COULD THERE TRULY BE A STRAIN IN TINUBU AND AMBODE'S RELATIONSHIP?

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode 

Re-election time is fast drawing near and all those eligible are doing all that's possible to make sure their i's are dotted and t's crossed. Even those just seeking to come in for the first time are waiting also, ready to pounce. One of those also majorly interested in a deserved 2nd term is the very hardworking Governor of the state of excellence-Lagos, in the person of his excellency Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

That his excellency has done a fine job, some even consider it a most excellent of jobs, in fact a yore man's job in the last 3 years and is still going on so strong is evident for all to see. The people of Epe alone left to them would want the Governor to remain the Executive Governor of Lagos for life, if it were possible, this is so because of the excellent touch that the action man has given to his 'adopted' homestead.

Epe, is not the only place that has felt the magnanimity of the workaholic action Governor who is seemingly bent on turning Lagos into a near Eldorado and who is also somewhat in a hurry to do what some have considered the magic. His fine touch dots everywhere and commendably too at that. From the more urban areas to the inner more rural parts, that most had neglected before when they were in power. Roads repairs in torrents, great infrastructures being built across the state, extraordinary investment in security, in fact no state in the whole federation has spent what AMBODE'S administration has spent in terms of security, in fact many states combined, haven't spent the kind of colossal amount Ambode has spent to improve the security of lives and properties in Lagos.

All the above and more are not the only areas that Lagos has seen improvements, one other major area is the stratospheric improvement in IGR, imagine that what Lagos has raked in is what many states combined would bring in in many years. Being an award winning accountant/auditor/money engineer par excellence, one who has risen from the lowest cadre of administration at the Local government level to be the Governor, the man has really done confirmably well and there are still great things to launch, to declare open before the end of this action packed first term running into a 3nd term of its permitted. Some have even suggested that, apart from the Jakande's administration that was the standard by which most administrations is judged, followed by that of the Tinubu's administration that supposedly came up with the current blueprint that successive administrations are now following, even to the BRF administration which many thought was already the height of it, that the AMBODE'S administration is probably running to become the greatest till date, that is if he can continue like this and even do a 2nd term with the same heart, purposefulness and untiring and unwaving swagger that he has used during this first term.

What is obvious about the administration of Governor Ambode and his style is that, he must have really studied the state very well over the years, believing that one day he would become the state chief executive and had therefore planned ahead for that eventuality and had developed a fail proof blueprint which he hoped to use if he ever came to power, which he is now executing gallantly. So if in his first term he has done so much and there's still so much to be done, it is believed that a 2nd term would allow him to consolidate and even do far more.

But that 2nd term which should normally be a given, considering his resume and what he had already done (achieved) and his future plans, might be on a shaky ground already!!!! What????? Shaky what??? There is the claim that there might be some subtle differences/disagreements with his godfather, the Governor emeritus of the state of aquatic excellence, in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TINUBU! How can that be? The godfather is supposed to be happy to high heavens that his political son is shutting down impressively all naysayers that had thought he shouldn't have been the preferred one! This normally should be the happiest moment of a father well pleased in a son who is surpassing all the dreams had about him! But alas, there is said to be some estrangement ongoing, that is also very well hidden only known to some or very few.

More after the break.

AMBODE OPENS JOHNSON, JAKANDE, TINUBU PARK IN ALAUSA

Gov Ambode, his deputy & dignitaries 

Cutting the tape to declare the park officially opened. 

Aerial view of the park

…Says Former Govs, True Legends Of Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday officially unveiled an ultra modern recreational park in Alausa, Ikeja, in honour of three former Governors of the State, Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson Rtd, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at a ceremony to unveil the park known as Johnson, Jakande, Tinubu Park (JJT Park) and located in front of the State House of Assembly and a few metres away from Lagos House, said it was part of efforts by his administration to immortalise heroes who worked hard for the emergence of Lagos as not only the Centre of Excellence, but also one of the most prominent City States in Africa.

He said the three former Governors were outstanding in their contributions to the development of the State and wrote their names in the sands of time, especially during their time in office.

Governor Ambode said: “One of the hallmarks of any progressive society is to always recognise and reward the efforts of heroes who contribute to the growth of that society. In the case of Lagos State, we have so many heroes who toiled and laid a solid foundation for the Lagos we enjoy today.

“Today, we are here to celebrate and honour three past governors of our dear state who were outstanding in their contributions to the development of Lagos Sate. These eminent Lagosians are some of the very few brave men that stood to be counted on the side of justice and even by their performances while in office have written their name in gold for future generations.”

“The roles played by Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson Rtd., the First Governor and Military Administrator of the State; Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the First Civilian Governor of Lagos State; and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor and Architect of modern Lagos; can never be forgotten. They are the true legends of our State, and architects of the Lagos we are proud of today.”

More after the break.

20 YEARS AFTER, FG COMPLETES HANDING OVER OF PRESIDENTIAL LODGE, MARINA TO LASG

…We'll Transform Edifice To National Monument, Says Ambode
...Thanks Buhari, Osinbajo, Fashola, Others.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Minister for Power, Works & Housing, BRF

1. The Federal Government on Tuesday completed the final handing over of the Presidential Lodge, Marina to the Lagos State Government about twenty years after the journey to actualize it commenced.

