies to distribute electoralmaterials in good time and ensure the sanctity of free and fair electoral process.“The police and other security agenciesare ready to ensure that the electioneering campaign and the votingon Saturday are conducted smoothly without public disturbance. Every political party, candidates and their supporters and the general public are hereby assured of safety throughout the period of voting and collation.“However, the government solicits the cooperation of voters and the general public by obeying the restriction order and the general electoral rules in order to ensure a peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections,”Ayorinde said.

The release also quoted Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as urging Lagosians to perform their civic obligations by trooping out with their Permanent Voters Card (PVC)“to once again demonstrate their belief in the tenets of participatory democracy and the importance of development at the local government level.”

Source: Tori.ng