“I will be fully committed committed to the rapid urbanization, social cohesion and economic upturn of the whole Ikorodu division”. This was the assurance given today by the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode, when he was hosted to an interactive session by the Oriwu Club in Ikorodu. The reception by the Oriwu Club capped off his two-day campaign tour of Ikorodu Local Government.
Ambode assured the members that his government, when elected, will exploit the potentials of Ikorodu by completing ongoing infrastructure, commissioning new ones, empowering its people, especially the youths, exploring its waterways and tourism prospects as well as wooing foreign investment.
He said he would open up the division for activities that will develop the area, attract new investments and businesses and manage the influx of people into Ikorodu. He stated his intention to reconstruct the Ikorodu-Ijebu-Ode-Epe road into a 10-lane expressway and also the Owutu-Ishawo Road; this he said will open up the entire city to economic development and eventually make Ikorodu the model city it deserves to be. Ambode told the gathering that Lagos, at this time, needs an excellent administrator who could handle the challenges ahead. He said “This is the first time that an administrator who has excelled in public service and leadership is vying to become the Governor of this state. And what we need right now is that kind of excellent administrator who sufficiently understands the workings of the state. I restate with all sense of responsibility, that I am that person”, he said.
Akinwunmi Ambode said that to achieve these lofty plans, his government will work closely with the local governments and communities ensuring that government’s decisions are made from the bottom up. He also emphasised the need for the All Progressives Congress to win power at the federal level to complement the efforts of the state government. “I mean it when I say that we will give governance back to our local governments and communities, we will empower them to assist in the discharge of governance benefits to the people. In addition to this, changing the government at the Federal level will directly complement these efforts meant to improve the livelihood of our people”, Ambode said.
The club members expressed their concerns and asked questions on urbanization, youth empowerment, and the creation of axial and alternative roads. They also decried the dwindling fortunes of the division when it comes to political appointments and Ambode reassured them saying that there will be an even spread as considerations will be made for appointments, albeit along the lines of competence and with Lagos in mind.
The interaction was interjected at different points with words of praise and commendation from some of the members for Ambode. In his remarks, the club’s President, Chief Tunde Onakoya, said the members of the Club were pleased with all Ambode had said and wished him outstanding success at the polls. The Oriwu club the premier social club of the creme de la creme in the Ikorodu division.