The Essence Of Politics Is To Give Back To Society - Ambode

…Urges Lawmakers Not To Be Clogs In The Wheel of Progress

 AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday evening urged lawmakers across the country to eschew all acts that can constitute clogs in the wheel of progress based on party differences, saying the whole essence of politics is to serve the people and give back to the society.



Speaking while declaring open the Second Quarterly General Meeting of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria held at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, Governor Ambode said politicians across party lines must be constantly reminded that the essence of politics which is also enshrined in the Constitution is the protection of lives and property and welfare of the people.

 

He said it was gratifying that in the wake of movement of people across political parties in recent times, speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly in the country were in Lagos to discuss issues of national importance, just as he expressed optimism that the lawmakers would come up with further measures to deepen democracy and advance the welfare of the citizenry.



According to the Governor, “As politicians, we must ensure that the electorate continues to believe and trust in the principles of equity and the rule of law. No arm of government must be a clog in the wheel of progress on the basis of partisan differences and that was why I said that it is very significant that irrespective of our party lines, irrespective of what has happened, we are still here to find a common-ground to discuss national issues that relate to autonomy, that relate to State Police and that is the message that we have been sending in the last three and half years.



“The whole essence of us being called politicians is to be able to give service to our people. When we do the road, bridge or the hospital, it does not ask whether you are PDP or APC neither does it ask whether you are Ibo, Hausa or Yoruba before you can climb on the Third Mainland Bridge.



“So, the whole essence is to ensure that we give back to our people and like I would always say and always agree, there are only two reasons why we are in this business of politics which are also enshrined in the Constitution – protection of lives and property and welfare of our people and so no matter what strategy or path or geographical landscape we use, what is important is that we should be able to achieve those two objectives and I believe strongly that this conference and meeting will focus on those objectives and ensure that we are able to arrive at something very lucrative to our people,” he said.



He said no arm of government can exist without the other, and as such, there must be collaboration and mutual understanding across party lines for effective governance to take place.



“Legislature is vital to the sustenance of democracy. Its stability, equity and economic prosperity through the effective performance of legislative duties and oversight functions cannot be overemphasized.



“There is no arm of government that can exist without another. So, it is very clear in our mind that there is need for collaboration, mutual respect and understanding across party lines for effective governance to take place,” Governor Ambode said.



While commending all the Houses of Assembly for the role they have been playing to ensure good governance and deepen democracy in the country, the Governor also congratulated them on the newly assented law granting financial autonomy to the Legislature and also the Judiciary, saying the development would further guarantee the independence of the two arms of government in line with the principle of separation of powers.



He said before the new law was passed, the Lagos Assembly had been enjoying financial autonomy, which according to him, had also been responsible for the high-capacity delivery of services by his administration since inception, adding: “As you move round our State in the course of this meeting, you will appreciate the modest achievements we have recorded as a result of the harmonious relationship that exists between the executive and the legislature in Lagos State.”   



Speaking earlier while leading his colleagues on a courtesy visit to the Governor, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa said they were at Lagos House to inform the Governor of the fact that 36 Speakers across Nigeria were in Lagos to deliberate on key issues of national development including financial autonomy and State Police.



Obasa specifically thanked the Governor for his huge support which made the hosting of the meeting possible, as well as the harmonious atmosphere for Executive-Legislative relationship in the State.



Also, Chairman of the Conference and Speaker of Kebbi State House of Assembly, Mr Ismaila Kamba commended Governor Ambode for the massive infrastructural development across the State, saying the name of the Governor had been written in gold in the history of governance in Lagos.



“Anywhere you are in this country, you know the effort the Governor is making in building bridges, building roads and enhancing security. We are aware the Governor has further bought hardware of security so that this centre of excellence will continue to live and answer its name as the centre of excellence,” Kamba said.

 

SABACO Ramadan Lecture: Embrace Peaceful Coexistence Unity, Love, Progress - Sheikh Habeebbulah Al-Ilory Advises

...As Obasa, Ogundimu, Egunjobi, JS Babatunde, Amb. Tunde Alao, Traditional Rulers, Clerics Commend Hon. Adejare

AgegePulse Magazine

The 15th Annual SABACO Ramadan lecture/prayer organised by Hon. Babatunde Amzat Adejare, the Lagos State Commissioner for WaterFronts and Infrastructure was like a lesser Hajj when top dignitaries thronged  the Blue Roof Hall in Orile Agege LCDA to keep their souls closer to their creator in this holy month of Ramadan.

