Highlights On Agenda For A New Lagos.
Nigerians in diaspora at an interaction session
held in London on Sunday, described the PDP Lagos State Governorship
Candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje a true personality needed to bring better
amenities to Lagos.
Agbaje, in his address to Nigerians in diaspora emphasized the tripod benchmark basically, health, secured enviromental plan and education on which Lagosians will benefit when voted into the mantle of Lagos State government come February 2015.
Jimi Agbaje decried the monumental neglect of the healthcare of the people by the ruling class in Lagos in spite of an emerging involvement of private sector. He stressed that improving the basic healthcare services will be looked into with a view to make health service accessible to every people in Lagos.
Agbaje, in his address to Nigerians in diaspora emphasized the tripod benchmark basically, health, secured enviromental plan and education on which Lagosians will benefit when voted into the mantle of Lagos State government come February 2015.
Jimi Agbaje decried the monumental neglect of the healthcare of the people by the ruling class in Lagos in spite of an emerging involvement of private sector. He stressed that improving the basic healthcare services will be looked into with a view to make health service accessible to every people in Lagos.
The interractive evening, organised by PDP UK under the leadership of
Otunba Abayomi Fakorede was well attended by creme de la creme among
Nigerians living in the UK, who have shown interest about politics back
home, and shared the time to meet and dialogue with the Lagos State
Governorship Candidate.
Alh. Bamanga Tukur among other prominent Nigerians attended the event. (VIDEO) 'An Evening With Jimi Agbaje in London'. : http://t.co/v58x7MNrJV via @YouTube
Watch : An Evening With Jimi Agbaje in London: https://youtu.be/Qum4VwFxEdY (Video) acknowledging the presence of everyone in attendance at Burnt Oak, London on 4th January, 2015.
Friends
of Jimi Agbaje Worldwide, PDP UK and old students of St.Gregory College
Lagos and others organised the interactive session plus fund-raising
event tagged ‘An Evening with Jimi Agbaje’ for Nigerians in diaspora on
Sunday January 4th, 2015 in North London started around 7.30pm and ended
some minutes past midnight.
The amiable governorship candidate smartly dressed in a dark suit at the
historical event in London spoke extempore like an orator for over two
hours as he brilliantly unveiled his blueprint for the ‘New Lagos’ that
is going to be beneficial for both present and future generations of
Lagosians and Nigerians in general.
The
evening interactive session attracted crème de la crème within the
Nigerian community in the United Kingdom, Europe, America and some
invited guests from Nigeria.According to Agbaje : “Lagosians must
determine the Lagos of their dream as they cast their votes for their
next executive governor. If they really want ‘Change’ and continuity of
the present system. Let me give you some scenarios :
The commercial motorcyclists popularly called Okada riders were all
given the safety crash helmets before the 2011 election by the ruling
party, but after the election victory,the government not only withdraw
their crash helmets but seize all their motorcycles and destroy
them.Many of them are now jobless and in deep hardship because their
main means of livelihood now forcefully taken away from them.
For
example in a typical Lagos market, our market woman were subjected to
illegal N1000 per day before they could display their wares for
sale.This illegal revenue with no proof of official receipt is going
directly to the coffers of the local government authority.Our market
people are worried about their future because their stalls could be
destroyed or burnt down and they would have no place to sell their
items. I share their concerns as I assured them that I am their voice.
Let’s
look at the tuition fees at our state-owned tertiary institutions, the
ruling government increased the fees beyond the reach of the poor
students. But now that the general election is drawing closer, they
quickly reduced the fees to appear as humane government. Our people are
now wiser, they know their trusted leaders to vote for next time.It is
impossible to fool them again.”
On
the issue of Lagos as the ‘megacity’ of Nigeria. Agbaje expressed
disappointment about the whole project without proper planning and
efficient monitoring.
