Ovation magazine issue 174 by t2eOvation

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SINCE 1996

AMAZING PICTURES , PROJECTS AND INTERVIEWS INSIDE

L AGOS STATE CELEBRATING

50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Â© OVATION 2017

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Â© Dayo Adedayo

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Â© Dayo Adedayo

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Â© Dayo Adedayo

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For efficient collection and disposal operations, the State Government has also concessioned three Transfer Loading Stations/Material Recovery Facilities at Agege, Oshodi and Simpson and three Waste Depots at Mushin, Ogudu and Simpson with the aim of rehabilitating and retrofitting the facilities to world class standard, while Engineered Sanitary and Engineered Hazardous Landfills were being constructed in different locations across the State under Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (BFOT) model. The CLI aims to revitalize the entire solid waste management sector to have far-reaching benefits and multiplier effects for the State in particular, and the country at large. The new initiative will usher in new financially-viable and technologically driven sub-sector to the Lagos economy, creating new business and job opportunities, including over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs with high poverty alleviation emphasis to serve as a model for the entire country. It is pertinent that the State must strive to be cleaner and safer not just for residents alone, but also for visitors and investors willing to do business in the State. Lagos must get cleaner, safer and the way people commute from one place to another and one thing with Lagos, the more success you record, the more people want to come into the city,”

enabling environment for businesses to thrive.Having accepted that, we have to look for the solution and that is why we want to banish yellow buses this year. We must address the issue of connectivity that makes people to move around with ease and that is where we are going. For instance, people going from Ikorodu to CMS have started leaving their cars at home because the buses are very convenient and so why can’t we do that for other places? Yes, we don’t have the money to do that but we can go to the capital market and then improve on the technology of collection of fares and that will encourage investors and then the city will change. Plans are afoot to remove yellow buses popularly known as Danfo from Lagos roads for a more efficient, well-structured and world class mass transportation system that would facilitate ease of movement within the city. A direct consequence of this project will be less productive man hours wasted on the roads as a result of traffic gridlock and bad roads caused by these heavy duty vehicles. In addition, we expect government to expend less resources on road repairs and maintenance once the rail line takes off and eases the pressure of articulated vehicles on our roads.

ON BANISHING YELLOW BUSES

ON EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT GENERATION

As a government, we are relentless in our commitment to providing a conducive, safe and secure

Education is high on the priority list of this administration, and a significant portion of the State

budget every year is allocated to education. We recognise the fact that a citadel of learning is as good as the quality of its learning environment in terms of infrastructure, academic and administrative faculties. Our government has invested massively in upgrading the infrastructure and other learning tools in all our tertiary institutions. You will recall that at the 20th Convocation of the Lagos State University last year, I made a commitment that our Government will invest massively here and upgrade its status to that obtainable anywhere around the world provided all stakeholders can ensure that peace reigns on Campus. “One of the results of that is the accreditation of this institution’s School of Dentistry; the only State University to have an accredited School of Dentistry. “We will continue to invest in physical and social infrastructure in this University. We have many projects nearing completion and these legacy projects when completed will no doubt change the entire overview of the landscape of the university. One of these projects is a PPP arrangement to deliver a 6,000-bed hostel for LASU.” The ultimate goal of this investment in tertiary institutions in Lagos State is beyond meeting the requirement for the accreditation of courses; it is to ensure that tertiary education in Lagos State becomes a bench mark in Nigeria, ranking comparatively with global institutions and producing the leaders of tomorrow.

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As we turn 50, while still forging ahead as a leading entity in Africa, it’s time to shift gears. In the emerging knowledge era, Information and communication Technology has taken centre stage; and as a city of the future, Lagos must take advantage and indeed leverage on the tools of ICT in moving towards a Smart City.

”

At the Lagos State Polytechnic, we have just completed the construction of Block “A” in the School of Technology. Approval is being given for the equipping and furnishing of the building immediately. I have also granted approval for the recruitment of additional 89 academic staff as recommended by the Governing Board to take up appointments in the various Departments of the Polytechnic. The Light Up Lagos project has also been extended to the Lagos Polytechnic to ensure the safety and security to lives and properties within the campus environment. A major facelift has been approved for the upliftment of the academic environment. This must be completed this year. As another demonstration of our commitment to education, we have increased the subvention of tertiary institutions this year and supported strategic initiatives to increase the financial viability of the institution. These activities have, in turn, enabled institutions to gain necessary accreditations and improve academic standards. Beyond academics, we are determined to promote education as a development tool to boost employability of our students and improve the livelihood of Lagosians. In 2016, the Ready, Set, Work program was conceived as a capacity building initiative, targeted at final year students in Lagos State tertiary institutions with a vision to ensure our graduates emerge as ready candidates for the increasingly competitive labour market, and more importantly, as job creators. Two hundred (200) students from Lagos State Polytechnic participated in the

program and 86 of them gained internship or apprenticeship placements in companies across the State. We are building on the success of 2016 by expanding the programme from 500 final year students to 2000 students, and LASPOTECH has been approved as a second Centre for the programme. In addition, ten thousand (10,000) students in their penultimate year will have the opportunity to participate in Ready.Set.Work Academy online. On a more comprehensive scale, Lagos State is changing the approach to vocational training to make it a more integral part of the education system. As an institution positioned to develop a pool of highly skilled and technically competent candidates for the workforce, Lagos State Polytechnic will be on the frontlines in driving forward this initiative. Lagos State Polytechnic must rise to the challenge of meeting the technical manpower requirement of both the public and private sectors in not just Lagos State but in the whole nation. We must rise above just providing education for the sake of acquiring a certificate to providing knowledge which will empower our youth to become champions of their generation, to chart their own course and establish enterprises that will create jobs and generate wealth for all.

PLANS FOR EPE. It gladdens my heart to see that two years into the tenure of this administration, the dream of transforming Epe and its environs into a modern city is becoming a

reality. The narrow roads are being redefined to give Epe a face lift. The network of roads have been complimented with street lights to provide illumination, improve security and enhance socio-economic activities. The plan of this administration is to open Epe town to local and international investors who would be keen to take advantage of the ongoing transformation of Ibeju-Lekki axis which is currently being turned into an industrial hub. This is consistent with our pledge to ensure inclusive growth, where no part of the State will be left behind or neglected. The ongoing infrastructural development in Epe is a foundation for economic progress and development,” This administration plans to construct a standard eight-lane road from Ikorodu to Epe via Agbowa, Itoikin and Ijebu-Ode. This road project would be delivered through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. In a bid to scale up the socio-economic integration of the South West region, the State Government in partnership with Ogun State, would construct a top-class road from Mojoda to Ijebu-Ode junction. The roads reconstructed and upgraded under the Epe Phase 1 Project included Lagos Road (Oke Osho/T. Junction/Aiyetoro Roundabout), Professor Agbalajobi (Aiyetoro Garage/Ita Marun-Ottin) and Oloja Estate (Bature/Otunba Adeniyi/Omotayo/Uthman Mustapha/Adekunle Rahman) roads . The completion of the project was in line with our promise during electioneering to address the challenges of gross infrastructural deficit, flooding and erosion that the people of Epe had lived with for decades. Aside the roads, the ongoing Epe Marina project, when completed, would turn Epe into a world class destination for tourists and adventure seekers

ON ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT The commitment of our administration to harness the huge creative talents that abound in the state in the fields of Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Sports has never been in doubt. The ultimate goal is to use all of these to drive tourism, create employment and increase the contribution of the non-oil sector to the state’s gross domestic product. The Council for Arts and Culture which we have just inaugurated has a huge responsibility to translate our vision in this regard to reality. A lot of ground has already been covered in this area in terms of design and structure but at the same time, so much still needs to be done to realise our desire of making our State a global hub for music, theatre and film. We are currently leading the initiatives to transform the National Museum and the iconic National Arts Theatre into world class centres of history, tourism arts and entertainment. In the same vein, construction work has started on the six arts theatres across the state. 25

Â© Dayo Adedayo

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ISSN-1362-7309 Issue 174 CREW PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dele Momodu momodudele@yahoo.co.uk

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Mobolaji Momodu EDITOR Michael Effiong mikeffiong2009@yahoo.com mikeffiong@ovationinternational.com

PHOTO EDITOR Adekoya Adegbite PRODUCTION MANAGER/ART DIRECTOR Isaac Edoh-Philip DESIGNER Kwaku Yeboah Darteh ASSISTANT DESIGNER Adekoya Abiodun Afeez CORRESPONDENT Eric Elezuo…Babatunde Martins PHOTO JOURNALISTS Colin Ramsay… Ade James (USA)… Dayo Adedayo Isaac Adegbite… Dragan Mikki… Bodise Wilson Soji Adekunle… Vera Odjugo… Tope Brown Funmi Adeyemi… Abraham Falodun Segun Lawal… Ken Ehimen...Sunmisola Olorunnisola Guy L’ Avenir (Benin Republic) Ben Dzakah (Ghana) MARKETING/ADVERTS Zed Dominic Okolue (Benin Republic) US CORRESPONDENTS Samantha Ofole Prince… Shola Orolugbagbe CONTRIBUTORS Jimi Akinniyi… Sanya Ojikutu… Isatou N’jie Dayo Olomu… Makeba Boateng LAGOS OFFICE Aderemi Abiola-Admin. Officer UK OPERATIONS 7 Du Maurier House, Lawn Road, London NW3 2XE Tel: +447951026178, +447956967160 UK DISTRIBUTION/WORLDWIDE SUBSCRIPTION Jay Magazine & Newspaper Distribution, UK +44(20) 76358888, +447976628251 UK AND EUROPE DISTRIBUTION Quality Magazine Distribution Global Distribution MANAGING EDITOR BENIN REPUBLIC BUREAU Jeanne-Frances Maduakor Centre Commercial Xanadu-Ancien Pont, Wlacodji Contonou Tel: +229 97221918, +229 98155422 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo… Ike Okonta… Sunmi Smart-Cole Okagbue Aduba… Osasu Obayiuwana… Dupe Ashama Isha Tejan-Cole (West Africa) ...Richie Dayo Johnson LAGOS 2, Gabriel Akinmade Taylor Estate Opebi-Allen Roundabout, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria Tel: +234-0-8088811111, +234-0-8023002090, +234-0-8055069220 TOGO BUREAU King Nee +2289160855 PRINTED BY The Magazine Printing Company Ltd., Enfield, England. DIRECTORS Segun Fatoye, Mobolaji Momodu, Damola Aderemi, Dele Momodu (CEO) OVATION Magazine is published as a periodical by OVATION Comm. Ltd. ©OVATION International Reproduction in full or part of any contents of OVATION magazine (without prior written consent from the publisher) is strictly prohibited.

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LAGOS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

AMBODE THE MAN WHO RUNS LAGOS

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Story: Michael Effiong Photo: Dayo Adedayo, Adekoya Adegbite, Ken Ehimen, Segun Lawal, Abraham Falodun, Funmi Adeyemi & Lagos State Photo Library

are determined and committed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wefully explore all the possibilities

presented by this Lagos@50 moment to lay a solid foundation to another glorious and prosperous 50 years. This golden jubilee therefore presents a unique opportunity for us not only to celebrate our achievements, but also showcase to the entire world the immense potentials waiting to be tapped in our dear state.

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ome say it is the land of opportunities; others say it is the land of possibilities, yet others describe it as a haven of prosperity, considering that 90 per cent of Forbes-listed Nigerian Billionaires work, live and play in Lagos, it cannot be anything but a Centre of Excellence. One thing certain is that Lagos, Nigeria’s Commercial Capital and the nation’s most populous city has its own verve, its own colour, its own uniqueness and its own style. Little wonder that you just cannot but Love Lagos, the state of aquatic splendour. This year, Lagos State is celebrating its landmark birthday. Yes! Lagos is 50-and this golden moment is being celebrated in

The vision of Excellence “ given birth to then has remained the same and continued to be the guiding light for generations. This shared vision, which is articulated in well thought-out policies and implemented with passion, patriotic zeal and sense of commitment is the Lagos we are celebrating today.

”

grandeur, after all, it is not for nothing that they say Lagos never sleeps, and the fun never stops. The famous Eko For Show was in full flow as the city celebrated this important occasion. Providence must have known that at this remarkable period of its existence, Lagos desired a visionary leader, an ideas man and a workaholic par excellence. That man is Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. When His Royal Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in his book, My Vision: Challenges in the Race for Excellence wrote thus “ The most gifted leader is one who does not shape only the present, but a good part of the future. An even rarer type of leader is one who 9

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;

When you (Ambode) took over, I was wondering how you will reengineer and face the challenges to make progress. Today, I can see your report card, you have scored well, and you have shown prudency especially in the judicious use of resources of the State. You didn't disappoint us. All over Lagos, we are seeing the results. Ambode is very quiet, very peaceful, not a noise maker, but he is delivering on the job. -Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

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I want our younger ones and children to draw some lessons from my story. Anyone of you can rise up to be the best you want to be. 11

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As we collectively â&#x20AC;&#x153;face the challenge to make Lagos a better place to live in, we must recognize our strength in diversity. A common national identity where everybody counts. I shall run an open government of inclusion that will not leave anyone behind. No matter your age, sex, tribe or any other Status, as long as you reside in Lagos, we will make Lagos work for you.

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Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in warm handshake with German President, Joachim Gauck

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I have already seen so much attention being paid to security. I must also say that I am impressed with the fact that the whole effort is an integrated one. I want to say that the Governor of this State deserves our commendation and all of the praise and support that he is getting. -President Muhammadu Buhari

”

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode & President Muhammadu Buhari uses his astuteness, intelligence and leadership skills to produce events that shape life and consequently, history. He, in fact, must have been referring to Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Golden Governor of Lagos State. The man who runs Lagos today, the God-appointed Chief Executive of the state at this momentous moment, who now has the tough task of laying the solid foundation for the next half a century. As an insider, a dedicated Public Servant, who rose to the enviable position of the Accountant-General of the state, Ambode knew full well that his dream of turning Lagos to a smart mega city will take a lot of work. From the outset, he said it will be business unusual and that it was time for more work, less talk. His plans were clear from his inaugural address on May 29, 2015. According to him “As we collectively face the challenge to make Lagos a better place to live in, we must recognize our strength in diversity. A common national identity where everybody counts. I shall run an open government of inclusion that will not leave anyone behind. No matter your age, sex, tribe or any other Status, as long as you reside in Lagos, we will make Lagos work for you. “Lagosians are hardworking people. Lagos is striving because of its undying entrepreneurial spirit. However we must realise that there are no short-cuts to success. To our youths, we must nurture good family values to succeed in any endeavour. “I want our younger ones and children to draw some lessons from my story. Anyone of you can rise up to be the best you want to be. Your background and circumstances cannot be an obstacle to your dreams. In our country, particularly in Lagos, you can always succeed. This is the Nigerian dream where hard-work, courage, perseverance, persistence, merit and rewards pay. “We must therefore embrace new thinking and be determined to succeed at all times. I am ready to encourage and nurture that dream in our children, 14

youths and every hard-working Lagosian. We would reward merit, hard-work and loyalty to the State. The future is for those who dare to dream and find courage to pursue their dreams. “We are all witnesses to the economic downturn and dwindling revenues at the national and state levels. The present economic situation has affected the financial profile of most states in the country. “The state is blessed that the foundation of its financial autonomy was designed and implemented by that visioner and our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Thus, the state has been partially shielded from the negative trend flowing from the federal level. “For us to sustain the progressive and radical transformation on-going in the state, we have to redouble our efforts on all fronts for our commitment to excellence. While we must be creative and innovative; we are not citizens until we become responsible tax payers. I want to assure all of us that I will make your taxes work for you. You will surely get a transparent and incorruptible government that will give you good value for your taxes paid. “Creativity is the most valuable asset in any public institution. Progressive governments must reward contributors of good ideas. Therefore, wherever practicable, we shall practise government by incentives and not government by enforcement. We shall implement creative ideas and concepts that reduce the cost of running government; ideas that make life simpler and happier for our people. “I, therefore, invite you all, to join hands with me, to offer new ideas that will pull more resources to cater for the poor and needy amongst us. This will be a compassionate government.” That maiden speech was a testament to the fact that he knew where Lagos was and had a clear vision of the direction he was taking the state. In the last two plus years, infrastructural renewal and rural development has formed the core of his interventions. He has touched many aspect of people’s lives from education to transportation, security to

agriculture, Lagos has not been the same. Change has truly come! Ambode is silently achieving, meticulously planning, religiously executing and brilliantly giving results to Lagosians. Ambode shares Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s deep knowledge of history, his strategic vision, his appreciation of both the interest and values of Lagosians, his tough-mindedness about policies and the ability to be unfazed by challenges. It is this synergy of ideas that probably informed the open endorsement by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the way and manner Ambode has been running Lagos. According to the man fondly called Jagaban “Experience is a great teacher and I am experienced. I am on the spot and I have watched things in Lagos since my tenure ended. "I was worried hell when you (Ambode) took over, not about your credibility, character or capacity, but because however wise or smart a man is, if there is no resources to back the ideas, production would be zero, progress would be zero. "When you (Ambode) took over, I know you inherited a burden of debt. The debt profile of Lagos was high, I was wondering how you will reengineer and face the challenges to make progress. "Today, I can see your report card, you have scored well, and you have shown prudency especially in the judicious use of resources of the State. You didn't disappoint us. "All over Lagos, we are seeing the results. At Oshodi, on our way down here, you can see what is happening there, that place is a construction site. It used to be a den of robbers but what is going on there now is developmental activities for the benefit of the entire country. "Ambode is very quiet, very peaceful, not a noise maker, but he is delivering on the job. "Today, you (Ambode) have given me a good birthday present.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;

I can see the things you are doing here and there to make life worth living for the people of Lagos. Keep it up. -Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of Nigeria

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We must therefore â&#x20AC;&#x153;embrace new thinking and be determined to succeed at all times. I am ready to encourage and nurture that dream in our children, youths and every hard-working Lagosian. We would reward merit, hard-work and loyalty to the State. The future is for those who dare to dream and find courage to pursue their dreams.

â&#x20AC;?

GOVERNOR

AKINWUNMI 16

AMBODE

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This is a great opportunity for me to be very proud again. Therefore, if we can continue in this direction of infrastructural development in the manner Governor Ambode is moving, Lagos will soon match international states or country anywhere in the world". What an accolade! This praise from no less a person than the man fondly referred to as the Architect of Modern Lagos has not slowed down at all, he knows full well that the reward for success means more hard work. As if that was not enough, Nigeria’s number 1 citizen, President Muhammadu Buhari also spoke glowingly of this latest Action Governor “I have already seen so much attention being paid to security and just earlier on we were at the LASEMA rescue operation unit which we just commissioned. Also here, we are about to commission several security equipment donated to the police and security agencies. In fact virtually all the security agencies including immigrations and Customs including NDLEA are to benefit from this latest gift of the Lagos State Government. “I must also say that I am impressed with the fact that the whole effort at security is an integrated one and so we have the Light Up Lagos being an important component of that whole effort. I want to say that the Governor of this State deserves our commendation and all of the praise and support that he is getting” He assured that the Federal Government would continue to support the State Government to actualise several of its projects. In addition, Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, also showered encomium on the Governor of Lagos State for his administration’s programmes and policies at improving the lives of the people of the State. According to the man fondly called OBJ “I can see the things you are doing here and there to

make life worth living for the people of Lagos. Keep it up.” Nothing more to add, the elders haven spoken! Yes, the task has been challenging, but with the deep theoretical grounding obtained as a dye-in-the wool Accountant, he has brought his expertise to bare in using the scarce resources of the state judiciously despite the recession. If there is one thing Ambode has in abundance it is the will to innovate, to do things differently. He seems to have taken to heart the words of the late Businessman and Politician, Bashorun MKO who said at a speech delivered on August 21, 1989 in Detroit, USA at the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence that “What we need is a technological leapfrog as well as a leap in imagination”. A good example of his administration’s imaginative thinking is the creative restructuring and layby constructed at the Oworonsoki and Ketu ends of Third Mainland Bridge. Also worthy of note is the dismantling of roundabouts on the Lekki-Epe Expressway. These actions have drastically reduced rush-hour traffic in these areas. In fact one commentator described the feat as a brilliant and bold assault on the Almighty Lagos traffic. Self-effacing, polite and humble to a fault, a Governor who exudes charisma and determination, Ambode burns with the zest of youth, at 54, he does not show any signs of weariness in the discharge of his duties. After hectic engagements, some stretching till late into the night, stories abound that he is usually the first on his desk the very next morning. This was confirmed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna in a birthday tribute titled: Ambode: Celebrating The Product of “Coconut at 54“

“ Ambode moves about most nights to certain parts of Lagos and whatever black spot he discovers is addressed almost immediately. So once everybody knows that the Governor will personally monitor, they do their bits as diligently as practicable. All the projects he has executed so far are products of a well thought out idea though he invites others to make inputs. “ His day starts at as early as 6am when he usually wakes having stayed up working till about 3am and sometimes, he may have just returned from inspection of projects around the city. He usually flips through online editions of the newspapers and then the print editions, before setting out to act on matters concerning citizens of the state. “One day, the Commissioner for Information, Steve Ayorinde and I left the governor at around 1:00a.m. and we agreed to meet him by 9:30a.m. later same day so that he will go through his speech which was scheduled for state wide broadcast at 11:00a.m. To our surprise, the Governor was in the office as early as 6:30a.m. to prepare his speech himself; he only gave it to us to proof read when we got there at 9:30a.m.! Such is the nature of Governor Ambode who has an uncommon passion for the job” This is the evidence of a man who is disciplined and committed to the cause of taking Lagos to greater heights. Governor Ambode is the kind of person who strives to get things done, even when they seem impossible. Growing up in the middle-class neighbourhood of Ebute-Metta in Lagos Mainland has ingrained in him a never-say-die, Can-do spirit that propels him to seek for success. He is passionate, driven and certainly a model of the kind of leaders that Africa desires at this time if it truly wants to move from the nadir, to the zenith of development.

Governor “ Ambode is the kind of person who strives to get things done, even when they seem impossible. Growing up in the middleclass neighbourhood of Ebute-Metta in Lagos Mainland has ingrained in him a never-say-die, Cando spirit that propels him to seek for success.

”

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AMBODE IN HIS OWN WORDS Story: Eric Elezuo

Self-effacing, â&#x20AC;&#x153;polite and humble to a fault, a Governor who exudes charisma and determination, Ambode burns with the zest of youth, at 54, he does not show any signs of weariness in the discharge of his duties.

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overnor Akinwunmi Ambode has been busier than a typical bee since he took over the saddle, and he has been speaking on his ideas, ideals and vision for various sectors of the economy. Being a hands-on man who visits project sites personally, he uses these opportunities to also give an insight into the Policies and Programmes of his Administration. We present a kaleidoscope of his progrmmes and projects as well as present the Golden Governor in his own words!

ON SAFETY AND SECURITY

The task of ensuring the safety and security of lives and property is a collective responsibility.But we will continue to do our own part. My assessment of the security situation and consultation with stakeholders revealed a significant deficiency in the capacity of our security agencies in terms of modern crime fighting equipment. The current economic situation in the country notwithstanding, we resolved to refresh our security infrastructure in a manner that clearly demonstrates our commitment. This was expressed with the procurement and donation of security equipment and vehicles valued at N4.765 billion to the State Police Command and the Rapid Response Squad within the first few months of assuming office. The formal handing over was done on the 27th of November 2015, thus, we are serious about securing lives and properties in Lagos. Some of the item include: 1. 100 4-Door Salon Cars 2. 55 Ford Ranger Pick-Ups 3. 10 Toyota Land Cruiser Pick-Ups 4. 15 BMW Power Bikes/Cycles 5. 100 Power Bikes 6. Isuzu Trucks 7. 3 Helicopters 8. 2 Gun Boats 9. 15 Armoured Personnel Carriers 10. Revolving Lights, Siren and Public Address System 11. Vehicular Radio Communicators 12. Security Gadgets including Bullet Proof Vests, Helmets, Handcuffs, etc 13. Uniforms, Kits, etc; and 13.10 Patrol Vehicles and 15 Motorbikes to State Police Command Headquarters 14. Improved Insurance and Death Benefit Schemes Beyond the acquisition of security equipment and vehicles, on the 19th of September 2015, we also initiated the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) and enlisted over 400 market leaders popularly called Iya Olojas and Baba Olojas as ambassadors against domestic violence, in our quest to rid the state of all forms of gender based violence. While on the 5th of February 2016, at Ikeja High Court, the Lagos State Government inaugurated the Special Offences (Mobile) Courts to deal with the numerous incidents of traffic and environmental offenses and return civil conduct of residents in the state. These mobile courts are primarily designed to try cases involving traffic and environmental offenders and were manned by highly qualified magistrates of the State Judiciary.

ON COMMUNITY POLICING The fight against crime and all forms of criminality would be better enhanced if efforts are geared towards embracing community policing to complement the police and other law enforcement agencies. Community policing is needed to assist law enforcement agencies which are already over stretched judging by the enormous task of securing the country. That is reason for the establishment of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, which was an initiative aimed at safe guarding the communities through community policing. This is another testimony of the commitment of the State Government to the safety of lives and properties and a demonstration of a promise kept to all citizens. The creation of this Agency marks another step towards ensuring the protection of lives and properties at the grass root level. Corp members recruited by the Agency are meant to interact with the people at the communities. It is expected that with the visible

presence of the Corp members within a particular community, the likelihood of crime will be drastically reduced,” the Governor said. The new Agency which replaced the Neighbourhood Watch, has the responsibility of assisting the Police, and its mode of operation will essentially be in intelligence gathering, protection of lives and properties, maintaining law and Order amongst others. The Agency has been empowered pursuant to its enabling law, to recruit eligible persons as Corp members in all Local Government Areas of the State. The Agency is not meant to compete, but to complement the efforts of the Police Force. I need to also inform you that we have demonstrated serious commitment to the issue of safety and security of lives and property. Our effort in this area was recently acknowledged with the recognition of

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My assessment of the security situation and consultation with stakeholders revealed a significant deficiency in the capacity of our security agencies in terms of modern crime fighting equipment. The current economic situation in the country notwithstanding, we resolved to refresh our security infrastructure in a manner that clearly demonstrates our commitment. This was expressed with the procurement and donation of security equipment and vehicles valued at N4.765 billion to the State Police Command and the Rapid Response Squad

”

the security outfit (Rapid Response Squad) as the most effective and efficient in Africa. In recent times, kidnapping has become a major threat to the safety of citizens and therefore required decisive action by the government. Thus, we have signed the Anti-kidnapping Bill into law imposes a penalty of life imprisonment for kidnapping for ransom. The law stipulates that where a victim dies in the course of a kidnap, the suspect is liable on conviction to death. Security is of utmost importance to our administration and we are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of Lagos state. Our justice system will be required to execute this Law to the letter and make sure that any criminal caught faces the full wrath of the law. While we use this law to address the challenge of kidnapping and punish the criminals, we are also putting in place appropriate measures, particularly in our schools and other vulnerable targets, to prevent security breaches.

ON LIGHT UP LAGOS INITIATIVE In the course of the campaign, I had assured Lagosians that my administration would light up the State and create a 24-7 economy. On March 24th, this government commissioned the Rural Electrification project to connect 68 communities in the Ibeju Local Government and Lekki LCDA to the national electricity grid. On that day, I stated that our Light Up Lagos Project is built on a tripod consisting the Light Up Lagos Power Advisory Committee, Community Electrification and the Street Lighting Initiative. It is very important to note that the Light Up Lagos Project goes beyond lighting up roads. As a State, we have keyed into the CHANGE mantra of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government and have taken the project to Federal Roads. We have gotten the support of Federal Government agencies to take over federal roads, put new installations and retrofit existing installations that are not working. Federal Roads we have lit up include: • Maryland to Mile 12 and • Retrofitting of Third Mainland bridge. The Light Up Lagos initiative is an integral part of our administration’s programmes to put Lagos on the same pedestal and status as similar megalopolis in the world. This initiative is in line with our commitment to build a 24/7 economy that will create employment and wealth for our people. The Light Up Lagos project is also part of our security strategy to make our State competitive, safe and secure. Significant progress has been recorded since this initiative commenced on 9th December 2015. There has been an increase in commercial activity in the areas where we have installed street lights. Driving on major highways and streets in Ikeja, Alausa Central Business District, Third Mainland bridge, Iyana Oworo/Berger axis amongst others have become more pleasurable as a result of the improved illumination. The Gateway town of Seme in Badagry and other border towns are also beneficiaries. Let me use this opportunity to assure all Lagosians that no part of the State will be left untouched in this project. If we have not lit up your street, give us a little time, we will soon get to you. We shall also ensure that these street/public lights are properly maintained through a private sector partnership that will guarantee efficiency, sustenance of standards, cost effectiveness and job opportunities. I wish to also renew my call to communities, organizations and individuals to key into this initiative through the ‘Adopt A Street Light’ programme. We shall reciprocate with concessions in the payment of Land Use Charge as well as presentation of letters of commendation. Together, let us protect our facilities and work to light up Lagos.

ON CLEANER LAGOS INITIATIVE At last we launched the much-anticipated new environmental management policy encapsulated in the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), expressing optimism that the development would drive the State to the desired future of achieving clean, hygienic and floodfree environment. After signing the Environmental Management Protection Law on March 2017, deliberate reforms to revolutionize the solid waste management sector in line with international best practice have been put in place through the CLI. To roll back sanitation shortcomings and accelerate seamless cleaning of our environment, the Lagos megacity was in dire need of an enduring solution that would match the needed technology with the massive investment required for its attainment. “It is this void that the CLI has come to fill by creating an environment for the private sector to harness international best practice in the vital area of solid waste management and consequently free public funds for other beneficial uses. As a result, residential waste collection and processing which is concessioned to a reputable and competent multinational Waste Services Company is being given a new lease of life with 600 brand new compactors and 900,000 electronically-tracked bins, while wastes generated by the commercial sector would be handled by licensed waste management operators (PSP).” 19

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our intention is to put Lagos on the world map as one of the top 10 tourist destinations because we know that the hospitality and entertainment business is thriving and that is the reason we are investing heavily in this sectorâ&#x20AC;? 20

Â© Dayo Adedayo

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Â© Dayo Adedayo

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Â© Dayo Adedayo

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Â© Dayo Adedayo

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“

The hallmark of any good Government is to provide basic services to the communities at the grassroots. This is the only way the real dividends of good governance can spread downwards and touch the hearts and minds of its people…the State is growing so fast that the concept of a rural area will not be applicable to any part of Lagos very soon.

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ROADS PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST

ABULE-EGBA

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Ajah Bridge

Newly commissioned Ajah Fly Over

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Ojudu-Berger

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, addressing residents and stakeholders of Ojodu Berger during the commissioning of the newly built Pedestrian Bridge, Lay-Bys and Slip road at Ojodu Berger

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right); General Manager, CCECC. Engr. Guan Shauai (2nd right); member, House of Representatives, Ikeja Constituency, Hon. James Faleke (right); Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Adebowale Akinsanya (3rd left) & others

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Brown Road, Oshodi: During Construction

Brown Road, Oshodi: After Construction

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COMMISSIONING OF AJASA-COMMAND ROAD

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode(2nd left), Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Olamilekan Adeola Solomon; Commissioner for Youth & Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf & member, Lagos House of Assembly, representing Alimosho Costituency I, Hon. Bisi Yusuf during the unveiling of the plaque to commission the newly constructed and upgraded Ajasa-Command Road, Ipaja with street lights, drainage and walk-way in Alimosho Local Government, Lagos

Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode & Senator Solomon Adeola

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Ajasa-Command Road

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Lekki-Epe Express Way

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The newly built & commissioned Aboru-Abesan Link Bridge in Alimosho Local Government, Lagos

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Senator Olamilekan Adeola Solomon during the commissioning of the newly built Aboru-Abesan Link Bridge & adjourning roads in Church Street, Giwa Street, Victor Fagbemi Road, Ogunfayo Road, Ogundare Street, Salami Kazeem Street in Alimosho Local Government, Lagos

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“

In Nigeria, Lagos contributes 30% of the nation’s GDP and also the leading contributor to the non-oil sector GDP. It accounts for over 60% of the country’s industrial and commercial activities; over 70% of national maritime cargo freight; over 80% of international aviation traffic, and over 50% of Nigeria’s energy consumption.

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Unveiling of statue in honour of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu We will continue to provide a conducive environment for a private sector-led development as a strategy towards actualizing our vision. While we will intervene where and when necessary to support this development strategy, it will be the responsibility of this distinguished Council to seek and explore private sector support to nurture new talents and generate events for a sustainable development of the creative arts sector in the State. Our country is blessed with very rich culture and heritage. This is the foundation on which all our social institutions and interactions are built. Unfortunately, we have neglected our culture and traditions to our own detriment. Our youth today do not have a strong appreciation of our history and how we got to where we are. Every society must cherish its historical antecedents because they serve as source of inspiration for succeeding generations to discover, appreciate and take pride in their identity. It has become very imperative that we take a step back and revisit our history. It has become important that we renew efforts to preserve and protect our history and historical artefacts. As a government, we have decided to lead the process that will deliver a world class Museum that will showcase to the world the priceless treasures of Nigeria. This project will be funded by the Lagos State Government and other well-meaning donors, interested organisations and individuals but will serve generations of Nigerians now and in the future. Our plan is to harness the potentials in our rich cultural heritage to drive tourism in Lagos State. Furthermore, initiatives for Tourism will be intensified by commencing Development of Heritage Centre for Leadership (Presidential Lodge), Lagos History Centre, J.K Randle Centre, Transformation of the Onikan Museum, Development of tourism hubs in Lagos-West, Lagos-East, Construction of 6 Cultural Theatres in Alimosho,Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja and Lagos Mainland, and continuation of Epe and Badagry Waterfront development as well as other tourist potentials in the area. 42

ON CONTRIBUTION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE Over the past 5 decades, our state has evolved to become the most prosperous state in Nigeria with a GDP more than that of several African countries put together. There is no way this evolution, steady growth and

“

This administration desires to make Lagos State a global hub for music, theatre and film. We are currently leading the initiatives to transform the National Museum and the iconic National Arts Theatre into world class centres of history, tourism arts and entertainment. In the same vein, construction work has started on the six arts theatres across the state.

