Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has appointed Professor Wole Soyinka as the chairman of the Lagos at 50 planning committee.

The state will be 50 in 2017 and ahead of the celebration, the governor appointed the Nobel Laureate alongside Mr. Rasheed Gbadamosi to both head the committee.

The governor inaugurated the committee at the Lagos house in Ikeja on Wednesday, February 10. Other members of the committee include Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Chief Olawale Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mr. Abimbola Obafunwa, Prof (Mrs) Senapon Bakare, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Mr. Folarin Coker, Prof. Ademola Abass, Bolanle Austen Peter and Mrs Olufunmilayo Balogun as secretary.


Governor Ambode expressed confidence in the ability of the committee to deliver a world class celebration, adding that the
opportunity of Lagos at 50 will afford the state to not only celebrate its past achievements, but also to showcase to the world its immense potentials for future growth and development.


He said : “Lagos state will be 50 years next year. 50 years is a significant landmark in the life of any individual, institution or
State. For Lagos State, it has been an eventful 50 years which deserves to be fittingly celebrated.”

The governor said that even though Lagos is the smallest state in terms of size, it has maintained its position as the economic capital of Nigeria.

“Lagos is a land of opportunities, offering all residents the chance to succeed in their vocations and endeavours. Lagos provides jobs to more people than any other State in Sub Saharan Africa. Lagos is that place where you have a chanceto make it if you work hard.

“Indeed, Lagos State has justified its creation. Apart from being the pacesetter and first among equals in the comity of States in the Nigerian Federation, Lagos State also occupies a noticeable position in global affairs especially as the fastest growing mega city in the world.


“With all these in mind, it is imperative that we celebrate Lagos at 50. In celebrating Lagos, we must showcase our cultural
heritage. We must celebrate the language, arts, sights and sounds of Lagos. Celebrating Lagos is to celebrate Nigerian Unity and Progress because Lagos provides the cohesion that keeps Nigeria together.”

The governor admitted that the celebration requires experienced men and expressed confidence in the ability of members of the committee.

In his short remarks, Professor Soyinka said the celebration of Lagos at 50 would afford an excellent opportunity for the state to identify with the triumph, losses and experience of the Black Race at home and in the diaspora.

He promised that members of the committee would worktowards making the celebration a success.


Professor Soyinka likened the celebration to one of the programmes in past editions of Lagos Black Heritage Festival called the ‘Black in the Mediterranean Blue’, saying “It would be used to project the black race not just for the colonial experience and slave trade, but also as a cultural people.”

[img]http://i.onthe.io/vllkyt4t7qggitj26.1a032fd9.jpg[/img]

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode,


discussing with Chairman, Committee for Lagos @ 50, Prof. Wole Soyinka, while the Secretary to the State Government, Mr.
Tunji Bello, watches, during the inauguration of Committee for Lagos @ 50,

[img]http://i.onthe.io/vllkyt3pu6vhcaaq2g.7887c2bb.jpg[/img] Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule (6th left); in a group photograph with Chairman, Committee for Lagos @ 50, Prof. Wole Soyinka (6th right) and other members of the Committee, during the inauguration of Committee for Lagos @
50,
[img]http://i.onthe.io/vllkyt536tvvreads.dac81b77.jpg[/img]

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd left); Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule; Chairman, Committee for Lagos @ 50, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, during the inauguration of Committee for Lagos @ 50

[img]http://i.onthe.io/vllkyt2aap83rq6m3g.e9269f0d.jpg[/img]

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in a warm handshake with Chairman, Committee for Lagos @ 50, Prof. Wole Soyinka, during the inauguration of Committee for Lagos @ 50, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, on Wednesday, February 10, 2016. With them are members of the Committee; Dr. Michael Olawole-Cole and Mrs. Bolanle Austin Peters.

https://www.naij.com/726227-lagos-50-ambode-gives-wole-soyinka-appointment-photos.html

This will surely make front-page and that makes me the FTC
Now let me read carefully and post my comment

Waoo nice one.

"With all these in mind, it is imperative that we celebrate Lagos
at 50. In celebrating Lagos, we must showcase our cultural
heritage. We must celebrate the language, arts, sights and
sounds of Lagos. Celebrating Lagos is to celebrate Nigerian
Unity and Progress because Lagos provides the cohesion that
keeps Nigeria together.”

I agree with you, we need to celebrate, we've tried.



BTW, This Ambode with his native dress all the time plus see Uncle Wole shoe in the second pix

Eko o ní bajè o.

Nice one

The committee should uphold the tenets of IBILE in this onerous task. Eko Onii Baje o...

I hope dey will not spend #50 billion on the celebration..... #am not a wailer just want to make common sense

means to waste our money again.

Please just tell him to eat dinner in his house before they do what they did in Rivers

#80 million for dinner


Anyways I trust Ambode. No be like Fashola

Lagos state... Centre of Excellence. Home for all and sundry... Nigeria economic hub... A place where any hardworking individual can strive and succeed..

Is this soyinka married? Have not seen him with his wife b4 in public.

scribble:
Please just tell him to eat dinner in his house before they do what they did in Rivers

#80 million for dinner


Anyways I trust Ambode. No be like Fashola

Running mouth like tap water

Adaure4ever:
Is this soyinka married? Have not seen him with his wife b4 in public.

aah dont go there oo. The wife is very liberal

Amazing

Cool

He wants to display like Ogun state. Copy copy

hmmmmm

Eebrahym:
Waoo nice one.


I agree with you, we need to celebrate, we've tried.



BTW, This Ambode with his native dress all the time plus see Uncle Wole shoe in the second pix

e too long...

9ja politicians like wasting money since 1960

ANY TIME THAT I VE'NT HEARD GOOD NEWS ABOUT OBIANO I BECOME ANXIOUS CURIOUS TO LOOK FOR NEWS ABOUT ANAMBRA DEVELOPMENT ANYBODY WITH ANAMBRA OBIANO DEVELOPMENT LASTEST?? HIS DEVELOPMENT NOW NA ROUTINE FOR ME IF I NO SEE NEW ONE I NO DAY REST.

These people hate the YOUTHS! What does soyinka need appoint for!

Ok

Good move by ambode, the prof will use his influence to get many sponsors both local and foreign

Okay..... but 2017 is still far.... for them to start d planning now it means its gonna be a massive celebration..... D next tin is to include it in Lagos state Budget!!! Lagos state IGR is capable sha.
Eko Oni Baje oooooo!!!!

Good for him, abi wetin concern me

Not bad!

JingoOAU:


Running mouth like tap water

Ya mama?

Prof. Soyinka has gradually become a politician.
Ambode will soon organise a dinner for him with millions of naira like one former governor in d south did.

Ao dat one take reduce the price of semo abeg wu get kerosine for inside stove here...