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Akinwunmi Ambode: A Profile of Leadership in Lagos State

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Akinwunmi Ambode (born 14 June 1963 in Epe, Lagos State) is a Nigerian public administrator and politician best known for serving as the 14th Governor of Lagos State from 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2019. His single four-year term left a lasting imprint through ambitious infrastructure projects and financial reforms that reshaped Africa’s largest city-state.

Early Life and Education

Ambode grew up in Epe, attending St. Jude’s Primary School and Federal Government College, Warri. He earned a B.Sc. in Accounting from the University of Lagos at the age of 21 and later obtained a master’s degree in Accounting from the same institution.

He broadened his professional outlook with executive programmes at world-class institutions including the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania), and INSEAD Business School.

Civil Service Career

Joining the Lagos State Civil Service in 1988 as an Assistant Treasurer, Ambode spent 27 years in public finance. He rose steadily to become the Accountant-General of Lagos State in 2006, where he supervised the state’s finances, modernised budgetary processes, and introduced tighter financial controls that became a model for other Nigerian states.

Governor of Lagos State (2015–2019)

Elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ambode’s administration prioritised infrastructure, urban renewal and security:

Flagship Projects:

Oshodi Transport Interchange – a state-of-the-art multi-terminal bus hub that redefined public transport in Lagos.

Abule-Egba and Ajah Flyovers – easing notorious traffic bottlenecks.

Epe–Lekki Expressway Expansion – boosting trade and access to the emerging Lekki Free Trade Zone.
Urban Regeneration: Major facelift of Oshodi and other key districts, along with upgrades of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

Security and Technology: Strengthened the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, improved emergency response, and supported tech-driven governance.

Political Turning Point

Despite these achievements, Ambode lost the APC governorship primary in 2018, a pivotal moment that limited him to one term in office. The party subsequently fielded Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who won the 2019 election.

Post-Governorship

Since leaving office, Ambode has maintained a low political profile, focusing on private engagements and public policy advocacy while remaining an influential voice in Lagos politics.

Honours and Recognition

Ambode’s reforms and infrastructure drive earned several accolades, including:

Best Governor in Infrastructure Development – BusinessDay Newspaper Awards, 2018.

Recognition from the Chartered Institute of Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) for excellence in public financial management.

Legacy

Akinwunmi Ambode’s tenure combined technocratic expertise with ambitious urban projects, leaving a blueprint for sustainable infrastructure and modern public finance in Lagos State.

Sources
“Ambode’s Achievements as Lagos State Governor (2015–2019).” The Guardian Nigeria, 2019.

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Lifestyle

Genevieve Nnaji slams viral tweet urging Igbo men to marry non-Igbo women

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Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.

The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.

Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.

“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”

Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”

Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.

“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”

But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”

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Don’t handle your family feud like I did, Phyna advises Imisi

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Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.

In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.

“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.

“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”

The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.

Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.

“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.

“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”

Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.

She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.

In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.

In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.

Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.

He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.

He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.

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Ned Never Slept Outside Because I Held Him Well In The Other Room – Regina Daniels

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Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.

It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.

In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.

She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.

“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.

“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”

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