Members of the association from different parts of the country gathered at the Goodluck/Sambo re-election office located in G.R.A on Monday to declare their support for President Jonathan.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Hassan, National President, NACTOMORAS informed that Mr. President can count on the votes of its members across the nation.
"It is important to mention that we have about 9million members across the country of which 40 per cent are university graduates and other unemployed school leavers. These riders have three or four members who are dependent on them. This association is the highest employer of Labour in the country and we stand here to be challenged in that regard.
"We have the blessing of the Board of Trustees, National Executive Council, State Executives and members of our association in 36 states of the federation including the FCT to support Jonathan's re-election.
"We have mobilised and mandated all our members to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and urged them to come out en masse to vote accordingly. We have also directed all our members to be peaceful and law abiding during and after the elections and not engage in any act that may result to violence." He added.
Commending the association, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro who was also present at the event said it is a welcome development that the association is identifying with President Jonathan.
"It commendable to note that genuine people who fend so hard for themselves and their family have come to gather to identify with a man of humble background and a unifier per excellence.
"Buhari belongs to our past and that is where he should remain. He does not deserve to rule this country again because he is a dictator. He has nothing to offer this great country of ours.
"We are all aware of the efforts and transformation of President Jonathan in the area of education; he has built more than 138 Almanjeri schools in the north and if Buhari had done even half of what Jonathan has done for the north we would most probably not have the menace of Boko Haram.
"In four years, President Jonathan has built 12 universities, for the first time, Nigeria now exports cement, polio has been eradicated in Nigeria among many other transformational initiatives. Whatever we have, we must commit to ensure that President Jonathan returns to office." Koro added.
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The APC gubernatorial candidate spoke confidently about his plans for Lagos at an exclusive dinner with Corporate Lagos staged at the Oriental Hotels. The gathering had in attendance captains of industry and other well meaning Lagosians who trooped out to listen to Ambode's plan for Lagos State.
Ambode, a former Accountant General of Lagos State who seems not to feel the burden of history revealed his plans at the occasion as he seeks to lead Lagos State to the next level.
"If elected into power, my administration will build upon the excellent foundation and actualisation of the 'Lagos of our Dreams' for all as done by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.
"In the area of security, we will boost the State Security Fund to scale-up the successes recorded thus far. We will continue with the city lighting project by expanding the Independent Power Project (IPP) to enhance the security of lives and property across the State. In addition, our government will embark on the acquisition of the latest advanced security communications technology that will track and monitor daily activities in the State.
The seasoned administrator who was born in Epe, Lagos State 51 years ago also informed that his government will boost internally generated revenue by improving collection mechanism through e-governance.
"We will introduce a 24/7 that typical of a city state like Lagos. We will set up a Lagos Employment Trust Fund (LETF) with 25 billion over four years, through an access to finance of a minimum of 1 billion naira annually across the five divisions in the state, that will allow our youths and unemployed people have access to adequate finance for entrepreneurial ventures".
Ambode who says that he has always been ready for challenges and leadership positions also extensively about plans for education, housing, medical care, agriculture, tourism, entertainment & and arts, rule of law, infrastructure and transportation as he seeks to enhance the citizen's standard and quality of living in Lagos State.
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To this end, Senator Princess Ita Giwa, under the aegis of Women in Action convened a Town Hall Meeting Friday for women in a bid to sensitize greater participation in politics.
Speaking at the occasion which was chaired by Senator Kofoworola-Bucknor, Ita Giwa called for more involvement of women in politics while also rueing the factors limiting
Nigerian women from active participation in politics.
"We have had such gathering of women in politics sometime in 2011 but it was a smaller one. I am a politician to the core and the only thing that keeps me busy aside politics is my charity work which focuses on children and the people of my constituency, Bakasi. The PDP has given me the platform to express myself and in this present dispensation there are a lot of women who hold key political appointments today.
"But I worry for the future of women who aspire to be politicians like me because of the many factors limiting their ambitions. I desire more women who have interest in politics to be free to aspire to become politicians. But today, more men are leaving their business to join politics. They use money saved to get party tickets while the women who do not have money are left to rue in their ambition.
"We need more women participation in politics because we need women to protect the interest of women in the political hierarchy of government. We want women who will win their mandate on merit. Without democracy, Nigerian women in politics wouldn't have come this far. Let us support democracy, continuity and our great president who has empowers the aspirations of the Nigerian woman," Ita Giwa added.
In her remarks, Chairperson of the event, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele pointed out the role of the Nigerian woman in the enshrinement of present day Nigerian democracy while also calling for a greater participation of women in politics.
"If not for the stand of certain women on the mandate of June 12; we will not be enjoying the benefits of democracy today. We are here today to celebrate ourselves. Today, 25 per cent of women man key political offices in the present dispensation. What we have is not enough, we are aiming for the 50 per cent because we make up 50 per cent of the population. We must be cautious as to who we vote in because we do not want to go backwards."
Delivering the key note address, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who stood in for the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, said the elevation, empowerment and emancipation of the Nigerian woman is important.
"This welcome transformation for Nigerian women can only take place in an atmosphere of peace. However, this can only be sustained if we make deliberate efforts to maintain or position as advocates of peace in Nigeria. It is no longer news that for the first time in Nigeria, more women have been appointed to head key government ministries in the Federal Executive Council.
"Under President Goodluck Jonathan, we have an administration that has not only shown confidence in the women of our country, but has gone ahead to make room for them to play an active role in nation building."
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