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success of Lagos State can be documented without mentioning the immense contribution of the state’s public service. I maintain that the civil service is the engine room of the government and while most civil servants are shielded from the public eye, they work tirelessly to formulate and implement policies which drive the government. I know this because I am one of you-a retired Permanent Secretary. Today, the Lagos State Public Service has the reputation as the most progressive Public Service in Nigeria. This could not have been made possible without the solid foundation built by successive members. The vision of Excellence given birth to then has remained the same and continued to be the guiding light for generations. This shared vision, which is articulated in well thought-out policies and implemented with passion, patriotic zeal and sense of commitment is the Lagos we are celebrating today.

ON HOUSING To tackle the housing deficit, our administration recently introduced the Rent-To-Own housing scheme, a micro finance housing scheme where allotees pay a small initial deposit, spread the balance in monthly installments over a period of years and ownership transferred to the beneficiary. In addition, our government is currently in partnership with the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) to upgrade 2 blighted settlements in Bariga and Amukoko. The “Rent-To-Own and Rental Housing Policy” came into effect to provide affordable housing units across the three Senatorial Districts. There are presently 4,355 units available with over 500 applicants prequalified so far. This is a fulfilment of one of our promises to Lagosians. It gives you the opportunity to pay an initial deposit of money and subsequent rent is paid in monthly instalments as dictated by the terms of agreement. The total cost of the property is liquidated over a period of years and ownership transferred to the beneficiary. The first set of beneficiaries of the newly designed Lagos Rent-To-Own Initiative have moved into the

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), with Deputy Project Manager; CCECC, Mr. Zannu Thomas (right); Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Ade Adebowale (3rd left); Special Adviser on Education to the Governor, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh (2nd left) & his counterpart for Urban Development, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule during the Commissioning of Imeke-Ajido Link Bridge in Badagry, Lagos

: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th right), with the Deputy Project Manager; CCECC, Mr. Zannu Thomas (3rd right); Commissioner for Finance/Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade (2nd right); Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (right); Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Ade Adebowale (4th left) & others

Newly commissioned Imeke-Ajido Link Bridge in Badagry, Lagos by Governor Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left); the Deputy Project Manager; CCECC, Mr. Zannu Thomas (2nd left); Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Ade Adebowale (left); Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (right); Aholu of Ajido Kingdom, Oba Saheed Sedono Adamson (2nd right) and Commissioner for Finance/Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade (3rd right)

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Commissioning of Imeke-Ajido Bridge, Badagry

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Onigbongbo

Oshodi-Isolo

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Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba allocated housing units and become home owners under the scheme. More housing units are already being built in Sangotedo in Eti-Osa, Ajara in Badagry, Igbogbo in Ikorodu and Egan-Igando in Alimosho.

ON AGRICULTURE We have commenced the upgrade of the 167hectare Songhai Model Farm in Avia-Igborosun, Badagry to encourage organic agriculture and train citizens interested in agro-business for local consumption or export. We trained 540 fishermen across the State on the use of fishing equipment to improve their skills as well as optimize their understanding of the trade and boost income. The first fruits of our partnership with Kebbi State Government, LAKE RICE, was launched in December. With this product our government was able to offer affordable rice for sale to the entire residents of Lagos in all 57 Local Governments and Local Council Developments Areas during the year-end festivities. The sale of Lake Rice is still on-going at the same prices. We are rehabilitating the Oko-Oba Abattoir and Lairage Complex, Agege in line with the promise to increase meat production output, develop the redmeat value chain and restructure the complex for improved operations

ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY We launched the first-of-its-kind in Lagos, internetbased mobile app – Citizens Gate – for instant interaction with government. The major objective of this project is to bring government closer to the people.

ON NIGERIAN UNITY I want to join the Chairman of Council of Obas and Chiefs in Lagos State to reiterate our support for the Federal Government to keep the unity of Nigeria and also uphold the tenets of the Constitution. We are very happy that all our traditional rulers in Lagos believe in oneness of Nigeria. We are happy also that we are very accommodating. We are also happy that we allow people from other tribes to live with us and we are 46

ready to do everything to support the Acting President and the Federal Government in general that every effort they make, we will ensure that Lagos remains peaceful and then Nigeria remains peaceful.

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Lagos State is open for business. We are willing, able and ready to partner with investors within and outside the continent. I therefore look forward to welcoming you to Lagos State and providing all the support that will be necessary to facilitate investment decisions within a business friendly climate.

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ON MUSLIMS AND FREEDOM OF WORSHIP Let me again use this opportunity to pledge our commitment to uphold and protect the right of all citizens to freedom of belief and freedom of worship. Every religion preaches peace and harmonious coexistence among all people.

We must continue to live by this principle so that our State and nation will continue to grow in peace, progress and prosperity. I wish to congratulate Muslims for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and urge all to sustain the Godly virtues exhibited during the fasting period. Muslims should sustain the spirit of love, brotherhood, tolerance and care which were dutifully demonstrated during the Ramadan, and also not forget the lessons which the season was meant to teach. In a bid to felicitate with our Muslim faithfuls, twenty centres have been designated across the state for the celebration of the Eid-el-Fitri.

ON THE CHURCH AND PRAYERS At this critical period in the history of our nation, the church and indeed everyone who believes in the efficacy of prayer have a responsibility and patriotic duty to pray for the wellbeing and progress of our State and nation. Prayer is the master key and there is no challenge that cannot be surmounted with prayers. We have been assured in 2nd Chronicles 7:14 that “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” For us in Lagos State, we have been truly blessed. Indeed, we have enjoyed His grace which has enabled us as a state, to experience unprecedented breakthroughs in spite of economic recession. For instance, a lot of investments and new businesses have come into our State in the last twenty-one (21) months and there are many more in the process. I am absolutely convinced in my mind that all of these success stories were made possible by our collective prayers and very importantly, the relatively peaceful atmosphere that has prevailed within the State over time. As we engage in ceaseless prayers, we must make conscious efforts to sustain this peaceful atmosphere by refraining from acts that are potentially divisive and capable of igniting avoid able crisis. For us, as government, we will continue to promote fairness, justice and everything that will make life more comfortable for our people.

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INSPECTION OF AFANLA ROAD

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EDUCATION KEY TO DEVELOPMENT

â&#x20AC;?

the priority list of this administration, and a significant portion of the State budget every year is allocated to education.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Education is high on

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L-r: The newly constructed and commissioned Blocks of Classrooms at Surulere Senior Grammar School, Alagbado in Alimosho Local Government by the Lagos State Government

We remain committed to the goal of making Lagos work for all;making all our communities economically viable and liveable as well as creating opportunities for everyone to actualise his/her potentials, without discrimination on the basis of ethnic affiliation, religious beliefs or socio- economic circumstances.

ON SPORTS Our deliberate and conscious provision for outstanding Nigerian athletes remain consistent. We shall ensure that we continue to put in place proactive measures that will encourage and challenge them to excel. Sports remain a very important and integral part of the vision of this Administration. Using Sports to first drive inclusion and engagement of the citizenry most especially the youths, and then Tourism, Arts and Entertainment as the cornerstone and pillars of support of our social contract with Lagosians and the international community. In support of this, we have put in place a structured process of providing additional sports infrastructure in the various zones of the State. The target here is to ensure that no child is denied the opportunity of interaction with sports as early as possible in life while potential for career in sports can be identified for proper development. We are on a journey to reposition Sports in this State and no stone would be left unturned in this pursuit. In this regard, we shall continue to explore and attract regional, continental and global sports events to drive home our mission. Our commitment to continue to support our Youth in Sports Development is resolute, a part that we 50

cannot depart from.

ON CONTRIBUTION TO GDP In Nigeria, Lagos contributes 30% of the nation’s GDP and also the leading contributor to the non-oil sector GDP. It accounts for over 60% of the country’s industrial and commercial activities; over 70% of national maritime cargo freight; over 80% of international aviation traffic, and over 50% of Nigeria’s energy consumption. Also, Lagos is the nexus of Nigeria’s section of Trans-African Highway which is being boosted by our enormous investment on the expansion of the LagosBadagry Expressway, the primary ECOWAS highway, into 10-Lanes with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the first light rail metro transit in West Africa. With these and the State’s 180km Atlantic waterfront criss-crossed by maze of creeks and lagoons, Lagos is an investment and tourist delight. Our policy objectives are based on a tripod of security, infrastructural development and job creation. This is further driven by our desire to build a sustainable economy that is minimally dependent on federal allocation, a private sector driven economy that, through a local and foreign direct investment haven. Towards this end, we have pursued in less than two years of our administration; a governance structure that is primarily and essentially focused on creating an enabling environment for economic growth, job/wealth creation through friendly policies and incentives (Ease of Doing Business). One of such policies which has and continues to make incredible impact in terms of gaining investors’ confidence is the establishment of the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (Lagos Global). It is a

one-stop-shop that has simplified official processes and procedures leading to a significant reduction in the time that it takes to conclude transactions with government. ON JUDICIARY Our judicial process has also been adjudged as the most progressive and modern in Nigeria. This is a result of the various reforms that were initiated to facilitate quick, just and fair adjudicatory process rooted in the rule of law. Just over a week ago, Lagos State hosted a summit on Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria. The objective of this summit was to generate ideas that will align our laws with the realities of technology-driven 21st century. Over the years, the Lagos State Judiciary has established a reputation for itself as a trailblazer in the entire Federation with intellectual judicial pronouncements that have stood the test of time at Appellate Courts. This was achieved through the various reforms that were initiated and faithfully implemented by succeeding leaderships of the State judiciary in partnership with the other two arms of government. These reforms have not stopped and I note the successful summit recently organized by the Ministry of Justice that pulled together several stakeholders in the justice sector. This Government will use the recommendations from that summit to drive further reform in the judiciary and other key justice sectors in areas of infrastructure, technology, people and processes and improved welfare for the judiciary. In the end we hope to bequeath a more vibrant and qualitative judiciary and justice sector fit for the 21st century and beyond.

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The newly constructed and commissioned Methodist Primary School in Apapa Local Government built by the Lagos State Government

It is also my hope that with the calibre and qualities of these new learned personalities, our bench will be further enriched to effectively discharge its constitutional functions and deliver hope and justice to the people.

ON JOINING RESILIENT CITIES On Wednesday 25th May, 2016 the Lagos State Government received the news of our selection to join the group of 100 Resilient Cities network, a cause pioneered by the highly esteemed Rockefeller foundation. This news was a proud moment for our State and a confirmation that our efforts to build a globally competitive State have received international recognition. Resilience dictates that rather than dwell on our challenges or shortcomings, we capitalize and exploit the massive opportunities that exist therein. We acknowledge these challenges and needs; and now as a member of the 100 resilient Cities of the World, we have a platform to compare notes with cities which have similar experiences and create innovative and mitigating strategies. Resilience has always been part of the Lagos story. We are the smallest state in Nigeria by geographical size but the largest by population and economic power. Many would recall the manner with which Lagos contained the outbreak of the Ebola virus in 2015 and secured our residents from a terrible epidemic that was thrust upon us.

You may want to ask how we have coped in the face of these challenges. The answer is simple; innovation, determination and resilience. The ocean surge is a huge challenge and the Lagos State Government in partnership with notable investors have invested in the development of Eko Atlantic City to not only contain the ocean surge but to deliver a new city which will be a future financial, commercial and tourism centre. Being a part of the network of 100 Resilient Cities comes at a good time when our State is looking to join the leading city-states of the world. We are open to new ideas, new technology and new methods. It is our belief that membership of this network will be beneficial to our State and would offer us more opportunities to access investment and partnerships that will foster massive infrastructural On establishment of free WiFi connectivity across public locations in the state Parks and gardens are established to provide conducive environment for recreation and relaxation activities. As you relax and enjoy the recreational facilities in these parks, we are making it possible for you to access your mail, browse and search the internet on your tablets, smartphones and laptops via a reliable public Wi-Fi.

ON DEVELOPMENT AS A SMART CITY This is a deliberate attempt by us to establish a strong convergence between technology, economic development and governance. The MOU is between

Lagos State Government and Dubai Holdings, LLC, owners of Smart City (Dubai) to develop a sustainable, smart, globally connected knowledgebased communities that drive knowledge economy A Smart-City Lagos will be the pride of all Lagosians just as we have Smart City Dubai, SmartCity Malta and Smart-City Kochi (India). We are encouraged by the fact that we do not, as a government, need to develop at a slow pace, but take full advantage of the digital age and fast track development of Lagos to a real megalopolis that we can all be proud of. The future is ours to take. It also marks the first smart city in Africa when completed. Lagos will become an important centre for innovation in smart technologies, wellness and destination for green tourism. As we turn 50, while still forging ahead as a leading entity in Africa, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to shift gears. In the emerging knowledge era, Information and communication Technology has taken centre stage; and as a city of the future, Lagos must take advantage and indeed leverage on the tools of ICT in moving towards a Smart City.

ON FLOODING The State, and indeed most parts of Nigeria, have witnessed torrential rainfalls which are quite unprecedented. We have witnessed our most prime estates flooded with water, we have seen our roads taken over by floods, and we have painfully watched how many homesteads have literally become pools.

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Methodist Primary School, Apapa

Badagry Senior Grammar School, Badagry

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Methodist Primary School, Ashipanu, Badagry

The newly constructed & commissioned Ultra Modern Block of 6 Classrooms at Methodist Primary School, Ashipanu, Seme, Badagry West LCDA

Representative of the Lagos State Governor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh(3rd right), Education Secretary, Local Government Education Authority, Mrs. Modinat Adebayo; Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, HRM Oba Alapa Oyekan Ilufemiloye Ajose (JP); Executive Secretary, Badagry West LCDA, Prince Joseph Agoro & former Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Akinsanya Sunny Ajose during the Official commissioning of an Ultra Modern Block of 6 Classrooms at Methodist Primary School, Ashipanu, Seme, Badagry

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The newly-constructed Block of Classrooms at Kuramo Primary School in Iru-Victoria Island LCDA

These indeed are trying times for any government, especially our own administration which has determinedly pursued massive infrastructural development to improve standards of living of our citizenry. If we have leant anything in the flooding of some parts of the State, it is that there is an immediate, even urgent need for us to embark upon a review and reengineering of our canals and drainage systems. This must be pursued hand-in-hand with a clear and crystal re-envisioning of our water management system. So, in effect, what we should immediately pursue is a holistic solution to what is certain to be a recurring problem. It must be a sincere collaboration between government and the citizenry. Lagos State has decided to partner with Israel in developing water technology and environmental control, Israel is one of the first countries to successfully overcome its limitations in water resources. Our intention is to explore a wide array of 54

technological advancements and possibilities to ensure that we obtain the best solution to a rather nagging problem. It is our hope that as a State we will be present at the forthcoming WATEC conference in Israel later in the year to take advantage of state-of-the-art technologies in the industry. The incidence of flooding is not circumscribed to our country alone, nor is it a peculiarity of the Third World. We may wish to recall that the United Kingdom was heavily flooded this year and, indeed, witnessed some of its worst flooding since records started in 1901 Japan, a country that is equally technologically savvy has also not been spared heavy flooding this year. No matter how well a society may be prepared, we can never rule out the element of the natural or if you like, the supernatural. This is why Lagos State, and indeed Nigeria fully subscribes to the tenets of Climate Change Solutions by the United Nations.

While all the aforementioned examples enjoin us to put our experience and pains into perspective, they also impress on us as a state and a government that we must learn from all these examples in order to better prepare for the future. To that extent, we will reinvigorate our campaign against the dumping of refuse by citizens into canals. We will be stronger in enforcing our physical planning laws especially those building illegally on canals and blocking the free flow of water across the state.

ON MARKETS The Ladipo Market, Mushin which had been beset with the problem of congestion will be redesigned and reconstructed to accommodate a multi-layer car park that will eradicate the rigours of parking associated with the thriving market and its environs. ASPAMDA market in the International Trade Fair will also get a facelift in terms of Roads and Light.

L-r:Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Chairman, Governing Council of Lagos State Polytechnic, Prof. Tajudeen Gbadamosi & Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello

R-l: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with the Best Oluranti Adebule; Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela graduating Student, Master Adedolapo Abdulazeez Ejire (2nd left); his mother, Bank-Olemoh & Permanent Secretary, Office of Special Adviser on Education, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ejire (left); his relative, Mr. Azeez Olawale (2nd right) & Mr. Samsondeen Allison Chairman, Governing Council of Lagos State Polytechnic, Prof. Tajudeen Gbadamosi

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left); Chairman, Governing Council of Lagos State Polytechnic, Prof. Tajudeen Gbadamosi (2nd right) & Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello during the 25th Convocation ceremony of the Lagos State Polytechnic at the convocation ground, Ikorodu Campus, Ikorodu, Lagos

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Newly-Commissioned Block of 18 Classrooms with facilities at Lagos Progressive Senior High School, Surulere by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

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Newly commissioned Block of 18 Classrooms with facilities at Lagos Progressive Senior High School, Surulere

Representative of the Lagos State Governor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Prince Anofi Elegushi (middle); Executive Secretary, Coker-Aguda Local Council Develoipment Area, Hon. Ismail Oluwagbenga Bello & former Chairman of the LCDA, Hon. Bolanle AkinyemiObe during the formal commission 57

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Representative of Lagos State Governor & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (2nd right); Sole Administrator, Yaba LCDA, Hon. Bayo Adefuye (right), Assistant General Manager, Guaranty Trust Bank, Mrs. Sherifat Dawodu (right behind); Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh (2nd right behind); Commissioner for Energy & Mineral, Mr. Olawale Oluwo (3rd right behind); Mr. Jide Adebayo Doherty (3rd left); Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Segun Agbaje (2nd left) & Folajin Macaulay (left) during the commissioning of the newly rehabilitated Herbert Macaulay Library, Yaba, Lagos

ON HIS FUTURE PLANS

ON LAGOS@50 CELEBRATIONS

My administration would prioritise attention to the Power, Environment and Transportation sectors in the next two years to drive all round development of the State. These three things I want people to watch out for in the next 12 to 18 months, the issue of power, the issue of environment and the sanitation and issue of transportation. I believe those three sectors are the key sectors that can drive every other social infrastructure that we will be dealing with in Lagos.” The last two years, what we have done is just to create a foundation of a vision that drives Lagos to the next 50 years. There is nothing that we can do in the next two years that is ever going to be enough. The Bus Reform initiative would take off before the end of the year with the introduction of modern buses that would not only transform the transport system, but also make it easier for Lagosians to move from one place to another. Efforts are ongoing to ensure stable power supply for all industries in the State. The intention is to create embedded power in clusters in the city.

2017 happens to be a special year in the history of Lagos when the Centre of Excellence reaches a landmark golden jubilee on May 27. Adequate preparations are being made to ensure that the 50th anniversary celebration of our dear State reflects the rich culture and heritage of the people of Lagos. Lagos at 50 is a celebration of past achievements and present successes. It is also about building the Lagos of the future on the foundation laid by our hardworking and selfless people, We are happy about the Lagos at 50 celebration. Lagos has a huge economic potential and we are tapping into these potentials to develop the state’s economy. We are determined and committed to fully explore all the possibilities presented by this Lagos@50 moment to lay a solid foundation to another glorious and prosperous 50 years. This golden jubilee therefore presents a unique opportunity for us not only to celebrate our achievements, but also showcase to the entire world the immense potentials waiting to be tapped in our dear

state. In the months ahead, our government will continue with our urban regeneration initiatives, building new infrastructure and maintaining existing ones.

THANK YOU LAGOSIANS Our government is very grateful to Lagosians for their prayers and support particularly in the discharge of their civic responsibility through payment of taxes. It is my belief therefore, that we will continue to enjoy your unflinching support as we work together in transforming our State to the “Lagos of Our Dream”. On our part, we shall continue to ensure that your taxes are judiciously managed and utilized towards making life more comfortable for everybody,” and the taxes paid have been judiciously utilized to make life comfortable for the people through implementation of several projects. I will always count on your cooperation and partnership. Thank you. Itesiwaju Ilu Eko, lo je wa l’ogun!!!

Representative of Lagos State Governor & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Representative of Lagos State Governor & Deputy governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (middle); Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Oluranti Adebule (right), interacting with some students Segun Agbaje (right); Sole Administrator, Yaba LCDA, Hon. Bayo Adefuye (left) & others 58

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HEALTH

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Newly-Commissioned Helipad at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode 60

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Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with Special Adviser, Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga (right); Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide idris (2nd right); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi (2nd left) and& Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof. Adewale Oke (left, behind) during the commissioning of a Helipad at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), Special Adviser, Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga (left); Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide idris (3rd left), listening with rapt attention to Captain Moses Orebamjo (right)

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The newly commissioned Akinwunmi Ambode Primary Healthcare and Diagonistic Centre at Anifowose Street, in Somolu Local Government

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The newly-commissioned Iju Public Health Centre, Lonlo in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government

Â© Dayo Adedayo

LAGOS STATE TEACHING HOSPITAL (LASUTH)

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LAUNCH OF LAGOS ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION CORPS

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AT THE LAUNCH OF LAGESC

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Commissioning of Mobile Care Unit

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SECURITY

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Minister for Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd.), Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase & Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode & others during the unveiling of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) logo at the commissioning and handing over of Patrol Vehicles, Motorcycles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), Gunboats, Patrol Helicopters to the Nigerian Police and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS)

R-l: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and Minister for Interior & Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd.)

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L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left); Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase; Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; Minister for Interior, Lt.Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, rtd.; Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule & Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the commissioning and handing over of Patrol Vehicles, Motorcycles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), Gunboats, Patrol Helicopters to the Nigerian Police and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS)

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), ACP Tunji Disu; Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase

R-l: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase & Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); the Minister for Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd.); Chairman, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale, Chairman, Elizade Toyota, Chief Michael Adeojo & Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); his wife, Bolanle (2nd right); Minister for Interior, Lt.Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau rtd. (right) and Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase

R-l: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Minister for Interior, Lt.Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, rtd.; Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and Captain Seigha Spiff

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CROSS SECTION OF THE PATROL VEHICLES, MOTORCYCLES, ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIERS (APCS), GUNBOATS AND PATROL HELICOPTERS

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Cross Section of the 20 Patrol vehicles presented to the Rapid Response Squad by the Lagos State Government

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L-r: Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; Chairman, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale; Executive Secretary/CEO, LSSTF, Dr. Abdulrazaq Balogun; Commander RRS, ACP Tunji Disu and Board member of LSSTF, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje

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LAUNCH OF LAGOS NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFTEY CORPS

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From 3rd left: Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode & Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa

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The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Deputy governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule & Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa

Chief (Mrs. ) Kemi Nelson & Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu

3rd from left Mr. Tunji Bello, Secretary to the State Goverment

Governor Ambode greeting some traditional rulers

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TIME TO

LIGHT UP LAGOS

”

Our Light Up Lagos initiative has given traders and artisans extended time to carry out their businesses as we move towards our 24/7 economy. With these actions, we energized the economy and ensured that commercial activities continued in the State.

“

MARINA AT NIGHT

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Maryland (Ikorodu Road)

Toyin Street

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Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way (In background is Cenotaph of Peace erected by Rotary Club of Ikeja South)

7 & 8 Bus Stop Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road

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Old Abeokuta Road inward Isale Oja, Agege

Abule Egba flyover at night

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TRANSPORTATION

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BRT

Â© Dayo Adedayo

TBS Bus Shelter

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NEW OSHODI

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Newly built Slip Road in Alapere, Ketu by Lagos State Government

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Cross section of the newly commissioned Equipment for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit at Cappa, Oshodi

Cross section of the newly commissioned 140 Patrol Vans, 335 Power Bikes and other security kits handed over to the Nigerian Police and other Security Agencies in Lagos State

R-r: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, with his wife, Bolanle; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule

R-l: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), discussing with Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (2nd left) with them are Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu (left) & wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (right)

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AGRICULTURE â&#x20AC;&#x153;

We trained 540 fishermen across the State on the use of fishing equipment to improve their skills as well as optimize their understanding of the trade and boost income.

â&#x20AC;?

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), his Kebbi State counterpart, Governor Atiku Bagudu (2nd right) with a 10kg Lake Rice during the official launch at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja with them are Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left) & Chief of Protocol , Kebbi State, Mr. Umaru Shehu Baiti.

Lake Rice in barn which is being offloaded in trucks for distribution and sale across Lagos State by the Government at N12,000 for 50kg; N6,000 for 25kg and N2,500 for 10kg.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu (2nd left); Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (left); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (2nd right) & Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr, Adeniji Kazeem, eating Lake Rice

Lake Rice being launched by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), with the Chief Operating Officer of BUHLER, Dr. Holger Feidhege, after signing an agreement with BUHLER for the acquisition of a 32 tonnes per hour Rice Mill in Zurich, Switzerland

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Shakirudeen Olayiwola; Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; Special Adviser on Education to the Governor, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh; Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem; Special Adviser on Audit & Finance Control, Mr. Adeniyi Popoola and Administrative Assistant, Songai Lagos Initiative, Miss Aminat Matthew during the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspection of the Fish Ponds at the Agric-YES (Songai Model Farm), AviaIgborosun in Badagry

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left); Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (middle) & Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Shakirudeen Olayiwola (right) during the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspection of the Agric-YES (Songai Model Farm)

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World Food Day

World food Day Celebrations, L-r: Mrs. Suarau, HC MOA Hon Suarau Oluwatoyin, SSG Mr. Tunji Bello & SA FS

Poultry Project at Sonmori Comprehensive High School, Ifako Ijaiye

Harvesting of Fish

Quiz competition among secondary schools

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READY FOR BUSINESS

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

As a government, we are currently trying our utmost best to ensure that, whatever challenges that exist in Lagos State, are tackled to attract more foreign investments. We are really working at creating the right environment as well as enhance their Ease of Doing Business in Lagos

â&#x20AC;?

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R-L: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, with Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and President, Dangote Group; Alhaji Aliko Dangote during the Vice Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspection visit to the Dangote Refinery

-L: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; President, Dangote Group; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chairman, Forte Oil Plc., Mr. Femi Otedola; Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (left, behind), Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (right, exchanging pleasantries with Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (2nd right, behind) President, Dangote Group; Alhaji Aliko Dangote (left) & Commissioner for Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye (middle)

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (2nd left); Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (left), President, Dangote Group; Alhaji Aliko Dangote (2nd right) & Group Executive Director, Dangote Projects, Mr. Devarcoma Edwin

R-l: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); Chairman, Forte Oil Plc., Mr. Femi Otedola; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; President, Dangote Group; Alhaji Aliko Dangote & Group Executive Director, Dangote Projects, Mr. Devarcoma Edwin

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Governor Ambode visits Lekki Free Zone

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L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (5th left), in a group photograph with Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman (4th left); top officials of NPA & the State Government during a Courtesy visit to the Governor by Managing Director of NPA

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right); presenting a State plaque to the Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Prince Anofi Elegushi; Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Adebowale Adesanya; Executive Director, Marine & Operation, NPA, Dr. Sekointie Davies; Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman & Executive Director, Finance & Administration, NPA, Mr. Mohammed Koko

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); with Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman (2nd left); Executive Director, Marine & Operation, NPA, Dr. Sekointie Davies (left) and Executive Director, Finance & Administration, NPA, Mr. Mohammed Koko

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Executive Director, Marine & Operation, NPA, Dr. Sekointie Davies; Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman and Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Prince Anofi Elegushi 103

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L-r: Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), with President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; President of Togo, Mr. Faure Gnassingbe and Chairman, Zenon Petroleum & Gas Limited, Mr. Femi Otedola during the visit of the Togolese President to the Dangote Refinery

Mr. Okechukwu Enelameh, Minister of Trade & Investment, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of Togo, Mr. Faure Gnassingbe, Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode & Mr. Femi Otedola

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Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President Mr. Faure Gnassingbe & Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Premier of Province of Gauteng, South Africa, Mr. David Makhura (2nd right); South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Loui Mguni (right); Honorary Consul of Namibia to Nigeria, Mr. Justin Chuma Anosike (2nd left) and Commissioner for Finance/Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade (left) during a press briefing shortly after the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting with the Premier of Gauteng, South Africa

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Honorary Consul of Namibia to Nigeria, Mr. Justin Chuma Anosike (left) and Premier of Province of Gauteng, South Africa, Mr. David Makhura (right)

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1. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (6th right), in a group photograph with President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs (middle); his team & some members of the State Executive Council during the Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode ( right), presenting a State plaque to President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs 3. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), with National Council member, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Jerome Shogbon (2nd left); Chairman, Finance & Establishment Committee, MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye (3rd left) and another National Council member, MAN, Amb. Segun Apata

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right); President & Chairman of Council of Nigerian-British Chamber of Comerce, Prince Dapo Adelegan (3rd left); Past President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Comerce, Prince Adeyemi Adetulu (2nd left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce, Mr. Adeyemi Olabinjo (left); Chairman, Trade Mission Committee, Asiwaju Fola Osibo (right); Past President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Comerce, Mr. Akinola Akintunde (2nd right) & others

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right) presenting an Eyo plaque to the President & Chairman of Council of Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Prince Dapo Adelegan

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (6th right); the President & Chairman of Council of Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Prince Dapo Adelegan (6th left), in a group photograph with Executive members of Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and some members of the State Executive Council

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Director, Celtron Group, Funmilayo Adegbuyi; Treasurer, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Bisi Adeyemi; the President & Chairman of Council, Prince Dapo Adelegan; Past President of the Council, Mr. Akinola Akintunde & Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Wale Oluwo (right behid)

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right behind), with Deputy Prime Minister, United Arab Emirate (UAE) & Chairman, Dubai Holdings, Mr. Ahmad Bin Byat (left behind), watch as Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (right) and the Chief Executive Officer, Smart City Dubai LLC, Mr. Jabber Bin Hafez (left) sign a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) on Smart City Lagos between the City of Dubai and Lagos State Government, at the Emirate Towers, Dubai

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Chief Executive Officer, Smart City Dubai LLC, Mr. Jabber Bin Hafez; Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem and Deputy Prime Minister, United Arab Emirate (UAE) & Chairman, Dubai Holdings, Mr. Ahmad Bin Byat

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Chinese Ambassador Zhou Pingjian during a visit to Governor Ambode

Norway Ambassador, Jens-Petter Kjemprud & Governor Ambode

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R-l: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), presenting an Eyo plaque to the Chairman/Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jeffrey Ewing during the Chevron Chairman courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left); General Manager, Policy, Government & Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn; Chairman/Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jeffrey Ewing; Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Mr. Wale Oluwo (right); General Manager, Deep Water, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Lanre Kalejaiye and Commissioner for Finance/Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. 110 Akinyemi Ashade

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R-l: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; President, 100 Resilient Cities, Mr. Michael Berkowitz and Commissioner for Finance/ Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade during a workshop for a more Resilient Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (left), Mayor of Paynesville, Liberia, Mrs. Cyvette Gibson (2nd right) and President, 100 Resilient Cities, Mr. Michael Berkowitz (right)

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Mayor of Paynesville, Liberia, Mrs. Cyvette Gibson; President, 100 Resilient Cities, Mr. Michael Berkowitz and Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left), receiving the Certificate of Admission of Lagos State as a member of the 100 Resilient Cities from Associate Director (Africa)100 Resilient Cities, Mrs. Liz Agbor-Tabi (right) while President, 100 Resilient Cities, Mr. Michael Berkowitz (middle)

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right); former President & Chairman Brenthrust Foundation, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (3rd left); Commissioner for Finance/Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade (2nd left); retired Gen. Dickie Davies of Brenthrust Foundation (left); Director, Brenthrust Foundation, Mr. Greg Mills (2nd right) during the Brenthrust Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to the Governor at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. Back Row (L-R) Saul Musker of Brenthurst Foundation; Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem; Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Mr. Olawale Oluwo; Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Obafela Bank-Olemoh; Chypo Hamukoma, Researcher with Brenthurst Foundation & Henry Sachs of Brenhurst Foundation

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), presenting a state plaque to President, Microsoft International, Mr. Jean-Philippe Coutois during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Lagos House, Ikeja

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), receiving a sample of the Crude Oil discovered in the State by the Group Managing Director, Tunde Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Lagos House, Ikeja

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with the Chief Operating Officer, Tunde Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited, Mr. Mobolaji Musah; Group Managing Director of the Company, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo and Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Mr. Wale Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode & Group Managing Oluwo Director of the Company, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th right), in a group photograph with the Group Managing Director of the Company, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo & his team

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GOVERNOR AMBODE COMMISSIONS JUBILEE CHALET AT OKE-OYINBO, EPE

The newly commissioned Jubilee Chalet by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at Oke-Oyinbo, Epe, Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Commissioner for Waterfront Development Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Adesanya (2nd right); member, House of Representatives, Epe constituency, Hon. Olawale Raji (right); member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olusegun Olulade (left) & APC Chieftain, Prince Tajudeen Olusi (2nd left) 114

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EMPOWERMENT

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in a group photograph with Board members of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and Beneficiaries of the ETF Loan Scheme during the LSETF Cheque Presentation ceremony to the beneficiaries at the LTV Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Chairman, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru; Beneficiary, Mrs. Adetola Akitoye of Andy Clarke Confections and Executive Secretary, LSETF, Mr. Akintunde Oyebode

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with Board members of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mrs. Bilkiss Adebiyi-Abiola; Executive Secretary, Mr. Akintunde Oyebode; Chairman, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru & Mr. Dele Martins

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), with Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni (2nd left); Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (left) and Chairman, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru (right)

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AT THE LAUNCH OF READY. SET. WORK PROGRAMME

Successful Applicants of Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr. Ganiyu Ayantunde; Mr. Abdul Rasheed Olakunle Kazeem; Executive Secretary, LSETF, Mr. Akin Oyebode; Mrs. Sukurat Modupe Alausa; Mr. Charles Chike Obi and Miss Olayemi Zainab Balogun during the distribution of Offer Letters to beneficiaries of the N25 Billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) Pilot Scheme at the LSETF Office, Oregun, Ikeja

Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr. Akin Oyebode (left); Director, Strategy Funding & Stakeholder Engagement, LSETF, Mrs. Abosede Alimi (right), jointly presenting a Offer Letter to a successful applicant, Mrs. Sukurat Modupe Alausa

