Politics

Complete All Ambode’s Projects Before Starting New Ones, Sagay To Sanwo-olu

Published

7 years ago

April 7, 2019

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor-elect of Lagos state has been charged to ensure the completion of ongoing projects in Lagos State which Akinwunmi Ambode, the outgoing governor may not complete because of time.

Giving the advice in Lagos in a chat with Sunday INDEPENDENT, Prof. Itse Sagay SAN, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) also advised that Sanwo-Olu should not embark on new projects until he has completed all the current projects being undertaken by the Ambode administration.

He also asked Sanwo-Olu to emulate President Muhammadu Buhari who has commissioned majority of the projects left behind by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

He said, “My advice to the governor-elect of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is that he should complete all on-going projects in Lagos state, just like what the federal government is doing now by completing the projects that were not finished by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

“You don’t leave uncompleted projects and go and start new ones. Sanwo-Olu should complete any project that Ambode, the outgoing governor has started because at the end of the day, government is a continuum.”

Sagay who said Ambode erred by abandoning some good projects left behind by his predecessor, Babatunde Fashola such as the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS) project and the Railway project urged Sanwo-Olu not to toe the same path.

What Ambode did about the Lagos HOMS project that he abandoned will not speak well for him when the history of Lagos is written because a lot of Lagosians need accommodation in the state now and you can see the buildings wasting away without being completed. To resuscitate them in future will cost a lot of money.

“You can even see that the Lagos Metroline has slowed down. Nobody is working there. Since Babatunde Fashola left, there is hardly any construction going on and this is something that will have a fantastic and positive impact on Lagos because people can now drop their cars from Badagry areas right to the centre of Lagos.

“When they are done, they can take a ride back; pick up their cars at the rail station and go. This is how it operates in civilised countries. So, what he did by not completing the Lagos HOMS project is wrong but nevertheless, I will not want Sanwo-Olu to do the same thing on projects that Ambode is unable to complete,” stated Sagay.

He continued, “I don’t believe in that kind of politics because your achievements will be undermined if you abandoned projects which your predecessors couldn’t complete. I will advise Sanwo-Olu to complete the ones that Ambode couldn’t complete. In fact, he shouldn’t start new ones until he completes the existing ones.”Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor-elect of Lagos state has been charged to ensure the completion of ongoing projects in Lagos State which Akinwunmi Ambode, the outgoing governor may not complete because of time.
Giving the advice in Lagos in a chat with Sunday INDEPENDENT, Prof. Itse Sagay SAN, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) also advised that Sanwo-Olu should not embark on new projects until he has completed all the current projects being undertaken by the Ambode administration.
He also asked Sanwo-Olu to emulate President Muhammadu Buhari who has commissioned majority of the projects left behind by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
He said, “My advice to the governor-elect of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is that he should complete all on-going projects in Lagos state, just like what the federal government is doing now by completing the projects that were not finished by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
“You don’t leave uncompleted projects and go and start new ones. Sanwo-Olu should complete any project that Ambode, the outgoing governor has started because at the end of the day, government is a continuum.”
Sagay who said Ambode erred by abandoning some good projects left behind by his predecessor, Babatunde Fashola such as the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS) project and the Railway project urged Sanwo-Olu not to toe the same path.
What Ambode did about the Lagos HOMS project that he abandoned will not speak well for him when the history of Lagos is written because a lot of Lagosians need accommodation in the state now and you can see the buildings wasting away without being completed. To resuscitate them in future will cost a lot of money.
“You can even see that the Lagos Metroline has slowed down. Nobody is working there. Since Babatunde Fashola left, there is hardly any construction going on and this is something that will have a fantastic and positive impact on Lagos because people can now drop their cars from Badagry areas right to the centre of Lagos.
“When they are done, they can take a ride back; pick up their cars at the rail station and go. This is how it operates in civilised countries. So, what he did by not completing the Lagos HOMS project is wrong but nevertheless, I will not want Sanwo-Olu to do the same thing on projects that Ambode is unable to complete,” stated Sagay.
He continued, “I don’t believe in that kind of politics because your achievements will be undermined if you abandoned projects which your predecessors couldn’t complete. I will advise Sanwo-Olu to complete the ones that Ambode couldn’t complete. In fact, he shouldn’t start new ones until he completes the existing ones.”

Foreign

China Reaffirms Commitment to Supporting Nigeria’s Fight Against Terrorism

Published

2 days ago

November 6, 2025

lagoslately

China has restated its readiness to continue supporting Nigeria in the ongoing fight against terrorism and efforts to maintain national stability.

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, gave the assurance after a meeting with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday.

In a statement shared via X, the ambassador said China “firmly supports” the Nigerian government’s development strategies that align with the country’s realities and long-term goals.

Dunhai also emphasized that China remains opposed to any external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs “under the pretext of religion and human rights.”

The meeting further strengthened diplomatic ties between both nations, with discussions centered on security collaboration and sustainable development.

News

U.S. Revokes Wole Soyinka’s Visa, Restricting His Entry Into the Country

Published

2 weeks ago

October 28, 2025

lagoslately

Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has disclosed that the United States government has revoked his visa, effectively barring him from entering the country for now.

Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Soyinka said he was notified of the development through an official letter from the U.S. Consulate dated October 23, 2025.

He explained that he decided to make the matter public to inform organizations and individuals expecting him in the U.S. not to proceed with any travel-related plans.

> “I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” Soyinka said, expressing shock at the decision. “I don’t have any criminal record or even a misdemeanour that could warrant such an action. I keep asking myself—have I ever misbehaved toward the United States?”

According to Soyinka, the letter from the Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Section of the U.S. Consulate stated that the revocation was in accordance with U.S. Department of State regulations but gave no specific reason for the decision.

His revoked visa was a B1/B2 category, typically granted for business and tourism purposes.

Earlier in September, PM News reported that Soyinka had declined a request from the U.S. Consulate to attend a visa re-interview, saying he initially believed the notification letter was fake or a scam.

Despite the development, Soyinka emphasized that he bears no animosity toward U.S. authorities, adding that his previous interactions with American diplomats had always been cordial.

He concluded by noting that he would continue to seek clarification on the matter but does not regard the revocation as a personal attack.

Politics

“Successive Governments Abandoned My Projects” — Jonathan

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

lagoslately

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed regret over the abandonment of projects he initiated as governor of Bayelsa State after assuming office as Vice President in 2007.

Jonathan, who spoke on Wednesday at the inauguration of the Best Western Plus Hotel in Yenagoa, said he had begun the construction of one five-star and two three-star hotels during his tenure as governor, but the projects were neglected by succeeding administrations.

He lamented that many state governments waste public funds because new leaders often refuse to continue with projects started by their predecessors.

Recalling his administration’s efforts to develop the hospitality sector, Jonathan said the idea was to promote tourism and attract international visitors to Bayelsa State.

“When I took over as governor, there were no quality hotels to accommodate guests. We awarded contracts for the Tower Hotel and two three-star hotels to encourage tourism and improve the local economy,” he said. “Unfortunately, when I left office, those projects were abandoned.”

The former president said the development hindered Bayelsa’s growth and deprived the state of opportunities to generate revenue and jobs through tourism and investment.

Governor Douye Diri, who also spoke at the event, commended the hotel’s owner, Dr. Harcourt Adukeh, for his vision and contribution to the state’s economic development, describing the project as a major boost to Bayelsa’s hospitality industry.

The newly inaugurated Best Western Plus Hotel, an affiliate of the global Best Western brand, features modern facilities and overlooks the scenic Oxbow Lake, positioning Yenagoa as an emerging destination for tourism and business in the Niger Delta.