The members of the Eko Club have endorsed the candidacy of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
The eminent Lagos-based club expressed this endorsement today at an event tagged “Eko Club Interactive Session With Governorship Candidates in Lagos State”, and was held at the club’s premises in Lagos.
The President of the club, Mr. Babatunde Grillo, stated that the APC governorship hopeful earned their endorsement based on what he described has “his tested and trusted servitude, leadership acumen and an unmatched experience in matters of good governance”.
The Chairman of the interactive session, Chief Murphy Adetoro, reiterated the club’s stance by introducing Ambode as the best candidate for the Lagos top job, while giving reference to his rare competence and landmark achievements in the Lagos mainstream civil service.
He added that, “Ambode is an accomplished administrator that has consistently employed his wits at one capacity or the other to ensure that our state thrives as a true state of excellence. All these, with a combination of his experience and integrity, gives one the confidence that he is the right man to take Lagos to higher heights”.
The interactive session had kicked off with Ambode’s opening speech, where he stated that his gubernatorial intention was borne out of an unrelenting desire to serve humanity and a will to sustain the good governance in Lagos state.
L-R: A cross section of Eko Club members at the endorsement event of Akinwunmi Ambode
“I strongly believe that selfless service is key to the delivery of good governance, and this is the main driver of my intention to run for the post of the Governor of our great state, Lagos”.
Ambode noted that his mission is to ensure the continuity of excellence, such that his vision encompasses the creation of a new-look Lagos where there is more safety, cleanliness and more prosperity. He moved on to highlight his well thought out plans to achieve this novel dream.
“Our plan to further create a Lagos of our dream involves the creation of even a more robust and stable 24/7 economy that will attract more local and international investors.
We have already identified that it is government responsibility will be to provide social and political guarantees for the safety of these investment”, Ambode stated while detailing his plans as touching wealth creation and the economy.
He added that the crust of job creation lies within the essence of productive education.
“Education still remains key to the development of any society in the world. Our plan is to introduce technical and vocational training and curricula into our educational system to complement the existent tertiary set-up. This is aimed at bridging the unemployment gap”, he said.
While fielding questions from the audience which comprised “blessed members” of the Eko club and also representative of the general public, Mr. Ambode discussed similarly novel ideas as regards many other sectors where the objective remains the achievement of a Lagos that keeps working.
He stressed, “In the past 16 years, Lagos has both witnessed and experienced irreversible growth, from the foundations laid by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to the actualization of a working Lagos by Governor Babatunde Fashola. My aim is to consolidate on these achievements, strengthen our success and then take Lagos to the next level”
Ambode thanked the club for the support he has received thus far, while underlining its importance to the objective in view.
He said, “The Eko Club is eminently placed to work with me to achieve this objective of a greater Lagos that we are all proud of. I therefore call on you to partner with our government to deliver this excellence within reach”
The gubernatorial candidate enjoined them to get practical with the support they have shown by becoming eligible voters who have their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), while ensuring that they cast their votes for the APC.
He added, “as you lend your voice to support our cause, I urge you all to ensure collection of your PVCs and vote for the APC. This is key as we hope to together take Lagos to another level.
Lastly, Ambode restated that as Lagos has seen 16 years of excellence, all their support for him will do is additional 4 years of continued excellence, while noting that more is even achievable.
“It is important to note that more is even achievable if good governance reigns at the centre. Lagos can and will get more of more if we all cast our votes for the APC at the Federal level to ensure the flow of good governance from the centre”, he noted.
In addition to the endorsement, the members moved for a nomination, acceptance and adoption of the APC governorship candidate as the Patron of the club.
Other prominent political leaders and club members who spoke highly of Mr. Ambode include a former Commissioner of Education in the state, Chief Lanre Rasaq, Mrs. Teju Phillips, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Prince Rabiu Oluwa, Engineer Ayo Alaka, Prince Demola Dada, and Hon. Rasaq Muse, among others
However, an high point of the event came when Mr. Babatunde Grillo moved to confer an Eko club membership on Mr. Ambode, with club number 1109, to round off an eventful evening.