Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
October 13, 2015 – Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday received participants from the National Defence College Course 24 on a Geo Strategic Study to the state, charging them to proffer suggestions to the state on how governance can be made more beneficial to the people.
The Governor who spoke at the State Secretariat, Alausa while receiving the participants who are made up of senior military and para-military officers said the present administration is also very receptive to new ideas and would also welcome suggestions on how to further improve Internally Generated Revenue in the State.
Governor Ambode who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office, Mrs Folasade Ogunnaike expressed the hope that at the end of the various presentations and workings visits by the team to some local governments and agencies they would have been well educated on the subject matter of their tour.
“It is my understanding that this study tour is designed to avail you of the information relevant to the theme such as the economy of the State, sources of increased IGR, challenges militating against IGR, challenges militating against IGR, prospects”, he added.
“As you are aware, Lagos State is the commercial and economic nerve- centre of Nigeria contributing over 60 percent to non-oil National Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The State is also the most populous in Nigeria with a population of over 21 million and is expected by the United Nations study to reach 25 million by year 2020,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the team, Brigadier General Mahe Bashir said the programme is on-going in nine other states, saying it also aims to discover socio political and economic life of the people and how best to improve their internally generated revenue .
He informed that the theme for this year tour is “Internally Generated Revenue as catalyst for Development in the State: Challenges and Prospects” and commended the State Government for the warm hospitality accorded the team since it arrived in Lagos.
Paper presentations were made by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts, Mrs Funmilayo Balogun on the geography, history and culture of the people while Dr Olusegun Vincent who represented the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget presented a paper on the economy of Lagos State.
