A group, AMBSAM Memorial Foundation on Thursday said it would establish a life jacket manufacturing plant in honour of five persons who died in a boat mishap which occurred on March 28, 2015 in Epe area of Lagos State.
The victims had met their tragic death while on an assignment to monitor the 2015 Presidential and National Assembly election exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Foundation, which was named after the victims, also said as part of its long term project, it would establish a memorial park with a state-of-the-art swimming pool which would be accessible to members of the community whereby they can learn how to swim.
Coordinator of the Foundation, Otunba Tunji Abass, who stated this while addressing a press briefing held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre on the activities lined up for the formal launch of the Foundation on March 28, 2016, said the planned manufacturing plant, when operational, will produce only quality and efficient life jackets.
He said the Foundation will also distribute about 100 life jackets free to residents during the formal launch which will be held at the VIP Chalet in Epe, adding that the Foundation embark on aggressive and massive mobilization of waterways users and operators on international best practices and safety tips.
Abass added that the Foundation would also partner with elected representatives on enactment of a legislation that would position the waterways practice to present dynamics and promote enforcement through the introduction of stiffer penalties for operators.
He said the basic objectives of the Foundation included immortalising the victims of the said boat mishap and catering for the up-keeps of their immediate dependants, as well as to create a scholarship scheme to take care of educational needs of the dependants of the deceased and other indigent students in the entire Epe division.
He further said the Foundation would also be a platform to provide succor to the less privileged in the Epe division and beyond who might have suffered a similar fate.
Besides, Abass lauded the support which the Foundation had received so far from eminent Nigerians including Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
He said: “I want to specifically thank Governor Ambode for his support. AMBSAM would not have been in existence without his initial support because when we approached him and said this was what we planned to do, he said go ahead, you have my support.
“One other thing about his style of governance is that he is a Governor that truly cares about the underprivileged; he is a Governor that truly has a compassionate understanding of the sufferings of the underprivileged; he is a Governor that truly wants to serve to make an impact in the lives of those who do not have a voice in our society and so I’m not really surprised that he has given us the go ahead to form the Foundation.
“The Governor needs our support; he needs our prayers. I consider him to be a silent revolutionary. He is changing the face of Lagos State and he is doing it silently without any propaganda,” Abass said.
The AMBSAM Foundation was established in memory of late Adewale Olakunle, Mogaji Gbolahan, Bello Muiz, Salau Tunde, Agoro Shamuseen and Mogaji Wale.