For His Remarkable Transformation Of LAGOS
Every year, City People normally chooses a Nigerian leader either in government or private life whose actions or policies positively affect the lives of millions of people.
In 2015, Otunba (Dr) Mike Adenuga, the Chairman of Globacom was our choice. In 2006, Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode was our choice, for very obvious reasons. In less than 2 years Ambode had taken Lagos, a city with over 20 million, people to the next level. He has not only laid the foundation to fulfill all his electoral promises, he has been fulfilling them stage by stage.
As the year moved to an end, last year, the verdict of many was that Ambode had not only positively affected the lives of many Lagosians he had shown a mastery of how to effectively run a modern state that is the 6th largest economy in the world. The indices are there, verifiable and attestable by all that he is a performer. Available records have shown that within the space of 24 months in office, the governor has shown that in governance you can say so and do so, even in a recession.
That was why he was picked in December last year as City People Man of The Year. Again at this year’s City People Awards For Excellence he has emerged as the governor to beat in all ramifications.
Whilst other chief executives are complaining of recession, he has moved beyond that point. He has remained a shining example to fellow 1st term governors in other states proving that 2 years of a 4-year term is enough to show the stuff you are made of. From road construction, to health, infrastructure, education and so on, testimonies abound as to how people feel proud about this governor who wears more of shirt and jeans to enable him move around swiftly to constantly inspect all his projects.
Ambode has uniquely brought his rich and vast accounting experience to bear on the running of Lagos. The list of his achievements is long and unending. He has not only created employment, he has pushed sports to the forefront, he has fixed roads, light up Lagos and the general conclusion is that he runs Lagos well.
For these reasons, Lagos State have experienced massive changes in development and therefore improvement from various sectors are clear to see from every perspective. He has not only wooed investors he has embarked on solid infrastructure development and powered Tourism, Arts and Culture. There is massive environmental renewal. Housing is not left out. So also Poverty Alleviation. He has scored high in wealth creation and empowerment.
It is also important to note that City People had long ago identified Gov. Ambode as a potential performer. That was as far back as 2014 when no one knew who he was. Not only did City People unveil him at a ceremony in Lagos publicly, we told the whole world that this is one man to watch in government. That was before elections took place. Beyond all the society reportage, City People has a way of indentifying good hands and brains when we see and interact with one. This was what we saw in the Governor, ever before he was shot into limelight in 2014 when we gave him the leadership in Government Award for his diligent and effective delivery of service as a civil servant with the Lagos State Government.
His doggedness, tenacity and zeal have not only brought good tidings but also the kind of hope that Lagosians can hang on in the next three years and more.
For the very first time in Lagos state history, the government under the leadership of Akinwunmi Ambode was able to generate the highest revenue so far before the end of the budget year.
As at December 16, 2016 the state had raked in N287billion internally-generated revenue for the year under review as against the N268.2 billion generated in 2015. This shows that Governor Ambode has the ability to drive the economy of Lagos. It is for this reason and many more that City People picked Governor Ambode as our Man of The Year. It is also for this reason that he is City People’s Best Governor of The Year
