BEING THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. AKINWUNMI AMBODE, GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE ON FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015 AT TAFAWA BALEWA SQUARE, LAGOS

1. BEING THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MR.
AKINWUNMI AMBODE, GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE ON FRIDAY, MAY
29, 2015 AT TAFAWA BALEWA SQUARE, LAGOS
PROTOCOL:
Today, I have just performed the sacred duty of oath-taking as the Governor
of Lagos State. It has pleased GOD through the good people of Lagos State,
that my destiny as a little boy, born from a humble background, on the 14th
day of JUNE to become the 14th Governor of our great State, Lagos is being
realised.
I am eternally grateful to all of you. To all Lagosians, the young and elderly,
widows, physically-challenged; girls and boys, and especially, the children;
who followed our musical campaign with vigour; God bless you all.
Permit me to acknowledge and appreciate specially, all the voters that voted
for me; equally appreciate those that did not and also the people that did not
exercise their franchise to vote at all. We are all winners. One of the
instructive lessons from this last political campaign and election is for all
politicians never to take our people for granted again. I would, more than
ever before; take you, the good people of Lagos, along with me, in this
journey of renewed hope and prosperity at all times.
My appreciation goes to all our elder statesmen and women including all our
senior citizens. To all our religious leaders, I say thank you. All our Muslim
leaders, Christians leaders and other faiths; your prayers for Lagos State did
not go unanswered. I must not fail to acknowledge all our civil society
organisations. The students, civil servants, labour unions, artisans,
professionals, corporate Lagos, the business community, thank you very
much. To all Lagosians in diaspora, foreign residents and all other
stakeholders; thank you for keeping faith in the potential greatness of our
State.

2. From the bottom of my heart, I greet all our traditional rulers, our Royal
Fathers, Kings, Chiefs and their wives. I thank you all, most especially, the
Chairman; the State Council of Obas and Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Oba
Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos. We promise to continue to nurture our
traditional institutions as part of our heritage.
To our Party Leaders and all members of our great party, The All
Progressives Congress (APC); today belongs to you all. Our elected Officers,
the three Distinguished Senators, Honourable Members of the House of
Representatives and Members of the House of Assembly; congratulations
and thank you. And my Deputy; Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule; thank you.
To my family, words are not enough; my mother, who is here today, thank
you for being a very caring mother to me. All my uncles, brothers and
sisters; I appreciate you. To my lovely wife, Bolanle, thank you so much for
your sacrifices and perseverance. God bless you always. My children, friends
and loved ones and supporters; I really appreciate the enormity of sacrifices,
pain, prayers and efforts. I remain eternally grateful.
Lastly, I speak to the two people that have shaped the history of this State in
the last sixteen (16) years. You are focused, dogged and hard-working; you
are a visioner par excellence. You are a bridge-builder. To our leader Asiwaju
Bola Ahmed Tinubu; you have laid an enduring foundation for what we are
all building on today. When the history of the political economy of Nigeria is
being written, surely it would be kind to you. Thank you so much.
To our Distinguished Senator, (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu; your support and
commitment to our State and to me personally during the election is well
appreciated.
To the out-going Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), you have
fought the good fight. You came, you saw, you conquered. I have been at
close quarters as a student, you as my teacher and mentor. On behalf of my

