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By: Ademola Orunbon

          As the primary of All Progressives Congress (APC) to the diverse positions across the country gather momentum, pressures continue mounted on the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to step down for Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, indeed, Ambode has done well for the state that could earn him another term, as the proverb says, ‘One good term deserves another’, and this is the man Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governor of the Centre of Excellence, Lagos State describes as “an uncommon civil servant” who works for the state diligently and to the best of his knowledge, in which he discovered an embodiment of the sterling attributes of a great accountant. Imagine this assertions and it was when the road is good and smooth but now the reverse is the case, he has become “rogue, selfish, arrogant, rude and all”. The acclaimed political strategist with a knack for discovering great talents surely knows his onions. Even his successor then, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) in his letter of commendation poured encomiums on him for “the high sense of dedication, selflessness, loyalty and integrity” which he brought to bear during his glorious day as a public/civil servant in the State.

And during a public presentation of his biography at Lagos, The Art of Selfless Service written by Marina Osoba deafening applause greeted to the enviable life trajectory from across section of those who have known him closely for the past five decade. So, who is this illustrious and industrious son of Lagos State, nay Nigeria?

What is more meaningful and significant to this writer are the moral lessons and traits of a sound professional that Nigerian youths should imbibe, drink and digest from the flowing fountain of his wealth of experience, within a short span of 27 year being spent as a public/civil servant with Lagos State government before he become the state governor that he helped out during the crises of Obasanjo regime when he declined to give Local Government Council its allocation.

Another lesson has to do with his mission and vision to excel in whatever situation he finds himself. This, combined with an inner strength to conquer the hurdles that fate may place along his path, marks him out as a unique Nigerian. Ordinarily, he would have capitulated and turn himself into an area boy when his father died at the age of 18 years. But he didn’t because he wants to become something in the future in life. So, he chose to focus his energy fully on his academics which paid off handsomely today. From recording the second best result in the entire West Africa in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1981 to graduating with honours in Accounting from the University of Lagos at 21 years and a Masters degree in Accounting combined with being a Chartered Accountant all at 24 years, the stage was set for a brilliant career in Accounting. One could therefore re-write his biography with the title: Ambode and the power of focus.

That brings us to his choice of where to ply his trade, many in his shoes would have opted for a private practice for quick monetary gains. Instead, Ambode chose the civil service job, with its bureaucratic bottleneck and slow-grinding rise to self actualization! Why did he do so? The answer, as exhibited by the landmark achievements he recorded at the various places of work is to leave an enduring mark on the sands of his Accounting profession. Only a man with the passion for selfless service would do that. And truth be told, there are few of them, not only here in Lagos but the entire Nigerian nation.

Rising from the humble position of a junior Accountant, he moved rapidly up the ladder of success to becoming the youngest ever Auditor General for Local Governments in Lagos State in 2001. Subsequently, he was made the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance in January 2005 before bring combined with the additional responsibility as the Accountant General in February, 2006. As one determined to make his mark the genius in him, restructured the financial transactions that resulted in the state budget’s performance of over 80 percent increased.

But of a remarkable achievement was how he assisted to keep the state running during the embattled period when the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration unilaterally stopped allocation to Local Governments in the State. A more critical look at his book: Public Sector Financing may shed more light on the strategies used to keep the State afloat in those dark days. The book simplifies government accounting system from the local government through the state to the federal level. Or, he may have to write another book specifically focused on how states and even individuals could survive the hard times. That was parts of achievement of Ambode when he was a civil servant which nobody can contend with, and that’s more reason Asiwaju Bola Tinubu fingered him then as Fashola successor.

