PRESS RELEASE
- It will generate 1.6m jobs, $10b GDP for Nigeria, says Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday witnessed the virtual landing of the Google Equiano Sea Cable System in Nigeria, saying the country will enjoy a boost of 1.6 million jobs and $10 billion in additional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the next three years, on account of the new cable system.
He said with the landing of the sea cable system and other investments in high-speed internet, Lagos is about to witness an unprecedented digital revolution that will cement its global reputation as a hub for entrepreneurial innovation.
Speaking at the reception marking the landing of the Equiano Sea Cable System in Nigeria on Thursday at the Open Access Data Centre at Lekki in Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the new cable system is the latest element in the transformation of the physical infrastructure landscape, new roads, bridges, jetties, factories, municipal and national rail lines, among others being delivered by his administration and a host of partners and stakeholders across public and private sectors.
The landing of Equiano Sea Cable System will firmly position Nigeria as the regional connectivity and content hub for West Africa, attracting cloud operators, content providers, content distribution networks and their associated ecosystems.
It is significant and a demonstration of the seriousness with which Google LLC views Nigeria, the economic and demographic giant of Africa.
The new cable system is named after a Nigerian hero, Olaudah Equiano, who survived enslavement in the 18th century and went on to become a famous writer and anti-slavery activist.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration is more than ever determined to deliver on its promise to make and maintain Lagos as a safe, livable, innovative and prosperous megacity.
He said: “I am told that this new Equiano cable system, landing today, will deliver twenty times as much network capacity as any of the existing systems serving Nigeria.
“This means much faster internet speed, reduced cost, and greater access for our people. The net effect of this is much-needed jobs and economic growth. The economic impact assessment for the project estimates that Nigeria will enjoy a boost of 1.6 million jobs and 10 billion dollars in additional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the next three years, on account of the new cable system.
“There is much to be excited about, at a time like this in the unfolding history of Lagos State and of Nigeria. We are seeing an unprecedented inflow of investments into every part of Lagos, from local and foreign investors who understand the immense business and commercial potential that the State symbolises.
“We say it often, that wherever Lagos goes, Nigeria and West Africa follow. With this in mind, as the government of Lagos State, we are more than ever determined to deliver on our promise to make and maintain Lagos as a safe, livable, innovative and prosperous megacity.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended Google LLC, the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) and other investors for identifying with his administration’s vision for a truly 21st century Lagos and a megacity all will forever be proud of.
“I congratulate Google LLC for envisioning this huge project, and the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) for helping implement it to the highest levels of excellence. Your partnership is commendable, and should be seen as a model by other players in the ecosystem, a testament to how much can be achieved when synergy is pursued.
“In addition to this cable system, I am told that WIOCC is presently completing, on this same site, a Tier III certified, Open Access Data Centre, which will also host the landing station for the Equiano cable. This data centre will be the most client-centric data centre, and the largest data center campus, in West Africa,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WIOCC, Chris Wood, described the landing of the submarine cables as a major investment for Nigeria’s digital economy and Lagos State in particular.
He said the submarine cables will deliver high-speed internet connectivity at a reduced cost
Wood also appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu for providing an enabling environment for the investment of this nature to birth in Lagos State.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
21 APRIL 2022
WIKE, ISHAKU HARP ON STATE POLICE AS PANACEA TO INSECURITY
Rivers State governor and Peoples Democratic Party presidential aspirant, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says the establishment of State police will be one enduring approach to addressing the festering insecurity in Nigeria.
Governor Wike while wooing delegates of PDP in Taraba State when he met with them in Jalingo on Thursday, dismissed the argument against the need for State police.
“The federal government, you cannot stop this insecurity if you don’t have state police. You must have state police, there is no two ways about it. Having a state police does not mean you will not have a federal police. All over the federal system, even councils have their own police so that you employ people who know the environment.
“You cannot take a stranger to go to Mabila, it will take him years to understand that place. You can’t take a stranger and go to Donga or Chanchangi. So, you need people who knows the environment so they will be able to take care of the place.
“If federal offences are committed, the federal police should handle them. If they are state offences, the state police should handle. So one key thing to stop this insecurity in Nigeria is to have state police.”
The Rivers State governor said those opposing state police often argue that if allowed, State governors will use it against their opponents.
“The question is will the governors be in office permanently? So, that argument is neither here or there. If this party called APC government loves Nigeria and are committed to Nigeria, one project that they would have given to Nigeria is the creation of State police.”
Governor Wike explained that the beauty of establishing State police is to ensure that people who are indigenous to an area are engaged in policing their environment.
