By Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
November 8, 2015 – Renowned Economists, Professor Pat Utomi and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode have been slated to discuss a burning national issue, reduction in cost of governance and its socio-economic implication, a subject that bothers on Nigeria’s existence at this moment with dwindling oil revenue and inability of governments to pay salaries across the nation.
Chairman Lagos State Governor’s Office Correspondents Mr. Joshua Bassey who made the announcement in Lagos said both experts, Utomi , a revered economists and Ambode a chartered accountant will dissect the subject on Friday to round up the annual press week of the Lagos State Governors Office Correspondents(LAGOCO).
He said the week will commence with a walk for against sexual abuse and domestic violence on Monday from Ikeja Local Government Secretariat and terminate at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa adding that the lecture and award ceremony will hold in Lagos Friday, 13 November, 2015 at the Combo Hall, LTV Complex , Lateef Jakande Road , Agidingbi , Ikeja Lagos.
The LAGOCO boss said the lecture will be chaired by Otunba Henry Ajomale , Chairman, All Progressives Congress in Lagos State. His Excellency Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor will be the Special Guest of Honour.
Bassey said there will be a presentation of awards to eminent personalities and listed the 2015 awardees to include, Senator Adeola Solomon , Alhaji Lai Muhammed , National Publicity Secretary All Progressives Congress and minister designate. Mr. Fola Adeyemi, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information Lagos State, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe Director Lagos State Fire Service.
Fielding questions from Newsmen, Bassey said the annual lecture has been a programme constantly deployed by the group comprising of about 50 local and international media organizations to contribute to policy formation in the country.
He said the lecture and awards ceremony is the flagship of the Lagos State Governor’s Office Press Week , pointing out that the lecture is normally delivered by erudite scholars of high standing in the society.
“In 2010 the theme of the week was, “The role of the Media in Electioneering Campaign. Our thinking is that if the Nigeria media fought to call the bluff of military governance in this country the same media should be able to reshape public opinion to enhance our collective chances of achieving credible polls in the forthcoming general elections.
“Very recently in 2013 our theme dwelt on ,” Culture of impunity in Nigeria’s Democracy” and we had professor Abubakar Momoh to dissect the issues.
“In 2014 our focus shifted and our theme was,” Eight Years Of Sustained Leadership” which was very apt at the time, as it speaks to a concept that there had been an impressive leadership that stirred and lifted the souls not just of Lagosians but the entire black race provided by His Excellency Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) Governor of Lagos State.
“ Like I said this year we are talking about the imperative of reducing the huge cost of governance in the country,” he said.
