Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday urged corporate organizations in the country to key into the efforts of government at all levels to secure the lives and property of citizens, just as he said that development and businesses can only thrive in a peaceful atmosphere.
Governor Ambode, who said this while receiving 10 fully equipped security patrol vehicles from MTN Foundation on behalf of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSTF), said security, being an everyday issue, should not be left only for government, and that there was a strong need for the Organized Private Sector (OPS) to invest in security for greater economic prosperity.
According to him, the primary purpose of government is to protect lives and property and take care of people’s welfare, but that it was not out of place to encourage the private sector to support government so as also to protect their investments and businesses.
Governor Ambode, who said his administration since inception has not minced words in placing premium on the security and welfare of the people, restated his commitment to continue to ensure a secure, safer and prosperous Lagos.
He said that “A safer Lagos is a more productive Lagos and this administration is not mincing words in that area. We are running this administration on a tripod. The first is security of lives and property. Once we are able to do that, the environment becomes more visible for job opportunities to take place because you too will do your work and employ our people.
“Those job opportunities and the productivity that we have gotten would give us the taxes we need to improve on our infrastructure.
“You see, security is never enough. It is an everyday issue but the truth is this, we will keep our streets safer, cleaner and then we have a more prosperous Lagos and that itself will make more people to live in Lagos,” Governor Ambode said.
He thanked MTN Foundation for the massive investment in security and other Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, and charged other corporate organizations to emulate such gesture.
Earlier, Chairman of MTN Foundation, Chief Julius Adelusi Adeluyi said the donation of the security equipment was an eloquent testimony of the commitment of the organization to partner with government to ensure the protection of lives and property.
Adeluyi, who said that Lagos had always been blessed with visionary leaders who work day and night to ensure that they get things done in the right way, said there was no doubt about the fact that the State always set the pace when it comes to driving the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
He commended Governor Ambode for the way he has handled the affairs of the State so far, saying it was obvious that the Governor was prepared for governance.
“It is such a pleasure for me on behalf of the MTN Foundation to show my appreciation to Governor Ambode, a man who has risen to this position meritoriously and therefore gives no surprise to anyone.
“He is prepared for the job; he has been in the civil service for 27 years and he is very well prepared. He has gone to good schools around the world and I must say that the Governor is doing well and we know he will do better.
“We like to commend the Governor for efforts at driving the implementation of the Lagos State Development Agenda and there are many examples to illustrate this. For example, the Light Up Lagos Project which has been quite a success and the way you have made very good efforts to complete the various road projects outstanding and also created by you as well as the massive procurement of vehicles and equipment for the police and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to tackle security challenges.
“That is why we are here to indicate to you that MTN, through the MTN Foundation, is ready to partner with you to make Lagos a greater State and to support your efforts,” Adeluyi said.
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