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L-r: Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr. Akin Oyebode, presenting a Offer Letter to a successful applicant, Mr. Abdul Rasheed Olakunle Kazeem with them is Director of Strategy Funding & Stakeholder Engagement, LSETF, Mrs. Abosede Alimi

L-R: Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr. Akin Oyebode; Successful Applicant of the Employment Trust Fund, Mr. Ganiyu Ayantunde & Director, Strategy Funding & Stakeholder Engagement, LSETF, Mrs. Abosede Alimi

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THE

YOUTHS OUR FUTURE

Commissioning of Onikan Youth Centre

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GOVERNOR AMBODE COMMISSIONING ONIKAN YOUTH CENTRE

Chief Kola Jamodu, Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu & Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the commissioning of Onikan Youth Centre

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left) with the Winner of 2016 Spelling Bee Competition & One-Day Governor, Master Olaseinde Olufemi of Shasha Community Senior High School (right) and One-Day Deputy Governor, Master Komolafe Kehinde of Immaculate Heart Senior Secondary School (2nd left) during the 2016 One-Day Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit, at the Exco Chambers

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), presenting a gift to the Winner of 2016 Spelling Bee Competition and One-Day Governor, Master Olaseinde Olufemi of Shasha Community Senior High School (left)

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Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle); Winner of the 2016 Spelling Bee Competition & OneDay Governor of Lagos State, Master Olaseinde Olufemi of Shasha Community Senior High School (3rd right) & his Cabinet members

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), with his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left); Winner of 2016 Spelling Bee Competition & One-Day Governor, Master Olaseinde Olufemi of Shasha Community Senior High School (2nd left) & his Mother, Mrs. Ganiyat Olaseinde (right)

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (6th left), in a group photograph with his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (5th right); Special Adviser on Education to the Governor, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh (3rd right); Winner of 2016 Spelling Bee Competition & One-Day Governor, Master Olaseinde Olufemi of Shasha Community Senior High School (5th left); One-Day Deputy Governor, Master Komolafe Kehinde of Immaculate Heart Senior Secondary School (4th left), Principal, Shasha Community Senior High School, Mr. Binuyo Shola Adejumo (left)

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Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Celebration

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Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle); representative of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Funmilola Odunlami (2nd left); Mr. Adeshina Sofola, SAN (left); President, African Women Lawyers’ Association Nigeria, Mrs. Mandy Asagba (2nd right) and Oba of Bariga, Oba Omogboola Akanbi (right) during the presentation of the book "AWLA Compilation” at the 2017 International Day of the African Child with the theme; Accelerating Protection, Empowerment and Equal Opportunity for Children in Africa by 2030, organized by the African Women Lawyers’ Association

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle), flanked by the Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (right), interacting with a representative of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Funmilola Odunlami (right) and Mr. pupil while Mr. Adeshina Sofola, SAN (2nd left) and representative of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Funmilola Odunlami (left) Adeshina Sofola, SAN (left)

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Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (right), with President, African Women Lawyers’ Association Nigeria, Mrs. Mandy Asagba (left) with the Pupils

Entertainment

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L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Olamilekan Adeola Solomon (Former Chairman, LIRS), Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo; Afropop Star, Ayodeji Balogun â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wizkidâ&#x20AC;?, former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mr. Folorunsho Coker; Special Adviser, Office of Overseas Affairs & Investments, Prof. Ademola Abass and Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, during the Grand Finale of the One Lagos Fiesta

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right), former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mr. Folorunsho Coker (right) with the Marvin Crew -Don Jazzy; Tiwa Savage; Korede Bello; Dr, Sid & Reekado Banks

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), with Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Olamilekan Adeola Solomon; Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem & Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Special Adviser, Office of R-l: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Florence Ifeoluwa Overseas Affairs & Investments, Prof. Ademola Abass; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Otedola â&#x20AC;&#x153;DJ Cuppyâ&#x20AC;? & former Commissioner of Culture & Tourism, Mr. Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Olamilekan Adeola Solomon & Folorunsho Coker Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem,

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right) with Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Olamilekan Adeola Solomon & his predecessor, Senator Ganiyu Solomon (left)

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle) with him are Commissioner for Finance/Economic Planning & Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade (2nd right); Special L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left), with Hip-Hop/Rap Adviser on Housing, Mrs. Aramide Giwanson (right); her counterpart for the Artist, Dremo; Afro Pop singers, Jazzman Olofin; Mayokun; Rap Artist, CDQ & Environment, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe (left) & member of Lagos State House of Assembly representing Badagry Constituency 1, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode Yahooze crooner, Olu Maintain

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with Rap star, Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana (3rd right); Singer & Songwriter, Niniola Apata (3rd left) Pop Artist, Azadus (2nd left); Hip Juju Artist, Wale Thompson (left); Viktoh of YBNL (right) and others

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left); musician, Dr. Adewale ‘Mr. Johnson’ Ayuba; Afro-Pop Star, Jaywon; member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olusegun Olulade; music stars, Adekunle Gold & Olu Maintain

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Re-modelled ‘Apapa Amusement Park’

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left), with Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (2nd right) & Director General, National L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Minister of Information Commission for Museums & Monuments, Mallam Yusuf Abdullah Usman during the and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (2nd right) and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe presentation of Museum Possibilities

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (2nd left); Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (left); Mr. Gbenga Oyebode (2nd right) and his wife, Aisha

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right), presenting a State Plaque to the President, Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Peace AnyiamOsigwe (3rd left)

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), with Jimmy Amu a.ka. Dj Jimmy Jatt; International Music Act, Innocent Idibia a.ka. 2Baba & Flutist, Dr. Tee Mac Itseli during a visit of AFRIMA Delegation

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th right); President, Society of Nigerian Artists & Founder, Omenka Art Gallery, Mr. Oliver Enwonwu; Artistic Director Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos, Ms. Bisi Silva; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Founder, Nike Art Gallery, Chief (Mrs) Nike Davies Okundaye; Director General, National Commission for Museums & Monuments, Mallam Yusuf Abdullah Usman; Founder, Omooba Yemisi Art Foundation, Prince Oluyemisi Shyllon and Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), with veteran Actress & Director, Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, Joke Silva (left); her husband & Actor, Olu Jacobs (2nd left) & the President, Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Peace Anyiam-Osigwe (2nd right) during the AMAA delegation

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th right); Chairman, Board of Arts & Culture, Mrs Polly Alakija (3rd right); member of the Board, Kunle Afolayan (2nd right); Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola (right); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adeshina Odeyemi (left); Mr. Kolade Oshinowo (2nd left); Mobee of Badagry, High Chief Patrick Yodenu Mobee (3rd left) & Joke Silva (4th left)

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SPO RT S

128

Teslim Balogun Stadium

Dayo Adedayo

Â© Dayo Adedayo

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Dayo Adedayo

National Stadium

Lagos Lawn Tennis Club

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R-l: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung; Nigerian & African Women Table Tennis Champion, Funke Oshonaike and Sport Consultant, Alhaji Hamed Shuaib during the inspection visit to the National Stadium, Surulere

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung (2nd right); Stadium Manager, Mr. Taiwo Oladeinde (right) and Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu (left)

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (far right), playing table tennis with Nigerian & African Women Tennis Champion, Funke Oshonaike (left) while the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung (2nd right)and others

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L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Sport Consultant, Alhaji Hamed Shuaib; Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung; President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Pinnick and his Vice, Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung (right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu (middle); Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Ade Adesanya (2nd left) and his counterpart for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde (left)

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung (left)

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu (left); Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung (2nd right) and Olympic Gold Medalist, Lauritta Onye (right)

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), presenting a cheque of $50, 000 to the Winner of the 2017 Lagos City Marathon, Abraham Kiptum from Kenya (2nd left) while the 2nd Prize Winner, Ronny Kipkoech Kiboss from Kenya (left); 3rd Prize Winner, Kiprotich Kiroi from Kenya (2nd right) & Group Managing Director, Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe (right);

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right), presenting the trophy to the Winner of the 2017 Lagos City Marathon, Abraham Kiptum from Kenya (middle) while 3rd Prize Winner, Kiprotich Kiroi from Kenya (2nd right); Group Managing Director, Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe (right); 2nd Prize Winner, Ronny Kipkoech Kiboss from kenya (3rd left); President, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede (2nd left) & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (left)

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right), his wife, Bolanle (2nd right); Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (right); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (3rd left); Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (2nd left) and Senator Adeola Olamilekan Solomon (left)

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th right), with Managing Director, FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun (3rd right); Ex-Nigerian Footballers, Victor Ikpeba (2nd right); Mutiu Adepoju (bending in front); On-Air Personality, Mr. Frank Edoho (left); President-General, Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo (2nd left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu (4th left); Ex-Nigerian Footballer, Victor Agali (behind), others during the Opening of the 2016 COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right), with President-General, Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo; Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu; Nigerian Musicians, Dapo Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Banj Oyebanjo; Peter Okoye of P-Square; Managing Director, FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun & others

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right), with Ex-Nigerian Footballers, Victor Ikpeba (2nd right); Managing Director, FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun (right) & others

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), with his Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu (2nd left); Commissioners; Housing, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal (left) & Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo (right)

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R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); 1st Vice Chairman, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and Special Adviser on Sport to the Governor, Mr. Deji Tinubu during the Nigeria Professional Football League derby between Ikorodu United Football Club and MFM Football Club at the Agege Stadium, Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), being presented with MFM Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left), being presented with a Football Club jersey by the Captain, Opara Austine (2nd left) football jersey by Captain, Ikorodu United Football Club, Fatai Abdullahi (2nd right)

Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), in a handshake with the Captain, Ikorodu United Football Club, Fatai Abdullahi (2nd left), his counterpart from MFM Football Club, Opara Austine (left), Special Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Speaker, Lagos State House of Adviser on Sport to the Governor, Mr. Deji Tinubu (2nd right), Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Special Adviser on Sport to the Governor, Mr. Member, House of Representative from Ikorodu, Hon. Jimi Benson (3rd right), and 1st Vice Chairman, Nigeria Football Federation Deji Tinubu and Member, House of Representative from Ikorodu, Hon. Jimi Benson (NFF), Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi (4th right)

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), being presented with a jersey of Football Club of Barcelona by the Board member of the Club, Pau Vilanova i Vila Abadal

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), presenting a State plaque to the Board member of Football Club of Barcelona, Pau Vilanova i Vila Abadal

R-L: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Board member, Football Club of Barcelona, Pau Vilanova i Vila Abadal; Director, Football Club of Barcelona Academy, Oscar Grau & General Manager, Gaton Construction Company, Carlos Gaton

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), flanked by Board member, Football Club of Barcelona, Pau Vilanova i Vila Abadal (left) and Commissioner for Sports, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf (right), (L-r) Behind are General Manger, Gaton Construction Company, Carlos Gaton; Director, Football Club of Barcelona Academy, Oscar Grau; Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde and Permanent Secretary, 136 Ministry of Sports, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), in a group photograph with Board member, Football Club of Barcelona, Pau Vilanova i Vila Abadal (3rd left); Commissioner for Sports, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf (3rd right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu (2nd right), President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick (right) & others

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RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE R-l: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef; Chief Imam, Lagos Mainland Mosque, Alhaji Sabitu Akanni & Leader, Conference of Islamic Organisation, Alhaji Abdullahi Shuaib (left)

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Sole Administrators, Mainland Local Government, Hon. Adedoyin Rojaiye (2nd right); Yaba Local Government, Hon. Bayo Adefuye (right); Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef (2nd left) and Chief Imam, Lagos Mainland Mosque, Alhaji Sabitu Akkani (left)

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), exchanging greetings with Rtd. Justice Ishola olorunnibe (left) while the Sole Administrator, Mainland Local Government, Hon. Adedoyin Rojaiye (right) and Leader, Conference of Islamic Organisation, Alhaji Abdullahi Shuaib (2nd left)

Wife of Lagos State the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (2nd right); member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Tobun (middle); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mrs. Toyin Awoseyi (right); APC Chieftains in Epe, Chief Akanni Seriki (left) & Chief Lanre Razaq (2nd left)

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left) exchanging pleasantries with the Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun(right) & APC chieftain, Alhaji Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left) exchanging pleasantries with the Chief Imam of Epe Central Mosque, Alhaji Abiola Abdulrahman(right) Sakiru Akanni Seriki (middle)

Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun(left); Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Olanrenwaju Elegushi (middle); Prince Jide R-l: Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun and APC chieftain, Alhaji Sakiru Akanni Seriki Agboola (2nd right) & APC chieftain in Epe, Alhaji Lanre Razaq (right)

R-l: Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), with Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule; (FOMWAN), Hajia Amina Omoti & former National President of the Association, Alhaja Latifat Okunnu

Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), Special Adviser on Food Security, Mr. Ganiyu Okanlawon Sanni; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef; former National President, (FOMWAN), Alhaja Latifat Okunnu; National President, Hajia Amina Omoti, Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule; Commissioner for Youth & Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf; Special Adviser on Housing, Mrs. Aramide Giwanson & her Urban Development 137 counterpart, Mrs. Yetunde Onabule

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), flanked by Chairman, Council of Obas & the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I (left) and Commissioner for Local Government & Community Affairs, Alhaji Muslim Folami (right) during the courtesy visit to the Governor by Council of Obas & Chiefs

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L-R: Chancellor, The Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria, Rtd. Justice George Oguntade; Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Ephraim Ademowo; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Deputy Chancellor, Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji and Justice Sybil Nwaka during the official opening of the 33rd Synod, Diocese of Lagos Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Ephraim Ademowo and Chancellor, The Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria, Rtd. Justice George Oguntade

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Ephraim Ademowo (2nd right); his wife, Oluranti (right); Chancellor, The Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria, Rtd. Justice George Oguntade(2nd left) & Deputy Chancellor, Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo; Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule; Chief Imam of Lagos, Alaji Garba Akinola and Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Emeka Uche

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Governor Ambode with Cardinal Olubunmi Okojie on his 81st birthday

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Governor & Mrs. Ambode, Pastor & Mrs. Adeboye with Senator & Mrs. Solomon Adeola

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E H T F O N A M

E L EOP 141

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left) & APC Chieftain, Lagos West Senatorial District, Prince Rabiu Oluwa (right)

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), exchanging greeting with Aladeshonyin of Noforija Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja (2nd left); while the Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (2nd right) & other traditional rulers

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), flanked by Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left) and Commissioner for Wealth Creation & Employment, Dr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti (right) during the 7th Tradesmen and Artisansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Week & Graduation Ceremony for Re-trained Artisans and Traders, at De Blue Roof

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), acknowledging cheers from participants during the 7th Tradesmen and Artisansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Week & Graduation Ceremony for Re-trained Artisans and Traders

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left); Commissioner for Wealth Creation & Employment, Dr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti (right) & President, Lagos State Council of Tradesmen & Artisan (LASCOTA), Alhaji Nurudeen Buhari (left behind)

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), flanked Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left), presenting a merit award to one by Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (left) & of the graduands, Mr. Agboola Olusola (right) while the Commissioner for Wealth Commissioner for Wealth Creation & Employment, Dr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti (right) Creation & Employment, Dr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti (middle),

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), congratulating the newly-elected Chairman of Oriade Local Council Development Area, Hon. Ramotallhi Hassan (left) while the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (right), watches in admiration during the Swearing-in ceremony of the Chairmen of 20LGs & 37LCDAs in the State

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), congratulating the newlyelected Chairman of Agege Local Government, Mr. Ganiyu Egunjobi (left)

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Cross section of the newly-elected Chairmen of the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State

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DR. IDAYAT OLURANTI ADEBULE ...A WORTHY PARTNER IN PROGRESS

“

Dr. Adebule brought into this new office a wealth of experience that is enviable, having served formerly as Commissioner and Secretary to the State Government. This knowledge of governance has been very invaluable in the running of the state. An evidence of the excellent working relationship she has with the Governor, is the fact that she regularly represents her boss at very important functions and high-level negotiations, an indicator that she is viewed as a capable hand.

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hen Governr Akinwunmi Ambode was sworn in, he was not alone, his Deputy, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule also took her oath of office and oath of allegiance, and together they have formed a formidable partnership that has been working for Lagosians. Dr. Adebule brought into this new office a wealth of experience that is enviable, having served formerly as Commissioner and Secretary to the State Government. This knowledge of governance has been very invaluable in the running of the state. An evidence of the excellent working relationship she has with the Governor, is the fact that she regularly represents her boss at very important functions and high-level negotiations, an indicator that she is viewed as a capable hand. The current Deputy Governor of Lagos State, apart from being the head of her office and carrying out assignments for the Governor, is assigned the responsibility of supervising both the Office of Civic Engagement and the Ministry of Education. In addition, she acts as Chairman, Lagos State Boundary Committee (handling all boundary disputes and development of border regions) and Coordination of Local Government Chieftaincy Committees. No doubt, when the success story of Lagos under Governor Ambode is written, it will be said that had a very formidable Deputy. Born in Lagos State to the family of Idowu-Esho of Ojo Alaworo in Ojo local government area of the State. She began her early education at Awori College, ojo. Thereafter, she proceeded on admission to the Lagos State University, ojo, for a course that led to the award of Bachelor of Art in Education (B.A. Ed)

degree in Islamic Studies in 1992. She was back at the same institution for a master’s degree (M.Ed) in curriculum studies and passed out successfully in 1997. Much later, she had a certificate in early childhood development curriculum and school administration and assessment from the Nigeria Institute of International Education Association in 2006. Still thirsting for knowledge, she enrolled and completed her doctorate degree (PhD) in curriculum studies in 2012, once again, at the Lagos State University. Dr Adebule began her working career as an academic at Lagos State College of Primary Education (LACOPED), Noforija, Epe as a lecturer in the department of Religious Studies and later transferred her service to the Lagos State University as a lecturer in the department of curriculum studies and later language Arts and social studies in the faculty of Education. While in the university, she served as member of various university committees which included, “committee on establishment of LASU International Secondary School”, “LASU staff school monitoring committee”, member, Association of Learners, and was the co-ordinator, LASU Sandwich Degree Programme, Osun State College of Education, Ilesha Campus. Her political experience and sojourn began when she was appointed as a commissioner 1 in the Lagos State Post Primary Teaching Service Commission (PP-

TESCOM), now Teachers’ Establishment and Pensions Office, by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from October 2000 to February 2005 and later as board member of the Lagos State Scholarship Board from February 2005 to November 2005. Dr Adebule was appointed and sworn in as the Secretary to the State Government by the Governor of Lagos state, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) in July, 2011. Having been duly elected by the good people of the State and sworn in on May 29th 2015, she is currently the Deputy Governor of Lagos State and superintend over the State’s Ministry of Education. A consummate writer, Dr Adebule, has several local, national and international publications to her credit. These include, “Reading The Objective Of Universal Basic Education in Nigeria”, “The Imperative of Religion and peace in the Quest for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: The Plateau State Experience”, “The Effective Use of Educational Technology for Religious Teaching: Learning amongst Secondary Schools in Lagos State, Nigeria” to mention a few. A wife, a mother, a mentor, an advocate of women and child right, a believer in the development of future leaders and a politician of repute, Dr Adebule’s interests include reading, travelling and community service. 145

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with members of the State Executive Council shortly after their meeting at the Conference Hall, V.I.P Chalet, Badagry, Lagos

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule & Chief of Staff, Mr. Olukunle Ojo

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (4th right), with Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (4th left) and other female members

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right); Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (2nd right), Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (3rd left); Chief of Staff, Mr. Olukunle Ojo left) in a group photograph with some members of the Body of Permanent Secretaries during the State Executive Council and Body of Permanent Secretaries Retreat, with the theme Reflect, Reappraise, Restrategiseâ&#x20AC;ŚRaising the Bar of Governance at the V.I.P Chalet, Badagry, Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), with Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (right); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (2nd left) and Chief of Staff, Mr. Olukunle Ojo (left)

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello

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The proposed Ultra Modern Building for the new Lagos State Model School during the Foundation Laying ceremony at Ojo

Representative of Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (3rd left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela bankOlemoh & Project Director, Mr. Oluwole Sotire

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Representative of Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule, performing the foundation laying for the proposed Ultra Modern School Building

L-r: Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela bank-Olemoh; Representative of Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule; Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi and Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Engr. Ganiyu Sopeyin

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Representative of Lagos State Governor & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (middle); Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District IV, Mrs. Aare Lola Adegbite (2nd left); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adeshina Odeyemi (left); Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna (2nd right) and Sole Administrator, Iba LCDA, Hon. Abiola Yisa (right) during the inspection of the on-going construction of new Model Colleges at Awori Senior College, Ojo, Lagos

Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District V, Mrs. Nike Adekanye; Representative of Lagos State Governor & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule; Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District IV, Mrs. Aare Lola Adegbite; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna & Sole Administrator, Iba LCDA, Hon. Abiola Yisa

Representative of Lagos State Governor & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (2nd right); Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District III, Mrs. Titilayo Solarin (right), her counterpart in District IV, Mrs. Aare Lola Adegbite (2nd left) & Chairman, Kings County Project, Mr. Hameed Kasunmu (left)

Representative of Lagos State Governor & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (right); Chairman, Kings County Representative of Lagos State Governor & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Project, Mr. Hameed Kasunmu (2nd right) & Tutor Adebule (2nd right); Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District III, Mrs. General/Permanent Secretary, Education District IV, Mrs. Aare Titilayo Solarin (right); Site Supervisor, Arch. Aina Ibikunoluwa (2nd left) Lola Adegbite (right behind)

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Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle), with Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (right) and Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Olarenwaju Ogunyemi (left), presenting shoes and socks to pupils of State Primary Schools in Lagos during the launching of Project Bright Steps, a Children Empowerment Project by Wife of the Governor & Founder of HOFOWEM at the Event Centre, Agidingbi, Ikeja

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L-r: Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Olarenwaju Ogunyemi; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule; Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode & APC Women Leader, South West, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson during the launching of Project Bright Steps, a Children Empowerment Project by Wife of the Governor & Founder of HOFOWEM

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L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule; State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; member, Lagos House of Assembly representing Epe constituency II, Hon. Olusegun Olulade and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Mr. Titi Kayode (2nd left, behind) during the Deputy Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to Lagos Model College, Igbonla-Epe where four students and two Teachers were kidnapped

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (right), consoling parents of some of the kidnapped students of Lagos Model College, Igbonla-Epe, during her visit to the School with her are member, Lagos House of Assembly representing Epe constituency II, Hon. Olusegun Olulade (2nd right); State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni (right behind) and Principal, Lagos Senior Model College, Igbonla-Epe, Mr. Olukorede Osidero (3rd right)

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule, fielding questions from journalists during her visit to Lagos Model College, Igbonla-Epe where four students and two Teachers were kidnapped with her are State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni (left) and member, Lagos House of Assembly representing Epe constituency II, Hon. Olusegun Olulade (right)

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (middle), Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (2nd right); his Deputy, Mr. Alfred Agboola (right);Commissioner of Police, Lagos, Mr. Fatai Owoseni (2nd left) & Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde (left) during a media briefing on the release of the Igbonla Model College Students at the Round House, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja

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THE MOST POWERFUL SPEAKER AND HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY IN NIGERIA Story: Michael Effiong Photo: Opeyemi Ofefuyi (LAHA)

SPEAKER, RT. HON.

MUDASHIRU AJAYI OBASA 152

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Mr. Speaker on duty

ithout any shadow of doubt, the Lagos State House of Assembly is the most powerful Legislative House in Nigeria and its Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa can be regarded as a Primus Interpares in terms of the complexity of his constituents and the financial muscle of the State. Indeed, it is common knowledge that Lagos Assembly prides itself as the best in the country through its positive and tireless disposition to plenary and committee activities as well as its first-rate commitment to servicing the people’s interest which is what led to its slogan: ‘Above The Common Standard of Excellence’. This sterling reputation puts a burden of high expectation on the Assembly because it has no choice but to live up to this standard at all times and as such, when the 8th Assembly was inaugurated on June 8, 2015, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa in his inaugural speech as Mr. Speaker stated ‘We are here to serve the people. Our new members will find that we are often besieged by lobbyists. Their advocacy plays a valuable role here. But we must never forget whom we really serve –the people of Lagos state.’ Since that momentous take off, The House has lived up to this promise and done everything within its capacity to preserve and even improve on the quality of lives of Lagosians through people-oriented bills, some of which have become laws. Knowing full well the huge task which revolves around representing over 20 million people across the 377 wards of the state, it was imperative for the 40 Members of the House to justify the mandate of the people by advancing legislation and policies that secure the lives and well-being of the people as well as

enacting good laws that would aid peace and improve the socio-economic development of the state. Therefore, the House was busy from the get go and has passed into Law such Bills as: The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Law, 2015. This was largely informed by the avowed commitment of the house to

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Lagosians have benefited from the many laws and resolutions that we have passed and we shall not rest on our oars. In addition, we have held MDAs to account through effective and efficient oversight functions - Rt. Hon. MudashiruObasa, Speaker, LAHA

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the economic well-being of the people, as this law is intended to provide job opportunities for Lagosians and reduce the rate of unemployment. It also passed the popular Lagos State Properties Protection Law (2016), which is meant to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed

properties in the state. The Law is seen as a huge step towards a lasting solution to the activities of land grabbers, popularly known as ‘Omo Oniles’ or ‘Ajagungbales’ who have been ugly thorns in the commercial flesh of the state. The Local Government Administration (amendment) Bill, 2016 was also passed. This law increases the tenure of political operators at that Local Government level from three to four years. The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission Amendment Bill 2017 also got attention. The bill had an accelerated passage, as it went through the first, second and third reading at plenary same day. Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade recommended the accelerated passage of the bill in accordance with the Section 101 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which empowers the various Houses of Assembly in the country to regulate its proceedings as well as the order of the State House of assembly which empowers the house to abridge time of passage of bills before it. Sections amended included Section 28 and Section 62 sub-section 1 of the Lagos State Electoral Law. Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Yinka Ogundimu said that the amendment would create clarity and remove all forms of ambiguity in the Law. While, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Segun Olulade said that the amendment would help settle electoral issues with special focus on time and dates of election. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said that the purpose of the amendment was to create more participation in the electoral process as well as create flexibility for the commission to effectively carry out its duty. 153

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Speaker with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Speaker with Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

Speaker, Hon. Lasun Yusuf, Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Majority Leader, Federal House of Reps & Hon. Jimi Benson

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa & Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila

The House also begun the process of amending the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension) Law. This amendment is a private member’s bill and is titled Public Office Holders (Payment of Pensions) Amendment Bill, 2016. The intendment of this bill is to save tax payers money while addressing the cost implication of some parts of the law. For instance, the law allows governors and the deputy to have a house each in Lagos and Abuja while both Governor and the Deputy are also entitled to 6 and 5 vehicles respectively. But with this amendment, both Governor and the Deputy will be limited to a house in Lagos where they served as well as have 3 and 2 vehicles respectively. At the same time, the amendment is targeted at not undermining the Legislature while safeguarding separation of power. As such, it seeks to accord due recognition to the Legislature, which is the symbol of democracy in the state, by allowing the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker benefit in the payment of pension. In the area of security, Lagos Assembly passed the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Agency Law (2016), giving birth to the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps which is aimed at ensuring that emerging and extant crimes like killings by herdsmen, kidnapping, ritual killings and terrorism do not take root in Lagos state. Furthermore, The Kidnapping Prohibition Bill (2016), which is now Lagos Kidnapping Prohibition Law (2017) and The Environmental Management and Protection Bill (2017) were also passed. Yet another outstanding record of the house was the introduction of nine Private Members Bills, four of which were initiated by the Rt. Hon Speaker himself. Four of these trail-blazing bills have been passed and signed into law by the Governor while the others are at various stages of passage. One of the Bills; A Bill for a Law to establish Lagos State Cancer Research Institution has been applauded by many experts in the health industry. In the same vein, some of the resolutions made by 154

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The Lagos Assembly also received the Most Outstanding State Assembly Award for the highly and widely commended stakeholders’ Forum it began from its first year.

the present assembly include: Call for the Amendment of All Tertiary Institution Laws in Lagos State; Menace of Traffic in Lagos; Need to Ensure Quality Control of Manufactured and Imported Products in Nigeria; Call to Check Harmful Activities of Faceless Recruitment Organisations and among others. No doubt, the impact of these resolutions have brought new lease of life to the good people of Lagos State. Another key achievement of the 8th Assembly was the introduction of a Constituency Stakeholder’s Forum. This is happening for the first time in the history of the Legislative Arm of Government in Lagos. The Forum has been held simultaneously in all 40 Constituencies for the past two years since this Assembly began. The advantage of the event is that Lagosians are allowed to question their representatives and meet them face to face at least once every year, which makes for better accountability and fosters better understanding of the Legislative process. Furthermore in living up to its constitutional responsibilities, Lagos Lawmakers have held MDAs to proper account through intensive and effective oversight activities, while responding earnestly to petitions by Lagosians through appropriate standing or ad hoc committees. Speaking on the House’s performance at a recent parley with Media/Civil Society Organisations, Rt. Hon. Obasa stated “Lagosians have benefited from all these laws and we shall not rest on our oars. We have also held MDAs to account through effective and efficient oversight functions”. In terms of capacity building, Lagos Assembly has invested substantially in training programmes for lawmakers and staff, which has enhanced their

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respective legislative and administrative performances. On critical infrastructure, the current Obasa leadership accords importance to modern and state-ofthe art facilities. Today, the L-shaped Complex has been completed. In addition, The Assembly boasts of facilities, technological aids and advanced equipment for global competitiveness as well as a multidimensional and functional website with a mobile –friendly app, available to android and apple phone users for free download. For the first time in the history of the hallowed chamber in its 36 years of existence, Nigerians, and Lagosians in particular, can now communicate with the honorable members through the official email address of the house. All the assembly’s social media such as face book, twitter, YouTube and Instagram. The performance of the 8th assembly has earned it awards and recognitions from the media, civil society organizations and from a broad spectrum of opinion moulders. For example, in recognition of its contribution to the development of democracy, Rt. Hon Madashiru Obasa, the Speaker, on behalf of the House, received the award of from both Global Excellence and City People Magazines. The Lagos Assembly also received the Most Outstanding State Assembly Award for the highly and

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Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa with The Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

Speaker with Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote

Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Aremo Olusegun Osoba & Mr. Speaker

Hon. Lasun Yusuf, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila & Mr. Speaker

Mr. Speaker with Senator & Mrs. Adeola Solomon (Yayi)

Mr. Speaker, Senator Babajide Omoworare & Lagos Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni

widely commended Stakeholders’ Forum it began from its first year. The summit on the compulsory teaching of Yoruba language in all schools in Lagos state which it organized was indeed a great milestone in the political development of the Lagos State house. The success of this event has been acknowledged and appreciated far and wide. To show that they have the milk of human kindness flowing in their veins, members led by Rt. Hon. Obasa on March 12, 2016 paid a surprise visit to Master Bolaji Kalejaiye who was hit by stray bullets in Ketu. Consequent upon the visit, the house passed a resolution to the Governor to look into the possibility Aremo Segun Oniru, Oba Saheed Elegushi & Mr. Speaker0

of keeping alive the academic vision of the victim to study up to university level. His hospital bill was paid by the House of Assembly. The fantastic performance of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode since inception cannot be divorced from the much desired support and partnership of the House of Assembly which has at all times worked at the pace required by the Governor of a cosmopolitan and mega city like Lagos. It must also be noted that the House in some cases have set the agenda, sparking healthy discourse of some important issues. This is an indication that there has been excellent synergy between the two arms of government whose roles have direct impact on the people. 155

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MRS. BOLANLE AMBODE

FIRST LADY WITH A DIFFERENCE

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Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (2nd left); representative of the Governor and Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (2nd right); Commissioner for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Hon. Lola Akande (left) & Alhaja Fatima Bintu Tinubu

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (3rd right), receiving an award for her contributions to Arts and Culture in the state from the Creative Director, Royal Star Entertainment Production, Mr. Femi Tade (right) during the presentation of a stage play Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle), displaying the with her them are Princess Bolanle Kazeem (2nd right); Erelu Abiola Dosumu (3rd left); Distinguished Role Model Award presented to her, flanked by Erelu Abiola Dosumu Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola (left) & Princess Bolanle Kazeem (right) (2nd left) & Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas (left)

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (2nd right); being presented with an award of Distinguished Culture Personality by Erelu Abiola Dosunmu (2nd left) as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola (left) & Princess Bolanle Kazeem (right)

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R-l: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (7th right); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (6th left), in a group photograph with Southern Governors’ Wives’ Forum

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right), presenting a State plaque to the Chairperson, Southern Governors’ Wives’ Forum (SGWF), Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with his wife, Bolanle (right) & the Chairperson, Southern Governors’ Wives’ Forum (SGWF), Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha

R-l: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), with his wife, Bolanle; Chairperson, Southern Governors’ Wives’ Forum (SGWF), Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule

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Founder, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative (HOFOWEM) & Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode with beneficiaries during the Hope For Widows Empowerment Programme

Founder, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative (HOFOWEM) and Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle, (7th right); CEO, HOFOWEM, Ms. Oyefunke Adeleke (6th left); APC Southwest Women Leader, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson (5th left); Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola (4th left); Commissioner for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Lola Akande (6th right); Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola (5th right) with some beneficiaries

Founder, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative (HOFOWEM) & Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle); supported by Commissioner for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Lola Akande (2nd right); Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola (right) & CEO, HOFOWEM, Ms. Oyefunke Adeleke (left) to present brand new Industrial Oven to one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Celestina Osundiya

Founder, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative (HOFOWEM) and Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle, (2nd left); CEO, HOFOWEM, Ms. Oyefunke Adeleke (left); APC Southwest Women Leader, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson (2nd right) & Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola (right)

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Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle); Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Affairs, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (3rd left); former Head of Service, Mrs. Oluseyi Williams (2nd left); APC South-West Women Leader, Chief (Mrs); Kemi Nelson (left); Iyaloja General, Chief (Mrs) Folasade Tinubu-Ojo (right); President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande (2nd right) & Erelu Abiola Dosunmu (3rd right)

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle); Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Affairs, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (2nd left); Barr. Laide Osijo (left); Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola (2nd right) & Erelu Abiola Dosunmu (right)

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (2nd right), presenting empowerment tools to one of the grandaunts, Kilingkot Candida (left), while the National President of Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA), Hajiya Hafsat Abubakar (right); Mrs. Sheila Lar (3rd right) & Mrs. Larai Gbum (2nd left)

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (2nd right), being supported by the National President of Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA), Hajiya Hafsat Abubakar (right), to present empowerment tools to one of the grandaunts, Mrs. Hajara Yusuf (left)

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle), flanked by members of Committee Of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO)

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle), with some students during the Committee Of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO)

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Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (left), with Founder, Rose of Sharon Foundation, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle), with Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Mr. Ronald Kayanja (2nd left); Executive Director, Hope for Life Initiative, Ms. Kendi Aig-Imoru (left); Representative, Director of Citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mediation Centre, Mrs. Rotimi Odutola (2nd right) & Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett (right)

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Let The Celebration

after a pain-staking audition process at 5 locations scattered across the state. The winner, smiled home with N1million. This unique project was co-ordinated by toprate comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka 1st. Social clubs have always been an integral part of the uniqueness and development of Lagos and a day was set inside for members of some of those clubs to savour the jollity of Lagos@50. The age-long Fanti Carnival, designed after the famous Rio Carnival has always been a feature of Lagos, and so it was not out of place that a grand street party, the Lagos Carnival/ Parade Of Colours was hosted in both the Island and Mainland zones of the state. It was a great festival of colours that dovetailed into a celebration of the different communities and ethnic groups in Lagos. Again, this held simultaneously at various venues. As part of the celebrations, the Committee did not forget the Godfactor in the affairs of men, so days were aside for inter faith prayers to highlight the religious diversity and tolerance that has made Lagos truly cosmopolitan and unique. One of the age long cultural events in Lagos State, Eyo Festival returned in its full glory during the Lagos@50 celebrations. Eyo, otherwise known as the Adamu Orisa wowed and thrilled many residents and visitors. The event which is generally concentrated in the heart of Lagos, Isale Eko began with a watch night gathering of prayers and entertainment at the different family compounds including the Iga Idungaran, the Palace of the Oba of Lagos. In the morning, the different Eyo masquerades, dancers and drummers flowed from different points to the main arena which was the ancient Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. It was fun galore There was also a Special Legislative session, at the Lagos State House of Assembly and was attended by former speakers and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Key speakers on the day were Prof. Patrick Lumumba and top Economist, Bismarck Rewane. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mubashiru Obasa was in his elements and co-ordinated affairs seamlessly. An intellectual angle was also added to the programme. There was an engaging History Lecture that was attended by former Governors and eminent Lagos Indigenes, many of the speakers regaled the audience with never-before-revealed details about the historical evolution of Lagos and also used the occasion to dismiss many long-held myths. The Business Community had their say too when they gathered for an International Conference that examined the ambitious aspiration of the Governor under the theme: Towards a Smart City: Preparing for the next 50 years of prosperity Held in Partnership with the Times of London, the two day event appraised the potentials of Lagos, the fifth largest economy in Africa and laid out a road map on how it can metamorphose from a smart to mega city. Focus areas and Topics explored included: Transportation: Present and Future, Information & Communication Technology (ICT): Making Lagos the Technology Frontier of Africa, Law & Technology: The Role of Law in the Ease of Doing Business and T.H.E.S.E (Tourism, Hospitlaity, Entertainment, Sports Excellence): Unlocking the potentials within the creative and sports industries. Speakers and panellists included: Prof Paul Colleirs, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, Mr Uyi Akpata, Mrs. Sheri Williams, Mr. Bode Augusto, Mrs Mosun Belo-Olusoga, Abiodun Dabiri, Cobhams Asuquo, Biodun Dabiri, Dr. Sola Fosudo and Joke Silva. It is said that no party rocks like a Lagos party, and that came to tore in deed at the Grand Lagos@50 dinner held inside the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, It was a gathering of the cream of Nigerian society. A day later, at the same venue, there was a thanksgiving service that was a session of praises and prayers. It was very soul-lifting. This line up of festivity was aptly crowned with a mother of all mega concerts featuring A-list Nigerian artistes from all genres and the celebration was rounded. off with a spectacular blaze of fireworks. A fitting finale to this 50th anniversary celebration.