“From 1999, Lagos IGR (Internally Generated Revenue) increased from N10
billion naira to over N400 billion naira in 2014. Lagos state economy
has grown exponentially over the years but with little or nothing
substantial to show for that increase. Lagos state ranked 28th out of
36th state in Nigeria in terms of enforcement of contracts. Lagos is the
hardest place to get land titles in the whole of Nigeria. For those of
you with lands and properties in Lagos.You will understand the story
better.This problem must stop in my own administration. Lagos may look
fantastic in structures but not economically viable enough to cater for
all the potentials in our state. Lagos of our dream must be populated
with vibrant, well-skilled and creative people irrespective of gender,
tribes, political background or whatever classification. Lagos must not
be only economic nerve-centre of Nigeria but it must be the commercial
centre for West Africa sub-region and the whole of Africa.”
The PDP governorship hopeful further stressed about the general infrastructural decay in Lagos state:
“The replacement of Molue buses with BRT buses that we all grew up with
is a good initiative but the poor implementation is killing the
project.For example, BRT is gradually becoming another Molue bus. If you
move round Lagos major roads, you’re likely to notice broken-down BRT
buses blocking the traffic flow to cause more congestion. Megacity
cannot grow with poor transportation system. The mono-rail project would
further assist the easy transportation of our people but not sure when
the contract shall be full completed.”
On youth empowerment and qualitative education, Agbaje lamented the
lapses and advocated for a robust all encompassing solutions.
“For example,it is unethical for any construction company to be awarded
road construction contracts in Alimosho local government area but the
company cannot employ jobless youths in the area.These youths would
become hoodlums and ‘area boys’ to cause mayhem in our society.Our
government can never discriminate against non-indigenes that are willing
to contribute to our state. Primary education is the foundation of
proper learning for any child any where in the world. Many of our
primary school leavers from government-owned schools cannot properly
read and write after their primary 6 final examinations.These type of
children would always have problems to cope with the rigour of the
secondary school education. We need to re-design our educational system
in Lagos state and promote vocational training of our children.The main
people who are currently moving the world are not university graduates
but they are creative people with technical and vocational skills.The
global city of the future has no room for ‘passes’ but talented,
innovative and creative people.”
On the proposed Lagos Atlantic City, Agbaje picked holes in the whole arrangement.
“Why can’t the government open up and develop Epe, Badagry or Ikorodu?
All the traffic flows are now channelled towards Victoria Island axis,
creating more traffic congestion for the people.The impact and pressure
on the Lagos coastlines is going to be massive.Our own housing projects
shall be private-sector driven but very affordable for ordinary
Lagosians, they would be paying mortgages with reasonable interest
rates.We shall build over 150,000 housing units within four years for
Lagosians and non-Lagosians.”
On health and general welfare of the Lagosians. Agbaje as a world-class
pharmacist and health worker affirmed his total commitment to the
efficient health care delivery system in Lagos state.
Among the important personalities at the interactive session were Alhaji
(Dr) Bamanga Tukur, former PDP Chairman, Otunba Abayomi Fakorede, PDP
Chairman UK, Chief Akeem Akinosho, PDP Chairman South West UK, Mogaji
Hakeem Adetoro and Yeye Banke Adetoro of Royal Textiles UK, Chief Bimbo
Roberts Folayan, Chairman Central Associations of Nigeria UK (CANUK),
Barrister Bob Olukoya,Convener Friends of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,
Mr.Alistair Soyode, MD/CEO Ben TV, Mrs.Solape Epega, Executive Director,
African Women in Business, Dare Lasisi, UK based blogger and writer,
Hon.Soji Fashina, Barrister Gbenga Akinmoyo, Morenike Animasahun,
Titilola Aboyade-Cole, Publisher/broadcaster, Prince Lashley Oladigbolu,
Acting President NUJ Europe Chapter, Barrister Nwosu, Chairman Board of
Trustees PDP UK, Mr Femi Okutubo, Publisher/CEO Trumpet Media Group,
Kate Anolue, Rosaline Fadipe and many others others.
Pictures courtesy: Lashley Oladigbolu. (KBJOJO) and Jermain Sanwoolu (DiasporaPR)
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