Speaking at the brief but impressive handing over ceremony, held at the Conference Room of Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing in Abuja, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said the development was a testament of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to bring positive change to Lagos.

Governor Ambode particularly commended the President, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola and staff of the Ministry; Permanent Secretary in the Office of Chief of Staff to the President, and other stakeholders who worked to ensure the final transfer of the asset to Lagos.

The Governor said: "We are strongly delighted to be here on this historic day; on a day that actually finalises the intention of Mr President to bring positive change to Lagos.

"We want to sincerely appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari who has graciously approved that the Presidential Lodge be released to Lagos State and for the use of Lagos State which, just has said by the Minister, we have been trying to get for the last twenty years.

"We are pleased that on a day like this, it is my predecessor and present Minister of Works who is now doing the final handing over of which he had also been part of that process to get this asset back to Lagos but in God's own doing, the Minister is in the position today to do the final documentation and we are very grateful for that."

While alluding to the fact that the development was a sign of greater collaboration between Federal Government and Lagos State, Governor Ambode expressed optimism that it would be the beginning of process to get such assets back to the State Government.

Besides, the Governor said his administration would put the edifice to good use and transform it into a national monument to boost tourism and grow the economy of Lagos and Nigeria.

"This is a sign of greater things and greater collaboration between the Federal Government and Lagos State. We believe strongly that this singular gesture is part of what will improve the economy of Lagos because our intention is to turn that particular asset into a national monument where we can christen it a National Heritage Centre for Leadership and we will use it also as a tourist centre to bring Nigerians and foreigners to come to Nigeria and as well use that as a means of improving on the economy of Lagos State and Nigeria.

"On a final note, I want to show my sincere appreciation to the Minister and hope that this particular event will bring more good stories as we continue to see how much we can strive to get some of these assets back to Lagos State," Governor Ambode said.

Earlier, Fashola congratulated Governor Ambode and the people of Lagos State for the N1.04trillion budget estimate presented to the State House of Assembly on Monday by the Governor, and expressed hope that it would improve quality service delivery to the people of the State.

He said the signing of the document which formally vest ownership of the Presidential Lodge, Marina in the State Government was in fulfillment of the promise made by President Buhari, saying it was gratifying that the long journey spanning about two decades had finally come to an end.

He said: "This is a long journey that has come to an end; a journey that has taken almost two decades when the Lagos State Government asked that the property be vested in Lagos but for reasons that remained difficult to understand it did not happen but the President of change who is a promise keeper has made it happen."

Aside Governor Ambode, other Lagos State officials at the ceremony included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde and Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr Adebowale Akinsanya.

GOVERNOR AKINWUNMI AMBODE BRINGS GOVERNANCE CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE. NEED YOUR ROAD REPAIRED ASAP WHAT'S APP 07088881841

Maybe in a way to say that the people are the Government themselves and that the responsibilities of leaders are to those they govern. In a bid make the people responsible for certain developments in their own areas and also as a way to show how responsive Government also can be, the hardworking executive Governor of the state of aquatic excellence, that is Lagos State in the person of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has asked that residence themselves should be the "eye of government" firstly now though in terms of road repairs.

We all know that Government cannot see it all by themself, so we must help to direct their gaze appropriately.

If your area of domicile needs urgent attention, intervention and repairs in terms of roads, what you just need do is to take the pictures of such roads, caption such pictures and send to "LAGOS STATE PUBLIC WORKS CORPORATION on What's App- 07088881841". No calls just what's app only!

To avoid the terrible traffic on Ikorodu road going to Surulere sometime last week caused by the trailers packed on one side of the road stretching from Fadeyi to wherever, we had to take Ilupeju through Association Avenue to burst out along Agege Motor Road towards Vono bus stop going through Olorunsogo towards Mushin to Awolowo Market (Oja Awolowo) to Idi Oro so as to bust out towards Empire. The pictures above shows what we experienced, especially as it had rained on the day. Imagine that this is a major road and route! 

SO WHAT'S THE TRUTH ABOUT THAT MULTI-MILLION NAIRA LEKKI-AJAH EXPRESSWAY?

When this road was finished a few years ago everyone at that time hailed it as one of the major achievements of the then Government of Lagos. It was one road that connected millions to a major part of Lagos where everyone was packing to and saw as a new settlement, so with the finish many on that axis breathe out a major sigh of relief.

The traffic situation towards that end used to be horrendous to say the least. It still is sometimes on that same road now though.

Imagine a stretch that must have cost several millions, running into hundreds of millions at that and still counting! That road was supposed to be an example of Government commitment and responsibility to her people.

Fast forward now to a couple of years after, same road that should be an engineering marvel and that others should point at to say what an intervention from a responsible Government is fast deteriorating! With patches already showing terrible signs, pot holes here and there! If these rains continues on for a bit more, it would have become loads more terrible already.

So we have thought to ask questions, salient questions at that. Were we hoodwinked? Was the road cosmetic in the first place? Was a shoddy job done in the first instance? Who is or what is responsible for the deterioration? Who is to blame? What should be done?

More after the break.