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.
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