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50 years is a significant landmark in the life of any individual, institution or state. For Lagos state, it has been an eventful 50 years which deserves to be fittingly celebrated.

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0 years is a significant landmark in the life of any individual, institution or state. For Lagos state, it has been an eventful 50 years which deserves to be fittingly celebrated. “Lagos is a land of opportunities, offering all residents the chance to succeed in their vocations and endeavours. Lagos provides jobs to more people than any other state in SubSaharan Africa. Lagos is that place where you have a chance to make it if you work hard. It is imperative that we celebrate Lagos at 50. In celebrating Lagos we must showcase our cultural heritage. We must celebrate the language, arts, sights and sounds of Lagos. Celebrating Lagos is to celebrate Nigerian unity and progress because Lagos provides the cohesion that keeps Nigeria together” It was with these powerful words that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode set the tone for a year-long celebrationand a spectacular assemblage of highprofile, fun-filled events to mark this epoch-making birthday for the Centre of Excellence. An indication that the state was serious about holding a world-class Lagos@50 celebration was when it announced a top-notch organising committee that had two eminent and cerebral minds as Co-Chairman: Nobel Laureate and one of the country’s most recognisable literary giants, Professor Wole Soyinka and thoroughbred Lagosian, industrialist, arts connoisseur and writer, Dr Rasheed Gbadamosi (Now Late). On the death of Dr. Gbadamosi, former member of the House of Representatives, the amiable businessman and politician, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro was drafted in-and many acknowledged that he held forth with so much panache and professionalism. Other members of the committee were: Former Commissioner and businessman, Chief Michael Olawale-Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulous, Professor (Mrs) Senapon Bakare, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Prof. Ademola Abass (Special Adviser, Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment), Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters (MD/CEO, Terra Culture), Mr. Abimbola Obafunwa, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, Acting Commissioner of Tourism & Special Adviser, Arts & Culture while Mr. Adewale Ashimi was Secretary. The Committee outlined a pulsating one month programme that touched every part of the state and it all kicked off with an exhilarating special Lagos@50 performance of WAKAA! The Musical WAKAA! is a play about the trials, successes and experiences of young graduates with varied backgrounds, a wager between them after graduation has a twist when the realities of life and the folly of their choices hit them. Eventually they reunite, coming full circle. The story reveals the struggles and challenges young people face in present day Nigeria and Abroad. WAKAA! takes you on an emotional roller coaster and is a strong satire of Nigerian politics. Days later, there was a musical about the Afro-beat creator Fela, this featured his life and times, and many of his songs were given fresh new twists. As a State of Acquatic Splendour, many Lagos indigenes are from riverine areas, and their captivating culture came to fore with a colourful Boat Regatta that unfolded in the Waterways of Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu and Lagos Island. Lagos without aq doubt, is the Fashion and entertainment capital of Africa, this was showcased with a Jazz Concert organized in partnership with Runway Jazz which in 2016 collaborated with the Lagos State Government to celebrate the International Jazz Day. Grammy Award-winning artistes, Najee supported by others like Joss Stone, Dede Mabiaku, Yinka Davies and Waje performed. On May 1, the Government of Lagos joined the whole world to celebrate the Workers’ Day. Active and retired workers were on parade and it was an opportunity for them to felicitate with the state. As the birth place of Nollywood, Lagos love for the cinema is not in doubt. Five of the highest box office films enjoyed red-carpet screening to local audiences in Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja Lagos island Epe and while five

-GOV. AMBODE

evergreen films had matinee screenings at the same locations. The top film chosen to headline the special occasion was Kunle Afolayan’s Roti, a film that examines the theme of re-incarnation. Films such as Wedding Party, Maami, A trip To Jamaica, 76 and 93 Days were also screened. Contemporary Dance Troupes also took centre stage at the special Lagos Dance Exhibition. So You Think You Can Dance? as the theme for this evening which coincided with the World Dance Day. Laughter, they say, is the best medicine, and the Lagos@50 committee did not fail to include a Comedy Event. Lagos Laughs was different in that it was an evening that featured popular and rising comedians. The main highlight of the evening was the finals of the Ibile Comedy Challenge which featured contestants chosen

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THE MUSICAL Photo: Adekoya Adegbite, Ken Ehimen, Segun Lawal, Abraham Falodun & Funmi Adeyemi

H.E Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adegbule, Deputy Governor Lagos State

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Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters, Executive Producer, Wakaa with Lagos Traditional Rulers

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The three wise men

Prince Gbolahan Lawal & Mr. Steve Ayorinde

Hon. Habeeb Fasinro

Chief (Mrs) Sena Anthony & Chief Michael Olawale-Cole Jahman Anikulapo & Mike Dada

Mr. Habib Aruna, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ambode

Jamiu Abiola (left)

Michael Effiong & Kenny Saint

Mr. Fela Bank-Olemoh (L)

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Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule (2nd right); Publisher of the Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex Ibru (right); Director/ Executive Producer, WAKAA THE MUSICAL and Founder, Terra Kulture Centre, Mrs. Bolanle Austen- Peters (3rd right); Wife of the late Co-Chairman of Eko @ 50 Celebrations, Mrs. Tinuade Gbadamosi (middle); Lagos State Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde (3rd left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Hon. Aramide Giwanson (2nd left); Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun (left) & members of the State Executive Counci

Hon. Jide Sanwo-Olu, Michael Effiong & Dayo Adedayo

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Bolanle Austen-Peters, Mr. Steve Ayorinde & guests

Prof. Ademola Abass (middle)

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BOAT REGATTA

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ETI-OSA

SSG to Lagos State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello during his speech

Princess Aderemi Adebowale, Mr. Tunji Bello, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, Mr. Tunde Hon. Ibrahim Adigun, Hon. Goke Olawale & Hon. Olumide Oluyomi Durosinmi-Etti & Hon. Wale Edun

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Hon. Ibrahim Adigun, Prince Babalola Ayo Ayeni, Princess Aderemi Prince Babalola Ayo Ayeni, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, Princess Abiodun Adebowale, Hon. Abimbola Osikoya, Princess Abiodun Elegushi, Elegushi & Barr. David Aransiola Barr. David Aransiola & Hon. Olumide Oluyomi

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EPE

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Dr. Shakirudeen Onasanya (Permanent Sec. Ministry of Agric, Hon. Mustaniru tobun & Alhaji Seriki Bamu

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Mr. Toyin Kawojiwe & Mr. Akodu Olalekan, Permanent Sec. Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Alhaji Akanni Seriki ( Apese of Epeland), Olori Olu Epe & Kabiyesi Oba Shefiu Adewale ( Olu Epe of Epe)

Wastab, Dr. Tola Kasali & Hon. Bode Oyedele (Kashif)

Mr. Jamiu Adewale Ashimi (Permanent Sec. Ministry of Arts & Culture)

Hon. Adeniyi Otunuyi & Alhaja Muibat Otunuyi

Alara of Ilara, Oloja of Epe

Hon. Wastab & Dr. Kasali

Hon. Elelu

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IKORODU

Chief Biodun Ogunleye

(L-r) Oba Kabir Shotobi (Ayangburen of Ikorodu), Alayeluwa Oba Richard Ogunsanya (Olubeshe of Ibeshe) & Oba Semiu Kasali (Adeboruwa of Igbogbo)

Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Commissioner of Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives (m) with Islamic Clerics

(middle) Hon. Nurudeen Solaja-Saka & Hon.S.O. Balogun

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(Middle) Hon. Nurudeen Solaja-Saka, Hon. Jimi Benson & Hon. S.O. Balogun

Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Chief Olorunfunmi Bashorun (right) & guests

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BADAGRY

Lagos state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade

Hon. Bamgbose Joseph & Lagos state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade (left)

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Hon. Suarau Isiaka Oluwatoyin

Lagos state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade & Hon. Sunny Ajose

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Tolu & Motunrayo

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JAZZ MEETS FASHION IN LAGOS

Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode & Mrs. Onari Duke

H.E (Mrs) Dolapo Osinbajo, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode & Mrs. Onari Duke

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Afolabi Oke, Event Convener & Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings

Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule

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Hon. Desmond Elliot

Ola & Lara Olaniran

Samuel Omoruyi & Elizabeth Omoruyi

Matthew & Lauretta Sule

(L) Ebele Ogbue

Mr. & Mrs. Bode Johnson

Omotade Moniye, Aidevbo Nosa Iduoze & Adetola Bola Moniye

Mr & Mrs Kenny Awe

Mr. &â&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Mrs. Damilotun Aderemi

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Pastor & Mrs. Ighodalo with Sonie & Betty Irabor

Gbenga Adeyinka & Steve Ayorinde

Bolaji Tunji, Michael Effiong & Azuh Arinze

Bayo Odusami, Henry Alade, Biodun Kupoluyi & Loye Hamzat

Elvina Ibru & Jenifer Eliogu

Governor Donald Duke & family

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Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Mr. Donald Duke, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode & Mrs. Onari Duke

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ARTISTES

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RUNWAY FASHION

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...AT THE WORKERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; DAY RALLY 2017

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd right); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (3rd left); Commissioner for Establishment & Training, Dr. Akintola Benson (2nd left); Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola (left); member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adedayo Famakinwa (2nd right) State Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Francis Ogunremi (right) during the 2017 Workers Day rally in commemoration of the Lagos @ 50 celebrations at the Agege Stadium, Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, acknowledging the march past of Labour and Trade Unions

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right); acknowledging greetings from officials of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Council

Dr.(Mrs) Oluranti Adebule, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode & Hon. Adedayo Famakinwa; Commissioner for Establishment & Training

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adedayo Famakinwa; Commissioner for Establishment & Training, Dr. Akintola Benson and Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola

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ROTI

MOVIE

PREMIERE

Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Kate Henshew & Kunle Afolayan

Dari Afolayan

Co-Chairman, Lagos @ 50 Committee, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro & Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Steve Ayorinde

Tunle Kelani

Olu Jacobs & Joke Silva

Olumide Iyanda

Bose Oshin

Chief (Mrs.) Diana Chan

Kate Henshew

Executive Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, Mr. Hamzat Ayodele Subair

Ayo Adesanya

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Kate Henshaw, Kunle Afolayan, Fathia Balogun & Seun Soyinka

Editor, Ovation International Magazine, Michael Effiong, Co-Chairman, Lagos @ 50 Committee, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro & Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Steve Ayorinde

Mahmood Alli-Balogun & Kunle Afolayan

Fatimoh Momoh

Mrs. Tolu Afolayan, Mr. Kunle Afolayan, Dari Afolayan & Dara Afolayan

Victor Hans & Kunle Afolayan

Samuel Ajirebi

Funmilayo Hazzan & Kent Edunjobi

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Steve Ayorinde

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Mr. Olumide Iyanda (Publisher), Mr. Fela Bank-Olemoh, Mr. Kunle Afolayan, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Mr. Ayo Subair & Mr. Arthur Dieffenthaler at the launch of Cinema in Lagos Magazine

Cross section of guests

Steve Ayorinde with Kunle Afolayan

Roti cast

Mr. Arthur Dieffenthaler, Commercial Director KLM/Airfrance & Kunle Afolayan

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Representatives of the Lagos State Government & event coordinator, Gbenga Adeyinka 1st presenting the star prize to winner, Short Family

LAGOS

Dr. Idiat Adebule, Mr. Steve Ayorinde with Former Ghanaian President, H.E. John Mahama

LAUGHS IBILE COMEDY AT

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CHALLENGE

Mrs. Temitope Ayorinde, Mr. Steve Ayorinde & Prince Rotimi Ogunleye

Dr. & Mrs. Babatunde Adejare

Bashorun Dele Momodu with Mr. & Mrs. Bisi Olatilo

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Lagos State Exco members, Prince Damola Aderemi, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Former president John Mahama & guests

Mr. Samson, Habib Aruna, Fola Adeyemi & Mojeed Jamiu

Bisoye Fagade & Tunji Olugbodi

Chigul, Ali Baba, Tee A, Jimmy Jatt, Teju Babyface & Biodun Kupoluyi

Woli Arole, Frank Edoho, Asiri & Ejike Ibedilo

Michael Effiong & wife, Kemi

Mr. &â&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Mrs. Kingsly James with Mr & Mrs Wole Olagundoye

Shade Abiola-Agbalajobi, Hon. Mrs. Yinka Babalola, Hon. Mrs. Yinka Oladuunjoye & Barrister Adebukola Olufowora

Pastor & Mrs. Africanus Sam-Epelle

Sola Fajobi & Azuka Ogujuiba

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Mekoyo

Daniboy

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Samobaba

Kojah

JimBoi

Fumbicomedius

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Gbenga Adeyinka de 1st

Lolo

Funke Akindele-Ayotunde

Gandoki

Princess Damilola Adekoya

Lepacious Bose

Koffi

Gordons

Jim-Boi

Akpororo

Mc Abbey

Omo Baba

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(L-r) Hon. Sola Giwa, Brother Ayodele Martins (past chairman), Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola & Brother (Prof.) Adetokunbo Fabanwo (chairman) cutting Lagos @ 50 cake at Yoruba Tennis Club

LAGOS CELEBRATES SOCIAL CLUBS

Mr. Ayodele Martins & Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola presenting gift to Chief Folarin Coker at Yoruba Tennis Club

Dr. Yomi Finnih, Hon. Sola Giwa, Mr. Ayodele Giwa & Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola & Brother Dele Martins

Mr. Ayodele Martins & Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola Presenting a Gift

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Dr. Ademola Farri & Dr. Femi Vaughan

Chief Jide Damazio & Eng.. Funsho Alayande

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Brother (Dr.) Yomi Finnih

Mr. Ayodele Martins (President Yoruba Tennis Club)

Chief Alex Duduyemi

Brother (Engr.) Olawunmi Gasper Eng. Gasper

Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola & Brother (Engr.) Olawunmi Gasper

Bar. Adegboyega Dosunmu, Mr. Stephen Williams & Friend

Femi Bamishile, Larinde Williams, Bimbo A. Afolabi & Bayo Ayo

Mr. Tunde Bank-Anthony, Brother Yomi Giwa & Mr. Akin Oyebode

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LAGOS LAWN TENNIS CLUB

Prince Gbenga Lafadeju (Vice President), (Rtd) Capt. Kola Peregrino & Hon. Funmilayo Tejuoso with the players

Kunle Oyekanmi, Alh. Kamal Aranmashodu & Adams B. Adejumo

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Alh. Rasaq, Chief Kunle Siwonku, Salisu Andrew & Dapo Aboaba

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LAGOS CARNIVAL AND PARADE

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The Glamour and Colour of EYO FESTIVAL

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left); Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Kusenla III (middle); wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (3rd right); APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (2nd right); Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (right); Co-Chairman, Lagos @50 Committee, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro (left) & wife of Oba Elegushi, Olori Aramide

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left); Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (2nd left); Co-Chairman, Lagos @50 Committee, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro (left);Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I (3rd right); APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (2nd right) & Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Kusenla III (right) Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa with Honourable members

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Former Lagos Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji (2nd left) & guests

r-l: Oba Lateef Adams, a traditional ruler & wife

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (left), with retired Justice George Oguntade (right) & his wife, Modupe (middle)

Chief (Mrs.) Nike Okunadaye

Mr. Habeeb Fasinro, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oba Saheed Elegushi, H.E. Mrs. Bolanle Ambode & Olori Shekinat Elegushi

Oba Kasali Semiudeen (Adeboruwa of Igbogbo) & Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo

Erelu Abiola Dosunmu & her entourage

Hon. Dr. Babatunde Adejare (Commissioner For Environment Lagos) & Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa

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Eyo Oniko Group with Oba Rilwan Akiolu (Oba of Lagos)

Chief Sasi

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Eyo Oniko Group

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Faisal Anjolaiye on his first Eyo Festival outing

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SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION

LAGOS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

Former Lagos State Gov., Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Speaker Lagos State, House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Akinwunmi Ambode, Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule & Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni

198

R-l: Former Lagos State Gov., Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Speaker Lagos State, House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Mrs. Olusola Obasa, Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule & Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Akinwunmi Ambode

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Speaker Lagos State, House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa in session

Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Akinwunmi Ambode

Former Lagos State Gov., Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Guest Speaker, Prof. Patrick Lumumba

Guest Speaker, Bismarck Rewane

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola & Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji

Lagos White Cap Chiefs

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Lagos State Deputy Governor, Adebule Oluranti, Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Akinwunmi Ambode, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed & Co-Chairman, Lagos @ 50 Committee, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro

Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa

Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora & Senator Gbenga Asafa

Chief Henry Ajomale & Hon. Desmond Elliot

Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila & Hon. Jokotola Pelumi

Hon. Ayodeji Adebayo Joseph & Hon. Agunsoye Oluwarotimi Ojo

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Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande & Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson

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...AT THE LAGOS HISTORY LECTURE

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (5th left); former Secretary to the 1st Civilian Government in Lagos State, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun (4th left); first Town Clark of the Lagos City Council, Senator Hassan Fasinro (3rd left); former Minister of Works, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, SAN (2nd left); Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (left); Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (5th right); Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Professor Hakeem Danmole (4th right); former Judge of the Lagos State High Court, Justice Olusola Hunponu-Wusu (3rd right); former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice George Oguntade (2nd right) and Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University. Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun (right) during the Lagos History Lecture

Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Akinwunmi Ambode giving his speech during the Lagos History Lecture

202

Oba of Lagos, Alayeluwa Oba Riliwanu Akinolu during the Lagos History Lecture

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), with first Civilian Governor of the State, Alhaji Lateef Jakade (right); first Military Governor, Brig. Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (3rd right); former Military Governor, Rear Admiral Ndubusi Kanu, rtd. (3rd left); his wife, Gladys (2nd left) & former Military Governor, Brig-Gen. Raji Rasaki

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right); Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (right); Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (2nd left) & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule

Cross session of Obas

Senator Hassan Fasinro

Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Shelk Abdul Afeez, Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande & Chief Kolawole Jamodu (OFR)

Former Governor of Lagos State, Ebitu Ukiwe, Former Speaker of Lagos State, Rt. Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji & Chief Lanre Rasaq

Former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, Justice Ishola Olorunimbe & Alhaji Tinubu

Cross session of dignitaries

Speaker of Lagos State, Rt. Hon Mudasiru Obasa & Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Her Excellency, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule

Co-Chairman Committee Lagos at 50, Mr. Habeeb Fasinro & Kolawole Jamodu (OFR)

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AT THE SPECIAL COURT SESSION IN COMMEMORATION OF THE

Cross Section of Judges

GOLDEN JUBILEE

Mrs. Demi Ajayi, Mr. Oluwole, Mrs. Oshonubi & Mrs. Awobamise

Papa Gomez giving his speech

204

Hon. Funmi Tejuoso delivering her speech

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Hon. Justice Oyinda Ogala & Hon. Justice Ganiyu Safari

Hon. Justice Martins Ogunleye

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Hon. Justice Beatrice Oke- Lawal & Hon. Justice Toyin Taiwo

Hon. Justice Idowu Alakija & Hon. Justice Seri Solebo

Hon. Justice Wasiu Animashaun & Hon. Justice I.O Akinkugbe

Hon. Justice S.I Sonaike & Hon. Justice A.M Lawal

Mrs. Demi Oluwole, Hon. Funmilayo Tejuoso, Hon. Justice Funmilayo Atilade (Rtd.) & Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN

Hon. Justice Harrison Ronke & Hon. Justice Emaya Jumoke

206

Hon. Justice Bola Okikiolu, Hon. Justice Lawal Akapo & Hon. Justice Bisi Akinlade

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TRANSFORMING LAGOS FROM MEGA TO SMART CITY

Prof. Paul Collier (University of Oxford) , Prof. Wole Soyinka , H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode & Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa

Mr. Tunji Bello & Mr. Kothars

H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (Governor of Lagos State)

L-r: Mr. Fela Bank-Olemoh & Prof. Ademola Abass

(L- R) Mr. Folusho Philips & Dr. Doyin Salami

Hon. Steve Ayorinde & Prince Rotimi Ogunleye

Aviation Students and Lecturers of The Lagos State Polytechnic with drone they created

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Mr. Lekan Ogunbanwo

Prof. Paul Collier

Cobhams Asuquo, Mr. Femi Ayeni, Joke Silva & Dr. Sola Fosudo

Didi Akinyelure

Dr. Sola Fosudo

Panelists

Prince Dapo Adelegan & Mrs. Mosun Bello-Olusoga

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Hon. Folajimi Mohammed (l)

Michael Effiong, Editor, Ovation International, Saadat Otulana, Director, Centre for Arts & Culture, Habib Aruna, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Ambode & Fola Adeyemi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information & Strategy

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Cross section of guests

Mr. Bode Augusto & Mr. Kunle Elebute

(R ) Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi

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EVANDER HOLYFIELD ATTENDS

RHUMBLE IN LAGOS CHARITY BOXING MATCH

Evander Holyfield, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Co-Chairman, Lagos@50 Committee & H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (Gov. of Lagos State)

H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode presenting gift to Evander Holyfield

210

Dr. Babatunde Adejare, Hon. Gbolahan Lawal with Mr. Steve Ayorinde (far right)

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode with President, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Alhaji Rafiu Oladipupo & Evander Holyfield

From 2nd left: Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode & Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa

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H.E. (Mr.) Akinwunmi Ambode (Gov. of Lagos State)

Chairman, GAC Motors, Iyalaje Diana Chen

Olisa Adibua

Mr. Gbolahan Lawal

Mr. Hakeem Muri Okunola

Mr. Steve Ayorinde

(L-r) Hon. Kate Banjoko, Hon. Chief Daramola (APC. Leader) & Yinka Kazeem

L-r: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; Co-Chairman, Lagos @50 Committee, Prof. Wole Soyinka; former Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Evander Holyfield & his Lawyer, Shevon Harris Ara, Yeni Kuti & husband, Mr. Theo Lawson

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(r) Mr. Wale Edun

Mr. Segun Adebutu & Mr. Folajimi Mohammed

Mr. Olumide Olayomi, Abiola B. Are & Charles Ekundayo

(r) Mr. Sogo Oshikoya & Osunnuga S. Olorunto

(R-l) Mr. Sogo Oshikoya,Comrade, Hon. Daramola & friend

Bamidele Nurudeen, Osunnuga S. Olorunto & Emmanuel Aguda

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THE GRAND GALA NIGHT

Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo & Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Chief Femi Pedro, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode & Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire

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Hon. Habeeb Fasinro with Former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola

Mrs. Ojuolape Otedola (right)

Alhaji Lateef Jakande & his wife

Justice Olusola Oguntade Rtd.) & his wife, Modupe

Dr. & Mrs. Babatunde Adejare

R-l: SSA Information & Strategy, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, Commissioner for Establishment and Pensions, Dr Akintola Benson & Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna,

L-r: Brig-Gen. Raji Rasaki (Rtd.) & wife, Senator Fatima Rasaki

Real Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (Rtd.) & wife, Gladys

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Hon. Habeeb Fasinro & Mrs. Yetunde Onabule, Special Adviser Urban Development/Lands Bureau

Erelu Abiola Dosunmu

Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohamed

Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande

Senator Solomon Olamilakan Adeola

Mrs. Yewande Zacceaus of Eventful

Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Kofoworola Bucknor

Prince Samuel Adedoyin

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Hon. Segun Olulade Michael Effiong & wife

Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole & family

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Acting President H.E. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, H.E. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode & wife, H.E. Bolanle Ambode

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu & Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, H.E. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, H.E. Mrs. Bolanle Ambode & H.E. Mrs. Idiat Adebule

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H.E. Mrs. Idiat Adebule, H.E. Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, H.E. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Brig-Gen Mobolaji Johnson & Alh. Lateef Jakande

Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, HRM. Oba Rilwan Akiolu & Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Brig-Gen Mobolaji Johnson, Alh. & Alhaja Lateef Jakande

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Commodore & Mrs. Ebitu Ukiwe

Real Admiral & Mrs. Ndubusi Kanu

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Lady Doja Otedola & Mr. Femi Otedola

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola & wife

Brig-Gen Raji Rasaki (Rtd.) & Prince Bisi Olatilo

Brig-Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) & wife

Gov. Ibikunle Amosun & Oba rilwan Akiolu

Gov. Abdulaziz Yari & Gov. Abiola Ajimobi

Gov. Godwin Obaseki with Aremo Olusegun Osoba & wife, Beere Derin Osoba

Chief Bisi Akande & Governor Ayo Fayose

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Mr. Femi Otedola, Alhaji Aliko Dangote & Pastor Ituah Ighodalo

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Chief Bode George & Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (Rtd.)

Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, Dr. Idiat Adebule & Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye

Mrs. Ojuolape Otedola, Femi Otedola, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Otunba Niyi Adebayo & Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson

Justice Sola Oguntade (Rtd.) & wife, Chief (Mrs.) Modupe Oguntade

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Oba Rilwan Akiolu & Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

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Dr. & Mrs. Babatunde Adejare

Mr. & Mrs. Steve Ayorinde

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Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, Gov. Rochas Okorocha & Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Mr. Jimi Agbaje & Gov. Akimwunmi Ambode

Hon. Desmond Elliot with Hon. Segun Olulade & his wife

Chief Lanre Rasaq & wife

Akin & Seyi Ashade

Mr. Wager & Dame Winnie Akpan

From 2nd left: Chief Dayo Adeneye & Alistair Soyode

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Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, Mr. Dere Otubu & Mrs. Bolanle Ambode

Segun & Adekola Oloketuyi

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Engr. Bade Taylor and Hon. Mrs Dolapo Asagunna

Gov. Ayo Fayose with Senator Solomon Samuel Adeola (Yayi) & wife

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Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Gov. & Mrs. Ambode, Oba of Lagos, Comm. Ebitu Ukiwe with wives of former Governors of Lagos State

Gov. & Mrs. Ambode with Lagos Chiefs & Oba of Lagos

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Governor Ambode & wife, Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule & Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa

Governor & Mrs. Ambode with Past & Present EXCO members

Mr. Fola Adeyemi, Mrs. Tinu Aina-Badejo, Gov. & Mrs. Ambode with Mr. Lekan Ogunbanwo

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Mr. & Mrs. Rotimi Erogbogbo

Mr. Wale Jafojo & Michael Effiong

Mr. Eazi

Mr. & Mrs. Jide Okeowo

Akin Tofowomo, Shuga Band

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AT THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Apostle Bamgbola, H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, H. E. Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye & Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo

Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode & H.E. Mrs. Bolanle Ambode

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Mr. & Mrs. Alaba Kasumu

Eng. & Dr (Mrs.) Ayotunde Sodehinde

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Apostle STV. Adegbite & Baba Aladura Isreal Akin

Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo

Crossection of Ministers

Bee Jay Sax

H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

H.E. Mrs. Bolanle Ambode

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THE GOLDEN JUBILEE CONCERT AT EKO ATLANTIC CITY

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; her husband, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Co-Chairman, Lagos@50 Committee, Mr. Habeeb Fasinro; Senator Olamilekan Adeola Solomon and Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola during the Golden Jubilee concert to round off the Lagos@50 celebrations at the Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); his wife, Bolanle (3rd left); fuji musicians, Adewale Ayuba (middle); Sule Alao Malaika (3rd right); Sir Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); his wife, Bolanle (right) & Shina Peters (2nd right); former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba King Sunny Ade (left) (right) & Salawa Abeni (left)

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Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Banky W & DJ Spinall

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Alhaji Alabi Pasuma

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Hon. Habeeb Fasinro & Mr. Steve Ayorinde

Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola

Mr. & Mrs. Mile Dada

Prof. Ademola Abass (left)

Jimi Aina (left)

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Evangelist Ebenezer Obey

Gbenga Adeyinka

Tuface

Reminisce

Idris Abdulkareem

Sound Sultan

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Yinka Davis

9ice

Olamide

Olu Maintain

Obesere

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CELEBRATIONS END WITH A BLAZE OF SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS

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TOURISM

Statue of the Three Wise Men of Lagos

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Lovely Sculpture on Allen Roundabout, Ikeja

Amb. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, Rev. (Mrs. ) Omotola Oyediran & H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode cutting the tape

Amb. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, Rev. (Mrs. ) Omotola Oyediran, H.E. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, H.E. (Mrs. ) Dolapo Osinbajo, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa & Mr. Segun Awolowo Jnr.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode delivering his speech

Governor Ambode with Awolowoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decendants at Lagos House, Alausa

THE ICONIC STATUE OF CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO IN IKEJA

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Tinubu Square at Night

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Ojuloge Monument Park, Iganmu 235

Oreintal Hotel, Victoria Island

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Maryland

Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos Island

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Murtala Muhammed International Airport

The drummer, Ipakodo Ikorodu

Igunuko, Isheri-Ikotun

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Awolowo Detention Centre

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The Fisherman, Badagry

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Slave Market

Slave Route

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Sugbon Eredo

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Lekki Consevatory

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Point of No return

Virtues of Life, Marwa-Lekki

Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos

Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way Bridge, Ikeja

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Freedom Park

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Attenuation Well

Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge

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MEET THE MEN WHO GOVERNED LAGOS Interviews: Michael Effiong & Story: Eric Elezuo

Awolowo being the great leader that he was, mentored and inspired us to participate and we had no choice but to follow his wise counsel having learnt a lot from him I am grateful to God for giving us the opportunity to serve our fatherland and for doing the little we could to impact the lives of many people as the Governor of Lagos. We already had a blueprint for the party, the Unity Party of Nigeria, so it was just to have the political will and the discipline to implement them. One of the major problems that has led to our stunted growth is that lack of self-discipline, people are generally too sentimental and selfish at times, for me, once something is for the common good, I never looked back. Sir, years after you left government, people still say LKJ was a great leader, how does that make you feel

lhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande is the first Executive Governor of Lagos. He is fondly called the Action Governor based on his zero tolerance on laziness and tremendous work ethic. He was also celebrated for his welfarist programmes and projects. Baba Kekere is indeed a man of modest life style, as we found out when we conducted this interview. He still lives in the same Ilupeju, Lagos home he was living before he assumed office in 1979. What propelled you as a journalist into politics

Though it is said that man is a political animal, as a journalist, we are usually more involved in the goings on in the country because as a member of the Fourth Estate, we were part of the process of nationbuilding. However, I got interested in partisan politics because of what I saw as the poor state of the people. Improving the welfare of the people was a major reason for joining politics. Fortunately, I was an ally and later a member of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Party, Action Group, and 244

Let me say I have great admiration for the people of Lagos State because they they have kept appreciating my service and up till today they are doing everything to express that appreciation. I find it very comfortable, very rewarding to served the people in various ways which I would say was due to God's own blessing. We were able to achieve all we did while in government because we were committed and God was on our side. When I took over as Governor of Lagos state we did our very best to make life better, I had two big programmes, the first was Education, and the other was Housing. In Education you must remember that education was not free in Lagos and also we had three shifts in schools, morning, afternoon and evening. When I told my team that we were not only going to deliver free education, we will have only one session, in the morning. Some of them said it was impossible. That is why earlier I had talked about political will and following things through. We began to build the schools and people called it all kinds of names but we went ahead and announced, there were challenges at first but it became stable later. You can imagine the stress that we removed from people’s lives with that decision. We did not only deal with primary, we also did same in Secondary and also established our own University. So we wanted to take care of education from beginning to the end. That was a tall ambition and we thank God that we achieved it. And today, it is the norm for many states all over Nigeria to use this same template for their own education programme. It was when we achieved these promises, and the other people-oriented interventions we carried out within a short space of time that people began to call me Action Governor The second as I mentioned, was low cost housing for the people of Lagos. We were ambitious and began projects all over the state. We are very fortunate because my successors in government have followed through with similar programmes and provision of low cost housing has now become part and parcel of Lagos state. Talking of your successors, are you happy with the state of Lagos since you left

I am very happy with the successive administrations, each one had contributed to the momentum that we started. If you go around Lagos, there is evidence of progress, I am delighted at that. We do not have too many abandoned projects like in other states.