Speaking further, governor Wike told the delegates that he was presenting himself to them to be given the presidential ticket to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 election because he is prepared to end the many troubles facing Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria needs a leader who is forthright, can speaks the truth always and competently be the Commander-in-Chief who goes to the field where Nigerians can relate with their daily experiences.
“The one problem that our (PDP) government, (under me if elected) must solve is to bring down the level of insecurity in this country otherwise there is no way the economy can grow.
“When bandits hear my name they will run because I will take the war to them. I will be the Commander- in-Chief in action.
“I’ll be commanding in projects, in security, in agriculture and the economy together with the armed forces. I’ll be commanding every aspects of life that will make Nigerians happy. This is because I have the capacity to solve the problems of Nigeria.”
Governor Wike lamented the incidences of bomb blast in parts of the country and at railway tracks.
He described such incidences including the operations of Boko Haram and bandits that have killed most Nigerians as the legacy of the APC federal government.
Similarly, the Taraba State governor, Darius Ishaku also harped the need for creation of state police.
He lamented the state of insecurity in Nigeria and expressed optimism that if PDP returns to power in 2023, the party will restore the lost glory of the country.
“He (Wike) speaks the truth, he fears nobody, and he is a workaholic. You have seen how he has turned Rivers State to a working site. We welcome him. We know what he has said, if God permits he will do it.
“Nigeria is yearning for leadership. He has said it, hunger doesn’t know east, south or west. Kidnapping doesn’t know south, east or west. Security is security. If there is no security there is no economy. If there is no economy, the country is not existing.”
On his part, former Governor of Gombe State Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, who described Governor Wike as a faithful party man with requisite experience to lead Nigeria.
“He is a true party man. Wike joined the party in 1998 and he is still in the party. He has never left even when the going was tough. When great people ran away, Wike stayed. He did not only stay, because he did not have anywhere to go, he contributed in building the party, in making the party stable and ensuring that the party continue as a growing concern.”
“I have been to Rivers State while I was a governor, and have also been to Rivers State while I left as a governor. This is a man that has performed extremely very well. In education, health, social interaction of people and most importantly in security. In the area of security which is our major problem in Nigeria today, Wike has stabilise the Niger Delta today, particularly his own state of Rivers.
“You can remember how Rivers was eight years ago and you see how Rivers has become one of the most visited states in Nigeria today. Companies are coming back, revenues have double, you know this is important in all the states, when you lost revenue because people are leaving. People have come back, investments have come back, development is in force.”
WIKE VOWS TO END KILLINGS IN PLATEAU, OTHER STATES IF ELECTED PRESIDENT
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential aspirant and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has vowed to end the cold-blooded massacre of citizens of Plateau and other States if elected president in 2023.
Governor Wike has also described as regrettable the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government to end the incessant wanton destruction of life and property in Plateau State.
The governor stated this on Saturday when he visited Jos, Plateau State capital as part of his ongoing consultation with PDP delegates across the country ahead of the party’s convention slated for 28/ 29 May, 2022.
He observed that the under the watch of the APC led Federal Government banditry and other horrid criminal activities have been thriving in Plateau State, which is regrettably governed by the same party.
“APC is at the Federal Government level. APC is at the Villa. The only Federal Government project in Plateau is banditry. That is the only project that can be given to Plateau people.”
Governor Wike told the delegates that if given the PDP presidential election, he will win the 2023 general election for the party and subsequently end the menace of heart wrenching violence in Plateau and other parts of the country.
“Give me the ticket, I will win the election and this thing will be a thing of the past.”
He explained that he is serious about his bid for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. According to him, if elected, he will replicate his remarkable achievements as governor of Rivers State in other parts of the country.
“What is important for me is that PDP must take over in 2023. What our party requires now is somebody who can win election for PDP . I am not running to answer the name former presidential candidate, no. That is not why I am running. I am running election because I know if you give me the ticket I will win this election for the PDP and for Nigeria.”
The Rivers State governor commended former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang and Senator Jeremiah Useni for settling their political disagreement in the interest of the party. According to him, the reconciliation of the two leaders made it possible for the party to win a House of Representatives seat in the recent bye-election in the state.
Plateau State PDP chairman, Chris Hassan, who acknowledged the role Governor Wike played to reconcile the leaders of the party in State, assured him that the state support.
“You came, you saw us in problem, you helped us in settling the issue in Plateau. And along you brought us one of the most coveted seat that has eluded us for 19 years, that house of representatives we are looking for 19 years. Your Excellency, it will interest you that the member representing the House of Representatives is from my own constituency, so you brought us good tidings.”
