Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State made this disclosure yesterday at a lecture convened in honour of Prof. Pat Utomi on his 61st birthday, at the Centre for Value in Leadership, Lagos, with the theme: “Living Well Together, Tomorrow: The Challenge of Africa’s Future Cities,” which stressed the need to make Nigerian cities more in tune with modernity.
The Governor emphasized this fact in his speech, saying: “There is perhaps no better classic example of where these challenges of rapid urbanization come to life than in Lagos.
“It is estimated that 86 immigrants enter Lagos every hour – the highest in any city in the world. And they have no plans to leave.
“This is because Lagos has remained over time and most especially in the last decade, the most attractive destination for those who want to realise and live their Nigerian dream. This ever increasing population of the state, however, means that we have to be on our toes to provide facilities for more than 23 million population,” he stated.
Governor Ambode noted that of all the megacities in the world, Lagos State recorded the highest number of immigrants daily. A situation, he opined, expanded the responsibilities of making Lagos the desired megacity.
Other notable Nigerians present at the occasion also demanded that the leadership class prioritise the need to be closer to the people to achieve the cardinal objectives of governance.
They also observed that effective leadership was a necessary catalyst for the development of Nigeria.
Among key speakers at the occasion was the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who makes case for youths in governance as well as the need for effective leadership in the country said: “We will not go without celebrating the person we have come here for.
“We are here to get more enlightened on leadership. For us to properly link the initiative of inclusion, the youths should celebrate themselves.
“I was filled with joy when I saw young people around. Our leaders have got to their peak, and the youths need to be included right from now. I am an example. Before I came to office, even with all discouragement, a lot of people said the office belongs to the old generation, I never relented. I challenge every youth to be part of the development of the society and Africa at large,” the Ooni urged.
Those at the event included the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okonkwo; Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Philip Shaibu; former Governor of Cross River State, Sen Liyel Imoke; Professor of African Economies at Oxford University, United Kingdom, Professor Paul Collier; and General Manager/Editor-in-Chief of Vanguard Newspapers Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, among others.
On his part, Pat Utomi said: “The annual lecture and 2017 programmes will focus on many aspects of the city of the future. They include planning, environment and governance issues derived from how we can live this future beneficially.
“Today, cities are clearly our future, and how we live well in those cities, in terms of the economics of living quality life, social harmony, security, and wellbeing, are matters we must address,” he stressed
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