Ambode hands over to Sanwo-Olu at Lagos house
By Tribune Online
Ambode hands over to Sanwo-Olu at Lagos house
OUT-going governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday, in a brief ceremony at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, handed over the reins of government to the incoming governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The handing over ceremony, which Sanwo-Olu described as private and coming ahead of the official handing-over Wednesday, May 29th 2019, was witnessed by the deputy governor-elect, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who accompanied him to the event.
Answering questions from the governor’s press crew after the brief ceremony, Sanwo-Olu, who did not disclose the contents of the interaction, expressed joy about the outcome.
However, he said the conversation was centred on “more advice” from Governor Ambode, “how his own thoughts were and what we should also be concerned with, saying, however, that what his incoming administration needed to work with were the right documents which the opportunity of the handover had offered.
“What we needed to work with our documents. And we have the right documents to work with and we will take it up from there,” he said.
While saying that he was looking forward to Wednesday’s official handing over ceremony taking place at the Tafawa Balewa Square, the governor-elect urged the media to collaborate with his incoming administration, even as he declared that he was poised to kick-start governance of the state immediately inauguration.
“We had very private handling over the ceremony with the governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, and we are happy with what he told us. We are excited about the conversation and thought we had with him. We are looking forward to the inauguration ceremony tomorrow (today).
“I am using this opportunity to invite you all to the event. We need the media to be part of the journey we are about to embark upon tomorrow. We need you to be part of the conversation centred on taking Lagos to a greater height. And from the inception, we want you all to be part of that story. After the inauguration, the governance of the state starts immediately,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Also addressing the press crew, Head of Service (HOS), Mr Hassan Muri-Okunola, who accompanied Sanwo-Olu, who was seen the governor-elect and his team off, confirmed the parley with the outgoing governor, as well as the handing over of what he described as “a load of documents,” which he said symbolised Ambode’s four-year tenure, among others.
“Behind the closed door a few minutes ago, the governor did a private handover ceremony in his office to the governor-elect.
“He has also handed over a load of documents that symbolises the tenure of his administration. He has also handed over a document containing activities of the previous administration spanning 12 years,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, in a farewell statewide broadcast earlier on Monday, said all the decisions, plans, programmes and policies of his administration in the last four years were taken with the best interest of Lagos in mind and for the common good of all residents of the state.
The governor said that the driving force behind programmes executed by his administration, even though some of them might be unpopular, was to lift more people out of poverty and make every part of the state economically viable and livable.
“For this administration, policies, programmes and projects aimed at lifting more of our people out of poverty and making every part of the state safe, accessible and economically viable were always the priority; the driving force behind all our decisions and plans.
“A few of our policies might have been unpopular but these were decisions taken with the best interest of our state in mind. With the benefit of hindsight, maybe we could have done some things differently but our intention was always clear, for the good of Lagos,” Governor Ambode said.
He particularly commended the people for the constructive feedback to some of the policies of his administration which, according to him, helped to surmount challenges, saying it had been a remarkable journey to serve the state.
“With a heart full of gratitude, I address you today for the last time as your governor. It has been an honour and a privilege of a lifetime to serve you for the last four years.
“It has been a remarkable journey which has had a lasting impact in my life and I want to thank all Lagosians for the experience of these last four years.
“As at the beginning when we visited every single corner of this state listening to you and asking for your votes, I have felt the power of your support, your collective energy and the endless goodwill that has propelled us to achieve many things,” he said.
Describing Lagos as a place where dreams come true and a home for everyone, Ambode said it was the duty of all residents to continue to ensure that the state remained the true centre of opportunities and growth for all.
“From being just a commercial centre, our state has now become a prime destination for tourism, sports, entertainment and culture. And the future is even brighter with more exciting prospects and possibilities. In the near future, with God on our side, Lagos will take its rightful place in the comity of major city-states of the world.
“Fellow Lagosians, it has been a remarkable journey. One in which we have pushed boundaries and moved our state to another level. A journey in which we have transformed many aspects of our state and set the ball rolling in other sectors. But there is still a lot more to be done.
“But it is a job not for only the government; it is a responsibility for us all. In Lagos, every one counts and we all have a part to play,” the governor said.
While appreciating the people for the support given to successive administrations in the state, Governor Ambode also urged all stakeholders to support the incoming administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, saying such would be in the best interest of all.
“By tomorrow, there will be a change of guard in our state. I will be stepping down and a new governor will be sworn in. We will have a new governor and a new administration with the same objective; achieving a better Lagos.
“Those who have had the privilege of serving our dear state in different capacities especially as governors owe their successes to your prayers, understanding and support. The same courtesy and cooperation that you gave to my predecessors from the first elected governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande to our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) to my humble self, I urge you to extend same to the next administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and ensure that he succeeds. It is in our best interest to do so,” he said.
Besides, Governor Ambode thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the executive, the legislature, the judiciary; leadership, elders and members of All Progressives Congress (APC); Local Government Councils and community leaders, all the security agencies, civil society groups and religious leaders in the state, among others for their immense support throughout the tenure of his administration.
“To my wife, Bolanle and the children, who have had to endure many days and nights without me; I thank you for your love and steadfastness. You will continue to be my pillar of strength.
“To all Lagosians; for your love, compassion, cooperation and support, I am eternally grateful. Love always,” Ambode concluded.
Ambode hands over to Sanwo-Olu at Lagos house
Tribune Online