There are some notable achievements which Lagos state political gladiators need to put into consideration for him to run for second term among them is the Backlog payment of N11billion as arrears to retirees of Lagos State Government, construction of Safety Arena, in Oshodi, in order to bring all the Departments and Agencies responsible for safety and emergency management under one roof, completion of more than 300 Local Government road projects, since 2015, repositioning of Lagos State Emergency Agency, LASEMA, and the Agency now operates via 4 centres, namely Command and Control Centre, Alausa, Ikeja; LASEMA Response Unit (LRU) Cappa Oshodi; LASEMA Response Unit, Lekki (by Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge) and LASEMA Response Unit, Onipanu. Construction of  LRU with modern equipment (trucks, power bikes, heavy-duty vehicles and fire trucks, Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances and Light Rescue Equipment, and 14 new BMW Power Bikes for on-spot reconnaissance assessments of emergency incidents.

Though, nobody has a monopoly of wisdom and a tree cannot make a forest, it is high time to prevail of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC stakeholders in Lagos to be calmed, patient and re-consider their stand on Akinwunmi Ambode to continue the good work he has started, his giant strides on infrastructural facilities also includes launching of Amnesty period for land/property owners to obtain/regularize building permits. Between March 1 and August 31, 2018, Lagos State Government was not charge any penalty for those who have erected structures on their land without a building permit. This window offers a 6-month grace period for landowners to obtain their building permit, construction of 10-lane Oshodi–Murtala Muhammed Int’l Airport Road, scheduled for completion by December 2018, and Completion of palliative repair work on section of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway between Eric Moore and Okokomaiko. Work ongoing on Okokomaiko to Badagry section. Establishment of Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, LASCOPA in 2017, for speedy redress of consumers’ complaints.

Governor Ambode acquired equipment worth more than 5 billion Naira for the State Police Command and Rapid Response Squad, equipment donated include 100 4-door salon cars, 55 Ford Ranger pick-ups, 10 Toyota land cruiser pick-ups, 15 BMW power bikes, 100 power bikes, Isuzu trucks, three helicopters, two gun boats, 120 power generating sets, 15 armoured personnel carriers, revolving lights, siren and public address system, vehicular radio communicators, security gadgets including bullet proof vests, helmets, handcuffs, uniforms, kits and improved insurance and death benefit schemes for officers. The governor has impacted meaningfully on the lives of many Lagosians and its residents through the launching of the Bus Reform Initiative, that bequeath a world class transportation system to the State and the construction of new bus terminals, introduction of 5,000 new buses, and construction of 100 modern Bus Shelters across the State. He had already completed Tafawa Balewa Bus Terminus and Ikeja Bus Terminus; Acquired 434 new buses for Ikorodu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor; and commenced work on Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT corridor along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway (13.5 kilometers; 14 bus stations; 14 pedestrian bridges).

The governor was able to launch the Lagos To The World (L2W) global campaign, to better market and communicate investment opportunities in the State. As part of the launch of L2W, the Ambode administration has also unveiled a deal book detailing investment opportunities in key sectors including health, transportation, oil and gas, among others and employed 1,300 teachers into primary education system; and provided free medical services and psychosocial therapy to 700 survivors of domestic and sexual violence. He also presented 500 million Naira in Grants to 275 Community Development Associations in July 2018 to enable them complete various self-help projects, installed Skywalk Bridge to link Terminals 1 and 2 at Oshodi Bus Interchange, upgraded 9,174 square meter Alfred Rewane Garden, Ikoyi and opened it for use by members of the public within and around the Ikoyi axis.

He further established N25 billion Lagos State Employment Trust Fund. The Fund has provided loans worth more than 5 billion Naira to more than 8,000 persons since inception, and helped create more than 11,000 jobs, commenced development of N49 billion Public Private Partnership Medical Park in Ikoyi, to be located at the old Nursing School along Awolowo Road, Ikoyi. (Lagos State contributing land; private investors putting up the funding). He redesigned Lekki-Epe Expressway to improve journey times and reduce gridlock by replacing roundabouts with traffic lights and launched Ready-Set-Work, an entrepreneurial and employability training programme aimed at ensuring that every student who graduates from any tertiary institution in Lagos has knowledge, skills, and attitude required to gain employment upon graduation. More than 2,500 final year students trained since 2016.