Speaking, Mudeer Ul- Markaz, Sheihk Habeebulah Adam Al-Ilory urged Muslims and Christians in the area to be their brothers keepers, adding that the only ways to achieve success,  progression and live quality life is to love one another and make rooms for peaceful coexistence in a religious and ethnical settings.

Lagos Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa commended Hon. Babatunde Adejare for organising such an annual lecture to purify souls during the month of ramadan, he also thanked the leaders of APC and the Isamic Clerics for attending the event.

Obasa urged Muslims and the general public to tolerate one another, and live together in peace and harmorny, adding that Agege would continue to enjoy developmental projects and sustainble  programs that would better the lives of Agege people.

In separate messages, the Executive Chairmen of Agege and Orile Agege, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, Hon. JS Babatunde, Amb. Tunde Alao, Traditional Rulers, Clerics, others hailed Hon. Babatunde Amzat Adejare for the successful hosting of the Ramadan lecture.

Highlight of the event was the donation of about 10 pieces of generating sets to various mosques in Agege by Hon. Adejare.

Igbeyin Adun Central Mosque, Ashiri Abo Mosque, Ogba Tyre Mosque, Magbon Mosque, Nurul Ul- Udah, Tabon Tabon Central Mosque, Ile AnuOluwa kinsu, Olomowewe Central Mosque were amongst the beneficiary mosques.

The Annual lecture was gracefully attended by Rt. Hon. Speaker, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa,  Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu, Alhaji Owolabi Dada, Chief Safari Adaranijo, Hon. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, Hon. J.S. Babatunde, Otunba Richard Osungboye, Hon. Gbenga Abiola, Hon. James Agboola, Hon. Kola Anigbajumo and Honourable Councilors and supervisory Councilors from Agege Local Govt and Orile-Agege LCDA respectively, APC stakeholders, executives, loyal members and the general public.

Others include Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu ably represented, Olu of Agege, HRM Oba Kamila Isiba ably represented by Olorogun of Agege Kingdom, Sheikh Habeebullahi Adam Al-Ilory,  Chief Imam of Agege, Ogba Central Mosque and Orile-Agege,  other prominent Islamic Scholars, the traditional council of Orile-Agege led by the Alaige of Orile Agege. HRM, Oba Ambaliu Agbedeyi amongst others.

Our achievements would have been impossible without Civil Servants – Ambode

…Swears-in new five new Perm Secs

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday commended the State Public Service for contributing immensely to the achievements recorded by his administration in the last two and a half years in office, saying the feats would have been impossible without the support of civil servants.

Speaking at the State Executive Chambers in Alausa, Ikeja while swearing-in five newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, Governor Ambode said since assumption of office on May 29, 2015, efforts have been made to fulfill the promises made to Lagosians, and that it was indeed gratifying that civil servants in the State not only keyed into his vision of a vibrant Lagos but have also been working hard and committed to making the plan a reality.

“In the last two and a half years, our administration has worked relentlessly to fulfill our promises to Lagosians. Our modest achievements in these past months would not have been possible without the support of the public service, most especially our Permanent Secretaries who have not only keyed into our vision of a vibrant Lagos but have also ensured that it becomes a reality through commitment and hard work,” Governor Ambode said.

He said aside the fact that Permanent Secretaries have been working hard to ensure the progress of the State, other officers from directors down the ladder of the civil service have equally been performing creditably well, adding that he was indeed appreciative of their dedication to duty, commitment and service to the State.

The new Permanent Secretaries, who have since been assigned portfolios, are Mrs. Ibirogba Clara Omotilewa (Office of Establishment and Training); Mr. Ogunnubi Timothy Olukayode (Ministry of Science and Technology); Dr. (Mrs.) Are Suwebat Iyabo (Primary Healthcare Board); Dr. Salaam Taiwo Olufemi (Ministry of Transportation); and Mrs. Awobamise Kofoworola Omotayo (Ministry of Information and Strategy).
While congratulating the appointees, Governor Ambode said their elevation was not just about filling the vacancies created by those who have retired, but a way of rewarding hard work and diligence, as well as a reaffirmation that any member of any discipline could rise to the peak in the civil service.

