News
We’ll Dedicate Y2019 Budget To Complete Ongoing Projects – Ambode
…Says Lagos Can’t Afford Break In Progressive Governance
…Attends Yoruba Tennis, Island Clubs Christmas Eve Dance
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday evening said the Y2019 budget of the State would be dedicated towards the completion of ongoing infrastructural projects, creation of more jobs, supporting businesses to thrive, as well as strengthening the security architecture of the State.
Speaking separately at the Christmas Eve Dance of Yoruba Tennis Club and Island Club, two foremost social clubs in the country, Governor Ambode said while it was gratifying that a lot of provisions had been made for capital projects in the 2019 federal budget, the State Government would also concentrate on scaling up infrastructure, among other programmes to enhance growth and development.
Alluding to the positive economic projections for Nigeria in 2019 by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Governor Ambode said Lagos, on a stand-alone basis in the year under reference, would achieve four percent growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that the social intervention initiatives of both the State and Federal Governments would also go a long way to facilitate serious reduction in unemployment rate.
“The economic outlook for 2019 is quite positive. A lot of provision has been made for capital projects in the 2019 Federal Budget, some of which will directly impact the economy of our State and will support our growth plans. On our part, we will concentrate on completing existing infrastructural projects, creating more jobs, supporting our businesses to thrive and strengthening our security infrastructure.
“According to IMF, the Nigeria GDP will grow from 1.9% in 2018 to 2.8% in 2019. Lagos on a stand-alone basis will achieve over 4% growth in GDP and this could be more if the congestion at the port and the negative effect this has on the economy is addressed. We expect that the high rate of unemployment will reduce with various social intervention programmes of the State and Federal governments geared towards financial inclusion and liquidity support to micro, small and medium enterprises,” the Governor said.
While recalling the activities of his administration in the last three and half years, Governor Ambode said it was particularly fulfilling that the State had made tremendous progress in all sectors of the economy and had become more globally competitive and strategically positioned among the major City-States worldwide.
“Three and a half years down the line, our State has progressed in all sectors of the economy. We have charted a clear path to the destination we have all dreamt about and desired. Today, our Lagos has become more globally competitive and strategically positioned among the major City-States of the world. Our State has become a top destination for business and tourism and it can only get better.
“One of the key promises I made at my inauguration on May 29th, 2015 was to make our State work for all; to spread development from the already congested City centre to other parts of the State with massive infrastructural development. The thinking has been to make every part of the State economically liveable.
“We have undertaken projects in all sectors of the economy with the sole intention of making life better for our people. All of these and similar initiatives were made possible by the personal taxes of high net worth residents of our State represented at this gathering which account for a significant percentage of our IGR and I want to use this opportunity to thank you so much for providing the resources, which have empowered us to make a positive difference in the lives of all citizens of our State,” he said.
Besides, Governor Ambode said it was obvious that the State could not afford a break in trajectory of progressive governance at this point in time, and urged the people to continue to support the ruling party in the State.
He cited the recently launched Lagos Health Insurance Scheme designed to guarantee access to quality healthcare delivery for all Lagosians, saying it was instructive that the Bill for the scheme was signed into law by his predecessor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, while the process for its implementation was kick-started by his administration.
“This is the beauty in continuity and we have the assurances of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State that the initiative will be sustained.
“Lagos State cannot afford the risk of a break in the trajectory of progressive governance at this crucial stage of development. The future is bright and assured. We must maintain continuity of progress in the State,” he said.
Governor Ambode also commended the clubs for their immense contributions to the development of the State, and charged them to continue to play key part in taking Lagos into a brighter and more prosperous future.
In their respective addresses, Chairman of Island Club, Mr. Olabanji Oladapo and his counterpart in Yoruba Tennis Club, Professor Adetokunbo Fabamwo commended Governor Ambode for the various infrastructural projects executed in the clubs, saying it was laudable that the Governor kept his promise.
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News
‘Tinubu must go’ – Sowore leads protest in Abuja
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, is currently leading a protest demanding the exit of President Bola Tinubu.