Ambode also launched Lagos State Traffic Information System (LATIS), a world-class traffic information and management system comprising hundreds of cameras, road sensors and electronic displays specially designed to collect and deliver real time information to city commuters, and thus help regulate traffic, launched Code Lagos, an initiative aimed at teaching 1 million Lagos residents to code by 2020. Currently, Code Lagos has trained over 31, 000 Lagosians to code while 364 Coding Centres have also been set up in 352 primary and secondary schools as well 12 Out-of-School Centres. http://codelagos.org/ and annual hosting of Lagos City Marathon, since 2016. The Marathon has placed Lagos on the global athletics map. The governor received Presidential approval for handover of National Stadium to Lagos State, to redevelop and transform it into a world-class  facility; and rehabilitated Agege Township Stadium to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards; and Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba

Where do you now said that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode gone wrong? he forged ahead to upgrade 14 flagship Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs); procured 20 Mobile Care Unit ambulances and 26 Transport Ambulances across the State; he also approved the establishment of three new Maternal/ Child Health Care Centres to expand the scope and reach of public health service delivery, he also constructed Flyover bridges for Ajah and Abule-Egba residents to avert been knocked down by motorists, and Multiple Lay-by to ease traffic congestion along the Third Mainland-Iyana-Oworo-Toll Gate Road, he established Special Task Force, ‘Operation Restore Sanity On Lagos Roads,’ to clear Apapa-Oshodi Expressway of Trucks, Tankers and Trailers. Between July 20 and 22, 2018, the Task Force successfully cleared more than 2,000 Trucks from section of road between Toyota Bus Stop and Mile 2, he further rebranded and expanded the Lagos Countdown, into the One Lagos Fiesta, to boost tourism and entertainment. The fiesta now holds simultaneously at five locations across the state: Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry, Lagos Island and Ikeja

The establishment of three new Fire Stations at Bolade-Oshodi, Ejigbo and Abesan, and upgraded facilities at the existing Fire Stations in Alausa, Ikeja, Isolo, Agege, Ilupeju, Badagry-Suru, Ikotun and Agege, rehabilitation of 225 old fire hydrants in Lagos metropolis, and installed 50 new ones connected to the mini/micro water works across the State. He also employed 250 new personnel into the Lagos State Fire Service, and purchased new fire-fighting equipment, such as complete sets of Master Breathing Apparatus, Tripod Stand Rescue Equipment, Dragon Max Floodlights, Duraline Hoses, and Power Stream PPU Blower, and completion of Ojodu-Berger Flyover Intersection; also completion of 21 roads and two bridges with a combined stretch of 27.4 kilometers in Alimosho-Agbado-Oke-Odo area. He also established Relief Resettlement Camps in Agbowa and Igando to cater for IDPs across the State.

He also established Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment to promote and coordinate investments in Lagos State, and the Small Claims Court to fast-track justice delivery in commercial disputes involving claims not exceeding N5 million. The entire period of proceedings from filing to judgment will not exceed 60 days, Developed the Strategic Plan for Accelerated Agricultural Growth (SPAAG), and set aside 50,000 acres of land for agriculture in the State. The land will be allocated to farmers and investors for production of tomato, rice, fish, etc, he also collaborated with Kebbi State to produce LAKE (Lagos-Kebbi) Rice; and with Kano State to organize the first Lagos-Kano Economic Summit. He launched, in partnership with the private sector, the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), to improve waste management and processing in the State, among other interventions, construction of Transfer Loading Stations, Maintenance Depots, and Engineered Sanitary Landfills and signed into law the landmark Lagos State Electric Power Sector Reform Law, to guarantee 24-hour power supply in line with Governor Ambode’s vision to attain a 24-hour economy. Also signed into law an Amended Land Use Charge Law.

Though, with all these achievement not even enough for an open endorsement supposed to have stirred the hornet’s nest, from the PDP, Mandate Group of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and even the Pan-Lagos Development Advocacy Group (LDAG) who are rooting for Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, one thing is certain. Ambode certainly has the leadership qualities to build on the great works both Tinubu and Fashola had achieved so far. As an over comer of daunting obstacles, many are watching how Ambode would surmount the hurdles ahead.