WHY THEY CALLED ME ACTION GOVERNOR

-ALHAJI LATEEF JAKANDE Lagos is celebrating 50, what is your wish for Lagos

I wish Lagos becomes the mega city that we have all dreamt of, I wish Lagos will have a all the amenities of a modern city like a very good rail system and road network. Talking of rail, one matter that really bothered me was the metroline project that did not continue. Imagine if we had done it then, it would have eased the transport system in Lagos. Traffic is still a major problem in Lagos, yes, all major capitals have this same problem, but it will be greatly reduced if we have something like a metroline. I am happy that a form of it is being pursued by the present administration, Lagos cannot become great except we get a functioning train system that serves the metropolis. If and when that is completed, I will be very glad. I wish Lagosians well as we celebrate this landmark.

“

When I took over as Governor of Lagos state we did our very best to make life better, I had two big programmes, the first was Education and the other was Housing. It was when we achieved these promises, and the other people-oriented interventions we carried out within a short space of time that people began to call me Action Governor

”

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MY YEARS AS

MILITARY

GOVERNOR

LAGOS STATE

-BRIG-GEN RAJI RASAKI (Rtd.)

rigadier-General Raji Rasaki (Rtd) has this no nonsense look that most people associate with soldiers. As Military Governor of Lagos, the fear of the then Colonel Raji Rasaki was the beginning of wisdom. He tackled robbers, He built roads and levelled the dreaded shanty town called Maroko, which has given birth to today’s Oniru/Victoria Island Extension. He is an epitome of discipline and has zero tolerance for lateness. When we fixed this interview for 10am in Ibadan, Oyo State, his aides warned us not to be late. Therefore, when we got to his gate by 9.30 am, he beamed with a smile-and the first thing he said was “ I am impressed, if you had come one minute late, you would have been dismissed and asked to return another day”. We then spent over one hour discussing his years as the number one citizen of Lagos

Sir what was your reaction when you heard you had been appointed as the military Administrator of Lagos state Let me correct that impression. I was not a Military Administrator, that was Abacha’s own coinage, I was a Military Governor of Lagos. Before coming to Lagos, I was in Ogun State. In fact I was a member of the Armed Forces Council and by 1986 I was moved to Ogun state and by 1988 August I was moved to Lagos State. I cannot say much about the criteria used by the then military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, but without mincing words, when we look at the army officers that were around at that time, I can say that I was one of those that could be reckoned with. Was it because General Rasaki was seen as a tough man that can handle the complexities of Lagos No it was not that, a military man’s action to a civilian seems like he is tough, but we are trained to be disciplined, to tackle unfavourable environments which to the ordinary eyes will give the impression of toughness. What did you meet on ground when you came to Lagos I took over from the late Admiral (Mike) Aikhigbe. Like I said earlier, I was in Ogun, a state that is filled with enlightened people, people who are very sound and politically aware. And anyone who rules such a state must be ready to think ahead of the people and be creative. I will say I had a good preparation for the Lagos assignment from my experience in Ogun and maybe that was why General Babangida moved me there. 245

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Lagos was the Federal Capital and the commercial nerve centre of the country, in terms of the people living in Lagos, it was a complex mix of people from across Nigeria, you had the elites, the poor and all the diplomats too living in Lagos. Lagos is an international nerve centre of Nigeria because whatever happens in Lagos affects the whole country. I must confess Lagos has been very lucky in the sense that continuity has always been there, when a governor comes, whether a project is good or not, his successor always tries to finish or improve on it. That has always been my own concept as a Commander, if I take over a Command, I will first ensure I finish what was started by my predecessor because at the end of the day, any project that you build now may not seem useful now but can become so in future. Abandonment of a project is

one period. That was a tremendous achievement by Jakande, it made our work easier and he had also acquired a lot of land for it too, so all we did was continue from that foundation. So what were the major projects that you executed We did a lot because my focus was rural development because I happen to come from a rural area. So my dream was to turn around places like Mushin, Ajegunle etc. And then upgrade Isale Eko. Then I wanted to improve the environment. We also invested in Agriculture and built the Farm Institute in Epe area. The beauty of the Institute was that when the students finish, we will give them maybe two hectres each to begin their work. It worked very well, we did the rural roads, the Coastal Road from Akodo to the boundary of Ogun State. It is a pity other governors did not continue that road that would have taken you all the way to Bar Beach.

gross waste of tax payers money. I give you an example, in Ogun, we built Political Party offices for Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Congress (NRC), and after Babangida left, the parties were scrapped but those buildings became health centres and some were turned to Local Government offices. I must confess that is one thing that other states in the federation are suffering from and I must commend past and present Governors of Lagos for that spirit of continuity. What these governors do not understand is that they have only four years, maximum eight, so if you ignore projects started by your predecessor and start all by yourself, how many can you actually complete? That is why if you go round the whole country, you will find lots and lots of abandoned projects that have gone through three or four governors. There are two people that I would always salute for their work in laying the foundation for what Lagos has become today: General Mobolaji Johnson and Alhaji Lateef Jakande. I started modernizing schools, though (Gbolahan) Mudashiru also did some work there, because Baba kekere (Jakande) did a lot of work in that respect. People were rubbishing him, he put up sheds, he put up poultry as school buildings, but he got the job done. And go round Lagos today, you will find schools everywhere, if you want to start a school of that nature now and at that scale, you know how much that will cost? So what we did when I came in was to begin to modernize the schools. Imagine reducing all the shifts to

We upgraded the Adiyan Water Works. I found something strange when I visited Iju Water Works. We had the Water Works but when you get to as close as Agege there was no water. Jakande did the mini water works, we boosted it. The Colonial Masters were so funny, from Iju, water was taken straight to GRA Ikeja and environs and none was supplied to the people of Agege. Another aspect was the Model Schools, it was the creation of Akhigbe, he began the five Models schools and we came and completed them, one in each of the five divisions. There is one thing we did that anytime I remember, I am always very happy. The day I was to arrive Lagos, maybe the armed robbers did not know the fellow they were sending to Lagos, they welcomed me with a serious armed robbery operation around the toll gate. So I called the Commissioner of Police, I also called I think either Shagaya or Bamaiyi, one of them was Commanding the Military in Lagos, I met them and we created a special force, I now bought unmarked vehicles for this force. Remember, there were reports that we were training a killer squad underground and all that, yes, it was true, they were specially-trained to combat armed robbery. The robbers had become a menace, and we had to change tactics to combat them. The Special forces were posted to dark spots, they were in mufti, and they will pretend as if their vehicles had broken down and surely the robbers will come and they will engage them.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

By the way, I am very much in support of what Governor Ambode did, by speaking up about his frustration concerning the Airport/Oshodi Expressway. Sometimes, you need to blackmail the Federal Government to get some of these things done. I did the same thing with the Third Mainland Bridge.

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Brig-Gen. Raji Rasaki with Ovation International Editor, Michael Effiong

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One day, just to see things for myself, I led one operation myself, it was around Ahmadiyya Grammar School in Agege, this one happened in broad daylight.We got about three of them that day. My instruction was for them to arrest these criminals, but when they engage the team in gun battle, I told them don’t bother to make any arrest, kill and leave the place. I told them, I did not have money to feed dangerous criminals. People were complaining that there were so many dead bodies on the streets, I just kept quiet, those bodies were those of the robbers. In no time, Lagos was too hot for them and they moved to other parts of the country. Imagine what is happening with the issue of kidnapping today, the Government has to do more about it, they have to establish a crack team. By now we should have a full report of the Modus Operandi of these kidnappers, once that is discovered, they can be easily countered. The force should have special training. The whole of Lagos and Ogun Coastal area is now so dangerous that no one is safe. Urgent action is needed in that direction, we have to all sit down and map out strategies to

the full story By the way, I am very much in support of what Governor Ambode did, by speaking up about his frustration concerning the Airport/Oshodi Expressway. Sometimes, you need to blackmail the Federal Government to get some of these things done. I did the same thing with the Third Mainland Bridge. I remember General Babangida had come back from a trip and I had gone to receive him, despite the fact that we were using siren, it was tough passing through traffic because we passed through Yaba to Dodan Barracks. So when we got there, I saluted and turned back. I could see that he was looking very unhappy. Akhigbe had tried with the issue but the next day, I went to Babangida and said, sir this traffic situation is bad, can you please let us sit down and discuss how to finish this bridge. General (Mamman) Kotangora, who was the Minister of Works, said the end, that is the Oworonshoki side is a built up area and it will be impossible to navigate it. I said sir, can you please give me the map, they said it is with Julius Berger. When I left there, I went to Julius

“

Yes, I am a strong advocate for a special status for Lagos. I want us to have 50 percent share of whatever monies we make here in Lagos. Look at NPA, the ship for instance, it is the people of Lagos that bear the brunt of the environmental pollution. The useless smelly oil, the fumes etc. So why can’t Lagos have 50 percent of the money realised from this activity. We were the first to put up a decree on environmental pollution. deal with this. I am told they come in pretending to be fishermen, I said, we can start by imposing a curfew in that area. What will a fisherman be doing in the creek around 12 midnight? What type of fish do you want to catch at that time? We can say anybody seen after 6pm, we will deal with you, in any action there will be equal reaction. If they come during the day, it is easier for them to be tracked, so they strike at night or dawn. Our team will be there 24 hours and moving from one hideout to the other because that is how this criminal boys are moving. We have to map out a good security architecture to end this nonsense. Ambode is trying with the kind of investment he has made in the area of security but he has to do more in this regard. I must add that when I took action against the robbers, I insured the lives of the Police and Military men that were part of this special force. We used to do continuous training and change them every six months so people don’t get comfortable at the post and start misbehaving or become compromised. I don’t think it is okay to send soldiers to go and mount road blocks for three months, six months, at the end of the day, they will lose credibility. Lastly, the third mainland bridge. Yes, a lot of people do not know that you were instrumental to the construction of the famous Third Mainland Bridge, tell us

”

Berger, I got the map, and in the process of checking that map, I saw the Coastal Road up till Calabar, that was how I began the Coastal Road. That map is there, we can still look at it. So I went to him and said, Sir I know this is a Federal Project but it is my people that are suffering, can we do this 5050. If we can’t pay, you can take it from source. That was how we then introduced the Development Levy, it was for the Third Mainland Project mainly. That was when Gani Fawehinmi took me to court. I was not bothered because I knew we were doing something that will benefit majority of Lagosians. We then started work, we had got half of the way, I think that was around 1989, I believe I had just lost my wife. Babangida now said, there was no money. I said that is not possible. I told him, I have been to Abuja, I saw what is happening there, so I told him: the method you are using in Abuja, let us use it in Lagos, even if we are going to use oil to exchange for the funds because Lagos was too critical to the nation’s economy. Bode Emmanuel used to be the Chairman of one of the construction companies, that is how we became close. I told him you are a Lagosian, please let you company continue the job, we are working on payments, I also called Julius Berger and gave them assurances. There was one Dafinone that also came to our rescue, we then also told Government to collect some of the money from source too. 247

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That was why I was on that site every day to ensure that work was going on as scheduled.But we had a problem at Oworonshoki, one Baale and one Imam, came, they were complaining about the houses that were in the right of way, I told them, please this road is greater than all of us, nothing must stand in its way. They were still complaining. I just kept quiet, I went to the Army Engineers, I think Ihejerika was in charge of the Army Engineers, I told them I want that place cleared for the road in 24 hours. I told them that they should clear everything on the path of the bridge on the weekend, so that they cannot go to court and stop us. Fadayomi was my Commissioner of Justice and Baba (Teslim) Elias was with us, I also went to Rotimi Williams, they said start the operation by Friday and before they can go to court on Monday, you have completed your operation. I loved that idea. I was happy with the kind of advice I got . Just as we were talking, one man came in from Julius Berger, a very nice man that I worked closely with during the project. He said, I should not use Army Engineers that there was another way we can do it, that if we use the Army, we will be blackmailed.I said I don’t care. We cleared the bridge area, there were no houses for many metres, but today, the plan was to allow space in case there is future expansion. But today I have seen houses on both sides, when I noticed that Ambode was doing some work there, I thought he will bring down those houses, that is the difference between the civilian and military government. We do not care about re-election, we just get the job done. When we cleared the place, off course, the people went to court, but the deed had been done and that was how Justice Esho used the word Executive Rascality, and you the media starting singing about it, but we did not let that disturb us. Today, we are all enjoying the Third Mainland Bridge. Another thing we did that made me happy was those beggers we cleared in Ebute Metta and sent them to Kano. I read the Quran very well, there is nowhere where you should be a beggar permanently. Sanusi said the right thing. How come there are no beggers littering the streets of Saudi? I saw them as a nuisance dirtying the state, I was happy that Babangida did not react when I took that action. Now, lets talk about Maroko, the every contentious issue, what made you take that decision Honestly I have no regrets for what we did at Maroko.That area I know very well, Victoria Island stopped at Adetokunbo Ademola area, the other places was marshy land. We used to carry out training exercises there. General Garba used to take us there anytime we had promotion exams because that time in the Army, you cannot move up except you pass your exams. I don’t know what operates there now. The place where I stay now in Lagos is part of the extension. Anyway, I had planned to begin some redevelopment in the area, but one of these days we went to Epe, and Babangida was in the vehicle. We were returning at about 8pm and we were attacked by robbers. Before them, I had been getting terrible reports from the area and on two occasions, I have had to ensure that the Inspector-General removed the DPO of the area. Anyway, we were returning from Epe, we passed the first wave of attack, and then there was this terrible one around the present Lekki Phase one. We heard gun shots. I asked my Oga (Babangida) to continue, I jumped out of the vehicle and confronted them. We pursued this people and they all ran into Maroko. The next morning, I called the Baale, I ordered him to fish out those people, he began to give excuses. I kept quiet but later went to apologize to Babangida for the incident. Before taking the Lagos appointment, I had asked Babangida that he must hold me responsible for any action I take. I am a very principled person, even my children know this, and when they complain, I tell them once a soldier, always a soldier. Anyway, I went to Babangida, I told him sir this Maroko incident, I said I wanted to level the place. He said Rasaki, you cannot do it. I said have you forgotten about our agreement, he 248

said, no don’t do it. At that period, I called Mr Adeyemi, he was Permanent Secretary of Environment in Lagos State, he said he cannot do it and that baba Jakande tried but he failed. I said me, I am a soldier, I am trained to make the impossible possible. I said I have heard you sir. Babangida was travelling outside around that period, I called my group, I have a team of officers that I trained at NDA.I went to signal, I went to Armoury, I told them by Monday morning, I don’t want to see Maroko standing. Babangida was going for two weeks so I gave the people, one week notice, we went again on Friday and by Monday, we levelled the place. What we saw was shocking, we saw shallow graves, we saw fake hospitals, I wanted to prosecute the Baale but for the plea of Oba Oyekan. We moved some of the residents who had genuine papers to Abesan Estate. Whatever you say about it, you have to give it to Babangida, when the people like Oniru family, Dideolu Estate came with their claims, he said we should give the land them. Look, we demolished houses owned by military offices too So that was how we did Maroko. I have no regrets at all.If we did not clear Maroko, the people in Victoria Island and Ikoyi would have had no rest.I did it with good conscience. I think Fashola should have done same when he wanted to flush out Makoko. That shanty is not benefitting anybody. So how do you feel when you pass through the area today I feel very happy that the shanty town has become modernized and decent. Have you heard that you had a nickname, who build this gadder (laughs heartily) Of course, I heard it and when I checked the dictionary. I discovered that there was nothing wrong in what I said since gadder and bridge mean the same thing, I am a telecommunications engineer, so I just laughed over it. Any regret? Yes, I was not happy that we were not able to do the Ijanikin Road to meet the Ring Road. I had just six months.We wanted to do a road passing through the (Federal School of Arts & Science) FSAS pass the Officers Mess all the way to Niger Dock Area. Babangida said I should award the contract. I used to drive around myself and I see things. The road was to cost N2.2billion at the time. That would have solved the problem we have today at Mile 2. That is what I see that Ambode is doing and I commend him. We were to also do the 4th Mainland Bridge. Are you happy when you come to Lagos these days

I am happy because each time I come in, there is always something new. So Lagos is 50, what would you like to say to Lagosians

I congratulate Lagos. My Lagos of the future is a Lagos that looks like Sweden or Denmark. By improving the human resources in Lagos, developing ICT Industry and improving the Acquatic Economy.I have travelled very wide, and seen things, I believe with the IGR of Lagos, Lagos would be a Mega city Lastly, there was an issue you brought up at the CONFAB on special status for Lagos Yes, I am a strong advocate for a special status for Lagos. I want us to have 50 oer cent share of whatever monies we make here in Lagos. Look at NPA, the ship for instance, it is the people of Lagos that bear the brunt of the environmental pollution. The useless smelly oil, the fumes etc. So why can’t Lagos have 50 per cent of the money realised from this activity. We were the first to put up a dec ree on environmental pollution. I kept speaking to Babangida about it and they eventually said they were working on ecological fund.I did not receive it, but Otedola did. When Tinubu came, I used to tease him that he should have gone to join the army, he did a lot of things, without caring about the political implication. We also fought for Population to be added as criteria for sharing, Lateefat Okunnu was my Deputy then, she was in the Federal Ministry, and brought her experience to bear. How come you are not in politics, like other Generals I tried it but I have seen that it is not for me. People do not like men like me who are principled with intergrity. Also, I am a man of tradition, I cannot stomach the way these young boys are abusive and the general lack of discipline, when we used to go to Baba Adedibu’s house, you will see all these boys jumping on his bed, doing all manner of things, dirtying the whole place, When I was involved, they all wait outside my gate. My wife and some of my children are there. That is enough, we will contribute from where we are.

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I have no regrets at all.If we did not clear Maroko, the people in Victoria Island and Ikoyi would have had no rest. I did it with good conscience. I feel very happy that the shanty town has become modernized and decent.

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LAGOS STORY -BRIG.-GEN.MOHAMMED BUBA MARWA (Rtd.)

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Immediately I set off 3 priority areas; the first was security and that to me was the first thing to tackle because whatever you achieve, unless the citizenry feel safe and secure, that is all nonsense. Second priority was to sort out the bad roads and third priority was to broaden our revenue base. verybody remembers him as the handsome, ever-smiling Governor of Lagos who was well-loved for his peopleoriented policies. Brig-General Muhammed Buba (Marwa Rtd.) spoke to us about his tenure in Lagos.

Military men are generally known to be unsmiling and tough-looking, but you have always had this calm, friendly mien. Was this a deliberate decision to be different

The Marwa family is 4 Generations of soldiers beginning with my grandfather who served in the Royal West African Frontier Force and then my own father who served in the Royal Nigerian Army and then my humble self and my son, now a Major, not forgetting my late younger brother who rose to the rank of Major General. I started my military career at 12, at the Nigerian Military School; I actually handled weapons, live firing at that young age. So the military blood is thoroughly in my veins. However as the saying goes the hood does not the monk make. So wearing military uniform, or being trained as a soldier does not affect someone’s facial disposition or calmness and stuff. It all comes down really to the individual character of the person and his philosophy. What was your first reaction when you heard the news that you have been deployed to Lagos as the military governor? Where were you and how did you hear the news

My first reaction was denial. At the time in 1996, I was Defence Attaché to the Mission of Nigeria to the UN in New York and it was my third year and I was trying to wrap up my tenure towards the end of the year and return home. As it happened, the day before the announcement was made, I was in Nigeria, I was actually leaving that day back to New York. I passed through the Villa to give my farewell to the then Head of State, General Abacha, but he kept sealed lips, he didn’t give me the slightest hint that they were going to make the announcement the following day. I went on to Kano to take my night flight and arrived New York the very day the appointment was announced. I got to New York about 1pm, by 2pm I believe I

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was home and after the prayers and the meal, I went up to bed immediately to wear off the jet lag. But within a few minutes my wife woke me up and said she had received calls that the government had made some postings and that we were being recalled and appointed to Lagos state as the military administrator. Immediately I told her somebody was playing pranks on her. That in any case I had just finished being Governor of Borno State merely 4 years ago, and in the Defence Attaché job I had been the first to be appointed twice at different occasions. In the past you had people who moved from one post to the other in Defence Attaché positions because in one streak, they were serving in Zimbabwe and then relocated to London for instance. But I had done the military attaché job twice separately, in the 80’s and now in the 90’s, so I thought I would be the last person to be appointed as Military Administrator again. But later, a couple of calls came through that confirmed the appointment. By that time there was no internet presence in Nigeria so you could not easily access the internet and get news on current happenings like on facebook, Instagram, twitter and likes. Before you took over what did you consider the major problems of Lagos state? What was your impression of the state

Like most military officers of my day, we all knew Lagos in a general sense, in my case, even more so because I came to Lagos as a child in 1964 where I concluded my primary school, then I went back in the 70’s to work at the Army Headquarters where I was privileged to be Aide de Camp (ADC) to then Chief of Army Staff, General TY Danjuma. In the 80’s I was back again to Lagos to work at the Armoured Corps’ Headquarters in Bonny Camp. The two things that came to mind by way of

impression of Lagos and that was before my appointment was made, was that Lagos had a lot of security challenges and secondly the perennial hold-up (traffic). Did any of your earlier military posting prepare you for the tough task of running Lagos state

Certainly, as a military officer by training, you are an adaptive animal and are prepared for any posting. But more than that it was my experience as former Military Governor of Borno state that proved very useful in governing Lagos state. What did you meet on ground and how did you set about to tackle them? Were there some priority areas

Well, it was almost like saying what is it that was not wrong with Lagos?. I am sure all my predecessors had all done their bits. I met lots and lots of challenges in practically all spheres - security, crime was rampart, violent crime especially, bad roads, inadequate housing, public transportation challenges, water supply problems, area boys, health care issues, education, sanitation, lack of funds, flooding and at the time, a lot of people were still talking (complaining) about the June 12 annulment and the Abacha government; I am talking about the activists. Clearly when you are faced with a multitude of problems as these, you may run into the problem of spreading yourself thin if you don’t prioritize especially when funds were lacking. Immediately I set off 3 priority areas; the first was security and that to me was the first thing to tackle because whatever you achieve, unless the citizenry feel safe and secure, that is all nonsense. Second priority was to sort out the bad roads and third priority was to broaden our revenue base so that we can have the wherewithal to execute our programmes. 249

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In terms of equality of states, all states are equal before the constitution, in which case you can say that Lagos is first amongst equals. Lagos is still the leader in Nigeria in terms of commerce, trade, finance, imports, manufacturing, the arts and entertainment, media, almost in every sphere it is on top.

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Can you recall some highlights from your first address to Lagosians

In my maiden address I expressed appreciation of the warm welcome which I received and I gave my assurances and commitment to serve diligently and of course I did state clearly in my speech that I will first focus on the resolution of security and roads challenges. One thing you were known for was roads, any particular reason, why this was a priority

The issues of road impacted on everyone because of movement, everyone moves from point A to point B by road in the ordinary course of livelihood – to work, to market, to schools, appointments etc and apart from the frustration of bad roads, you lose man hours due to holdup. And security-wise, the criminals stay at those areas they can ambush because of the bad roads, not to mention the effect of bad roads on vehicles. So I had to face up to these problems right from the beginning. Why did you enact the Rent Edict and many years later, it seems that law has been unenforceable

Well, first of all I must say that during our time it was enforced, it was a very successful edict. We presented a government with human face at the time and it worked. We all know about the exploitative nature of Lagos landlords. The Jankara way of eviction orders, arbitrary rent increases, lengthy and unending litigation and huge commissions, I recall that when we enacted it we didn’t have commissioners. I remember the Solicitor General then, now Justice Okuwobi, assisted by Arthur Worrey worked very hard and crafted an edict which we believed would assist the downtrodden. It was mainly for a particular bracket of citizens. I could remember well those whose rent exceeded N250, 000 or so, were excluded. We thought that they didn’t belong to the people we wanted to protect but those below that were the focus, the face-me-I-face-you housing and similar types of housing. The areas of focus were Bariga, Shomolu, Ajegunle, Agege, Mushin, Isale Eko, Badia, Amuwo Odofin, Yaba, Ebutte-Meta and such. While reading for my Masters in the university, I recalled one of the courses I took had to do with public housing and stuff like that. They explained that it was difficult to do a rent edict that will work where the housing market was a sellers’ market due to scarcity. So you cannot do a rent edict that will work unless you provide sufficient housing stock to compensate. Bearing that in mind, we embarked upon housing estates and we built nine housing estates, two of which were started by our predecessors and I made sure they were completed and named after them (Otedola estate, Raji Rasaki estate). Majority of the nine estates we built were low cost. Six were low cost and three were medium, in Ikorodu, Ikeja, Lekki, Ojodu, Amuwo Odofin etc. We created rent tribunals and they were very successful in our time. I could remember that the edict was sold on the street at N20 per copy; people bought it to know their right. Tell us about operation I didn’t set up operation sweep, Oyinlola my predecessor did. We only reinvigorated it and we had to do that taking a cue from similar experience in 250

Borno. Eventually it became a template nationally. Operation sweep was so successful that one of my colleagues in the South East was going to launch his own version and he invited me to the occasion. I told him I would be unable to attend personally, but that if he didn’t mind, could I send a representative and he said no, that I had to be there myself. I asked him why. He said if I am there personally at the launching, all the armed robbers in that state will run away. Security like I said is critical and a cardinal area for any government to make sure they resolve. In a larger sense if you look at the present government, you see that one of President Muhammadu Buhari’s key policy areas is security of which he has made considerable success of it especially in effectively decimating the insurgents. The modus operandi of operation sweep at the time was first of all to fight in a responsive manner, meaning to fight crime aggressively and remorselessly. Once crime is occurring anywhere in Lagos we were able to be there with our patrol cars within 5 to10 minutes. We had about 400 patrol cars in total operating 24/7 and the heat was on for the robbers. I remember in December 1996, robbers actually wrote me a letter addressed through the headquarters of Operation Sweep which we fully publicized. They said it was Christmas; that I should let off a little bit that they want to celebrate Christmas because they also had families to feed, and we responded to that also publicly. Of the 400 patrol cars, we had a component of a secretive force of about 100 patrol cars, those cars were unmarked and the occupants were also in mufti and their purpose was to work with information to go after robbers. So the robbers knew we were hunting them down, we were not waiting for them to attack first. Remember we also created the Neighbourhood Watch in their thousands who operated in the communities

and had radio sets. We had our security meeting every Monday where we reflected and determined what went on the previous week and what we ought to do in the current week. The last bit of operation sweep which was known only to me and I can now divulge was that it was also an anti-coup early warning arrangement. Apart from safeguarding the federal government of the day, I wouldn’t want to be sitting in Lagos House as Military Governor, tending to the affairs of Lagos State and ‘Some Criminal Soldiers’ creep up on me and shoot me dead in a coup attempt; nobody would like that to happen. So Operation Sweep by virtue of the way it operated with over 400 patrol cars working 24/7 around the nooks and crannies of Lagos, there was no way any body of soldiers would move at some ungodly hours of the night to anywhere without my knowledge. I can also say now, that I had, with the permission of General Sani Abacha then, and as an Armored Corps’ officer, I actually positioned a Platoon of tanks directly under my command in Dodan Barracks prepared for any such eventuality. I must say that the Police and the Armed Forces did very well in Operation Sweep and they are to be commended. There is no way we will not ask you about the Bomb blasts, how did you feel about the spate of blasts in Lagos

I remember very clearly as if it was yesterday, 16th December 1996. At that particular instance when it happened, I never thought it was a bomb blast or that it was an assassination attempt. Every day I normally leave my Isaac John residence to go to work at 8am more or less and I took the same route believing there was no threat. It was not as if I was unpopular in Lagos and so had to change my daily route to work and so on. This was a routine administrative job in Lagos as Governor. And I never did anything nasty to NADECO to say that somebody out there would try to assassinate me. In fact,

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throughout my tenure I never ordered the arrest, let alone lock up anyone. On this particular day at about 7:20am I discovered that I was all dressed up and ready to go to work. But my convoy was not set because they did not expect me to be ready at 7. 20 am - My ADC and my orderly were not yet out, only my Chief Detail was ready. We were not complete in the convoy but I said let’s go and we left. I believe that it was this early and unexpected departure, by the grace of God that caught those who were waiting for me at the ambush point unprepared. So we took our regular route to Alausa through Airport Road (Now Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Road) and soon after turning that corner of Sheraton Hotel, the blast went off right behind me. I heard the blast and I looked back and saw a huge mushroom of cloud of smoke and dust, and the first thing that came to mind was; was Julius Berger doing some repair works involving blasting on this road which I was unaware of? As soon as the cloud cleared I found out that there was no other car behind me, as my immediate back up security car which was positioned running almost parallel to my car had been blown. My car was now the last in the convoy. There were normally about 3 or 4 vehicles behind me and suddenly they were nowhere to be found. Instantly I thought that this must have been a targeted attack on me and the military training kickedin. In such ambush situations, we were trained to charge through. Eventually I discovered that it was some agents of the federal government that tried to assassinate me but in my own mind and to this day I am quite clear that the head of state Gen. Abacha and his deputy Gen. Diya were unaware and not part of the plot. The federal government quickly made a statement that it was NADECO who did it and I knew that it was not. I was the victim, why was somebody now telling who attacked me? Shouldn’t I have been allowed to make that statement? So I went on to make a statement that even though I did not know who tried to assassinate me, I knew who did not. And I said definitely it was not NADECO. That put me on the war path with some of our senior administration colleagues. On that day we had an event with the Family

Support Programme. I went up from the scene to the hospital to see those who were injured in the bomb blast and from there we went and continued our programme for 10am. There were spates of bombings after that, in fact two days later i.e on 18 December, a bus carrying soldiers was bombed close to my office, in which a soldier was killed. There were also several more bombings outside the military cantonment in Ikeja, Base Workshop, Yaba and so on. In my opinion those other bombings were arranged to mislead the public that it was NADECO going after the Army instead of targeting one man, myself. I would

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The day Abiola died we were in Abuja preparing for a joint Council of State and Armed Forces Ruling Council meeting. I got a call from the Villa that the Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar wanted to see me. He was still living in the residence of the Chief of Defence Staff, at Niger Barracks. I went up there and immediately I was ushered in he told me that Chief MKO Abiola had died.

