SOYINKA HEADS COMMITTEE FOR 

LAGOS @ 50 CELEBRATION 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday appointed Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Mr. Rasheed Gbadamosi as Co-Chairmen of the Lagos at 50 Planning Committee, just as he expressed optimism that the celebration will go a long way to showcase Lagos in its full splendor.

The Committee also has 10 others as members, including Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Chief Olawale Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mr. Abimbola Obafunwa, Prof (Mrs) Senapon Bakare, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Mr. Folarin Coker, Prof. Ademola Abass, Bolanle Austen Peter and Mrs Olufunmilayo Balogun as Secretary.

Governor Ambode, while inaugurating the Committee at the Lagos House, Ikeja, expressed confidence in their ability to deliver a world class celebration, adding that the opportunity of Lagos at 50, will afford the state to not only celebrate its past achievements, but also to showcase to the world its immense potentials for future growth and development.

“Lagos State will be 50 years next year. 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,” he said.

He said Lagos, despite being the smallest and oldest state in Nigeria, remains the only state that has not been divided to create more states since its inception on May 27, 1967.

The Governor said that Lagos has maintained its status as the commercial capital of Nigeria and the most cosmopolitan State in the country where peoples of every tribe, race and creed reside peacefully with an excellent record of religious tolerance.

“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 Sub Saharan Africa. Lagos is that place where you have a chance to make it if you work hard.

“Indeed, Lagos State has justified its creation. Apart from being the pacesetter and first among equals in the comity of States in the Nigerian Federation, Lagos State also occupies a noticeable position in global affairs especially as the fastest growing mega city in the world.

“With all these in mind, 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”, he said.

He said a celebration of such great significance requires proper and adequate planning, hence the inauguration of the Committee comprising respected men and women whom he said had perfect understanding of the expectations of Lagosians,    Nigerians and indeed the entire world.

The Governor further said with the distinguished men and women that formed the Committee, he was rest assured that Lagos would be excellently celebrated and the world would see Lagos in its full splendour.

The terms of reference of the Committee , according to Governor Ambode, include to develop a comprehensive programme for the celebrations; identify series of events that will take place as part of the celebrations; establish the logistics requirements to ensure a hitch free celebration; identify areas of possible collaboration with corporate organizations and individuals for support; as well as consider and make appropriate recommendations on any other matter that will ensure a successful and memorable celebration.

In his short remarks, Professor Soyinka said the celebration of Lagos at 50 would afford an excellent opportunity for the state to identify with the triumph, losses and experience of the Black Race at home and in the diaspora.

He pledged that members of the Committee would work assiduously to ensure that Lagos gets the deserved and most befitting celebration.  

While acknowledging the achievements of the state so far, Professor Soyinka likened the celebration to one of the programmes in past editions of Lagos Black Heritage Festival called the ‘Black in the Mediterranean Blue’, saying “It would be used to project the black race not just for the colonial experience and slave trade, but also as a cultural people.”

Story source:P Lagos state governemnt.

ONI OF IFE PUSH FOR EXPLORATION OF NIGERIA'S SOLID MINERALS

The Oba of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi paid a courtesy call to the presidential villa, Abuja on Tuesday 16^th February 2016, where he had a closed door meeting with the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari. According to LEKKI PEOPLE magazine source, the meeting centered around how Nigeria can utilize her vast natural potentials in liberating her people from poverty. The great Oni, who has embarked on the transformation of Ile Ife to a world class tourist haven, was very optimistic that Ile Ife, which is historically the source of western civilization, could pivot Nigeria’s transformation agenda. The monarch, whose experience covered construction, Tourism and manufacturing mentioned his optimism that exploration of the huge natural resources in Nigeria could give an unprecedented push to the growth of Nigeria’s economy.

LAGOS HEAD FOR A CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN 2017

Lagos State Government has said that the highpoint of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the State slated for next year would feature the indivisibility of the state as an entity, its preeminence as a unique Yoruba speaking State, as well as, its rich cultural heritage.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, made this known today while receiving the newly elected executives of the Yoruba Broadcasters Association of Nigeria,

The Commissioner disclosed that the Governor had already constituted the committee for the celebration with Professor Wole Soyinka and Mr. Rasheed Gbadamosi as co-chairmen, adding that the cooperation and the buy-in of the broadcasters would go a long way in the overall success of the event.

Ayorinde, who received the delegates on behalf of the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, further said that the State Government is doing all within its power to ensure that the indigenous language of the State did not go into extinction.

He commended the indigenous enlightenment roles played by the broadcasters in internalizing the value system and culture of the Yoruba race especially for their support towards the emergence of the present administration in the State.

He said that the roles of the broadcasters is in line with the direction of the State Government in ensuring that the Yoruba language is not threatened in any way or relegated to the background.

“You are all aware that Lagos State has now been enrolled as a member of the Oodua States, this will help promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the indivisibility of the Yoruba speaking states in the South West region of the country.

``The State also started the monthly publication of Alausa Alert newspaper in Yoruba language when Governor Ambode became the Governor. These and several other laudable moves of the present administration show the Governor as an indigenous and a community-based leader.” The Commissioner explained.

Responding to the submission made earlier by the leader of the delegation, the National President, Mr. Funsho Ademigbuji, the Commissioner promised to present their requests to the Governor and expressed the belief that it would receive favourable consideration.

Ademigbuji had earlier commended the present administration for his laudable programmes within a short period in Office.

According to him, the association’s main focus is to protect the culture and values of the Yoruba race from going into extinction, explaining that by broadcasting in native language, they have further widened the reach of government information as they are more received at the grassroots where majority of the people reside.

He solicited the financial support of the State Government towards the swearing-in of the newly elected executive of the association, while also offering a word of prayer for the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, who is celebrating her birthday today.