Orunbon, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Oke-Posun, Epe, Lagos State.

Can be reached via:orunbonibrahimademola@gmail.com, or 08034493944 and 08029301122.

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COLUMNISTS

Sunday Igboho: Free Nnamdi Kanu Now, Group Tells FG

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The Movement for the Advancement of National Transformation, MANTRA, has called on the federal government to set Mazi Nnamdi Kanu free as a major step towards addressing the agitations in the southeast.

The group made the call as a fallout of the release of Mr Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba nation activist, by the Beninese government.

Recall the DSS reported that Sunday Igboho and his lieutenants engaged officers of the secret police in a fierce gun battle on July 1, 2021 at his residence in Soka, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State after which he was arrested in Benin Republic while attempting to flee to Germany and had since remained in detention until Monday when he was set free.

In a statement signed by the Convener of MANTRA, Chief Jude Ndukwe and made available to the media on Wednesday in Abuja, the group described the release of Sunday Igboho as a welcome development and an indication that the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency is not that of vendetta or vindictiveness and is not interested in persecuting its citizens.

“It is based on this that we urge President Tinubu to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the custody of the DSS and free him to return home to his loved ones.

“Anything short of this will strengthen the suspicion of Nigerians that this is a sectional government with a sectional agenda.

“What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. We believe very strongly that there was no way Sunday Igboho would have been released without any intervention from the Nigerian government. We hereby request strongly that the same principles applied to Mr Sunday Igboho be applied to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu whose release will no doubt assuage the frayed nerves of youths of the southeast and help restore peace and security in the region.

“May we remind President Bola Tinubu that he shares a similar sociopolitical trajectory with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as an agitator.

“As a one-time activist, agitator and a leader of NADECO that was once proscribed by the federal government, Tinubu went on exile with several other NADECO members and were not only persecuted but also brutally hounded by the State over trumped up charges.

“Today, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is being made to unjustly pass through the same horrendous process the only difference being that Tinubu and his NADECO comrades passed through that tortuous road under a military regime while Kanu is experiencing his not just under a civilian administration but under an administration led by a veteran of agitation and activism.

“No other person in government today understands the experiences of Nnamdi Kanu better than the president himself who has passed through that route before. He knows better and we believe that he will do the right thing.

“We therefore reiterate our urgent call for Nnamdi Kanu to be released now,” the statement concluded.

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COLUMNISTS

Shedding Light on Unspoken Hardships: The Resilience Amidst Hostility

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In the vibrant city of Lagos, Olaleye Ademola Surajudeen leads a seemingly ordinary life, but beneath his warm smile and compassionate nature lies a hidden truth. He grapples with the fear of persecution due to his sexual orientation in a country where same-sex relationships are criminalized.

Ademola’s life takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with Rafael, a supportive friend who encourages him to embrace his authentic self. With Rafael’s unwavering support, Ademola summons the courage to come out to his family and close friends.

However, this courageous decision comes at a cost. Ademola faces discrimination and prejudice from some members of his community, while others stand by his side.

As Ademola navigates the turbulent waters of being open about his identity, the story zooms out to explore the broader issue of LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance in Nigeria. It underscores the importance of empathy and understanding in a society where acceptance remains an uphill battle.

The ordeals of fear and understanding his rejections, embodies bravery and hope as Ademola, alongside those who support him, confronts their own biases and learns to celebrate diversity and love in all its forms.

Ademola coming out as gay in Nigeria, a country where same-sex relationships can lead to 14 years of imprisonment, exposes him to significant risks. News of his revelation spreads throughout his community, yielding a mixed bag of reactions.

While Rafael and a handful of close friends steadfastly support him, others distance themselves, and some openly express disapproval. Ademola grapples with the stark realities of stigmatization and discrimination that accompany his newfound honesty.

One fateful evening, Ademola faces a confrontation with a group of hostile individuals who subject him to verbal abuse and threats. Within a memoir of his escapade was when he narrowly escaped police raids during a gay community marriage in Delta state, the encounter leaves him deeply shaken and fearful for his safety.

