A report currently circulating on social media platforms had suggested that the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode had declared Friday as public holiday to enable Lagosians prepare for the March 9 Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

But in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kehinde Bamigbetan, the Government said that civil servants are expected to be at their various duty posts on Friday, and disregard any information to the contrary.

Bamigbetan reiterated that just as earlier announced by the State’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Idiat Adebule, all public and private schools in the State are expected to proceed on the 2nd Mid-Term Break on Thursday, 7 and Friday 8 March, 2019 and resume academic activities on Monday, March 11, 2019 in accordance with the revised School Calendar for 2018/2019 Academic Year.

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Addressing scores of residents and party faithful who defied the heavy downpour to witness the declaration ceremony in Alausa, Governor Ambode recalled how the journey began four years ago when he called on Lagosians to join him in a journey of selfless service to build a secure and prosperous State driven by a vibrant economy and supported by quality service, equity and justice, saying it was gratifying that the people believed in him and gave their support.

According to the Governor, “In the last three and a half years, I have fulfilled my promises to you to make Lagos work for all. With your support, we have made Lagos a better place and changed the face of our State. I did not do it alone; we did it together, because you believed.

“Our State has remained steadily prosperous because of your positive outlook. I urge you to always stay positive in your personal and communal lives and continue to aspire to great things,” he said.

While thanking all Lagosians for believing in his administration and for the support so far, Governor Ambode, who had earlier picked up his expression of interest and nomination form at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja, specifically appreciated members of APC and political leaders in the State, especially the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for giving him the platform to contribute to the further growth and development of the State.

The Governor said though a lot had been achieved, he was nonetheless not daunted or tired to achieve a lot more for the State, adding that such was the reason for humbly seeking the support of the people to achieve more for the State.

“In these three and a half years as your Governor, I have seen visible proof that we can achieve unbelievable things when we all come together with no more than our belief in our dreams.

“We achieved because you believed. But there is still a lot more to be done. But I am not daunted. I am not tired. And I am sure you feel the same way because we all envision a better Lagos, a Lagos of our dreams.

“So, I humbly call you again, to give me your support as I seek to continue with your mandate to steer the affairs of our State. I ask you to believe again and together, let’s achieve more,” Governor Ambode said.

Also speaking, Senator representing Lagos East senatorial district at the upper legislative chamber, Gbenga Ashafa said Governor Ambode had already been endorsed for a second term by Tinubu on account of his sterling performance in office.

According to him, “We are so proud to have Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as our Governor.

“As the Senator representing Lagos East senatorial district which produced him even though he is for the whole of Lagos State and Nigeria, we are saying we are very happy to endorse him (Governor Ambode) for a second term on the instruction of our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Ashafa said.

Among scores of APC leaders and members present at the declaration include wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs Idiat Adebule; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Senator Ganiyu Solomon; members of the House of Assembly; members of the State Executive Council, all the 57 Local Government Chairmen, among others.

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Governor Ambode, who spoke at the commissioning of the Courts at G.R.A in Ikeja, noted that economic crimes and sex-related offences had become too rampant, hence the establishment of dedicated courts, to handle such matters for quick dispensation of justice.

He expressed optimism that the creation of these special courts will assist in expeditious prosecution of economic and financial crimes and ensure that justice is attained by bringing offenders to quick justice.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Mrs. Idiat Adebule, disclosed that the State was collaborating with the British Council and other agencies charged with investigating and prosecuting corruption offences, by providing enabling environment, responding to inquiries and giving information to economic and financial crimes commission, to assist them in performing their statutory functions.

He added that the present administration had a coordinated strategy, across state agencies and non-governmental organizations, to prevent violence against women, children and men, through the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), to provide holistic response to issues of sexual and gender-based violence in the State.

In her remarks, wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, commended the State Government for implementing the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onoghen directive, by designating not one but four courts as special offences courts, stressing that it would aid speedy hearing and prosecution of such cases.

Worried by the statistics given of reported cases, Osinbajo urged the citizenry to look beyond the statistics, as many more cases were probably not reported.

She urged everyone to aid the long arm of the law to reach far and wide, by ensuring that cases were reported and given speedy hearing. This, according to her, would ensure that justice reigns for all survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, not just in Nigeria but around the world.

According to her, “The statistics given are frightening, even more so, some do not report the crime. We must look beyond statistics and focus on the faces of the survivors.

“We must ensure that the long arm of the law reaches far and wide, all and sundry. We must assist them to bring justice which they deserve. Justice should reign for all the survivors, not just in Nigeria but around the world”.

Speaking to journalists, wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, described the establishment of special courts for sexual offences, as a new phase in criminal justice administration, meant to bring sex offenders to book.

She observed that cases of rape, defilement and related others, had become an albatross around the society, which must be fought with appropriate machineries of government.

Mrs. Ambode said that the development would assist in comprehensive implementation of the Child Rights Law, Law against Domestic Violence and other female-friendly laws, already in force in the State.

She said, “Happily, the establishment of the special courts, will guarantee sufficient judicial attention, quick determination of cases bordering on sexual offences and ultimately, quick dispensation of justice. It will also go a long way to assist in comprehensive implementation of the Child Rights Law; Law against Domestic Violence and others.”

The Governor’s wife urged victims to always speak up, while parents and guardians should assist juvenile victims report such cases to appropriate government agencies for redress and punishment for offenders.

In her address, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon, Justice (Mrs.) Opeyemi Oke, noted that the special courts for sexual offences were first of its kind in the country, adding that Lagos State was also the first, to carry out the directive of the Chief Justice of the Federation, on the establishment of special courts, to try corruption and economic crimes.

She expressed optimism that the justice sector in the State would strive to be at its best to bring succour and hope to the people, stressing that the judiciary remained a sanctuary of hope for the common man.

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