- Governor Akinwunmi Ambode promises that Babajide Sanwo-Olu will not abandon projects started by his administration
- Ambode says though his administration would try to complete all on-going projects, Sanwo-Olu will continue from wherever he stops
- The governor also discloses his administration's achievements in various sectors of the state including education
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, on Thursday, November 22, assured that the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state’s governorship election, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will not abandon ongoing projects.
Ambode said his likely successor would complete and build on the enduring legacies already put in place by his administration.
A statement by Habib Aruna, the governor’s spokesperson, disclosed that Ambode said this while inaugurating an ultra modern lecture theatre donated to the state university, LASU, by businessman and philanthropist, Remi Makanjuola.
Ambode noted that efforts were on to complete all the major projects initiated by his administration, adding that Sanwo-Olu would work on the ones he is unable to deliver before the expiration of his tenure next year.
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“I am so excited about the fact that Sanwo-Olu has actually come out here and he has issued a promissory note and what that mean is that we are going to have a government of continuity.
“For whatever structures that we have in LASU right now, and I’m going to also convince our chief negotiator, Dr Wale Babalakin, we are already doing Senate building here, we are doing students arcade and we are also doing the library, I hope I will be able to complete and finish them but if I am unable to complete them, I speak on behalf of Mr Sanwo-Olu that he will finish and also do the staff school.
“We are not campaigning yet but truly that is the spirit of the kind of governance that we bring to Lagos; that is the spirit that we really want to see and then we should be able to show leadership in all spheres of life that we find ourselves,” Governor Ambode said.
The governor also said that in the last three and half years, at least N15 billion had been invested by his administration in revamping infrastructure in schools across the state to ensure students can learn in a conducive environment, while 3,400 primary and secondary teachers were employed to improve the teacher to student ratio as well as quality of learning in schools.
Ambode said beyond the upgrade of infrastructure, the government developed innovative solutions to bridge gaps in education system, and to position the state for a technology-driven future including the ReadySetWork and CodeLagos initiatives.
He noted that while 34,000 students have graduated from the former, the latter is geared towards teaching one million Lagos residents to code.
“At the grassroots level, faced with the realization that about three million Lagos residents could not read or write in any language, we commissioned Eko Nke Koo (Lagos Is Learning), an initiative aimed at raising the literacy rate in Lagos State from its current 87% to 95%.
“Through Eko Nke Koo, the Lagos State Agency for Mass Education increased the number of adult literacy centres across the State from 532 centres in 2016, to 782 as at January 2018.
“We have also recorded improvement in enrolment and retention rates of learners in the programme. In 2017, 98% of enrolled learners graduated from the programme,” Governor Ambode said.
Concerning LASU, the governor noted that his administration had also carried out notable projects targeted at ensuring the institution remains academically competitive, financially viable, and most importantly, conducive for learning.
Governor Ambode disclosed that he had approved the development of a 6,000-bed hostel which according to him, will increase accessibility and improve security for students in the institution, as the demand for higher education continues to grow.
“Reflecting on these investments, I must acknowledge it has been the privilege of this administration to build on the works of visionaries who came before us; and to be given the opportunity to raise the mark higher as we look ahead to a bright future for our state and country,” Governor Ambode said.
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Ambode commended Makanjuola for donating the ultra-modern lecture hall to the institution, saying that the gesture would forever be remembered by generations.
“It has also been a true privilege and honour to work alongside collaborators - whether large scale organizations or well-meaning individuals in society - who recognize their role in state and Nation building, and have worked tirelessly to support the efforts of government.
“Today’s occasion is symbolic of this citizen-partnership. Indeed, Mr Makanjuola has sown a seed that would outlive him by bequeathing this ultra-modern lecture theatre to the university.
“Sir, this is a gesture that will be remembered for generations and for that we are eternally grateful. And in the same vein, on behalf of the government and people of Lagos state, and the entire Lagos state university community, I say a very happy birthday to you, sir. In another 48 hours, our philanthropist will be 70 years old. Congratulations, sir,” he said.
Legit.ng earlier reported how Ambode and Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday, October 6, seated together at the party national convention, Abuja.
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