However, despite the daunting challenges and the looming shadow of Nigeria’s severe laws, Ademola stands unwavering in his commitment to live authentically.

As Ademola journey unfolds, he forges unexpected alliances with dedicated activists tirelessly working to challenge the discriminatory laws.

Nevertheless, the path to change remains laden with obstacles. Some political leaders and conservative religious groups staunchly oppose any reforms. Ademola faces renewed threats and hostility, but he remains steadfast, recognizing that his journey has transcended personal struggle and has become a beacon of hope for many. As the story concludes, Nigeria’s legal landscape for LGBTQ+ individuals remains challenging.

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COLUMNISTS

NIGER: A WORD OF CAUTION TO THE DOGS OF WAR!

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By Femi Fani-Kayode

I am on record as saying that if Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali or ANY OTHER country, attacks Nigeria, violates our territorial integrity or attempts to take one inch of our nation we must & will fight them to the last man.

I have also said that Nigeria’s defence budget is FAR higher than all the other 14 countries in West Africa PUT TOGETHER & that there is no nation in our sub-region that can defeat us in a military conflict despite our many challenges.

I stand by these words.

I am however constrained to add the following as a word of caution to those who seek to “cry havoc & unleash the dogs of war” & as a piece of unsolicited advice to the advocates of military invasion.

It would be imprudent & unwise for Nigeria to attempt to clean up France’s mess in Niger Republic.

The French are the most rappacious, greedy, vicious, pervasive, destructive & unrelenting neo-colonial foreign power on the African continent.

They have done nothing for Africa other than pillage, rape, undermine, plunder & take advantage of her.

To deploy our military, go to war & allow Nigerian blood to be spilled just to help her to continue to gang rape the Nigeriens & subject them to slavery would be unjust, wicked, short-sighted, stupid & counter-productive.

Worse still it would have implications for the stability of our nation, our entire sub-region & our increasingly fruitful relationship with President Putin & the Russian Federation who are slowly emerging as Africa’s best friend &, together with the Chinese, appear to be the only foreign power that truly seeks to assist & support the growth & development of African countries.

To those who believe that Nigeria ought to continue to be the poodle, local enforcer & hatchet man of the French, the Europeans, the British & the Americans in our sub-region, I ask the following: who do they think is behind Boko Haram & ISWAP and why did these so-called Western allies refuse to sell us arms to fight those two terrorist organisations until Trump came along? And of course since Trump left we have been given nothing.

Not one of them truly cares for Nigeria in the way the Chinese or Russians do & to them we are nothing but a source of mineral resources and a local sheriff.

They want us to go & fight a war against our African brothers just to further and protect their own economic & regional interests and they want us to throw the West African sub region into a theater for a horrific, brutal & never-ending proxy war between them & Russia which would result in turning the whole of the West & North African sub region into a cauldron of fire.

Worst still they want Northern Nigeria particularly & the entire African Sahel region & all the countries in it to be burnt to ashes & go the way of Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Libya & Afghanistan whilst they sell their arms, test their weapons, pillage our resources, turn our people into homeless destitutes & penniless refugees, destroy our collective future & serve our flesh & blood, on a dark satanic alter to the sinister forces & the blood-lustng vultures & demons that they work for & serve.

We must never allow this to happen & if the truth be told the biggest mistake that ECOWAS made in the first place was to threaten Niger with military action if the coupists refused to step down & restore President Bazoum to power.

I say this because once a threat is issued & it is not followed up with action you look weak, ineffectual & pathetic.

That is the quandry we are now in & the wisest thing to do at this point is to step back from the brink and rhetoric of war and engage in diplomacy.

Deploying our troops into our neigbours country in an attempt to effect regime-change on behalf of a bunch of butt-f*cking, cunt-struck, power-obsessed feral psychopaths like the French whose primary dream and fantasy has always been the dismemberment, destabilisation and destruction of Nigeria is asinine and unacceptable.

(CONTINUED👇👇👇)

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