Outgoing governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, says smooth transition to the next administration in Lagos is imperative given Lagos’ status as Nigeria’s economic and commercial powerhouse.
The governor stated this, Tuesday, at the inauguration of a 20-man transition committee saddled with the responsibility of planning and ensuring a seamless transition to a new government in Lagos.
Ambode is billed to constitutionally exit power as the 14th governor of Lagos State on May 29, 2019, when he would have completed a four-year tenure that started on May 29, 2015. The governor would be handing over to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor-elect of Lagos State. Both are of the same political party – All Progressives Congress (APC).
Inaugurating the committee at the state secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Ambode, represented by Tunji Bello, secretary to the state government, said a smooth transition was imperative to ensure that the machinery of government continued to run without hitches, considering the importance of Lagos to the nation’s economy.
“In about seven weeks from now, the tenure of this administration will come to an end and a new administration will commence under the leadership of Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“A smooth transition is imperative. Our state is a delicate one with very significant importance in the economic and social stability to our nation. To maintain this stability, build on the solid status of our state and give the next administration a smooth take-off, it is imperative to put in place a transition committee whose major responsibility will be to ensure a seamless transition to the next administration come May 29, 2019,” he said.
The governor commended Lagosians ‘for keeping faith with the progressive ideals of the APC in the last two decades as well as with his administration. He expressed the optimism that the incoming administration would build on the achievements recorded so far.
‘Let me use this opportunity to once again express my profound appreciation to all Lagosians for keeping faith with this administration and the rare privilege to serve. Government is not a sprint or a short distance race. It is an unending race.
“For us in Lagos State, it has been a progressive race in which every successive administration builds upon the achievement of the past administration.
He charged the committee chaired by the deputy governor-elect, Obafemi Hamzat, and Tunji Bello, to accord the assignment the diligence and commitment it deserved.
Members of the committee include Hakeem Muri-Okunola, head of service; Adeniji Kazeem, commissioner for justice; Akinyemi Ashade, commissioner for finance; Ade Akinsanya, commissioner for works and infrastructure; Obafela Bank-Olemoh, special adviser on education, and Yetunde Onabule, special adviser on urban development, among others.
Hamzat, the deputy governor-elect, speaking, assured that the committee would work in the interest of the state, saying the incoming administration would build on the existing template to move the state forward.
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