By Giwa SHILE
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday inaugurated a drug rehabilitation and Skill Acquisition Centre in Ajah area of the state.
Ambode, while unveiling the centre built by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central District, said that it would go a long way to benefit Lagosians, especially the immediate community.
TBI Africa said the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the centre was named after Chief Tajudeen Olusi, the APC leader in Lagos Central Senatorial District.
The governor commended Tinubu for devoting the constituency funds to life changing projects.
According to him, the facility remains one of her legacy projects and despite the challenges encountered in the course of the project which began in 2012, she persevered to ensure that it became a reality.
Ambode also commended Tinubu’s style of leadership, saying she was the only senator that remained consistent with holding quarterly Town Hall meetings with constituents and utilising funds for the benefits of her people.
He noted that the centre remained one of the senator’s legacy projects that would outlive her.
“Of all the constituency projects that you have initiated and completed, this one is special in the sense that you have once again challenged government in the area of taking care of the needy.
“We all know what taking care of the needy entails, especially for a drug rehabilitation centre of this magnitude that has been put in place here for us to take care of those ones who are on the streets without help.
“In addition to this drug rehab centre, there is a skill acquisition centre to complement the need of whoever we are able to rehabilitate and empower them to become relevant in the community,” the governor said.
Ambode said that the facility, which would be managed by the state government, would be given top most priority.
He directed the state Ministries of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation as well as Youth and Social Development to ensure that the two facilities become fully operational before May 29.
Ambode also charged residents to come out en masse and vote for the presidential candidate of the APC and other candidates of the party for the National Assembly elections on Feb. 16.
He said it was important for the APC candidates to emerge victorious in the Saturday’s polls, saying that it would enable them to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to their constituents.
“I urge all our supporters and party faithful to go all out and reward this good gesture by voting the APC from top to bottom,’’ Ambode said.
He urged the people from the Lagos Central Senatorial district to vote massively for Tinubu, saying that she had proven to be a worthy representative of the district by delivering impactful projects to the people.
Earlier, Tinubu commended Ambode for his maturity and peaceful disposition, saying that posterity would judge him right.
She said that the project was facilitated through her 2012 Constituency intervention project to address the menace and devastating consequence that drug abuse portends on youths.
Tinubu expressed optimism that the centre would help to reverse the statistics showing that 40 per cent of Nigerian youths indulge in the use of recreational drugs including marijuana, codeine, among others.
Also, Olusi thanked Tinubu for the kind gesture, saying it was a special honour for him to be so recognised.
“I am very grateful for this project to be dedicated to me, it is a thing of joy.
“I thank Sen. Oluremi Tinubu; she has shown that she has the requisite qualification and suitability to undertake this job because some are educated, but are not suitable,” Olusi said.
