The Lagos State Government has launched a free public Wi-Fi project at parks and gardens in Lagos in partnership with MainOne. The initiative which was kick-started at the popular Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa, Ikeja, is part of activities organized by the State Government to commemorate the 50th year anniversary of the creation of the State.

Speaking during the occasion, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi highlighted the importance of internet access as an enabler in modern society and the efforts of the administration in providing free public Wi-Fi to make the state work for all and sundry.

“Parks and Gardens are established to provide conducive environment for recreation and relaxation activities. As you relax and enjoy the recreational facilities in these parks, we are making it possible for you to access your mail, browse and search the internet on your tablets, smart phones and laptops via a reliable free public Wi-Fi”, Ambode said, adding that the number of gardens and parks in the state has increased with the opening of the Badagry Recreation Park, recently.

A statement endorsed by the Chief Public Affairs Officer, Ministry of Science and Technology, Bolarinwa Yusuf, explained that the governor urged the people of the state to make judicious use of the newly launched portal known as “Citizens Gate”, a platform designed by the government to bridge the communication gap between the citizens and the government.

In her comments, MainOne’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Funke Opeke, represented by the Sales Manager, Public Sector, Funmike Olayera, lauded Lagos State’s commitment to evolving into a Smart City and stressed that ICT must remain at the center of the transformation of Lagos State.

According to her, ICT would improve quality of life for indigenes with access to public and educational institutions, transportation systems, hospitals, and other community services across the State.

Ms. Opeke said the roll out of free public Wi-Fi in Lagos was made possible because of the investment the company has made in fiber-optic infrastructure in Lagos State and expressed the company’s commitment to continued investment in Lagos State and Nigeria.