Sunday 6 November 2016

Lagos takes over presidential lodge in Marina

– President Muhammadu Buhari says he has a soft spot for Lagos state and would therefore assist in making it the envy of Africa
– As a sign to show this, the president has handed over the Presidential Lodge in the Marina area of the state to Governor Ambode
The Lagos state government has announced the receipt of the Presidential Lodge at the Marina area of the state from President Muhammadu Buhari.
A statement from the state government made available to NAIJ.com said Buhari’s gesture followed a request by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to have the lodge released in its bid to transform the Marina-Onikan axis into a world-class arts and tourism hub.

Ambode and Buhari
Under former Governor Babatunde Fashola, the state government had complained about the lodge that seemed to have been abandoned.
The statement on Sunday, November 6 and signed by Steve Ayorinde, the state information commissioner, said the president’s approval was communicated in a letter signed by his chief of staff, Abba Kyari, to Mr Ambode.
The statement quoted Ambode as saying that the president’s gesture was a demonstration of his “keen admiration for Lagos state as the ‘Centre of Excellence’ that is well suited to becoming Africa’s foremost hub for arts, entertainment and tourism.”
With the presidential approval, the statement said Governor Ambode has consequently unveiled plans to turn the lodge to ‘The Heritage Centre for Leadership’, which would be redesigned and equipped as a landmark research and tourist arena that will be open to local and international visitors.
“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for his kind hand-over of the Presidential Lodge in Marina to the Lagos State government.
“This, in my opinion, demonstrates the President’s special interest in Lagos State, which is in line with the promise he made in Lagos during the electioneering campaign, that the interest of Lagosians will always be paramount in his heart,” the statement said.
The Lagos state government added that President Buhari’s approval had come at a time that the old Lagos state House in Marina, which is next door to the Presidential Lodge, is also being prepared for a transformation to The Lagos History Centre, as a mark of honour to and celebration of all former governors of Lagos state, as well as for the benefit of humankind as a whole.
Lagos presidential lodge, Marina

The statement said the state executive council had approved the Lagos House Marina to be turned into Lagos History Centre for tourism purposes.
“With the handing over of the Presidential Lodge to Lagos State, the Lagos state government will begin a process that will transform the whole area into a culture zone in the next two to three years that every Lagosian will be proud of.

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