From all indications, Akinwunmi Ambode, the All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State is not only desirous of taking over the mantle of leadership from Babatunde Fashola, the current governor of the state come May 29, 2015, but he is also ready for leadership.
To achieve this lofty dream, the former Accountant General of the state has enunciated in his manifesto how he intends to turn around the fortunes of the state for the benefits of the teeming Lagos populace.
In the manifesto, which contains the acronym L.A.G.O.S representing Leadership; Accountability; Governance; Opportunity and Service, Ambode reveals how he hopes to continue in the great strides of past leaders of the states, including Mobolaji Johnson; Alhaji Lateef Jakande; Bola Tinubu and Fashola whose courageous, visionary and remarkable leadership has laid a solid foundation for the state.
In addition to these, he also stated how he plans to “make Lagos work for all.” This, he said, would be achieved by revitalizing the economy through job creation; establishment of small business loan guarantee scheme; ensuring the removal of multiple taxes; re-invention of the middle-class and provision of adequate security, law and order.
Furthermore, the manifesto equally shows a deliberate attempt to provide quality services in areas such as education, health, housing, agriculture and environment.
In the area of education, the action plan shows a desire to continue the current schools renovation program state-wide to improve learning environment; upgrade libraries and create new ones into e-libraries in each LGA/LCDA in the State; establish IBILE meal scheme in all public schools.
He also plans to reposition the Lagos State University, LASU, the Lagos State Polytechnic and other tertiary institutions in the state as global centers of academic excellence through massive infrastructural development, corporate engagement and international collaboration and continue the current subsidy and tuition free schooling.
In the area of health, Ambode plans to improve the flagship Primary Health Care Programme to increase the number and quality of Public Health Centers ,PHC, that can offer 24/7 services on out-patient and maternal care and thereby ensure zero tolerance for all communicable diseases in Lagos State.
He also plans to harmonize private and public sector collaboration in secondary health care; reducing doctor-patient ratio and support health institutions with more equipment and infrastructure while paying more attention to the training and capacity building of all medical practitioners in all the state’s medical institutions.
In the area of agriculture, Ambode says he has a deliberate plan to boost job creation by sustaining the 3,000 acres of land in Ogun State and 500 acres of land in Abuja for agricultural products already in existence.
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