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think that had this assassination attempt (against Marwa) succeeded there would have been no further bombings. How then did you feel when people accused you of having a hand in the delivery of the letter bomb that killed Dele Giwa

The report was absolute rubbish. I was not and could never have been aor the bomb courier. Sometime in 2009 I remember very well, I was sitting at my desk as High Commissioner in South Africa when my PA brought to my notice that a man, I don’t recall his name now, had written an article; that he met one military officer in New York who told him that it was I that carried the letter bomb. This was 23 years after the Dele Giwa bomb incident!!! I had returned from Harvard in July of that year after my graduation and was actually far away from Lagos at the period of the Dele Giwa incident in command of the Army’s Test battalion Field Training Exercise (FTX) in Azare, Bauchi State. Each year, one battalion is selected from the Army Headquarters to

do a Test field training exercise (FTX). It was the turn of 3 Armoured Division to do the FTX for that year (1986) and my battalion, 233 tank battalion, of which I was the Commanding Officer, was selected. The exercise code-named ‘Exercise Gwada-Karfi’ ran from September to December, that year. When Dele Giwa was killed it attracted national attention if not international attention and whoever delivered the parcel would have been seen by members of the household or the gatemen (certainly who ever delivered the parcel handed it to someone and there was no report that he was wearing a mask). For me to have served as a Military Administrator of Lagos state for three full years; even winning the ‘Man of the year 1997 award’ from the NewsWatch magazine, would it not have been very absurd that no one in the Dele Giwa household drew attention, recognized me as the person who showed up that faithful day carrying a bomb? And all those years that the case went up all the way to the Supreme Court? Until 23years later, some ‘crackpot’ comes out of the woodwork and lays some abnormal claims!! Please give me a break. What utter nonsense and rubbish!! To this day, I have been unable to locate the man who made this claim nor the reason behind making it – now I remember his name, Ogunade - but at least I found a response from Professor John Amoda, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Political Science, City University of New York who knew Ogunade personally. The Professor wrote a strong rebuttal entitled “Dele Giwa, Buba Marwa, John Amoda In Ogunade’s Fictive Account of History-An Explanation” which can be googled, or found in saharareporters. John Amoda’s piece thoroughly destroyed Ogunade’s thesis and showed that Ogunade needed the attention of a psychiatrist. You were in charge when MKO Abiola died, take us through that period, how tough was it for you

Actually that was my most challenging period in Lagos. The day Abiola died we were in Abuja preparing for a joint Council of State and Armed Forces Ruling Council meeting the following day. Sometime between 5 to 6 pm on that fateful day, I got a call from the Villa that the Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar wanted to see me. He was still living in the residence of the Chief of Defence Staff, at Niger Barracks. I went up there and immediately I was ushered in he told me that Chief MKO Abiola had died. Immediately I heard the news I said I needed a plane to go back to Lagos because Lagos will be on fire when this news is released and at that time he said the news had not yet gone out. When we got to Lagos, it was aflame, we had to negotiate our way from the airport, we took different routes before we got to our destination, Lagos House, Marina, just to stay away from the disturbances. On one occasion, my escorts had to shoot into the air for us to have enough time to clear the blocked road of all the burning debris and everything that blocked the road That same night I called an extra-ordinary security meeting of which in attendance were the Oba of Lagos, DSS, CP of Police, Army/Navy/Airforce appropriate Commanders and so on, I remember Cardinal Okojie, Archbishop Adetiloye, Archbishop Sunday Mbang were also in attendance. They all made meaningful contributions. The whole purpose was on how to douse tension and bring Lagos back to normalcy. In the morning information came to me that the disturbances had spread and that they were going after northerners, killing them at sight. I also got a call from a particular northern Emir that they got information that this was happening in Lagos and that there will be reprisals in the North and I assured him that I will deal with it. So I decided in my security meeting that morning to take the bull by the horns and go out to the streets myself. I was advised against going out by the security council as the climate was not conducive, disturbances were ongoing throughout Lagos and there was still the killings going on of Northerners and their houses being torched. There and then I told them that anyone who did not want to follow me to the street was free to drop out. Quite a few dropped out. So we went out on the street, directly through persuasion and by the grace of God we were able to calm things down at the end of the day and end the killing spree. 251

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A couple of days later, I decided to pay a condolence visit to the Abiola household. It was on a Friday, and I decided to make the visit after the jummat service. I remember that the media carried a story then that I was in uniform and I was persuaded to change to mufti before they allowed me in. Though that story was well received by the public, there was no such thing because I was already in mufti but I allowed it to run. We had the BBC, CNN, the international media who were unable to go to the house tag along in my convoy to Abiola’s home. When we neared Abiola’s house the protocol officer who had been sent ahead, rushed back and stopped our convoy and he came straight to my car and told me that we should turn back; that they were very hostile there and that they will not receive any military government representative, including myself. I looked at it, I am the Chief Executive Officer of the state and there is nowhere I cannot enter in this state and to add insult to injury I had international media who were unable to go, now tagging along, there was no way I would turn back. The police, the SSS, all of them came around the car and said we should turn back but I said no, we will not turn back. So we went and by the time we got on the close, the crowd was everywhere and very hostile. We had to get out of the car about 300meters from the house and started walking towards the house, forcing our way through and the crowd was shouting and some trying to get at my Agbada. When we got to like 50meters to the gate, they closed and locked the gate, threw the keys away and climbed the gate and sat on it. It became so tense that there was no movement and I was persuaded again that we should go back and I said no, today we must enter Abiola house. Eventually, Kola came out and opened the small side gate for us to enter but even then, the crowd insisted that only I could enter that place. People with me were concerned that I should not enter without any security aide and that something could happen to me inside but I told them that you all wait here and I went in. That was that and I went in and paid my condolences. The other tricky part was bringing the body to Lagos. Before the arrival of the body to Lagos we got information that some of the activists had planned to hijack the corpse and take it away to an unknown destination and perhaps do their own funeral or whatever else they planned to do; so the arrangement had to be made to make sure that that didn’t happen. Arrangement was made from Abuja at the time, for two aircrafts to arrive Lagos almost together; one would be a fake aircraft that would appear to be the one carrying the corpse while the second aircraft would be the one that actually carried the corpse. We made it out that the fake aircraft will arrive and taxi to the presidential lounge - we set up the security people there, the ambulance and the media was directed there. So when that particular plane landed it taxied all the way to that wing and all the media people were there thinking that was the corpse, and almost simultaneously, the real plane landed at the international wing of the airport and from the run way it was whisked up to the clinic, so we were able to resolve it that way. And finally I didn’t sleep that night because the body went for post mortem. In fact the initial place of the post mortem we also heard that some of the activists had located it, so we changed to another hospital. The activists had claimed that he (Abiola) was poisoned and expected the post mortem to reveal that. The post mortem was carried out by a team of international pathologists from Britain, Canada, Nigerians and other places. I stayed awake up till about 5 am when I was finally told that the body was clean and nothing was found. That was when I was able to sleep. Many saw you as activist in military uniform, were you not scared of death and how did your family react to this situation

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like weekends and public holidays, and avoided certain locations where area boys would hijack it resulting in breakdown of law and order. That edict made me to be surmoned to Abuja to explain why I should allow people to demonstrate against the federal government and I said I should be allowed to run Lagos such that we could get the best out of the job that I was given. And I took an oath to do my job of Military Administrator and fighting NADECO was not exactly what I thought was the fundamental issue before me. On the question of my family, I had of course only my wife with me, the kids were all in school and her reaction to those times was what a normal wife’s reaction would be. She was very supportive, even though atimes afraid, which was normal. On the whole, she complemented my efforts and was my Chief Adviser.

If you are asking whether I will run for public office, my answer is a definite and resounding no, never again, I did all that before. A man has to determine a time for everything. I have neither the interest nor the inclination to run for any public office again in any election.

The issue of the poisoned beans story. Do you still remember how you put an end to that wicked rumour

I am not an activist and could not have been. You cannot be a soldier and an activist at the same time because the activist has the capacity to criticize, to confront the state and constituted authority while the soldier by nature of his job and training obeys. So a soldier and an activist could not be the same person. I think one of the things that may have given that impression was the edict that we enacted that allowed any side either in support or against the federal government to carry out demonstration in Lagos provided such demonstrations fell on particular dates

We had a spate of deaths that was unexplained and suddenly it was rumored that people who consumed beans were the ones dying. We did everything possible scientifically to disseminate to the people of Lagos that beans were safe. We sent all the samples of beans in Nigerian markets to NAFDAC. NAFDAC cleared all the bean samples as safe. The ministries of health, agriculture and information did a good job of disseminating to the public addressing it on television and radio, bulletins and so on but Lagosians refused to believe. To make matters worse a neighbouring state

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government in the south west put out a statement that beans were not safe that people should not buy it and that killed whatever result we were trying to achieve in Lagos. I knew I had to do something dramatic to resolve the issue. And just in the middle of all that, I told my catering officer one morning, that my breakfast would be pap and akara. She quickly responded by disassociating herself as a party to the death of a sitting governor through the consumption of poisonous beans and that God will not allow her to carry that cross. I didn’t find that funny so I decided there and then to deal with the matter in my own unorthodox way. In school there are certain courses that one takes that he does not believe any of these courses would be of any impact in his life but he does the courses anyway either out of interest or to make up the course electives requirements. And so there were two courses that I took at the University of Pittsburgh and they were both electives. One of the courses was statistics for public policy and the other was logic - symbolic logic to be exact. It was a full course on logic. I found those courses interesting but I never believed there will be a day where it would come in handy. I can tell you today that those courses were the ones that resolved the beans crisis. After we did all the publicity and told the people beans was safe and they refused it and beans was stock piling in the north, I then asked my officials to bring me the actual figures of the number of deaths, the locations of the deaths, the timings of the deaths and the nature of the deaths. I then put all these into a statistical format and subjected it to analysis and I found out that the

numbers of deaths and their locations were not disparate. They were supposed to be disparate. See, in the markets where we sell beans in the various parts of Lagos, you would expect the deaths from beans would be evenly scattered but I found out that the whole thing concentrated in the Somolu, Kosofe, Agege areas like that and that set my mind working. So we looked at it at the logical field and we came to the conclusion personally that I now have to physically eat the beans in public for Lagosians to accept its safety. So that morning I instructed that my media crew should be at the residence. Nobody had an idea what I had in mind. Instead of going to the office I said head for Maryland bus stop. We went to the bus stop I waited and looked around but I didn’t see what I wanted to see and I told them head for Mile12. On our way to Mile12 I saw what I wanted to see and what did I want to see? An Akara seller. Our convoy stopped at the Akara seller’s. When I came out from the vehicle the akara seller took to her heels; her akara was full in the basin but nobody was buying it, apparently, she thought we were coming to arrest her for selling akara which was poison. So I sent my ADC to call her back. By now a crowd had formed wondering what next. I then asked her what is happening here, why are customers not buying your akara and she said they are not buying because they are afraid. So I said now you have fried it and they are not buying it, how much was it worth? So she gave me how much it was worth and I asked my ADC to pay her with a generous tip to boot. I now invited my commissioner’s to close in and I asked the TV crew to

focus on me and the basin of akara and they were wondering what am I up to and at that moment I took one of the pieces of akara and put it in my mouth. My confidence in eating the akara was based on my analysis and I said to myself, that this akara better be safe. So I prayed and proceeded to eat and invited my commissioners and others to eat with me but none of them moved, they were waiting to see if I would remain standing. I took a big bite, chewed it, nearly choked because of my anxiety but thank God, swallowed it safely and I was still standing. So I went on to take the second piece and as I did so they all now summoned courage to eat it too and hardly had they done that than the entire crowd swooped on it and ate up everything in an instant. The whole event was shown on the network news that night that I had eaten akara and that it was safe and that was what resolved the issue. While all this was happening, during this period, I had charged our ministry of health to find the true cause or causes of deaths, which they did. It was an epidemic of gastroenteritis, which we urgently tackled. In terms of IGR, people do not give you credit for bringing innovation into tax system in Lagos. Looking back and seeing the success of that initiative and the IGR Lagos now makes, how does that make you feel

Well I feel happy and proud of Lagos and of my successors beginning from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who took over the baton from me, they all have ran an excellent race and taken Lagos to the next level. Certainly the IGR in my days, I believed we started by raising 600million in a month, I inherited an IGR of about 150million or thereabouts, so we quadrupled it. Our highest may have been 900million to 1billion naira a month. Today I am told it is much higher. But I must take this opportunity to pay tribute to Otunba Olusola Adekanola who actually is the doyen of IGR in Nigeria and my erstwhile colleague, Colonel Musa Shehu retired who it was that introduced Adekanola to me. I was not certain if it was going to work but he gave me the confidence that it would work. One billion naira a month in Lagos state was a very modest sum but it helped us achieve a lot. Our administration managed with what we had and did not take even one naira loan from any bank. When you arrive Lagos these days, what is your impression? Has there been steady progress, what is your opinion

I don’t frequent Lagos much these days, maybe twice or thrice in a year but each time I visit, I see tremendous progress. Lagos is 50years, how would you rate the state

Nothing comes to mind regarding anything or act that I did while in office that I regret. On the question of what do I regret not doing, well, If you look at it, we did nine housing estates, completed eight and occupied them. We built the Lagos State College of Medicine (LASUCOM) which has now graduated hundres of doctors, we built the first accident and emergency hospitals in Nigeria, we built a diagnostic centre, and upgraded General Hospital Ikeja to a Teaching Hospital without which LASUCOM would not have been accredited, we started the kidney dialyses centre in Gbagada, rehabilitated hospitals and ensured there was sufficient drugs supply, treated malaria free, we doubled the number of model secondary schools, we rehabilitated tertiary institutions, we doubled bursary for students, we paid students WAEC fees free, we rehabilitated area boys and girls and turned them into useful citizens, we fought crime to a standstill, we did 253 Then Colonel Buba Marwa at Work as Military Administrator of Lagos

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Flagging off train Service

Receiving Best Graduating Officer Prize from Gen. Buhari at Staff College graduating dinner night

over 700 roads, we introduced Keke Marwa, we had a train service within Lagos, introduced over 300 buses, had an efficient ferry service, we improved the water supply by doing several mini and micro works. The PTF under Gen. Buhari was very helpful to us, they did a 1million litre water tank facility in Victoria Island and that was very helpful. We cleaned Lagos of refuse-we even had a sanitation edict that was enforced-and we also did gardens in different parts of the state. In fact we engaged consultants I think by the name of Arbitage or Armitage or words to that effect to develop a 10 year plan or so for the future of Lagos. So to answer your question, if there was something we regretted not doing, I would say there was nothing left to do other than to thank God for achieving more than what we set out to achieve. What is your impression of Governor Ambodeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government

Governor Ambode is well committed and sincere about the welfare of Lagosians and progress of the state and I pray for his success. He has taken this job with a lot of gusto and people love him and there is nothing like when you are serving and the people appreciate it. How has life been in retirement? How do you relax

I am grateful to God and now about my relaxation - family time is number one. I listen to music of all kinds and 254

genres, I read a lot- I read Ken Follett, Wilbur Smith, Robert Harris. I always have a book with me. I also enjoy watching movies-documentaries, thrillers and crime stories. So when people say that men like you should be running Nigeria, is that a fair assessment of your contribution to the country or would you take such a step

Continued progress, peace, security and above all greater prosperity for the citizens. I am grateful to God for the privilege and opportunity to have served once upon a time as a Chief executive and I thank Lagosians for their support and cooperation in those otherwise difficult political times. And finally, I would like to take this opportunity to also appreciate His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Lukman Akiolu for his counsel and support while I was Military administrator during his occasional visits home from his duty post as Assistant Inspector General of Police. He was always straightforward, blunt and brutally frank. Kabiyesi Kâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ade PeLori, Ki Bata Pe Lese.

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...AND MORE MEN WHO RAN LAGOS By Eric Elezuo

Mobolaji Johnson: Pacesetter, Pioneer Achiever When in 1966, General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi appointed Mobolaji Johnson as the Military Administrator of the former Federal Territory of Lagos after the abortive coup d'etat that put paid to the first Nigerian civilian administration, he was setting the stage for the young officer to create history. Consequently, in 1967, when Lagos State was created, he became the substantive and pioneer Governor of the young state; a feat that put him in the first position among the history makers, 50 years after. A veritable grandson of Osholero, who became Johnson after conversion to Christianity, Mobolaji

Aldershot and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom, between 1960 and 1961. Before the Biafran War that paralysed a part of the nation, Mobolaji Johnson had served in various divisions of the military including UN Peace Keeping Mission in Congo and Zaria Military depot between 1958 and 1959. From 1961 when he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, Johnson steadily rose out of dint of hard work to the rank of Major in 1966 At the end of the famed Biafra War, the tactician was amongst the federal delegates at the end of the war ceremony. Mobolaji's tenure as Military Governor of Lagos State, which comprises old Federal Territory of Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lagos Island plus the additions of Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu and Ikeja divisions saw the building of major infrastructure in Lagos State such as: . • 60.7kilometre international express road (Lagos–Badagry Expressway), linking Nigeria with neighbouring countries like Benin, Ghana and Togo • Toikin Bridge to link Epe to Ikorodu • Eko Bridge • A network of roads and bridges that constitutes what is modern day Lagos • Reclamation of the Bar Beach shoreline • Nurses and doctors’ flats in Marina • Rowe Park among others He retired and went into private business in 1975 at the inception of the then Gen Murtala Mohammed administration. He has four children, three sons and a daughter. Presently the Chairman of Nigerian Conservation Foundation, he became a Director of Julius Berger Nigeria in 1979 and its Chairman in 1996, a post he held until 2009. Mobolaji Johnson is also the Chairman, Executive Council of Lagos State University Development Foundation as well as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Methodist Boys' High School, Lagos Old Boys' National Association. He was honoured with the position because he is a distinguished Old Boy who was of great assistance to his Alma Mater.

Navy Commodore Adekunle Lawal:

Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (Rtd.) Johnson was born to the family of Joshua Motola Johnson of Egba heritage and his wife, Gbemisola Johnson (née Dudley-Coker) in 1936. The family moved to Lagos during the early parts of the twentieth century. Mobolaji Johnson kick started his journey to prominence at Regan Memorial Baptist School, Yaba, in 1941 before proceeding to Hussey College, Warri in 1954. However in 1955, he moved to Methodist Boys High School, Lagos where he completed his secondary education. While in MBHS, Lagos, Mobolaji was a good all-round sports man. In 1959, his quest for professionalism in military affairs developed, and he attended the Officer Cadet Training School in Ghana. He followed it up with attendance at the Mons Officer Cadet School in

Implementation Specialist Commodore Adekunle Lawal succeeded the administration of General Mobolaji Johnson following the military coup that ousted General Yakubu Gowon and brought in General Murtala Mohammed in 1975. He held the position of Lagos State Military Governor until 1977, when he was transferred to become Governor of Imo State in 1977, a position he held until July 1978 when he returned to the barracks to resume his naval career. Born Adekunle Shamusideen Lawal on February 8, 1934, in Lagos, Nigeria, the man who rose to become an Admiral in the Navy started his early education at Holy Cross Cathedral School, Lagos, and St. Peter's Faji School, Lagos. A highly educated and cerebral mind, Lawal completed his secondary education at the Methodist Boys’ High School in Lagos, after which he went on to receive his Advanced Level Certificate of Education (A'Levels) in three subjects. With a desire to take a break, he worked with the Ministry of Works and Survey in Kano before proceeding to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, from where he graduated in 1963 with Bachelor of Science (Engineering) Honours. He also had a CMarEng and FIMarEng (Chartered and Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering in addition to professional naval designations: FSS and PSC. In September 1963, he joined the Royal Nigerian Navy as a sub-Lieutenant, and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1964. In March of the same year, he attended a Marine Engineering course with the Royal Naval Ships in Rotterdam, Holland. In 1966 he was promoted to lieutenant

commander. From 1969 to 1971, Adekunle Lawal attended the Defence Naval Staff College in Wellington, India, where he received his M.Sc. Eng. (Masters of Science in Engineering). Among many honours, Lawal also served as the Chief Engineer on numerous naval vessels including the NNS Ogoja, NNS Beecroft and the NNS Nigeria during his time with the Nigerian Navy As the governor of the most populated state in Nigeria, he initiated a solution to solving one of the major challenges of the metropolis, which is the chaotic traffic problem. This is the implementation of the odd-even rationing traffic system to ease congestion in the state where license plates numbers which begin with even numbers were not allowed on most streets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and those with odd numbers on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. . This was most expressive during the World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture. Adekunle Shamusideen Lawal voluntarily retired from the Nigerian Navy as an admiral in 1979, and died in November 1980. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Taiwo Adefunmilayo Lawal (née Adesanya), whom he married in Lagos in 1965, and six children.

Commodore Ndubuisi Kanu: Master Consolidator With the positive pace Lagos State kicked off, it was obvious that whoever takes charge must be a man of integrity and unquestionable character. So when the time came to replace the Commodore Adekunle Lawal, no one needed to look too far to find the irresistible Navy Commodore Ndubuisi Kanu, who is remembered today as the third governor of Lagos State. He became the Governor of Lagos State in 1977 Born Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu in 1943, he is from Abia State and was formerly the pioneer Military Governor of Imo State when the state was created in March 1976 during General Olusegun Obasanjo’s military regime. Ndubuisi Kanu, as he is known, chose a career in the navy, and trained as a cadet in India. During his stint with the navy, he covered positions such as Personnel, Logistics and Training. As governor of Lagos State within the brief period he held sway, he sustained the legacies of the two past administrations of Johnson and Lawal, building bridges of friendship and camaraderie among the returning Igbos and the rest of Nigeria In July 1975 as a Lieutenant Commander he was appointed a member of Murtala Muhammed's ruling Cabinet, the Supreme Military Council. On retirement, as Rear Admiral Kanu became a voice for the people, and functioned mainly from Lagos, He joined the agitation for the actualization of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. He became a top National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain and became Chairman of the coalition in 2013. In a recent interview, Rear Admiral Kanu said Administrator, when he got to Lagos, since the capital was Ikeja, he did not stay at Marina, he went straight to Ikeja to live just to develop that area and make it a befitting state capital. Vice Admiral Kanu is one of the few that have canvassed for true federalism, attacking Unitarianism and calling for fundamental dialogue between the different ethnic nationalities of Nigeria. He attributed the conflict in the Niger Delta to the lack of regional power. Kanu is currently married to Gladys NdubuisiKanu, and has ten children - Simone, Audrey, Kelly, Karen, Paula, Jeffery, Vanessa, Samantha, Laura and Stephen.

Navy commodore Ebitu Ukiwe: Accomplishment Personified He is probably the most accomplished military personnel of Ibo extraction, rising steadily to becoming the number two citizen in the Federal 255

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Military Government of General Ibrahim Babangida. In 1978, he became the governor of Lagos State, replacing his compatriot, Ndubuisi Kanu. Born Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe on October 26, 1940 to a traditional ruler in Abiriba, Abia State, Ukiwe retired as a Commodore in the Nigeria Navy, and has been described by many including as a man of Integrity. Ukiwe joined the Nigerian Navy in 1960 as a cadet (officer), and was commissioned in 1964 with the rank of sub-lieutenant. He was one of the few Igbo officers to regain their position in 1972 after the Biafra War. He was a member of the Supreme Military Council between 1975 and 1977, and had served as Governor of Niger State before being redeployed to Lagos state as Governor in July 1978; a post he held till October 1979 when civil rule re-emerged. He became the Chief of General Staff in 1985 under General Ibrahim Babangida, the office from which he retired with the rank of Commodore in January 1987. After retirement, he joined the pro-democracy group, supporting Moshood Abiola, the president-elect in the June 1993 elections, who was imprisoned after General Sani Abacha took power in a coup in November 1993. History makers have it that it was Ukiwe who persuaded Abiola to return from his brief exile to reclaim his mandate as well as getting the Afenifere to support Abiola to reclaim his annulled mandate. In 2006/2007, he unsuccessfully contested for the presidency of Nigeria. Ukiwe is married with children.

Air Commodore Gbolahan Mudashiru: A Visionary Leader

educated at Afenmai Anglican Grammar School, Igarra from 1961 to 1965. He attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, Royal Naval School of Maritime Operations Dryad, Southwick UK, Command and Staff College Jaji, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru, University of Poitiers, Rouan, France, and the International Defense Management Program at the Naval Postgraduate School, in California, USA. While in the navy, he served as the Principal Welfare Officer of the Nigerian Navy Flagship NNS Aradu, Director, Naval Plans, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer commanding the Easter Naval Command and Chief of Naval Staff. At that time of his stewardship in Lagos, he was confronted with infrastructure challenge. He unfolded plans to build more roads to ease transportation. He also built a special hospital for drug addicts. Alarmed at the congestion in the prison, he called for better treatment for the prisoners to facilitate their easy reintegration into the society. He also freed 242 prisoners, urging them to borrow a new leaf. The former governor called for more medical personnel in rural areas. His administration also laid emphasis on staff training. Under its training policy, 22,000 public workers were targeted. The governor also laid the foundation for two model colleges. The Commodore Mudashiru completed some rural electrification projects in 1987. During the commissioning, he called for private investment in the rural areas. He had joined some Lagosians in decrying the sharing formula of the DFRRI funds, saying that

The rein of leadership of Lagos State fell on Air Commodore Gbolahan Mudashiru in January 1984 after the coup that ousted the Second Republic led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari. He held sway until August 1986 when General Mohammadu Buhari was overthrown by General Ibrahim Babangida. Air Commodore Gbolahan Mudasiru, who was born in 1945, rode on the legacy of the Alhaji Lateef Jakande, his predecessor, and continued from where Jakande stopped in improving schools infrastructure and the standards of teaching. While introducing improved measures to keep the streets clean and orderly, he attempted to ban street traders, but without success. Mudashiru was not the type to let veritable ventures die as he set up committees to review the Lagos Metro line project initiated by Jakande, which recommended going ahead with the project, but it was cancelled on the orders of the Head of State, General Buhari. After a major fire devastated the Oko-Baba area of Ebute Meta, Mudasiru initiated construction of a medium Income Housing Estate. Investigation revealed that after he left office, construction of schools ceased and existing buildings were no longer maintained. On September 23, 2003, Mudasiru died in London, He was married to Mrs. Foluke Madasiru, who died in 2013, and they had five children.

Mike Akhigbe: An Enduring Legacy With the coming of a new military government, the administration of Lagos State was further blessed with another tested Administrator in the person of Mike Akhigbe. Mike Okhai Akhigbe was born on September 29, 1946, and progressively pursued his military career and rising to the pinnacle of his career of becoming the Chief of Naval Staff, as well as becoming the de facto Vice President of Nigeria (as Chief of General Staff) during the General Abdulsalami Abubakar led military government from 1998 till the termination of military government in Nigeria, in 1999. Akhigbe, who served as Military Governor of Ondo State from 1985 to 1986 before clinching the Lagos job was born in Fugar, Aviawu clan in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State and was 256

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Lagos deserved a better treatment. That was when the metropolis served as the capital of the country. Akhigbe was Governor in Lagos at a time the Babangida Administration kicked-off a transition programme. A lot of experimentation on diarchy was taking place across the country. Administrative structures were set up for the local governments. The governor ensured that only competent civilian administrators were appointed to various positions. In fact, he rejected the councillorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; list from two councils on the ground that the nominees were not the choice of the people. He was awarded the honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), in 1998 and an honorary doctorate by the University of Benin in 2003. His military decorations include Force Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, and Defense Service Star. Admiral Akhigbe died on October 28, 2013, and is remembered for his numerous services to the nation, especially his role during the transition from military to civilian rule in 1999 when he was the Chief of General Staff to Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar.

Michael Otedola: Silent Achiever With the partial return to civil rule in 1992 in what was supposedly the failed Third Republic, Sir Michael Otedola, father of billionaire oil magnate, Femi Otedola, became the Governor of Lagos State. His administration lasted till November 1993 when General Sani Abacha organized a palace coup that crashed the fragile civilian government. Sir Michael Otedola was born on July 16, 1926

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Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (Rtd.) into a Muslim family at Odoragunsin, Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State. He died on 5 May 2014, and was buried in his home town of Epe, Lagos. Wherever exemplary leadership, good governance and a life of consistent commitment to people- oriented service are discussed, no doubt exists that the name of Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola, the second Executive Governor of Lagos State will always occupy the top echelon of that list. Sir Michael was a good man with a great name who set out from the get go to make a difference. He was an epitome of excellence, and that was the reason when it was time to choose a tagline for Nigeria’s commercial capital, he chose the inspirational words “Centre of Excellence”, a testimony to his ambitious dream of transforming Lagos into a super city, a vision he pursued with so much vigor that despite spending so short a time in the helm of affairs, his legacy remains legendary and his name is still firmly etched on many hearts. Fondly called Baba Go-Slow, Governor Otedola may have been slow to act but was quick in execution. He was a democrat par excellence, a true man of the people in every sense of the word, little wonder 0that despite his clout, connection and wealth, after his tenure, he went home to live and settle with his people in Odoragushin, Epe! It is men like Governor Otedola that the great English Poet, Alexander Pope described as : “Statesman, yet friend to truth! Of soul sincere, in action faithful, and in honour clear, who broke no promise, served no private end, who gained no title, and who lost no friend; ennobled by himself, by all approved, praised, wept, and honoured.” These immortal words which are engraved on a 1727 statue of James Craggs (Secretary of State and Privy Counselor to King George I of Great Britain) at the chapel of St. George in the iconic Westminster Abbey in England encapsulates the life of this illustrious Lagosian; a towering Nigerian personality, a consummate journalist, an accomplished Public Relations expert, a renowned philanthropist, a sagacious elder statesman, a wonderful husband and a great father.

For Lagosians specifically, and Nigerians generally, who relished the rewards of the visionary leadership he provided, his death reawakened and brought to the fore, nostalgic recollections of a short but glorious tenure in office. For those too young to remember his astonishing accomplishments or who weren’t even born at the time to witness them, his death evoked a history lesson enriched greatly by a catalogue of unforgettable contributions that are now proudly enshrined in the state’s archives. In Sir Michael, Lagosians were blessed with a governor in whom the dignity of the man and the sanctity of the office found perfect harmony, both elements combining to work such a delightful seduction that could make several of today’s public officials green with envy. He was, without a doubt, the quintessence of all the virtues and qualities begging to no avail for expression in many of today’s political figures. The Holy Bible which he lived by, states in Proverbs 20:6: “Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find?” Sir Michael’s life was a glowing and patent answer to that question. His faithfulness found expression in his accountable and transparent leadership. Geared on by a compelling obsession to serve and to deliver tangible democracy dividends, Governor Otedola, an Apostle of Government 101, (which is another name for Government of Service to the People), knew full well that he contested and won against all odds on the platform of a minority opposition party in the state, therefore, he drove himself passionately and purposefully into the folklore of uncommon leadership. He worked with so much gusto like a man who had premonition that he had a very short time to shine-and what a good decision it turned to be because unlike his peers, he came, he saw and left with a great impact. Though he campaigned and won election into the Office of Governor on the platform of the defunct opposition National Republican Convention (NRC), he went about fulfilling his executive responsibilities in the spirit and strength of the predominant theme of the era-the “Hope 93” agenda which was set and championed by his friend, Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). Governor Otedola was a social democrat extraordinaire. His desire was to make Lagos and its people great again that was why his campaign slogan was simply “That Lagos May Excel”! And under him, Lagos indeed excelled.

saw the need for civil education, and sought leave to attend the University of Ife. He obtained a Diploma in International Relations in 1979. He also obtained a Master of Science in Defense Studies in 1988 from the University of Madras, India. In 1999, Oyinlọla obtained a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan. In 2003 he obtained a Law degree from Buckingham University, United Kingdom. In April 2004, the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law. He also honorary doctorate degrees from Ogun State University, Federal University of Technology, Minna, University of Buckingham and Lead City University, Ibadan As the Military Administrator of Lagos State he did a lot of trouble shooting to bring peace to the state as this was the peak of antagonism by the against General Abacha’s dictatorship. He built several people schools, general hospitals and housing estates in Lagos State. The Opebi link bridge and Lagos House, Governor’s Lodge in Abuja were some of the legacies he left behind. He also introduced the security outfit “Operation Sweep” to combat armed robbery.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu: Indefatigable, Most Influential Unarguably the most influential governor Lagos State has ever produced, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the 12th man to call the shots in Nigeria’s most commercial viable environment. Also known as Jagaban, Tinubu was born on March 29, 1952 in the city of Lagos. He attended St. John's Primary School, Aroloya, Lagos and Children's Home School in Ibadan before travelling to the United States of America in 1975, where he studied first at Richard J. Daley College in Chicago, Illinois and then at Chicago State University. He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. After the results of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Elections were annulled, Tinubu became a founding member of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which mobilized support for the restoration of democracy and recognition of the June 12 results. He went into exile in 1994 and returned to

Colonel Olagunsoye Oyinlola: Loyal Administrator Colonel Olagunsoye Oyinlola is the 11th Governor of Lagos State. His father, Moses Oyewole Oyinlola, was the traditional ruler of Okuku, reigning from 1934 to 1960. He is therefore a Prince. The formidable soldier of the Nigerian Army as well as a seasoned politician was the Governor of Lagos State from 1993 to 1996 under the military junta of General Sani Abacha. Oyinlọla was born on February 3, 1951 and was a Governor of Osun State before it was truncated on November 26, 2010 by a court order. Oyinlọla left school at the age of 18, and enlisted in the army in 1969 at the Signals corps and was commissioned in 1971 into the Armoured Corps of the Nigerian Army. While in the army, he

Rear Admiral Kanu (Rtd.)

Ndubuisi 257

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the country in 1998 after the death of military dictator Sani Abacha, which ushered in a transition to civilian rule. In April 1999, he contested and was elected as Governor of Lagos State. When he assumed office in May 1999, Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised 10,000 housing units for the poor. During his eight-year period of office, he made large investments in education in the state. He also initiated new road construction, required to meet the needs of the fast-growing population of the state. He also re-energised the revenue base of the state and has been credited as laying the foundation for the growth experienced in Lagos in the past 16 years. He was involved in a struggle with the Federal government over whether Lagos State had the right to create new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to meet the needs of its large population. The controversy led to the Federal government seizing funds meant for local councils in the state. But Tinubu, the astute administrator and indefatigable leader was firm on his principles and Lagos withstood that dark period in Nigerian democracy. The Tinubu administration achieved the following: 1. Tinubu instituted of a reform plan that greatly improved the welfare of judicial officers including magistrates 2. He revamped the civil and criminal procedure rule as well as creation of the Citizens Mediation Centre; a well-staffed and independent Office of the Public Defender, offering legal services for the poor. 3. He established 5 additional general hospitals in Lagos state

Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN 258

4. He upgraded facilities at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) 5. He provided free healthcare services including free ante-natal care for women, free eye treatments and free glasses, popularly called 'JIGI BOLA'. 6. He pioneered the Bus Rapid Transit System and LAGBUS 7. He established the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) 8. Reference of at least 13 matters related to the principle of federalism was tested at the Supreme Court 9. Tinubu created 37 Local Council Development Areas Tinubu is married to Chief (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu, who is presently the senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District and has chilfren.

Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN: An Advocate of Continuity He is the immediate past Governor of Lagos State. Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, was born June 28, 1963, and is currently the Federal Minister of Power, Works and Housing. He was a two-term Governor of Lagos State from May 29, 2007 to May 29, 2015, succeeding Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Fashola attended Birch Freeman High school Lago and Igbobi College, both in Lagos. He studied Law at the University of Benin from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, LL.B (Hon), degree in 1987. A true go-getter, Fashola was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in November 1988 after completing the professional training programme at the Nigeria Law School, Lagos which he undertook

Brig-General Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Rtd.) between 1987 and 1988. His legal career of over one and a half decades, commenced in the law Firm of Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe and Belgore, where he cut his legal teeth as a Litigator over such wide-ranging areas of specialisation as, intellectual property (registration of trade marks), Commercial Law, covering general contracts, company activities, mergers, acquisitions, right issues, ownership of shares and equity of corporations, as well as land disputes, criminal law and chieftaincy matters, in all of which he has come to acquire appreciable expertise and vast experience. He later became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) while serving as Chief of Staff to Governor Bola Tinubu. As Governor, Fashola undertook the value enhancement and beautification of Lagos state. Again, the Fashola’s government gave education the attention it deserved. He carried out small projects as: the reintegration and creation of well-furnished new blocks of classrooms, distribution of free text books, provision of well-equipped workrooms and libraries, provision of buses for teachers and students to cushion transportation problems, re-launch of uniformed voluntary administrations in the state’s public schools, implementation of Teachers’ Salary Scale (TSS) for teachers in the state public schools among many others. Also, he embarked on a huge infrastructure renewal of Lagos metropolis. Over 110 rural development projects were finished under the rural water and sanitation programme. At the end of the year 2009, 104 communities were measured for delivery of modified Type A-water scheme from the intervention fund. There was construction of access roads to link up villages, Imude road, Shibiri-Etegbin road, Ajangbandi-Illogbo road, Agboroko-Igbo road, Elerin road and Ariyo-Muyo-Tedi Oshun road and etc were done. Fashola’s government completed 165 rural electrification projects under its rural interference scheme. He also remodeled the Lekki-Epe Expressway and built the iconic Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge. He is married to Mrs. Abimbola Emmanuela Fashola and they have children.