In a video, Sowore was seen in front of the demonstrators chanting ‘Tinubu must go’ across some streets in the nation capital city, Abuja.
The protesters also carried placards with the image of President Tinubu with the inscription, ‘Tinubu must go’.
Recall that Sowore is standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a two-count charge bordering on alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation of President Tinubu.
The prosecution was instituted by the Department of State Services, DSS, under the amended Cybercrimes Act, stemming from social media posts Sowore made in August 2025 describing President Tinubu as a “criminal”
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News
Ondo air crash: APC chieftain backs Tinubu’s call for probe
A member of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Tolu Bankole, on Tuesday commended President Bola Tinubu for ordering an immediate investigation into the cause of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State.
Bankole, who is also the APC National Leader for Persons with Disabilities and Secretary of the Subcommittee of the APC National Campaign Council for Osun, described the President’s directive as timely and necessary to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.
He made the commendation in a statement issued in Abuja following Monday’s crash of an NAF ATR-42 aircraft near Igbokoda in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The crash claimed the lives of 32 people comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members.
He said, “Mr. President’s directive that the Nigerian Air Force should immediately commence a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences is apt, timely and demonstrates responsive leadership.
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“I commend Mr. President for his prompt and compassionate response, for declaring a three-day national mourning and directing that flags be flown at half-mast in honour of our fallen heroes.”
Tinubu had earlier directed the NAF to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday titled, ‘President Tinubu mourns NAF personnel in Ondo jet crash, orders thorough investigation of the mishap.’
Continuing, Bankole described the incident as a “heartbreaking loss” to the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces and the country, saying the deceased personnel had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
He said, “This is a heartbreaking loss to the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces and our nation at large. These officers were patriots who daily put their lives on the line to secure the territorial integrity of our country. Their sacrifice and dedicated service to the nation will never be forgotten.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, and most importantly, to the families of our fallen heroes who have paid the supreme price in the course of national duty.”
The APC chieftain also commended the swift response of first responders and the Ondo State Government at the crash site.
Bankole prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and urged Nigerians to stand in solidarity with the Armed Forces during the period of mourning.
He said, “May Almighty God grant the souls of our gallant officers eternal rest and grant their families, the Nigerian Air Force and the entire nation the fortitude to bear this painful and irreparable loss.
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Headline
Shettima Pays Tribute To NAF Officers Killed In Ondo Crash
Vice President Kashim Shettima has paid tribute to the officers who lost their lives in Monday’s Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State, saying their supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation will never be forgotten.
Shettima assured the bereaved families that the Federal Government’s responsibility to them would not end with words of condolence, noting that a nation that asks its citizens to serve must also remember those who pay the ultimate price in that service.
In a statement on Tuesday morning, the Vice President conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased, as well as the officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, describing the tragedy as a painful national loss.
“Thirty-two of our compatriots left on a routine mission in the service of their country. They were colleagues, friends and comrades. But beyond the uniforms they wore and the ranks they held, they were husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters.
“Somewhere today, there is an empty chair. Somewhere, a family is still trying to comprehend the sudden silence left by someone who was expected to return home. These are the human faces of the supreme sacrifice we speak about as a nation,” he said.
Shettima reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s directives following the tragedy, noting that the President had declared three days of national mourning and directed that flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased.
He also acknowledged the President’s directive for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, saying the nation mourns with the families as they await answers.
According to the Vice President, the ultimate sacrifice made by the deceased imposes an enduring obligation on the nation to remember both their service and the loved ones they left behind.
“We cannot ask the bereaved to be strong today. Grief does not obey instructions. We can only assure them that Nigeria remembers, Nigeria mourns with them, and Nigeria will stand beside them beyond these days of mourning,” VP Shettima said.
He also extended his solidarity to officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, noting that the tragedy had taken from the Service members of a professional family bound together by duty and sacrifice.
“To the men and women of the Nigerian Air Force, we know that this loss is yours in a particularly personal way. Your fallen colleagues have paid the supreme price. A grateful nation honours their courage, their service and the families who shared them with Nigeria,” he stated.
The Vice President prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for comfort and strength for their families, colleagues and loved ones.
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