At retreat, Ambode urges leaders to rise above personal interests, differences

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has said that Nigeria’s present economic situation urgently required leaders to rise above personal differences and interests with a common unity of purpose so as to deliver good governance to the people who they represent.

The governor spoke yesterday at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of the Executive/Legislative Retreat held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Dwelling on the central theme of the retreat, “Good Governance in a Recession”, Ambode pointed out that the economic downturn was no respecter of tribe or religion, neither does it discriminate along political party lines, hence, every Nigerian feels the impact. He added that the retreat that brought together members of the Executive and the Legislature from the state and federal level from both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), was a statement of fact that the people come first in Lagos.

He said: “Our people demand, and request from us, good governance, leadership and hope at a critical time like this in our nation. We must therefore rise above our personal differences and interests, with a common unity of purpose; staying focused on our promises and manifesto at all times. “If our economy must grow, it must also have the mindset and culture to want to grow. It is therefore left for all of us to learn to emphasise the people and de-emphasise the power to get good results. Getting good results requires that we abide by the principles of good governance, whether we are in or out of any economic recession.

“It is very clear, and I also make bold to say that our concern is, and should be, about our people, Lagosians and Nigerians in general. The Executive-Legislative collaboration is strongly required and desirous in order for us to deliver and create dividends of democracy.”

He advised the leaders of the six states in the South-West region under the Odu’a Investments Group to activate the partnership for economic growth. “As you may recall, Lagos joined the Odu’a Investments Group last year to become the sixth state in the South West with Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states as founders. This historic move is not only Strategic, but also deeply falls in line with our vision of reawakening the political economy and socio-economic hegemony of member states.

“As we proceed to extract the greater opportunities of inclusion, it is of necessity to call on other state governments, irrespective of our political leanings that the Odu’a Investment initiative is a veritable economic vehicle for us to take our people out of recession, “he added.

Others who attended the retreat were the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Gbenga Ashafa among others.