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POWERFUL AND PROMINENT PEOPLE IN LAGOS Story: Michael Abimboye

Hotel in Lagos. Da Rocha, a native of Ilesha, was born to the family of Joao Esan Da Rocha, a former slave, his father was 10 years old when he was captured as a slave in about 1840 and Candido was born in the Bahia region of Brazil. Candido attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos where he was peers with Isaac Oluwole and Herbert Macaulay. Candido is the brother of Moses Da Rocha, one of the earliest Western-trained Nigerian doctors. He lived in Water House on Kakawa Street, Lagos, a house built by his father. The home was commemorated in literature by a novel, The Water House, written by Antonio Olinto. The house had a borehole and the first water fountain in Lagos Island; water was sold from his house to consumers. Some of his business interests included a restaurant called The Restaurant Da Rocha and Sierra Leone Deep Sea Fishing Industries Ltd. He collaborated with Lagos businessmen J. H. Doherty and Sedu Williams on a money lending business established under the name of the Lagos Native Bank. He was a founding member of the Lagos auxiliary to the Anti Slavery and Aborigines Right Society which was headed by James Johnson and had Samuel Pearse and Sapara Williams as members. Da Rocha died in 1959 and is buried at Ikoyi Cemetery. Among his children were Alexander Da Rocha, Adenike Afodu, Angelica Folashade Thomas and Louissa Turton.

Nnamdi Azikiwe (1904-1996)

Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya

agos, like many people always say is a miniNigeria, it is a state like no other, were different tribes, different tongues have come to call home. We highlight some Prominent Nigerians who live and have attained excellent success in this Centre of Excellence

Sir Herbert Macaulay Olayinka Herbert Samuel Heelas Badmus Macaulay was born in Broad St., Lagos on November 14, 1864. A Nigerian Nationalist, Politician, Engineer, Architect, Journalist, and musician and is considered by many Nigerians as the Founder of Nigerian nationalism. Macaulay entered primary school in 1869 and from 1869 to 1877, he was educated at St Paul's Breadfruit School, Lagos and CMS School, Faaji, Lagos. From 1877 to October 1880, he attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos for his secondary education. He was a student at the school when his father died in 1878.

Upon his return to Lagos in September 1893, he resumed work with the colonial service as a Surveyor of Crown Lands. He left the service as Land Inspector in September 1898 due to growing distaste for the British rule over the Lagos Colony and the position of Yorubaland and the Niger Coast Protectorate as British colonies in all but name. As a surveyor, his plans and valuations included E.J. Alex Taylor's house on Victoria St, Henry Carr’s residence in Tinubu, Akinola Maja's house and Doherty villa in Campos Square.He was one of the people who fought the colonialists and eventually got Independence for Nigeria.

Candido Joao Da Rocha (1860-March 11, 1959)[ Believed to be the first millionaire in Nigeria, Da Rocha was a businessman, landowner and creditor who owned Water House on Kakawa Street, Lagos Island, He was the proprietor of the now defunct Bonanza

He served as the second and last Governor-General of Nigeria from 1960 to 1963 and the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966. Nnamdi Azikiwe or Zik as he’s fondly called was a man of many parts; he was a renowned journalist, politician, and author. Azikiwe entered active politics, co-founding the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) alongside Herbert Macaulay in 1944. Prior to his emergence as President of Nigeria, Zik was Member for Onitsha in the Eastern House of Assembly (1954–60); Minister of Internal Affairs (Jan.–September 1954); Minister of Internal Affairs, Eastern Region (1954); Member of His Excellency Privy Council, Eastern Nigeria (1954–59); Premier of Eastern Nigeria (1954-59); President of the Senate of the Federation (January-November 1960); GovernorGeneral and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria (196063); President of the Republic of Nigeria (1963-1966). He would later contest as the Presidential candidate of the Nigeria People's Party (NPP) in 1983. The late politician was not all politics and journalism; he was a sport man too. He was successful in many of the events that he participated in. They include Welterweight Boxing Champion, Storer College (1925–27); High Jump champion, Howard University Inter-Scholastic Games (1926); Gold Medalist in Cross Country, Storer College (1927); Back-stroke Swimming Champion and No. 3 swimmer in Freestyle Relay team, Howard University (1928); Captain, Lincoln University Soccer Team (1930) to mention a few. 259

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Bashorun M.K.O Abiola He was a member of many organizations and societies, including Anti-Slavery Society for the protection of Human Rights; Phi Beta Sigma fraternity (Mu Chapter); West African Students' Union; Onitsha Improvement Union; Zik's Athletic Club; Ekine Sekiapu Society of Buguma, Kalabari; St. John's Lodge of England; Royal Economic Society; Royal Anthropological Institute; Others are Nigerian Swimming Association, Nigerian Boxing Board of Control; Nigerian Cricket Association; Ibo State Union; Nigerian Table Tennis Association; Nigeria Olympic Committee and British Empire and Commonwealth Games Association. Places named after Azikiwe include the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, Nnamdi Azikiwe Press Centre, Dodan Barracks, Obalende, Ikoyi, Lagos. Azikiwe Avenue, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. His portrait adorns Nigeria's five hundred naira currency note.

Ambassador Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez (1936-September 1, 2015) Late Fernandez was a Business magnate, Diplomat and Permanent Representative of Central African Republic to the United Nations. He was considered one of the richest men in Africa. The billionaire who at some point had 6 private jets was a man of great style and panache. When he enters a restaurant or boutique, the place is usually cleared for his pleasure because he likes to do everthing in distinctive style. 260

He owned a French castle,( Chateau) in France which was once used by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of France. This rich man with a high level of wealth has various friends in high places. Fernandez was born in Lagos, Nigeria to the Fernandez family that originated from Brazil. He attended St Gregory's College, Lagos for his secondary education but left after his second year for the United States of America. Flowery Fernandez was once married to Princess Abiola Dosunmu, the current Erelu Kuti of Lagos. Following their divorce, the chief went to court in an effort to get the princess to stop using his last name socially. He was ultimately successful. Fernandez died on September 1, 2015 in Belgium after an undisclosed illness of several months and was buried at Ixelles Cemetery in Brussels on September 18, 2015. In addition to a variety of other chieftaincy titles, he held the title of the Apesin Ola.

Justice Teslim Elias Justice Teslim Olawale Elias was born into the traditional aristocracy of Lagos on November 11, 1914. He received his secondary education at the CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College both based in Lagos. He married Ganiat Yetunde Fowosere and they had five children together (three sons, two daughters). After passing the Cambridge School Certificate examination, he worked as an Assistant in the

Government Audit Department. In 1935 he joined the Nigerian Railway and served in the Chief Accountant's Office for nine years. While working at the Nigerian Railway Elias became an external student of London University, and later he passed the intermediate examinations for the B.A. and LL.B degrees. He left Nigeria for the United Kingdom in 1944 and was admitted to University College, London. As this was during World War II, with London the target of frequent bomb attacks, he spent some time at Cambridge's Trinity College. He graduated with a B.A. the year he entered University College London and two years later received the LL.B. In 1947 he was called to the Bar of Inner Temple where he was a Yarborough Anderson Scholar, and in the same year received his LL.M degree. He continued his graduate education and became the first African to earn a PhD in law from the University of London in 1949. In 1951 Elias was awarded a UNESCO Fellowship to undertake research into the legal, economic, and social problems of Africa. Later that year he had his first academic appointment, the Simon Senior Research Fellow at Manchester University. There, he was an Instructor in Law and Social Anthropology. It was also in 1951 that he published his first book, Nigerian Land Law and Custom. Elias moved from Manchester to Oxford in 1954 when he became the Oppenheimer Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, Nuffield College and Queen Elizabeth House. He continued his research into Nigerian law and published Groundwork of Nigerian Law in the same year. He returned to London in 1957 and was appointed a Governor of the School of Oriental And African Studies. As the constitutional and legal adviser to the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (which later became the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens), he participated in the 1958 Nigerian Constitutional Conference in London. He was one of the architects of Nigeria's independence constitution. In 1960 Elias was invited to become Nigeria's Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.He served in this capacity through the whole of the First Republic. Although later dismissed after the coup d'ĂŠtat in January 1966, he was reinstated in November of that year. In addition to contributing to Nigerian and African law, Elias had long been active in field of International Law. He was a guru in International law and was consulted by nations far and wide. In 1966 Elias was appointed Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Lagos. He was removed from this position by a military regime that took power in Nigeria at the end of July 1975. A few months later (in October 1975), he was elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations to the International Court of Justice at The Hague. In 1979, he was elected Vice-President by his colleagues on that Court. In 1981, after the death of Sir Humphrey Waldock, the President of the Court, he took over as Acting President. In 1982, the members of the Court elected him President of the Court. He thus became the first African jurist to hold that honour. Five years later, Elias was also appointed to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.He died on August 14, 1991.

Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya The Ikorodu born Lawyer served as a Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Education and he was a prominent Politician. Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya completed his primary education at Hope Waddell Training Institute in Calabar. He scored the highest mark at the 1937 Government Standard VI examinations thus earning him a government scholarship to King's College, Lagos. He went on to study Law at the University of Manchester and Gray's Inn School of Law.

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his 80th birthday on June 16. Alhaji Folawiyo received award of Doctor of Law at the University of Cross River state, Uyo, 1991, Doctor of Letters by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 1992, Doctor of Science by the Lagos University, Ojo, Lagos, 1998, Key to Dade County, Florida, in the U.S. and Millennium Award of Doctor of Science, University Of Lagos. He was also given titles such as the Baba Adini Of Nigeria, Grand Patron Of Nigerian Muslim Council, Chairman, Executive Council Of The Lagos Central Mosque, Honorary Fellow, Chartered Institute Of Transport, Fellow Of The Commonwealth Journalists Association, Chairman, Maize Association Of Nigeria and Patron, Institute Of Freight Forwarders Of Nigeria,. He also got National honours: Order of Federal Republic, OFR, conferred on him in 1982, Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, on Nov. 16, 2000.

Chief Shafi Lawal Edu

Dr. Michael Adenuga Jnr.

Late Adeniran began his law practice at Chief TOS Benson Chambers in Lagos after returning from the United Kingdom. In 1956, he joined his brother, Sulu Adebayo Ogunsanya to establish Ogunsanya & Ogunsanya Chambers. He was the President of NCNC Youth Association and in 1959, he became a Member of the Parliament. He was the first Attorney General of Lagos and was a close friend and political ally of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. His first daughter, Princess Adenrele AdeniranOgunsanya was one-time Secretary to the State Government in Lagos State.

Chief T.O.S Benson Born on July 23, 1917 in Ikorodu, Lagos, Theophilus Owolabi Shobowale Benson popularly known as T.O.S Benson served as the Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Culture in the first postindependence government. Benson was imprisoned for several months after the first military coup of 1966. In 1950 Benson was elected to the Lagos Town Council, and later became the Deputy Mayor of Lagos. He returned to practice as a Barrister, and was recognized as a prominent Yoruba chief. His Liberian wife, Chief (Mrs. Opral Benson) is the Yeye Oge of Lagos. He attended the CMS Grammar School, Lagos and at 20, he joined the Customs Service. In 1943, he moved to London, where he studied Law at Lincoln's Inn and was called to the Bar in 1947; upon his return to Nigeria, T.O.S joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). The late politician who was based initially in Ibadan held the chieftaincy title of the Baba Oba of Lagos. T.O.S. Benson died on February 13, 2008 at the age of 90 at his home in Ikoyi, Lagos

Alhaji Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo Alhaji Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo was a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist. In 1957, he founded Yinka Folawiyo & Sons, which has become the parent company of the Yinka Folawiyo Group of Companies which is now into commodities, haulagh, shipping, real estates as well as oil and gas. He was born in Lagos to Pa Tijani, a wealthy local merchant, during the British colonial era. He attended the University of North London in 1951, where he read Management, specializing in Ship Brokerage. He returned to start Yinka Folawiyo & Sons, an import and export business. As a philanthropist, he was active in several social and religious (particularly Islamic) endeavors. He funded the establishment and construction of mosques throughout the country, including both the Lagos Central and Surulere Central mosques in Lagos and the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna. He also funded the Bab Es Salam Home for orphans in Lagos. In sports, he was the sole sponsor of the Yinka Folawiyo U-15 Athletics Championships and the National Amateur Wrestling Championships. In education, he endowed the professorial chair in Physics at the University of Lagos, and contributed to virus research at the University of Ibadan. Folawiyo, in June 1998, also became the first private individual to put together a physical structure at the University of Lagos when he upgraded the University's Health Centre to a full-fledged hospital complete with an X-ray Unit. He died in the early hours of June 6, 2008, at his residence in Queens Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, at the age of 79 surrounded by his family; he was to have celebrated

Popularly known as Chief S.L Edu, The Epe born prominent Nigerian businessman and conservationist was the founder of the Nigerian Conservation Fund; a Nigerian NGO involved in conservation projects and was a former member of the council of the World Wildlife Fund. His education started at Quaranic schools before enrolling in the Government Muslim Primary School, Epe. He finished his education in 1927 and thereafter, taught at his alma mater. Edu left teaching in 1930 and started a career as a clerk with the Africa Oil and Nuts Company, a firm which had a business alliance with Holland West Africa and was involved in buying palm produce at Epe. In 1933, he was posted to Apapa as a shipping clerk with Holland West Africa. By 1945, he had risen to Managerial level. As a Manager, he organized the Dutch shipping line's offices in the country and helped in expanding the business to other coastal cities. Figuring out there were affordable untapped prospects in the Nigerian shipping industry, he left Holland West Africa Lines, and founded his own firm. Using his prior experience in the shipping industry, he found himself a niche in ship handling and stevedoring. He later expanded the venture into timber and other commodities. In the post war period, he was a food contractor to private, government and European agencies. He also delved into the oil haulage business working as a contractor for British Petroleum; Edu was Chairman of British Petroleum, Nigeria when the firm was nationalized and had its name changed to African Petroleum by the Obasanjo regime. In partnership with T.A. Braithwaite and Munich Re-Insurance, he set up an insurance firm, African Alliance. In the 1950s, Edu was a member of the expatriate dominated Lagos Chamber of Commerce, as a member, he became acquainted with the law firm of Irving and Borner which acted as an advisory firm to foreign businesses scouting for opportunities in the country. Through Irving and Borner, he secured board seats with Blackwood Hodge Nigeria, plumbing and electrical firm, Haden Nigeria and Glaxo Nigeria. He was also a board member of the Federal Industrial Loans Board from 1954 to 1959. In 1963, he was elected President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce. During the pre-independence period, Chief Edu was sympathetic to the Nigerian Youth Movement as a supporter of Jubril Martin, one of the party's candidates in the 1943 election. He was elected into the western House of Assembly in 1951, and was later nominated to represent Epe at the Federal House of Representatives. As a prominent Lagosian, he spent a few years as a Commissioner for Health After his resignation, he focused his energy on various businesses. He had interest in various pies. One of his sons, Chief Yomi Edu, was appointed Minister of Special Duties, by Olusegun Obasanjo. 261

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Alhaji Hassan Fasinro Alhaji Hassan Adisa Fasinro was born on September 13, 1919. He went to Ereko Methodist School, Lagos and the Boys High School, Lagos. In 1948, he went abroad to study Law and was subsequently called to the bar in 1951. A Nigerian Islamic leader and author who was President of the Anwwar-Ul-Islam between 1987 and 1990. He was Vice president of the movement under the leadership of Chief S.L. Edu He was a Councilor with the Lagos Town Council in the 1950s and was later elected a Senator representing Lagos in the Nigerian Second Republic. Lately, he has been involved in the leadership of the Nigerian Muslim Council as the council's National President. He is one of the most respected Lagosians on account of his record of intergrity and contributions to the prayers of the state in different capacities. One of his sons, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, was a former Member of the Federal House of Representatives. He is an entrepreneur and acted as the Co-Chairman of Lagos@50 Committee under the Chairmanship of Nobel Laureate, Prof, Wole Soyinka

Otunba Adekunle Ojora The Otunba Adekunle Ojora is one of Nigeria’s authentic Corporate Titans, he has investments in many areas of business. He is a graduate of Journalism from the London Polytechnic. He also attended various management courses at Harvard University School of Business and had further trainings at Christ College and Cambridge University, England. He served as an Assistant Editor at BBC London. Otunba Ojora before joining the Nigeria Broadcasting Service. He was also a Public Relations Manager of United African Company of Nigeria (UAC) Limited. He served for many years as the Chairman of multi-national oil company, AGIP Nigeria Limited. He was the Chairman of many companies cutting across oil & gas, food, insurance, office equipment, pharmaceutical, real estate, and financial sectors of the Nigeria economy. He has vast investments in many of these companies. He held numerous positions with respect to local, bilateral and national business associations. He served as a Director, Capital Express Assurance Limited. Director, United African Company of Nigeria (UAC) Limited, Vice President of both the Nigeria/American Business Council and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce. He has received various national and international awards for his prowess business and was honoured with the National Award of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1982. He also got awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the Central State University of Ohio, Wilberforce, USA. He was a leading candidates to succeed late Oba of Lagos, HRH Oba Adeyinka Oyekan after his father’s death in March, 2003. His first and only daughter, Oluwatoyin is the Founder/President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa and is married to Dr. Bukola Saraki, Nigeria’s Senate President.

Caribbean in origin), while in Britain, and on return to Nigeria in 1947 they established the Bobby Benson and Cassandra Theatrical Party. Their performances included serious music, where he played guitar and saxophone while his wife danced. Based on the popularity of his music, he formed the Bobby Benson Jam Session, a dance band that played swing, jive, sambas and calypsos. In the 1950s, he expanded his band to 11 members, including a trumpet section, and began playing in the popular highlife style. Their first big hit was "Taxi Driver", followed by several others He became a friend of B.B. King and Hugh Masekela. Benson established the Caban Bamboo, a popular nightclub later converted into the Hotel Bobby. He had several wives, and 10 children. Benson died in Lagos on Saturday, 14 May 1983.

M.K.O Abiola The President Nigeria never had. That’s how the late Chief Moshood Abiola is described in some quarters. Abiola, ran for the presidency in 1993, and is widely regarded as the presumed winner of that election. For the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, Abiola's running mate was Baba Gana Kingibe. He overwhelmingly defeated his rival, Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention. Moshood Abiola started his professional life as a bank Clerk with Barclays Bank in Ibadan, In 1956, his Wikipedia page reads. “He later joined the Western Region Finance Corporation as an Executive Accounts officer, before leaving for Glasgow, Scotland, to pursue his higher education. From Glasgow University he received a first class degree in accountancy, and he also gained a distinction from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

Bobby Benson Bernard Olabinjo "Bobby" Benson was born on April 11, 1922 in Ikorodu, Lagos State. He was an entertainer and musician who had considerable influence on Nigerian music introducing big band and Caribbean idioms to Highlife. Benson was an entertainer and a comedian as well as a singer, a great performer. He had a show on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in the 1970s, where he performed as a stand-up comedian and magician. While in secondary school he also learned tailoring, but after leaving school he became a boxer for a brief period, and then a sailor in the Merchant Navy. In 1944, he left his ship in London, where he made his entertainment debut with the Negro Ballet, touring several European capitals. He met his wife, Cassandra (half Scottish and half 262

Ambassador Deinde Fernandez

“On his return to Nigeria, Abiola worked as a Senior Accountant at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital, then went on to Pfizer, before joining the ITT Corporation, where he later rose to the position of VicePresident, Africa and Middle-East, of the entire corporation, which was headquartered in the United States. As a result, Abiola spent a lot of his time (and made most of his money) in the United States, whilst retaining the post of Chairman of the corporation's Nigerian subsidiary. “In addition to his duties throughout the MiddleEast and Africa, Abiola invested heavily in Nigeria and West Africa. He set up Abiola Farms, Abiola Bookshops, Radio Communications Nigeria, Wonder Bakeries, Concord Press, Concord Airlines, Summit Oil International Ltd, Africa Ocean Lines, Habib Bank, Decca W.A. Ltd, and Abiola football club Abiola died on July 7, 1998 under suspicious circumstances shortly after the death of General Abacha. He was held in military detention. The official autopsy stated that Abiola died of natural causes, but Abacha's Chief security officer, Al-Mustapha alleged he was beaten to death. Chief MKO Abiola's memory is celebrated in Nigeria and internationally. June 12, remains a public holiday in Lagos and many South West States. The Federal Government named the University of Lagos after him but it was not ratified. He lived most of his adult life in Lagos, the headquarters of his business was also in Lagos.

Sir Michael Otedola and Femi Otedola He was a Nigerian politician and the former Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria. Otedola was born on the July 16, 1926 into a Muslim family at Odoragunsin, Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State. He died on 5 May 2014 at his residence in his home town of Epe, Lagos.

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He was the President of the Nigerian Bar Association in 1959, the association is the top body for lawyers in the country and joined polities at some point. He left politics in the 1960s, as a result of the political crisis in the Western Region of Nigeria. Throughout his career, he was involved in some memorable and important court cases, such as Lakanmi vs the Western Government of Nigeria, which set the precedent, that a military government could not use its power to make laws that will appropriate an individual’s property. He was also among a group of lawyers that represented the Oba of Lagos, HRH Adeniji Adele, against the Nigerian National Democratic Party. The latter had previously gained solidarity and foundation from the ruling House of Docemo in Lagos. His older brother was Akintola Williams, born a year earlier, a distinguished Chartered Accountant. He entered primary school in the 1930s, at the Methodist Ologbowo School, then went to C.M.S Grammar School, Lagos for secondary education. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1942 and was called to the bar at the Gray's Inn, London in 1943. He set up the first indigenous Nigerian law firm in 1948 with Chief Remilekun Fani-Kayode and Chief Bode Thomas. The law firm was called "Thomas, Williams and Kayode".

Mr. Akintola Williams

Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas He won a scholarship to study Journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnicin, London where he graduated in 1958. He began his career as a Teacher before working as a Reporter at the St. Pancras Chronicle, then as a Reporter and later sub-editor at The Guardian and The Times in London, England. He was a businessman who ran a popular press, Impact Press in Surulere Lagos. He was elected Governor of Lagos State from 1992 to 1993 on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC), leaving office when General Sani Abacha came to power.His famous campaign slogan, That Lagos May Now Excel was very popular and was loved by many. After leaving office, he continued his career as a writer, a consultant holding positions on the boards of various businesses, and a philanthropist. His son, Femi Otedola is a Forbes-listed Billionaire and Chairman of Forte Oil Plc. The younger Otedola was born on November 4, 1962 in Ibadan, Oyo State. He worked for his father’s Impact Press before setting up Zenon Petroleum which operated in the downstream sector of the economy. Through a dint of hardwork and dedication, he so grew the business that it became the leading player in the sector. As part of its immense growth, Zenon Petroleum bought AP Petroluem, and after a major restructuring and refocusing of the business, it was rebranded as Forte Oil Plc. Otedola is also a big player in Shipping, Haulage, Real Estate and Power Generation.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Fondly called Asiwaju or Jagaban, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was born on 29 March 1952 in the city of Lagos, Nigeria.

Asiwaju was elected Senator for the Lagos West constituency in Lagos State, Nigeria in 1993, just before a military take-over in December 1993. His political career began in 1992, on the platform of the Social Democratic Party in the faction of the Peoples Front led by Shehu Musa Yar'Adua After the return to democracy, he was elected Governor of Lagos State, holding office from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He is an influential member of the All Progressives Congress party; he also holds both the chieftaincies of the Asiwaju of Lagos and the Jagaban of the Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, Nigeria among others. Tinubu worked for American companies Arthur Andersen, Deloitte, Haskins, & Sells, and GTE Services Corporation.After returning to Nigeria in 1983 Bola Tinubu joined Mobil Oil Nigeria, and later becoming an Executive of the company. After the results of the 12 June 1993 presidential elections were annulled, Tinubu became a founding member of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which mobilized support for the restoration of democracy. He went into exile in 1994 and returned to the country in 1998 after the death of military dictator Sani Abacha, which ushered in a transition to civilian rule. He became a two-time Governor of Lagos and made significant contributions to the State. He is regarded as the Father of modern Lagos.

Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams He was a prominent Lawyer who was the first Nigerian to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. In the 1950s, he was a member of the Action Group and subsequently became the minister for local government and Justice. Rotimi Williams was born on 16 December 1920 in Lagos.

Akintola Williams played a leading role in establishing the Association of Accountants in Nigeria (AAN) in 1960 with the goal of training accountants. He was the first President of the association and founding member and first president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Born 9 August 1919, he was the first African to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. He began his education at Olowogbowo Methodist Primary School, Bankole Street, Apongbon, Lagos Island, Lagos in the early 1930s; the same primary school his late junior brother Chief Rotimi Williams attended. He went on to Yaba Higher College on a UAC scholarship, obtaining a Diploma in Commerce. In 1944 he travelled to England where he studied at the University of London. Studying Banking and Finance, he graduated in 1946 with a Bachelor of Commerce. He continued his studies and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in England in 1949. He was also involved in establishing the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He remained actively involved with these organisations into his old age. At a stock exchange ceremony in May 2011 he called on operators to protect the market and ensure there was no scandal. He said that, if needed, market operators should not hesitate to seek his advice on resolving any problem. His firm, Akintola Williams and Co. founded in 1952, later grew organically and through mergers to become the largest professional services firm in Nigeria by 2004. The lover of the arts, who promoted and was one of the pillars of the Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON) is known for his honesty and integrity in business. He has refused to take any chieftaincy title, insisting that he is simply Mr. Akintola Williams.

Justice Shola Oguntade George Adesola Oguntade (CFR, CON) is a retired Nigerian jurist who served as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from May 19, 2004 to May 10, 2010. George Oguntade was born in Epe, Lagos State where he completed his basic formal education. He graduated from Holborn College of Law in 1964 after before he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School in 1965 and was eventually called to the Nigerian Bar on January 15, 1966. In September 1980, he was appointed a Judge of the Lagos High Court after being involved in private legal practice at the Lagos Bar for 14 years. Between September 1987–May 2004, George served as Presiding Justice for several State Court of Appeal in Nigeria until his appointment as Justice of the Supreme 263

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Court of Nigeria on May 19, 2004. Having attained the statutory retirement age of 70 years, George Oguntade retired from the Supreme Court Bench on May 10, 2010. On September 16, 2015, George was appointed Chancellor of the Lagos State University Governing Council by Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

Femi Okunnu Alhaji Lateef Olufemi Okunnu, was appointed as Leader of the Federal Government Delegation to the Organisation of African Unity Consultative Committee on Nigeria Peace Talks to end the Civil War in 1968. In 1969, he was appointed Leader of the Nigerian Delegation to the O.A.U. Ministerial Conference. In 1980, he was member of the Nigerian Delegation to the General Assembly of the U.N.O. Born 19 February 1933,in Lagos State, Alhaji Okunnu a Senior Advocate of Nigeria had his primary education at Ansar-U-Deen School, Alakoro between 1938 and 1947. He later attended Kings College Lagos (19481953). In 1956, he proceeded to the University of London where he obtained a first degree in Law. He was called to Nigerian bar in 1960.He began his career in 1960 as a Legal Practitioner and was appointed Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing in 1967. He served in this capacity for seven years, a tenure that ended in 1974. He was later appointed as Deputy Legal Adviser to the National Party of Nigeria (N.P.N.) In 1981. He is a prominent son of Lagos

The Adefarasin Family (Hilda, Paul and Wale) Hilda Adefarasin is a Nigerian women's right activist and former president of the National Council of Women's Societies (NCWS). She left her nursing profession in 1969 to concentrate on professional activities of the NCWS. In 1971, she was the council's Treasurer and in 1987, she became the President. Mrs. Adefarasin was born in Lagos to the family of Wilfred and Ethel Petgrave in 1925.Her father worked with the Nigerian Railway in Lagos; both parents are of Caribbean descent. Adefarasin attended CMS Girls Secondary, School and Achimota College, Ghana. In 1945, she became pupil-midwife with Massey Street Hospital but in 1948, she traveled to England for further training where she qualified as a registered nurse in 1951. In 1960, she was a founding member and secretary of the Professional Association of Trained Nurses of Nigeria and soon joined the National Council of Women's Societies as a representative of nurses. In 1984, Adefarasin succeeded Justice Nzeako as president of NCWS. Her selection continued a string of educated elite women president of NCWS. Adefarasin elevated the profile of the body taking it to national conciousness. The NCWS during her tenure promoted an Expanded Programme on Immunization and operational theatres for youngs girls with vestino vaginal fistula. She was one out of two women who were nominated by President Babangida as members of the 1986 Political Bureau. She was an indefatigable fighter of women rights and won national acclaim through her tremendous work. Her husband was Justice Tunji Adefarasin. She is the mother of Pastors Paul and Wale Adefarasin. Paul Adefarasin is a Christian Minister, author and televangelist. He hosts the weekly television religious programme, Something Is About to Happen! which is broadcast throughout Africa and Europe. Adefarasin is also the Head of the House On The Rock churches headquartered in Lagos and the host of The Experience Lagos music and worship concert. His elder brother, Pastor Wale Adefarasin is the General Overseer of Guiding Light Assembly in Lagos.

Cosmas Maduka Born in 1958, in Jos, Nigeria to Mr and Mrs Peter and Rose Maduka, Cosmas Maduka a Nigerian millionaire started his now multi million naira 264

Alhaji Aliko Dangote

Coscharis Group after several failed business venturesfirst with his brother (Maduka Brothers) and later with a friend, Dave, (CosDave). He set up Coscharis in Lagos. The name Coscharis was formed by the combination of two names; his name, Cosmas, and his wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name, Charity whom he married at a very young age of 19. Cosmas Madukaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big break came when in the same1982, the Nigerian government granted ten (10) motor companies import licences, and his Coscharis Motors was selected. Ever since then, his company has continued to grow sporadically, with several branches around Nigeria. Today, his personal net worth according to an interview with Forbes Africa 2015, sits at over $500 million US dollars and counting. As of 2016, Coscharis Motors is not just one of the largest automobile dealers in Nigeria, but is also the exclusive distributor of BMW automobiles, Ford and other luxury cars in Nigeria. His different companies employ thousands and they are mostly located in different parts of Lagos.

Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas He was a regarded as one of Nigeria's most prominent and successful corporate titans, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas who died February 2, 2015 was born on June 8, 1935, in Lagos. Molade Okoya-Thomas studied at Princess School, Lagos, 1946; Balham and Tooting College of Commerce, London, 1956-1959 and Columbia University, New York, US, 1981. He was the first local state of CFAO and served the company for 52 years rising to the position of Chairman. He was appointed Director, Transcap Nigeria Limited; Director, Niger Motors Industries Limited; Chairman, Studio Press Nigeria Limited and Chairman of CFAO Nigeria Limited. He was Chairman of organisations such as CICA (Nigeria) Ltd., Transcap Nigeria Ltd., Oktom

Investment Ltd., Itochu Nigeria Ltd., Chiyoda Nigeria Ltd. and Anchoria Investment & Securities Ltd. He also serves as Director of NFI Insurance Company Plc and GatewayBank Plc. He had also contributed to the development of Lagos state by serving in numerous committees including; member, Lagos City Council between 19711975, member Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, Chairman Board of Trustees Glover Memorial Hall and Tom Jones Hall He was a philanthropist and sports enthusiast who solely sponsored the popular annual Asoju Oba Table Tennis Championship in Lagos for more than four decades. He held the Nigerian national honor of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, and was a recipient of the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, the highest national honor given by the French Government to a foreigner. He held the title of Asoju Oba of Lagos till he died. His daughter was a one time Member of the Federal House of Representatives Representing Lagos.

Chief Rasak Okoya Widely referred to as Eleganza, Chief Rasak Akanni Okoya owns the popular Eleganza Group of companies, which has a market spanning West Africa and beyond. Born 12 January 1940, cut his business teeth working at his father's tailoring business which also included the sale of tailoring accessories. He saved every penny he made until he had 20 pounds. His mother gave him an extra 50 with which he went solo, starting the importation of goods from Japan. Today, under his Chairmanship, the Eleganza Industries produces a wide range of household goods and utensils including cutlery, collieries, food warmers, ice chest, electric fan, cosmetics and ballpoint pens.

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His factory locations include, Oregun-Ikeja, Isolo, Alaba and Iganmu, Aja (all in Lagos) and they now directly employ over five thousand Nigerians and nonNigerians including those working in his RAO Property Investment Company. Okoya's Eleganza Group is one of the biggest home-grown conglomerates in Nigeria today. His magnificent and outlandish estate, "Oluwa ni shola" Estate at Lekki/Ajah is a wonder to behold.