3. family and other good people of Lagos; we say thank you. We appreciate you
and your family.
EVERYBODY COUNTS
As we collectively face the challenge to make Lagos a better place to live in,
we must recognize our strength in diversity. A common national identity
where everybody counts! I shall run an open government of inclusion that
will not leave anyone behind. No matter your age, sex, tribe or any other
Status, as long as you reside in Lagos, we will make Lagos work for you.
THE NIGERIAN DREAM
Lagosians are hardworking people. Lagos is striving because of its undying
entrepreneurial spirit. However we must realise that there are no short-cuts
to success. To our youths, we must nurture good family values to succeed in
any endeavour. I want our younger ones and children to draw some lessons
from my story. Anyone of you can rise up to be the best you want to be.
Your background and circumstances cannot be an obstacle to your dreams.
In our country, particularly in Lagos, you can always succeed. This is the
Nigerian dream where hard-work, courage, perseverance, persistence, merit
and rewards pay. We must therefore embrace new thinking and be
determined to succeed at all times. I am ready to encourage and nurture
that dream in our children, youths and every hard-working Lagosian. We
would reward merit, hard-work and loyalty to the State. The future is for
those who dare to dream and find courage to pursue their dreams.
THE FUTURE IS NOW
We are all witnesses to the economic downturn and dwindling revenues at
the national and state levels. The present economic situation has affected
the financial profile of most states in the country. The state is blessed that
the foundation of its financial autonomy was designed and implemented by
that visioner and our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Thus, the state

4. has been partially shielded from the negative trend flowing from the federal
level.
For us to sustain the progressive and radical transformation on-going in the
state, we have to redouble our efforts on all fronts for our commitment to
excellence. While we must be creative and innovative; we are not citizens
until we become responsible tax payers. I want to assure all of us that I will
make your taxes work for you. You will surely get a transparent and
incorruptible government that will give you good value for your taxes paid.
Creativity is the most valuable asset in any public institution. Progressive
governments must reward contributors of good ideas. Therefore, wherever
practicable, we shall practise government by incentives and not government
by enforcement. We shall implement creative ideas and concepts that reduce
the cost of running government; ideas that make life simpler and happier for
our people.
I, therefore, invite you all, to join hands with me, to offer new ideas that will
pull more resources to cater for the poor and needy amongst us. This will be
a compassionate government.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN (2012 – 2025)
In the spirit of continuity, I am committed to the State Development Plan
(2012 – 2025). The plan is structured under four pillars; (1) Social
Development and Security; (2) Infrastructural Development; (3) Economic
Development and (4) Sustainable Environment.
The challenges we face today as a State, are good enough ingredients to
bring out the best of all of us. Together, we shall push forward and not look
back, with our hands firmly on the plough. We would work hard to tackle
poverty, ignorance and social decadence in our State.

5. PUBLIC SECTOR REFORMS
As we all know, the best practices of yesterday may not be good enough for
the products of today. In this sense, we shall embark on continuous reforms
in the public service. I am determined to demonstrate that the government
belongs to the citizens. You have put us here as servants to serve you and
not you serving us. Today we are committed to that creed.
Moving forward, the Civil Service will be strengthened and made to respond
to the needs of all citizens in the same manner, quality services are rendered
in the private sector.
My administration is prepared to take the decisions needed to promote merit
and professionalism. To restructure where required, eliminate poor Human
Resource practices and accelerate the pace of reforms in the spirit of good
governance.
I want to assure the business community and corporate Lagos that the ease
of doing business in Lagos will be improved upon earnestly. Lagos is open
for greater business; to this end, a new office of Overseas Affairs and
Investment (LAGOS GLOBAL) shall be created under the Governor’s Office.
We want you to fly into Lagos, start your business, find your way; live, work
and enjoy in Lagos. As part of our reforms, a new Ministry of Wealth
Creation and Employment shall be established. This would specifically
address the promise I made during the campaign on employment trust fund,
labour exchange and entrepreneurship. This goal, we shall pursue
vigorously.
Also, the Office of Civic Engagement shall be created under the Deputy
Governor’s Office to strengthen and enhance our promise on government of
inclusion. Everyone must have a voice in my administration.

6. CONCLUSION
I have the political will to engage investors and stakeholders in creating the
enabling environment for tourism, entertainment and arts; and iconic
infrastructure for the benefit of all.
Once again, I thank the good people of Lagos for the confidence reposed in
our party; both at the national and State levels. We shall not disappoint you.
God bless you all.
God bless Lagos State
God bless Nigeria
Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko
Oje mi lo gun; Oje wa lo gun
Eko oni baje – I promise.
Thank you.