He said according to available facts, the new Permanent Secretaries as directors, demonstrated loyalty and commitment through active involvement in the implementation of some of the policies of the present administration, just as he expressed optimism that their appointment would be a source of encouragement to all officers who are diligent in the discharge of their duties as civil servants.

Besides, Governor Ambode charged the new appointees to contribute their quota to the development of the State and add value to governance.
“To the new appointees, it is my belief that you will continue to contribute your quota to the development of the State. This is no time to relent on your hard work but rather a time for you to come up with new ideas and innovation that will add value to our State in the way and manner government policies are implemented for the greater benefit and service of our people.

“I charge all of you to rededicate yourselves to the tenets of the public service reforms we have embarked on and prove to the rest of the service your justification for the new elevation,” the Governor said.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Ibirogba thanked Governor Ambode for the opportunity given to them to serve the State, assuring that they would hit the ground running to uphold the vision and mission statements of their respective MDAs and also ensure that result-oriented policies are delivered.

NIGERIA A NATION WITH PLENTY OF HOPE

AgegePulse

Nigeria marked its 57th independence anniversary recently. A casual glance at  the nation’s 57 years journey shows both betrayal of expectations of greatness and the irony of the nation. Despite the abundance of human and material resources, Nigeria remains an undeveloped country with clearly more than half of its population living below poverty line. It is also plagued by myriads of problems which continue to undermine its potentials.

Against this background, this essay examines the major problems embattling the nation at 57 whilst proffering lasting and workable solutions to those problems. This paper posits that the problems of the nation are multifaceted and any solution must be holistic and durable for it to yield maximum benefit. It is argued that hopes of development and greatness are not lost provided the nation steers its ship back on the right track. Highlight below is the problems and solution to move the country forward to a greater level.

PROBLEMS
High Chief  Owolabi Salis said, ‘it is only the full understanding of the root causes of the problem we face today as a nation that will afford us the chances of discerning what solutions are possible, which can work and which cannot’. The problems besetting Nigeria today are many but the most critical ones are highlighted below.

The basic problem crippling the progress of the nation is failure of leadership (Achebe: 1984) Related to this is the problem of bad followership. Another core problem facing the nation is insecurity – insecurity of lives and property. Disunity also hinders Nigeria’s progress. There is also no doubt whatsoever that corruption is a major impediment to the nation’s success.

Other problems include poverty, unemployment, criminality, ethnic distrust, politicised judiciary, electoral fraud, religious tension, lack of basic amenities of life, epileptic power supply, poor infrastructure, pathetic education system, political crisis, commercialisation of public or government office, resource allocation, failed institutions (political, educational, economic etc), environmental degradation, spread of drastic disease, chronic frustration of citizens, collapse of national ideals and social values, a culture of impunity, widespread celebration of mediocrity, indiscipline and irresponsibility.

SOLUTIONS
The first solution is social transformation and value reorientation. We must work towards establishing a society where people are judged not by their family background, ethnic or religious affiliation, but by merit and character and a society where people imbibe ideals of fairness, justice and honesty.

Secondly, we must ensure enthronement of Good leadership. According to High Chief Barrister Owolabi Salis “There is urgent need for a new generation of leaders that would clear the cobwebs of decadence and political scavengers. This new generation of leaders must take our dear country to its manifest destiny”.

Also, government must ensure provision of basic amenities of life such as food, clothing, water, road, power, education and employment. It must also ensure improvement in the standard of living.
Other recommendations include an independent and honest press, independent judiciary, strict enforcement of laws, accountability in public office, and policies implementation. Finally, we must uproot the tree of disunity and sow the seeds of unity.

CONCLUSION
At 57th Nigeria is far from its destiny. There is an overwhelming disparity between expectation and reality. Rectifying the anomalies is a joint task incumbent on all stakeholders not just the government. Therefore, all hands must be on deck!

Long life the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

High Chief Barrister Owolabi Salis Fakunmoju