By Ikechukwu Orji
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State
I first met Akinwunmi Ambode at the Onikan Stadium when he declared his candidacy for the office of the governor of Lagos State. And I went away with the impression that he is meek, conversational, enthusiastic and spirited. It is also apt to add charming, engaging and razor-sharp.
One thing I know that he has brought into the administration of Lagos State is that human kindness that has been lacking for so long. Ambode does not believe in an elitist approach to governance. His actions so far have demonstrated that he is ideologically opposed to such an approach.
One of the actions he took upon becoming governor is to release N11 billion for the payment of arrears of pension owed to pensioners since 2010. To take care of the welfare of our senior citizens is about the best way to start governance.
By doing that, he clearly demonstrates that the State appreciates their labour of love and their contribution towards the development of Lagos State. A civil society organization, the Committee for the protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) has this to say: “we are quite aware of how Governor Ambode put smiles on the faces of state and local government retirees from ministries , parastatals and agencies early in August when he approved N11 billion to offset arrears owned since 2010. This is a clear departure from our history of shabby treatment of retirees in the public service.”
Efforts have been made towards stabilizing the financial status of the state. The Governor, through financial restructuring, has been able to stave off waste to the tune of N3 billion monthly. Nigeria’s creaking economy means that strict budgetary discipline and fewer splurges in spending will enhance growth.
Ambode will follow the example of the …Read More
Source:: PM Newspaper
