LEKKI PEOPLE MAGAZINE: January 2016

Saturday 30 January 2016

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From Banana Island to Aso Rock: The facts, The Expectations

With the knowing smile of a school boy getting it right, and the wizmind of a law professor, it is easy for the vice president of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, to wow the staunchest of critics.

Banana Island is a small patch of sand-filled banana shaped artificial island along the waterside of Ikoyi, 8.6km east of Tafawa Balewa square , Lagos state. Home to the super rich like Mike Adenuga of Glo mobile, our findings revealed that apartments on this island are as beautiful and pricey as it comes, as expensive as N 38m for a 3 bedroom luxury apartment.

Very-very few churches could afford to preach the gospel on this sacred island, among them is province 48, olive tree parish of the Redeem Christian Church of God. Pastor Yemi Osibanjo, Nigeria’s current vice president served as the senior pastor of this parish until May 29th 2015 when he received the baton to serve his country.

Popularly referred as ‘Prof’ by close associates and protégés, Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo , a professor of law and a senior pastor of the Redeem Christian Church of God, Nigeria’s largest religious denomination, was relatively unknown in his country’s national politics before his election as the no 2 man of the world most powerful black nation.

German Firm To Invest N14bn In Ibeju Lekki

As a response to his recent call for investors to take advantage of the development upsurge in Lagos state, the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode recently received the German Ambassador, His Excellency Michael Zenner, who led a group of German diplomats and investors on a courtesy visit to the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

According to the German ambassador, the major purpose of the teams visit was to express Germany’s intention to improve bilateral trade with Lagos state, whose GDP had risen to $131bn. Zenner said that Germany’s interest in Lagos will cut across diverse industries, especially food processing and building materials. In this light, Mrs. Isabel Knauf of the Knauf Group International, a major building materials manufacturer based in Germany, solicited the support of the Governor towards locating a $70million (N14billion) building/construction tools manufacturing company in Lagos, highlighting that the preference for Lagos was due to its close proximity to seaports, availability of gas pipeline and ready market. Trusted source informed Lekki People Magazine that the Knauf group is eyeing Ibeju Lekki Axis of the state as their prime spot to site the industry.

According to Mrs. Knauf, “We are looking to invest and build a factory here. We are looking for your support. We have been to Lekki Sea Port and want to proceed on investing straight off. I wish to express our interest in investing about 70million US dollars in construction tools factory for the first stage”, Knauf said. On his part, Governor Ambode assured the delegation of his administration’s commitment to do everything possible to ensure smooth take off of the project while reiterating his administrations resolve to create the enabling environment to boost economic ties between Lagos and Germany.

Am Bode Visits Lekki Free Trade Zone, Promises To Facilitate Development

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode while on an inspection visit to the Lekki Free trade zone confirmed his administrations resolve to fast-track the development of the Area.

Governor Ambode who spent four hours inspecting the Free Trade Zone, pledged that his administration will provide the necessary incentives required to hasten the development of the Zone which seats on a 16, 000 hectares of land and expected to accommodate series of investments.

Including the $11 billion Dangote Refinery and other multi billion dollars investments driven by consortium of Chinese companies. The governor expressed optimism that when the Zone commences optimal operations, it will go a long way to boost economic prosperity of not only Lagos state, but also Nigeria as a whole. He said, “I came here to see the level of development that is going on here. The Free Trade Zone is a major catalyst for the development of Lagos State. It was started during the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ambode Ahmed Tinubu and continued by my predecessor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola.”

Whatever it is that we need to do together alongside with the community, we have gotten their commitment that we would join hands together to move this project forward.”

The governor said his administration will also look at the Lekki Seaport which has been idle for about nine years, promising that work will commence in earnest. Ambode said, “There is no way we would have this Free Trade Zone if the port is not activated. It needs to be reviewed. My administration will look at it and make sure the port is activated and construction starts immediately

He also commended the residents of Ibeju Lekki community for their peaceful way of accommodating the project, appealing for more perseverance for the completion of the project as it would be a last long investment for the state and the country at large.

“I am happy for the peaceful way the residents conducted themselves, especially with the release of their land. I assure you all that all of us will benefit greatly when completed”, he said. He also assured the residents that qualified youths will be considered for employment into agencies of the government.