Sir Kensington Adebutu Nigeria’s lotto merchant, Kensington Adebutu is the billionaire who owns the multi-million Naira betting business-Premier Lotto (Baba Ijebu). He was born on October 24, 1935 at Iperu Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State. But he had lived, worked and made his billions from Lagos. Along with his close friend, Chief Solomon Ayoku, they established Face to Face, a pool betting company that formed the foundation of his business success. From there. he has expanded into other fields and is reputed to be one of the “most liquid” Nigerians alive. He recently opened a grandiose Mansion in old Ikoyi, the pushiest location in Lagos. He is a well known philanthropist who also employs thousands. Alao Aka-Bashorun (1930-2005) A distinguished Lawyer, Activist and former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is arguably one of the best presidents the NBA has ever had. He was at the vanguard of the struggle against military dictatorships in Nigeria. As President of the association, he facilitated the first-ever lawyers boycott of courts due to government’s disobedience of court orders. This was in 1988. He was one of the leading lawyers who stood by Chief Moshood Abiola in the treason trials following Abiola’s Epetedo declaration on the annulment of the June 12 elections. Aka-Bashorun also featured prominently in the legal tussle between Chief Abiola’s first son, Kolawole and his step-mother, the late Kudirat over the legal representation for Abiola. Born in Lagos Island to the late Chief Sanusi Aka. Bashorun. He had his elementary school at the Christ Church Cathedral School, Broad Street. He was one of the founders of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and also the first interim chairman of the campaign for Democracy (CD), an umbrella organization of Human rights groups. In 1994, he joined like minds to form the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and fought General Sani Abacha to a standstill until the despot died.

Fashion. Folorunsho started her career in 1974 as an Executive Secretary at Sijuade Enterprises, Lagos, Nigeria. She moved on to the former First National Bank of Chicago, now acquired by FCMB (First City Monument Bank) where she worked for some years before establishing a tailoring company called Supreme Stitches. It rose to prominence and fame within a few years, and metamorphosed to Rose of Sharon House of Fashion. As National President and lifelong trustee of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), she left an indelible mark, promoting Nigerian culture through fashion and style. In May 1993, Folorunsho applied for the allocation of an oil prospecting license (OPL). The license to explore for oil on a 617,000-acre block-now referred to as OPL 216-was granted to Alakija's company, Famfa Limited. On 9 March 2016 she became the first female Chancellor (Osun State University) in Nigeria.

Dr. Michael Adenuga Jnr. You can call him “The Guru” or the “Spirit of Africa” and you are not wrong. Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr is a Nigerian business tycoon and billionaire. To many, he is the undisputed African Richest man because many of his money-making concerns are not open to public scrutiny and certainly not listed and therefore difficult to evaluate. However, Forbes claims in his estimates, that he is presently worth $5.8billion Adenuga made his first millions in the 80s through trading but now has vast interest in Oil and gas, Real Estate, Banking and of course, telecommunications. Media shy, very few people knew Adenuga until the birth of Globacom. The only wholly-Nigerian owned telecommunications amongst the BIG 3. He built Glo from scratch and grew it into the second largest telecommunications company in Nigeria.

Globacom has soared above its competitors in terms of its “Nigerianness” and innovation. When many operators said per second billion was impossible, Glo, made it possible. It is now the King of Data in the Nigeria telecoms market and the only operator with its own trans-atlantic submarine cable. His Consolidated Oil which operates in the upstream sector (exploration & Production) and Conoil Plc in the downstream sector have consistently made significant strides too. Apart from living the posh Banana Island, Lagos, the headquarters of all his businesses are located in the commercial capital-and he employs thousands. Adenuga received his secondary school education at the Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan and Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro for his Higher School Certificate(HSC). He worked as a taxi driver to help fund his university education and graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Pace University, New York with degrees in Business Administration. In 1990, he received a drilling license and in 1991, his Consolidated Oil struck oil in the shallow waters of Southwestern Ondo State, the first indigenous oil company to do so in commercial quantity. He was issued a conditional GSM licence in 1999; after it was revoked in controversial circumstances. He received a second one when the government held another auction in 2003. His company Globacom soon came on stream and quickly spread quickly, challenging the foreign-owned MTN and Econet Wireless. It launched services in Benin in 2008, and has continued its spread across to Ghana, Cote D’Ivore and seeking more licences in other West African countries. He was named African Entrepreneur of The Year at the maiden African Telecoms Awards (ATA) on 15 August 2007.

Folorunso Alakija Born in 1951 to the family of Chief L. A. Ogbara in Ikorodu, Lagos state, Mrs Folorunso Alakija is a Nigerian businesswoman, one of the richest African women and also one of the richest black women in the world with an estimated worth of $2.1billion In 2014, she upstaged Oprah Winfrey according to Forbes as the richest woman of African descent in the world. She is a business tycoon involved in oil and printing. She is the Group Managing Director of The Rose of Sharon Group which consists of The Rose of Sharon (Prints & Promotions Limited) and Digital Reality Prints Limited and the Executive Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil Limited. She is listed as the second most powerful woman in Africa after Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the 87th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. At age seven, she travelled to the United Kingdom to begin a four-year primary education at Dinorben School for Girls in Hafodunos Hall in Wales. After returning to Nigeria, she attended Muslim High School Sagamu Ogun State, Nigeria. Afterwards, she returned abroad for Secretarial studies at Pitman's Central College, London. She also studied fashion design at the American College, London and the Central School of

Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, UBA Group & Heirs Holdings

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He is a philanthropist par excellence: After the Nigerian soccer team won the 2013 African Cup of Nations, Adenuga not only rewarded them with $1 million, but also gave the team’s coach, Late Stephen Keshi $200,000 and an SUV. He has impacted more lives than many in his billionaire club but always never wants any form of publicity.

Aliko Dangote Aliko Dangote is Africa’s Richest Billionaire, according to Forbes was born on April 10th, 1957 in Kano. He is one of those who can be said to have come to Lagos, saw and soared in Nigeria’s commercial capital. With a small capital from his grandfather, the late Alhaji Sanusi Dantata, started his own business in 1977 trading in commodities and also building supplies. Alhaji Aliko Dangote moved to Lagos in June 1977 and persisted in trading cement and commodities. Encouraged by tremendous success and increase in business activities, he incorporated two companies in 1981. These as well as others that followed now make up the business behemoth known as The Dangote Group. He ranked first in Nigeria in Forbes Magazine’s 2008 list of the richest people in the world with a fortune estimated at 3.3 billion dollars. Aliko Dangote is the ‘golden child’ of Nigerian business circles. The Dangote consortium spans across numerous sectors of the Nigerian economy. The Dangote Group sells such commodities as cement, sugar, salt, rice,tomato,sacks etc. It is also involved in Construction. The Group is building Nigeria’s first and largest private Petrochemical plant located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos. Modupe Art Alade Modupe Arthur Alade popularly known as Art

Alade, was a famous Nigerian highlife/jazz artiste in the 60s and 70s. He attended the London TV College and also was the amiable presenter of the late 1970-80s popular NTA programme, The Bar Beach Show. He was a bundle of talent and he thrilled millions of Nigerians weekly. His son, Dare Art Alade, who used the stage name, Darey is a successful, award-winning artiste. Like his father, Darey has made entertainment, business his mainstay and his Love Like A Movie Concert brand has brought eclectic style and innovation to stage shows in Nigeria.

Chief Ebenezer Obey Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, whose real names are, Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Fabiyi, was born in Idogo, Ogun State, Nigeria of Egba-Yoruba ethnic background. He is of the Owu subgroup of Egbaland. He began his professional career in the mid-1950s after moving to Lagos. After tutelage under Fatai RollingDollar's band, he formed a band called The International Brothers in 1964, playing highlife-juju fusion. The band later metamorphosed into InterReformers, in the early-1970s, with a long list of Juju album hits on the West African Decca musical label. Obey began experimenting with Yoruba percussion style and expanding on the band by adding more drum kits, guitars and talking drums. Obey's musical strengths was in weaving intricate Yoruba axioms into dance-floor compositions. As is characteristic of Nigerian Yoruba social-circle music, the InterReformers band exceled in praise-singing for rich Nigerian socialites and business tycoons. Obey, however, became born again and became Evangelist. Today, he uses his music to spreed the Gospel of Christ after establishing DECROSS International. He has lived most of his adult life in Lagos where all his business are headquartered.

Mr. Jim Ovia Jim Ovia (born November 4, 1951) is a Nigerian businessman who founded Zenith Bank in 1990. Jim Ovia holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana, USA in 1979 and a B.Sc degree in Business Administration from Southern University, Louisiana, USA (1977). He is also an Alumnus of Harvard Business School (OPM) Jim Ovia is the Founder of Zenith Bank Plc where he retired as pioneer Group Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer after two decades of meritorious which positioned the bank as one of the largest and most profitable banks in Africa. As an accomplished banker with over three decade’s experience, he introduced a great deal of innovations into the Nigerian banking industry.He is presently the Chairman of the bank. He served as CEO at Zenith Bank 2010, when a new Central Bank of Nigeria ensured all those who have served as CEO for up to ten years should step down. Today, Zenith has grown in leaps and bounds, employing thousands in Lagos, where it has its headquarters. Ajose Adeogun in Victoria-Island, Lagos is fondly called Zenith street on account of the decoration and the refurbishment that the bank has carried out over the years. In fact, it lights up the whole area delightfully during the yuletide season. Apart from banking, Ovia had his hands in telecommunications and Real Estate. He has been the recipient of a Nigerian national honor He is the Chairman of the Nigerian Software Development Initiative (NSDI) and also Chairman, National Information Technology Advisory Council (NITAC). He is a member of the Honorary International Investor Council as well as the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI). He is also the Chairman of Cyberspace Network Limited. Jim Ovia is a member of the Governing Council of Lagos State University, Lagos and also a member of the Board of Trustees, Redeemer's University For Nations, Lagos. He was a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (1999 – 2007) and also served on the board of American International School, Lagos [2001 -2003]. Jim Ovia is a noted philanthropist and has headed numerous Non-Governmental Organisations [NGO] at various times including being the first President of the Nigeria Internet Group (2001-2003). He is the founder and Chairman of Mankind United to Support Total Education (MUSTE), a philanthropic organization focused on providing scholarship for the less privileged, of which some of the beneficiaries are now qualified professionals in diverse fields. He is also the founder of the Youth Empowerment/ICT Foundation, which focuses on improving the socio-economic welfare of Nigerian youths by inspiring and motivating them to embrace Information and communication technology.

Pascal Dozie

Mr. Femi Otedola 266

Pascal Gabriel Dozie is a native of Egbu in Owerri and was born in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria on April 9th, 1939 to Catholic Catechist, Charles Dozie and his wife, Janet. He had his Primary Education at Our Lady’s School Emekuku and his Secondary Education at Holy Ghost Juniorate Seminary and Holy Ghost College, all in Owerri. He was in the school band and church choir, taught for three years and left for London where he got a degree in Economics from The London School of Economics and a Masters in Administrative Science, specialising in Operational Research and Industrial Engineering from City University in London. All thanks to his elder brother, Aloy who was into Real Estate business in London. He worked as an Economist at the National Economic Development Office and at the Greater London Development Council in the United Kingdom as well as taught part-time at the North Western Polytechnic, London. Between 1970 and 1971, he served as a consulting Economist at the African States Consulting Organisation in East Africa. In 1971, he visited Nigeria

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shareholders. Adewale and his team later rebranded the company, Oando Plc and became the largest shareholder at Gaslink, an industrial gas supply company. Oando, under his leadership, became the first African company to be enlisted on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of more than three billion South African rand.

King Sunny Ade Ace juju musician, multi-instrumentalist "King" Sunny Adé was born as Sunday Adeniyi on September 22, 1946 and is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of all time. He was recently appointed as the "Change Begins With Me" campaign Ambassador by the Nigerian Minister of Information Lai Mohammed. Adé was born to a Nigerian royal family in Ondo, His father was a church organist, while his mother was a trader. Adé left grammar school in Ondo under the Pretex of going to the University of Lagos. There, in Lagos, his mercurial musical career started. Sunny Adé's musical sound has evolved from the early days. His career began with Moses Olaiya's Federal Rhythm Dandies, a highlife band. He left to form a new band, The Green Spots, in 1967. Over the years, for various reasons ranging from changes in his music to business concerns, Sunny Adé's band changed its name several times. He has always lived in Lagos and flourished in this land of opportunity.

Sir Shina Peters

Cosmas Maduka

from Uganda to see his mother (having lost his father in 1959) he stayed back in Nigeria and with his experiences in Econometrics and Industrial Engineering he founded the “African Development Consulting Group” (ADCG) that which led to the establishment of present Diamond Bank Nigeria Plc. ADCG was concerned with feasibility studies, planning for governments as well as corporate organizations like Nestle and Pfizer. Apart from Diamond Bank which he nurtured to its present height before resigning, he is also a key investor in MTN Nigeria. Diamond Bank is today run by his son, Uzoma, a banker who grew through the ranks in the banking sector.

Elumelu is better known for his ideas about turning around the fortunes of Africa which he calls Africapitalism. He states that the only way that Africa can get out of poverty is for Africans to invest in Africa, trade with each other and take advantage of the huge human and natural resources that we have. He is one of the most admired African alive today on account of his vast philanthroping and business interests which spans across the continent. His Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) his been discovering and nurturing new African entrepreneurs for the past few years now. He is Chairman of UBA Plc, Heirs Holding and Transcorp Plc which owns the popular Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Tony Elumelu

Adewale Tinubu, born June 26, 1967 in Eti Osa, Lagos State is a lawyer, business magnate and the GMD/CEO of Oando Plc, a Pan-African multinational energy corporation headquartered in Lagos State, Nigeria. Tinubu had his primary education in Lagos state and later obtained the West Africa School Certificate in 1983 from the Federal Government College, Odogbolu. He then graduated from the University of Liverpool where he received Bachelor's degree in Law in 1988 and later obtained a Master's Degree in Law from London School of Economics in 1989. He then returned to Nigeria to train at the Nigerian Law School and received his call to the bar in 1990. Adewale Tinubu began his career with his family law firm, K. O. Tinubu and Co, where he specialized in corporate and petroleum Law. In 1994, Adewale Tinubu co-founded Ocean and Oil Limited, an oil company located in Nigeria. On December 2001, they made a purchase of Italian Agip Petrol’s 60 percent stake in Agip Nigeria Plc, for $74 million, a purchase that was objected by

Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu, an Economist, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist. He is the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, the United Bank for Africa, Transcorp and founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation. Elumelu holds the Nigerian national honours, the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). He was recognised as one of "Africa's 20 Most Powerful People in 2012" by Forbes magazine. Elumelu was born in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, in 1963. He hails from Onicha-Ukwu in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. He has two degrees in Economics from Nigerian universities, a bachelor's degree from Ambrose Alli University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Lagos. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Programme. Tony Elumelu married Awele Vivien Elumelu, a medical doctor, in 1993, and they have seven children together. He has four siblings, one of whom is Ndudi Elumelu, a former member of the Nigerian Federal House of Representatives.

Wale Tinubu

Born Oluwashina Akanbi Peters, the Afro Juju super star began his music career at a young age when he played with friends under the name Olushina and the His Twelve Fantastic Brothers. While playing with his friends, he taught himself how to play the piano and later joined Ebenezer Obey's band. Thereafter, he left Obey's band and joined General Prince Adekunle's band as a guitar player. Adekunle's band played in Lagos hotels such as Western Hotel, Palm Beach Hotel and Executive Hotel, when Adekunle was ill, Peters sometimes acted as lead singer. He left Adekunle to form Shina Adewale, a band with Juju artiste, Segun Adewale. However, the duo soon split. Shina Peters, went on to form his own band "Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars". Peters was an actor in 'Money Power', a movie produced by Ola Balogun. He met and started a relationship with actress Clarion Chukwura a fellow actor. Their friendship led to the birth of a son, Clarence Peters, who is today, a topnotch Cinematographer. He is Married to Sammy Peters. His album Ace was a mega hit and it is still a party stopper even till today.

Bashorun J.K Randle Bashorun J.K. Randle qualified as a Chartered Accountant (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) in 1969 and joined the London office of Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co. in 1970 after a spell with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) which took him to Gambia; Cote D’Ivoire; Sierra Leone; and Dahomey (now Benin Republic) as a charity worker. He joined Peat Marwick Casselton Elliott, Nigeria (which later became Peat Marwick Ani Ogunde; and subsequently KPMG) in 1971. He became a partner in KPMG in 1977. He was appointed as Chief Executive of KPMG Nigeria in 1992 and became the Chairman and Chief Executive in 1993. He was a member of the International Board of KPMG and President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria in 2003/2004 Presidential Year. He was a member of the Professional Accountants in Business Committee of the International Federation of Accountants from 2003 to 2006. He has a practicing career spanning more than 37 years during which he has been engaged in audit and provision of accounting, taxation and management consulting services to small, large and mega companies which included banking and finance; manufacturing; oil and gas; service, distribution and retail as well as Government sectors of the economy. 267

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In 1998, as the Sole Administrator of the Eko Hotel Le Meridien, he reorganized and refocused the Hotel, returning it to its premier position in Lagos. He served as a member of Eko International Bank from 1998 till 2001. In his social life he served on the Executive Boad of Ikoyi Club and was also Chairman of the Famous Club, Board Members for five Years.

Dr. Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi He was a Nigerian gynecologist and obstetrician. He was also Minister of Health in the Nigerian First Republic. Moses was born in Abeokuta in August 1916. He studied at Abeokuta Grammar School, St. Gregory's College, Lagos, before proceeding to the University of Dublin where he earned a degree in Anatomy and Physiology in 1936. He also earned a 1st Class degree in Bacteriology and Clinical Medicine in 1940. In Ireland, he worked as in-house Physician at the National Children's Hospital and the Rotunda Hospital from 1941 to 1942. In 1943, he joined the Federal Government Medical Services as a medical doctor and established his medical practice. He played key roles in the establishment of the Lagos University Teaching Hospitals. He was elected into the Nigerian Senate in 1960. He was appointed Sole Administrator of Western Region in June 1962 after a political crisis in the region, holding office in place of the Premier Samuel Akintola until December that year. The crisis was due to a struggle between Akintola and the former Western Region Premier and leader of the opposition Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which led to violent scenes in the House of Assembly. On advice from the police, one of his first acts was to sign restriction orders to detain leaders of both factions. After the situation had stabilized, Akintola resumed office on 1 January 1963. In 1968, he founded the famous St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos and the standards he set for that institution has continued years after. He held the chieftaincy titles of Mayegun of Lagos and the Otun Balogun of the Christians of Egbaland.

Chief Rasak Okoya He retired from KPMG in 2004 to form J.K. Randle & Co (Chartered Accountants), where he is the Chairman/Chief Executive as well as the Client Service Partner. He overseas all audit engagements. He has published several books. He has also delivered several papers at seminars and conferences both within and outside the shores of Nigeria. Languages: English and Yoruba.

Alhaji Musuliu Smith The former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Adeola Kunbi Smith, was appointed in May 1999 and retired in March 2002. Alhaji Musiliu Smith was born on April 17, 1946 in Lagos. He completed secondary education at Ansar-uddeen College, Isolo, Lagos and attended the University of Lagos where he obtained a B.Sc in Sociology in 1970. In 1972 Musiliu Smith joined the police force in Enugu as an Assistant Police Superintendent. He later served as an Instructor in the Police College, Ikeja, and a Divisional Police Officer in Mubi, Adamawa State. From 1980 to 1982, he was in charge of the X-Squad at CID Alagbon Close, Ikoyi. He then moved to Ilorin where he served in various capacities, finally becoming Kwara State Police Command Administrative Officer. He was posted to Rivers State in 1987, taking charge of the Police College. In 1988, he was promoted Commissioner of Police and moved to Lagos where he took over control of the Criminal Intelligence Divisional Force. He returned to Kwara State and later Plateau State as Commissioner of Police. In 1996, Musiliu Smith was promoted to Assistant Inspector General of Police, placed in charge of Zonal Headquarters, Kano. He completed a Master's degree programme in Strategic Studies at the University of Ibadan in 1997. He was appointed a member of the Provisional Ruling Council in 1998 and became Inspector-General of police in May 1999. 268

Chief Olayinka Rhodes The traditional Title holder of Baamofin of Lagos and Baagbimo of Ile-Ife, “Chief” as contemporaries knew him, was a handsome man who lived well. He was so hearty, jovial, warm, impetuous, charming and vibrant, he resonated bonhomie. He was so full of life in fact that no member of his family or his contemporaries can bear to speak of him in the past tense. Born to the famous wealthy Lagos families of Orobiyi-Rhodes and Branco in 1935, young Yinka had a heritage of Brazilian Aristocratic mercantilism through his mother and English Colonial Capitalism through his father. He practiced Law until he set up the first indigenous Marble factory jointly with his wife in 1973. That pioneer effort Rosabol (Nigeria) Ltd, became the leading indigenous Marble and Granite Company in Nigeria. In 1968 Yinka Rhodes stood for and won election to the Lagos City Council. That same year he was also made a Director of the Lagos City Transport Service. He was Chairman of Star Communications Nigeria Limited, Chairman of Prime Publications Limited, Publishers of Prime People Magazine, Past Chairman Nigerian Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and many other positions. He also served his nation through various appointments at the State and National levels. In 1980 under the Shagari Government, he was appointed to the Land Use Allocation Committee for Abuja, representing Lagos State. Under President Babangida, he was appointed Chairman of the OgunOsun River Basin Authority in 1986. In 1995 he was appointed a member of the Presidential Joint Committee of Traditional Rulers and Leaders of Thought, otherwise known as the “50 Wise Men.” In 1996 he was further appointed a member of the Presidential Committee on the future of Education in Nigeria.

Chief Olu Aboderin Born James Olubunmi Aboderin on 3 September 1934, Chief Olu Aboderin was a Nigerian newspapers publisher who was a co-founder of The Punch Newspapers and was the president of the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria. Aboderin was born to the family of James Oyebode and Janet Aboderin in Ibadan. From 1941 to 1944, he attended a Native Authority primary school in Oranyan, Ibadan before proceeding to Ibadan Grammar School. At the grammar school, he enjoyed playing soccer, a passion that continued after secondary school. He finished his secondary education studies by passing the A-level. In the mid-1950s, he traveled to London and attended Northwestern Polytechnic studying history. While in the city, he took the Institute of Chartered Accountants exam and was admitted into the Institute in May 1964. During this period, he worked as a clerk with a firm in Brighton, Sussex, and from 1963 to 1964, he worked with the firm of Bradley, Lytton & Co, an accounting firm in Moorgate, London. He returned to Nigeria in 1964 and gained employment with the firm of Pannell Fitzpatrick & Co, chartered accountants. He joined National Bank of Nigeria in 1967 and was an Accountant with the bank during the Nigerian civil war. During the period, the bank operated in many liberated towns and established an offshore branch. He also served on the boards of a few regional government owned parastatals such as West African Pictures, Nigeria Spinning Company and General Insurance. He resigned as Chief Accountant of the bank in 1971 and went into private business with Lagos as his operational base. He started a few business ventures that included a travel agency and Feedwell Nigeria Ltd. He was also the Chairman of Kupic Ventures engaged in different

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endeavours especially real estate. On 1 November 1976, he established The Punch Newspapers, which is currently the most widely read newspaper in Nigeria, with the founder of the Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka-Pemu. Originally starting it as a Sunday newspaper, he brought new ideas of operations to the firm. The Punch expanded into a Daily Punch, Sunday Punch, Happyhome magazine and Top Life magazine. He died on the 28th of February, 1984 in the Princess Grace Hospital, London. He was a lover of arts and a patron of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria. He also held the traditional Ibadan title of Ashipa Parakoyi of Ibadan. He was one of the Nigerian millionaires of his time.

Nduka Obaigbena Nduka Obaigbena is a Nigerian media mogul, the founder of Nigerian based newspaper Thisday, African-focused style & culture magazine Arise and 24-hour international news channel, Arise News. Born on July 14, 1959 in the Delta State of Nigeria, Obaigbena attended Edo College, Benin City, and the University of Benin, receiving an honours degree in Creative Arts. He began the publication of the Thisday newspaper in 1995. In 2000 Obaigbena founded the annual Thisday Awards which honoured those who made contributions to Nigerian society in politics, business, education and philanthropy. In 2013, he launched the international TV news channel with an African focus, Arise News, signing a contract with Globecast. Thisday Newspappers has remained one of the most innovative newspaper brands in Nigeria. It actually pioneered colour-page printing in Nigeria print journalism that has now become the norm.

Raymond Dokpesi Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi is a Nigerian media businessman born in 1951 in Ibadan, Nigeria. His parents are from Agenebode, Edo state in a family including six siblings. He entered the Nigerian mass media industry with his company DAAR Communications and set-up the Nigerian TV network Africa Independent Television (AIT). Dokpesi started his early schooling with Loyola College, Ibadan. After which he joined the Immaculate Conception College (ICC) Benin City where he was the pioneer member of Ozolua Play house, a dance/drama group. He did his undergraduate studies in the University of Benin, Edo State and completed his studies in University of Gdansk, Poland where he earned his Doctorate degree in Marine Engineering. It is worthy of note that his studies, from secondary school to university level was sponsored by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. In the early 1990s, as a result of the historic National Broadcasting Commission decree, according to Muyiwa Oyinlola (2004), Nigerian media was dominated by the government only. Information was only made possible from government-owned broadcasting firms. However, the Head of State then General Ibrahim Babangida, issued another decree which allowed private broadcasting in Nigeria. After this decree came the first private television network in Nigeria, Africa Independent Television (AIT). AIT was pioneered by Dokpesi, and was also Africa's first satellite Television station. Daar Communications had earlier launched Raypower, the firdt private radio station and both were based in Lagos. On 20 September 2003, Africa Independent Television launched its signals in the United States. Presently, AIT is received in America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe-wide on the Hotbird satellite as well as countries within Africa. Dr. Raymond Dokpesi started as the Personal Assistant to Alhaji Bamaga Tukur one of the General managers of the Nigerian Ports Authority. Dokpesi also served as a Civil Servant in the Federal Ministry of

Mrs. Folorunso Alakija

Transport under Alhaji Umaru Dikko and General Garba Wushishi. The association of Raymond Dokpesi with the likes of the Tukurs and the late Abiola, resulted in the birth of African Ocean Lines (AOL). He also has his hands in politics. One of his first political assignments was as a political Campaign Manager for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, which saw Tukur became then Gongola State Governor. He is now a prominent member of the Peoplsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Democratic Party (PDP). Chie Dokpesi has received many awards for his contribution to broadcasting and holds chieftaincy titles too.

Tunde Fowler Born 12 August 1956, Dr Babatunde Fowler is a Nigerian public officer, tax administrator and social reformer. He was the Executive Chairman Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue and Chief Executive Officer Lagos State Internal Revenue Service. He is presently the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Dr Babatunde Fowler was born to the family of Professor (Dr) and (Chief) Mrs. W.V. Fowler both of Lagos State. He attended Igbobi College in Lagos and studied in the United States of America at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he obtained a Bachelor in Science in Economics and a minor in Political Science in 1978. He completed a second Bachelor's degree program at California State University, Los Angeles and also a Master of Business Administration degree program at California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1981. He started out as a Marketing Intern with Avon Products Inc. New York working under the Vice President in charge of Africa. Having completed his

formal education he was employed by Johnson and Johnson in New Jersey USA, under the MBA International Development Program lasting one year, thereafter he was transferred to join Johnson and Johnson Nigeria between September 1982 and September 1983. He made a career change from International Finance and Marketing to Banking in January 1984. In the banking industry he had the opportunity to work and also head broad and varied areas of banking operations and business development in 2 major commercial banks over the next 20 years. He joined Commercial Bank (Credit Lyonnais Nigeria Limited) in January 1984, where he was exposed to all aspects of International Banking, Risk Management, and Clearing Operations. Positive reforms were introduced by him as the treasurer of the bank and was a foundation member and trustee of the now Money Market Association of Nigeria. His banking experience at Commercial Bank (Credit Lyonnais Nigeria Limited) came to conclusion with his last appointment as the Apapa Branch Manager, the first branch of the bank outside the head office. He left Commercial Bank in March 1990 to join Chartered Bank in April 1990 as a Senior Manager where he spent the last 14 years in the banking industry. His initial posting was as Head of Branch Network during which he successfully grew the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s branches from 2 to 11 branches spread over the country within the first 5 years. He was also in charge of revenue collections for both State and Federal agencies, which he grew, placing the bank amongst the top 3 banks in all collections. He was able to prove himself as a seasoned banker and administrator until he left the organization as a General Manager in March 2004. 269

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Upon leaving the banking industry in 2004, Fowler joined the Lagos State Government and was appointed Permanent Secretary/Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue on November, 24th 2005, thereby upgrading the office of the executive Chairman to the highest level in the civil service. The Board of Internal Revenue became autonomous and self-accounting with the passage into law in January 2006 of the Lagos State Revenue Administration Law (The first Revenue Board to become autonomous in Nigeria) and Fowler was appointed as the first CEO of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service and Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue. With this re-engineering, the new Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue grew astronomically. Within 8 years between 2006 and 2013, it achieved the following: a sharp increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from an average of N 3.6 Billion per month in January 2006 to an average of over N20.5 Billion per month in 2014, improved quality of service delivery to taxpayers, improvement in the use of IT and other modern methods of tax administration, an enlightenment campaign on tax administration and education in Africa. These reforms have made Lagos State the only state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is financially-independent of the monthly financial allocation of revenue from the federation account and also the only state that generates internally more revenue than the monthly allocation from the federation account. The state is operational to scale its operations to the exploding population presently put at over 20 million. However, Fowler has remained a vocal voice

against Nigeria's over-dependence on oil revenue. It was because of his sterling performance as LIRS chairman that today, he is Nigeria No.1 taxman as chairman, Federal internal Revenue Service (FIRS)

Sam Amuka-Pemu

Chief Sam Amuka Pemu (born 13 June 1935) is a Nigerian journalist, columnist and founder of the Vanguard, Nigeria's leading newspaper. He co-founded The Punch. And wrote a popular weekly column, Sad Sam before resigning to start Vanguard. Sam Amuka Pemu was born in Sapele, a city in Delta State, southern Nigeria into the family of the late Pa Amuka-Pemu and Madam Teshoma Amuka-Pemu, who died in May 2014. He was formerly a Daily Times of Nigeria Editor and the First editor of the Sunday Punch before he established The Punch with his friend, the late Olu Aboderin, in 1971. He later established Vanguard Newspaper in 1983 with three other Nigerian columnists. Amuka was described as a "Gentleman of the Press" by President Muhammadu Buhari on his 80th birthday. He was described as an icon and a leading light in Nigerian journalism by Nduka Obaigbena, President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria. A book entitled From 1939 to the Vanguard of Modern Journalism written by Kola Muslim Animasaun, who also trained under him acknowledged his immense contributions to Journalism in Nigeria. Due to the depth of his knowledge and unique grasp of issues, he was drafted into the National Peace Committee for the 2015 general elections and in no small way helped in providing reasoned moderation to derail doomsday prophesies on Nige¬ria for that period. The committee was headed by former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar had several prominent Nigerians as members.

John Momoh

Dr. Tunde Fowler 270

John Momoh was born on July 1, 1957). He is a Nigerian broadcast journalist and the Chairman and CEO of Channel Televison, an independent and multiple award-winning 24-hour news network with headquarters in Lagos. Momoh was brought up in Lagos State and his father was a cook. John Momoh graduated from the University of Lagos with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and a Master's degree in International Law and Diplomacy. In June 2013, he received the Lagos Business School’s Distinguished Alumni Award. John Momoh has a professional Diploma from the Thomson Foundation. He also had a stint at the Havard Business School. He is Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. He has built Channels Television to such great height that it is today the most authoritative news network in Nigeria. The company has its headquarters in Lagos and employs hundreds.

Teslim Balogun

Tesilimi Olawale "Teslim" Balogun (1927-30 July 1972) was a Nigerian football player and coach. Fondlly called Thunder Balogun, he was acclaimed for having the most powerful shot in Nigerian football. In fact there was a myth that he once played a shot that tore through the stomach of a goal keeper. Balogun played at both professional and international levels as a striker before becoming Africa's first qualified professional football coach. He played for a number of teams, including Apapa Bombers, Marine Athletics, UAC XI, Railways XI, Jos XI, Pan Bank Team, Dynamos Club and SCOA XI. During his time in Nigeria, Balogun won the Challenge Cup a total of five times in seven finals. He was the first player to have a hat-trick in the competition, in Pan Bank's 6-1 rout of Warri in 1953. After originally touring with a Nigerian select team in 1949, Balogun returned to the UK in August 1955 to sign with Peterborough United. And later also played for Queen Park Rangers. He was a member of the Nigerian National team for 12 years. Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos is named in his honour. he died on july 30, 1972.

Lanre Towry-Coker

An indigene of Lagos, Architect Lanre TowryCoker was born in 1944 to a Nigerian civil engineer, who was the Planning Adviser to the first Prime Minister of Malasia, Tunku Abdul Rahman in the early 60s. He attended St. Matthias School, Lagos and Kingston College, Surrey, England, before going on to the Architectural Association School of Architecture and the University of North-East London for his architectural training. He subsequently earned a further qualification from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration (OPM) He established his architectural firm, Towry-Coker Associates in 1976. He was one of the original planners of the Nigerian capital city Abuja, and has won numerous awards for his work on major buildings in Nigeria, In 1999, Towry-Coker was the first Commissioner for Works and Housing in Lagos State. He is the author of the book, Housing Policy And The Dynamics Of Housing Delivery In Nigeria: Lagos State As Case Study, published by MakeWay Press in 2012.[9] Towry-Coker is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (FNIA) and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (ACI.Arb.) in the UK. In 2017 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, the only Nigerian and one of currently just 30 architects worldwide accorded that honour. Towry Street in Lagos Island is named after his family.

Stella Okoli

Born Stella Chinyelu in Kano to Felix Ebelechukwu and Margaret Modebelu from Nnewi Anambra State, She started her formal education in 1954 after enrolling as a pupil at All Saint Primary School, Onitsha before proceeding to complete her secondary school education in 1964 at Ogidi Girls Secondary School, Ogidi. In 1969, Stella graduated from the University of Bradford after studying Pharmacy. She also holds an M.Sc certificate in Biopharmaceutical after graduating from the University of London, Chelsea College in 1971. Stella had worked in several pharmaceutical firms including Middlesex Hospital, London, Boots the Chemists Limited and Pharma-Deko. She started Emzor Chemists Limited, small pharmacy store in Somolu, Lagos in1977. That laid the foundation for the birth of Emzor Pharmaceutical which today has become a house hold name with over 50 products and offices across the African continent. Emzor’s Headquarters is in Lagos. Mrs. Okoli holds two national honours of OON and OON.

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