Not only have we deemed it fit to appeal to both Lagosians and non-lagosians to refuse to be misled by selfish politicians who have resorted to using community leaders to mislead the public in a pursuit to enrich their purses and garner political relevance, we have also deemed it fit to highlight the achievements of the All Progressives Congress led government in Lagos in its most compressed form and also to further unveil the enviable credentials of the gubernatorial candidate of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

No doubt, the outgoing Babatunde Raji Fashola led government has successfully built on the strong foundation laid by his predecessor, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu and perhaps has convincingly done beyond his campaign promises and the expectations of Lagosians via the provision of 5 Independent Power Plants with over 1300 electric distribution channels which has helped in reducing emitted carbon-dioxide, increased the provision of power to companies and artisans, increased the distribution of hygienic water from its initial 105m gallons to over 185m gallons with the power supplied by one of the independent power plants which also supply electricity to the government house and the State secretariat and reduced cost of power generation in the State, built a 184 bodies space mortuary, the provision of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), 172 modern schools and 11 public health institutions has been built across the State, to mention just a few.

Before i proceed with this piece, I feel that it should interest Lagosians to know that had President Olusegun Obasanjo succeeded in his regressive plans while in power to disenfranchise Lagos of the present growth and development that are convincingly evident in Lagos following his refusal to release the allocations meant for the State materialized, contesting against the political party who has worked relentlessly for 16years to position Lagos in her present state would not have been perceived as an option, because the State would have been a failed state in a total economic sham.

Interestingly, the incumbent APC led Lagos is on it verge of completing the largest power plant in Africa and its suburbs, provided solar powered information center for the Nigeria Police in order to enhance their responsibilities and boost security in the State, for security is not all about guns and patrol vans. No doubt, the over 11,000 electricity poles was awarded to Lagos based artisans as a way of empowering their businesses. Lagosians believe these are achievements surpass that of his predecessor.

Below is Akinwunmi Ambode's strategic plans for the continuity of the transformation in Lagos State:

-ON SECURITY
We will boost the State Security Fund to scale up the successes recorded so far. We will continue with the city lighting project by expanding the Independent Power Project (IPP) to enhance the security of lives and property across the State. In addition, our government will embark on the acquisition of the latest advanced security communications technology that will track and monitor the daily activities of the State.

-ON ECONOMY & JOBS
We will introduce a 24/7 economy that is typical of a city State like Lagos. We will set up a Lagos Employment Trust Fund (LETF) with 25 billion over four years, through an access to finance of a minimum of 1 billion naira annually across the five divisions in the State, that will allow our youths and unemployed people have access to adequate finance for entrepreneurial ventures. We will protect the growth of our small and medium scale enterprises by providing tax incentives. We will implement government policies that will encourage the private sector to employ more citizens and foster economic development. We will boost internally generated revenue by improving the collection mechanism through e-governance. We will encourage the creation of a Corporate Social Responsibility Trust Fund (CSR-TF) by the Private Sector, to be managed by a Board of Trustees charged with the responsibility of identifying growth opportunities yearly and financing such opportunities to further boost economic development across sectors and communities in the State.


-ON EDUCATION
We will provide free education up to senior secondary school level to ensure that no child is denied their right to education, and endeavor to provide one meal per day to students to guarantee a healthy learning environment. Along with our bursary and scholarship initiatives for tertiary institutions, we will encourage the private sector to partner with government in this regard as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. We will also deepen skills acquisition through technical and vocational training to create capacity for our informal sector.

-ON HOUSING
We will create communities that are self sustainable for residents that will encourage even development across the State. This will allow for easy access and reduce congestion at the city centers. We will provide affordable housing schemes by collaborating through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to increase the available housing stock. Our government will also improve on the current policy of home ownership through Lagos HOMS and provide ownership options, such as Rent to Own Program (R.O.P).


-ON MEDICAL CARE
We will introduce free medical care for our children from birth to age six. Healthcare will also be free for pregnant women, including both pre-natal and ante-natal care, while our senior citizens will also enjoy free healthcare from sixty-five years onwards. We will improve on the quality of Primary Healthcare system and make it more accessible, thereby reducing the overdependence on our general hospitals. We will activate emergency services in all our hospitals.

-ON AGRICULTURE
We will build on the current administration’s efforts on agriculture by opening up the virtually untapped aquatic and seafood resources in the State. We will provide incentives for agricultural processing companies, thereby providing employment for our bulging youth population.


-ON TOURISM, CULTURE & SPORTS
We will increase the avenues to showcase our distinct and diverse Lagos culture and traditions through the establishment of museums and heritage centers. We will create water theme parks for our children and youths by utilizing our prominent natural resource in the State. In order to make our State a tourism destination in Africa, we will also develop our waterfront by providing recreational facilities and encourage investors to invest more in tourism infrastructure. Our unique cultural heritage will be promoted and enhanced to attract tourists globally. This will also create a secondary market for job creation. We will create community sport centers to encourage our youth development.

-ON ENTERTAINMENT AND ARTS
We will make Lagos the hub of entertainment and arts in Africa. We will provide grants to producers in the movie and music industries to encourage growth in the sectors. We will revive the Lagos Film Office and encourage investors to build theatres and cinemas and art galleries across the State. We will partner with the entertainment industry to develop sustainable structures and frameworks to support interested and upcoming youth.


-ON TRANSPORTION: We will pursue a fully integrated transport management system that takes into consideration roads, rail, water and walkways as means of mobility for ease of movement of residents in the city centers and the suburbs. We will introduce and establish officially designated bus stops/routes in Lagos. We will improve on traffic with construction of new roads and maintaining existing ones, as well as placing directional signs in strategic places. We will also increase the usage of our waterways through channeling and dredging.

-ON INFRASTRUCTURE
We will ensure the provision of good and motorable roads across the State, excellent by-passes, pedestrian bridges, traffic intersections, public and amusement parks, and ensure that all public institutions and facilities are of the highest standards and quality.


-ON THE RULE OF LAW
We will ensure that all our ministries, agencies and parastatals uphold the rule of law, by rendering services in accordance with laid down rules and procedures, to guarantee the protection of the rights of all citizens. We will also give governance back to the people, to enable probity, accountability and transparency (P.A.T).

Akinwunmi Ambide pledge to Lagos State to be forthright, dedicated and honest, to serve the State with all his passion, to promote the welfare of its people regardless of age, gender, tribe or religion, and to enhance its status, through good governance, selflessness and accountability. So help him God!

DEAR LAGOSIANS, WE DON’T NEED TO BE TAKEN BACK TO OUR FORMER POSITION BY AN INDIVIDUAL WITH NO PUBLIC SERVICE EXPERIENCE, AFTER STRIVING VERY HARD TO BECOME A MODEL TO OTHER STATES IN THE FEDERATION, MOVE ON WITH THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS, VOTE AKINWUNMI AMBODE FOR CONTINUITY.

WE MUST KEEP LAGOS WORKING!