Story
sources: lagos state Government.

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“The Indigenes of Ibeju-Lekki are Peaceful People”

Story Inspiration from Stephen Odolor

Ibeju-Lekki was a once-thriving slave outpost resting by the Atlantic Ocean and dominated by the Ekos and Ijebus. The ancient people of the town were good farmers and fishermen, successful in their trade.

Today, the land of Ibeju-Lekki means success and wealth. Like a chosen bride of the gods favored to have it all, the area has caught the attention of both local and international investors , drawing in a Free Trade Zone, an Airport, a deep Seaport, and many other gigantic industrial projects.

Following the fracas between some villagers and staff of the Lekki Free Trade Zone sited at Akodo, which led to the accidental death of Alhaji Tajudeen Disu, many different views have been aired…

In this chat with LEKKI PEOPLE magazine, Stephen Odolor, an Octogenarian and retired school teacher who came to dwell in the community since 1970, concluded that the occurrence is very strange and alien to the communities in Ibeju-Lekki, an area he adjudged among the most peaceful places to live in Nigeria.

When asked for the reasons of his assertion, he shook his head in awe and wore a sad frown, before memories drew the remembrance-smile that began our journey into history.

“Back in those days when we have three regions, this area you see is part of the western region. Naturally, the land is blessed with every good resources needed for economic prosperity.... They have good Forests where you can find the Ekki, Abura, Obebe and Mahogany trees. Then the fish market; here you see very large fishes you can find only in this part and fishermen always turn in boatloads. The coconut plantations too, which stretched far down the land. You can still see the evidence of the coconut plantations.

“As the weather is hot now, you will see the people relaxing under the coconut trees. The coconut tree provides lovely shades stretching forth for many miles.”

Sure he must have had some good time to have stayed in the area this long. When asked what his experience was like, he smile gently and narrates.

“As a teacher, when I arrived at Abijo over forty-years ago, it was not a little fanfare as many villagers came to visit me with different gifts. The indigenous people of the area are the real entertainers of visitors.”

He paused briefly then continued, “That is why you see so many strangers living with them comfortably today and more people coming to dwell. Back in those days, they were so hospitable and kind that they will house and feed a visitor for free”

“What happened is so alien to the people because the communities here abhor violence and have always relate with peace and mutual respect. Here, you will see a man of 60 years prostrating on the road in greetings if they happen to meet someone older, and the youths were always willing to carry an elder’s luggage for miles If the need arise.

“They live by the great law of God that commands to love thy God and thy neighbour. When a child of any of the communities commits an offense in a neighboring community, you will see elders from other communities rising up to sought out the culprit for 1admonishment. That was because their main goal was peace.”

Conclusively, he urged governor Ambode’s government to create more schools, hospitals and recreational parks and ensure that the youths of the area are adequately employed, to forestall future occurrence of such crisis.

Lagos State Government set to Complete Ibeju-Epe Expressway Project

Information reaching LEKKI PEOPLE magazine from the Lagos State Government has confirmed the readiness of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to commence construction work on the abandoned Ibeju- Epe expressway project. This revelation was made known by the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ganiyu Johnson at a recent meeting with stakeholders concerning the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Lagos and Ayetoro roads, and other roads within the Oloja Estate at Epe. Accordingly, this is part of the efforts to prepare the Epe Division of Lagos for the ongoing development in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

The Commissioner pleads for the cooperation of the residents within the vicinity, especially property owners to ensure the completion of the project within stipulated time without crisis or hindrance, buttressing that the communities stand to gain much when the roads are completed, citing the appreciation of properties within the axis among the sure benefits to come.

According to him, “The economic benefit of the road completion include, appreciation in the value of landed properties as more people will be attracted to the area, as well as rapid growth of investment in real estate in the area”.

“The cooperation of residents in fast tracking the completion of the first phase of the project will eventually lead to the contract award for the second and third phase”, he added.

While responding, the Chairman, Lagos State House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Biodun Tobun promised the support and cooperation of his people to the State Government and the contractor of the project.

Nonetheless, he implored the State officials to properly indicate road alignment for the property owners to know where and how their properties would be affected; adding that compensation to the affected owners should not be delayed through official bureaucracy. He also advised that to boost the economy of the area, the contractors handling the project should patronise local suppliers of raw materials as well as recruit the youths within to meet their labor needs.

Mr. Mac Robinson, a representative of CRANEBURG Construction Company, the contractors of the project, promised the delivery of the project within the 20 months agreed with cooperation from the stake holders, while highlighting that CRANEBURG will not only patronize local labourers and suppliers who are ready to meet the company’s demand for high standard materials, but is ready to retrain some of the artisans for conformity.

EDITORIAL

After the Almighty God made the heavens and the earth. He saw that it was so beautiful that it must be experienced, then he made man in his image and sent him forth to enjoy and take care of the earth...

Tender and preserve it. Nurture it - the Soil, Waters, Greens, and also to take care of all the animals.

We are permitted to eat our fill and have fun, but we must live by the rules of the maker.

But man, engulfed by the beauty of the earth and his own intelligence and spurred by greed, have continued to destroy the beauty of the earth.

We have burnt the forests, killed many weaker animals for fun, destroy one another.

Sometimes, my biggest fears are that a generation will come upon the earth that will not see the Trees, Monkeys, Lions, Grasses, Seas, etc. Just like we think dinosaurs are not real and the homo abilis are real. As the world celebrates the Earth on April 22nd 2016, it is a time for humanity to sit together to appraise our progress as one body of humans, and to broaden and activate environmental consciousness through a combination of education and public campaigns.

We look forward.

Ojo Abayomi