Governor says Lagos is special whether Senate recognizes it or not

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October 6, 2016 2:45 PM

The Senate, on Wednesday, rejected a bill to that effect which was sponsored by Senator Remi Tinubu.

Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode

Lagos State Governor,

The Senate, on Wednesday, October 5, rejected a bill to that effect which was sponsored by Senator Remi Tinubu.

Ambode’s comments were contained in a statement released by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde on Thursday, October 6.

The statement reads:

“At a time that our country needs courageous voices that seek solutions that can benefit millions of Nigerians irrespective of where they are from, what the distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu has done is to draw attention to how Lagos State can provide more succour to Nigerians being the home to the largest assemblage of Nigerians.”

“She has drawn attention to how Lagos deserves to be assisted so that the state can further provide assistance to millions of Nigerians. It is a pity that this import was not seen from that perspective by the majority of her colleagues.

“The truth of the matter is that as the most populous Nigerian state and the commercial heart-beat of the entire West Africa; a state that would have been the fifth largest economy in Africa if it were an independent country, Nigeria needs Lagos in order for other parts of the country to continue to benefit from Lagos.

“A special status and a special grant are fair requests that would have encouraged and rewarded Lagos State for what it contributes to the federal purse. A yes for the bill would have provided an opportunity to truly reflate the economy and empower Lagos State in serving as home to more than 21 million Nigerians and as hub to the largest volume of businesses and foreign direct investments in Nigeria. But clearly, a spectacular opportunity has been missed by ignoring this important bill.”

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Ambode said further that despite the rejection of the bill, Lagos State would continue to be special and would also continue to be a conducive and secure home for Lagosians and local and international visitors.

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