Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Jim Ovia, has expressed his desire to see Mr Akinwunmi Ambode re-elected as governor of Lagos State in 2019, hinging his position on what he sees as impressive performance in the last three years.
Ovia was speaking in Lagos yesterday at the meeting of the State with corporate chieftains tagged, ‘Lagos Meets Business Forum’ following some presentations by Governor Ambode.
Ovia would be the second corporate chieftain to endorse Ambode for second term this week, following a similar position by Mr Femi Otedola, Chairman of Forte Oil Plc. In his remarks at the event which attracted leading private sector operators in Lagos, Ovia specifically cited improved security situation in Lagos as well as other services to the business community as the reasons for his endorsement. In addition, he stated that the Board of Zenith Bank would be increasing the bank’s contributions to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund by about 150 percent. Earlier Ambode had taken time to explain why Lagos would need more tax revenue arguing that the level of services requiring government’s investments has far outwayed current revenues both internally generated and statutory allocations from the federation account. Ambode was speaking at the backdrop of huge criticisms trailing the recent hike in property tax in the state, just as several comments during the question and answer segment of the meeting touched on tax burden in Lagos State.
