The Nation Newspaper

Category: Grassroots

  • Apapa celebrates International Girls’ Child Day

    Apapa celebrates International Girls’ Child Day

    The Chairman of Apapa Local Government, Idowu Senbanjo, has celebrated International Girls Child’s day with pupils in the council.

    The celebration was themed: Elevating Girl Voices for Sustainable Development.

    According to her, ‘the girl child’s day is aimed at elevating girl voices for sustainability development, to encourage a girl child to stand for herself and not be silenced where she is to defend herself’.

    The council boss advised all girls to be hygienic always and not be embarrassed to see a doctor if the need arises.

    She added that every girl-child is an ambassador and urged them to go out there and talk about the knowledge gained to others.

    She advised them to enjoy their youth but not get into trouble.

    Supervisor for Women Affairs And Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Adesola Adesanya-Atiroko, in her opening speech, said that this year’s celebration is to empower a girl-child to thrive through entrepreneurship, innovation and to improve their overall health.

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    According to her, menstrual health is a critical issue that hinders girls’ progress.

    She added that the lack of access to sanitary pads and hygienic facilities may lead to use of unhygienic materials. Hence, the Launching of Sanitary Pads Initiative.

     Go Girl Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chidinma Ekume in her lecture about Menstruation & Hygiene implored all girls to be selfish with their bodies and ensure they change pads at least six times a day during menstruation.

    Ekume educated girls on hormonal issues, ovulation and menstrual cycles and urged them to abstain from sex and respect their bodies.

    The Head of Administration, Apapa Local Government, Oluwatoyin Adebanji, implored all students present to take good care of themselves and not derail from their vision.

  • GAC hails Amuwo-Odofin council chief

    GAC hails Amuwo-Odofin council chief

    Leader of the representative of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tunde Balogun has commended the Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Valentine Buraimoh, for his “outstanding performance”.

    Balogun made this commendation during a working visit to the local government with his team. 

    He praised Buraimoh’s leadership and urged all stakeholders to cooperate with him to bring democracy dividends to the people.

    The team also assessed the council chairman’s infrastructural projects and expressed their confidence in him. The CDC/CDAs across the local government also met with the delegates and assured them of their continued support for the government’s initiatives. In the same vein, two members of the GAC in Lagos, Alhaji Akanni Seriki Bamu, the Apase of Epe land, and former Lagos State Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji have hailed the Chairman of Epe local government, Surah Animashaun for her “developmental projects embarked upon in the council”.

    Ikuforiji said, “going forward therefore, if we want to continue to enjoy this kind of life changing intervention in multiple folds in Epe Local Government, we should know what to do, let us support her emergency for second term in office.” Other stakeholders which include the traditional rulers, religious leaders, market women, students and political leaders, youth leaders, youth council, Olorituns, Baales, youths, men and women leaders, policemen, solidiers, local vigilantes, Igbo, Hausa communities and non-indigenes were thumbed up for the Chairperson in making the council proud among the committee of councils in Lagos.

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    Also, the artisans, market men and women, the Leagues of Imams and Alfas, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), ward Chairmen and excos, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in council area have mobilised support for the electoral victories for the Chairperson, Ms. Animashaun, in the 2025 local government election in the state.

    The stakeholders said victories of Mrs. Animashaun in next year’s local government elections would guarantee the sustenance of life-changing interventions in education, health, roads rehabilitation, security of lives and property, commerce and socio-economic developments of the area.

    They spoke separately at Epe, during the Local Government Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum for the Year 2025 Budget, held at Local Government Secretariat, Ita-Marun, Epe, Lagos State. One of the state party executive members, Kehinde Adeniyi and other stakeholders, expressed optimism that what they saw showed that Animashaun would do more for the council, if she is re-nominated for the second term in office. In his address, the Commissioner, LG Commission, Ahmed Seriki, noted that the Chairperson has performed excellently.

    According to him, the council boss has empowered youths in many areas, like bursary awards, provision of education materials for pupils in public schools and empowerment of police and local vigilantes to eradicate crimes among the youths and incessant killing of rival cultists.

  • WAPA empowers 100 vulnerable women in Eti-Osa

    WAPA empowers 100 vulnerable women in Eti-Osa

    The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has empowered 100 women in the Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area.

    The essential skills and business equipment programmes was aimed at enhancing the beneficiaries’ financial independence and self-reliance.

    The participants were trained in a variety of vocational skills, including makeup application, headgear tying, catering, throw pillow creation, fabric stoning, embellishment and soap-making.

    Each beneficiary also received a comprehensive start-up pack containing the necessary tools to immediately launch their businesses from home.

    Commissioner for WAPA, Mrs Bolaji Dada said the initiative was to foster entrepreneurship among women, providing them not only with skills but also with the equipment needed to thrive economically.

    Represented by the Director of the Women’s Department, Mrs. Olufunke Shyllon, the Commissioner added that the training marks the beginning of new opportunities and pathways toward a brighter future for the beneficiaries.”

    She acknowledged the myriad of challenges women face in the economic landscape, including limited access to resources, societal norms, and opportunities that may hinder their progress.

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    “The skills and knowledge you have acquired are invaluable assets that can transform your economic circumstances. Remember, it is not merely about learning; it’s about applying what you’ve learned in practical ways that can lead to sustainable income generation and growth. You are pioneers, breaking the chains of poverty and laying the groundwork for future generations of women to thrive,” he said.

    Mrs Dada expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his unwavering commitment to poverty eradication and empowering women throughout the state. Chairman of Eti-Osa East LCDA, John Campos, highlighted the significance of the empowerment initiative as a vital step in the urbanisation process of the community. He urged beneficiaries to make effective use of both the skills and equipment they received, emphasising the importance of financial independence.

    “To ensure the economic growth of our community, I pledge to organise empowerment programmes every quarter. When an individual in the community is happy, the community will experience peace,” he said.

    Among the beneficiaries, 19-year-old Aisha Olayiwola expressed her excitement about the opportunity to learn valuable skills for making a living.

    She said the training has equipped her with the knowledge to create creams, lotions, and soaps, which will financially support her when she returns to school.

  • Council seeks more roles for monarchs

    Council seeks more roles for monarchs

    The Chairman of Ojo Local Government, Rasulu Idowu, has called on all traditional rulers and community leaders to imbibe the tradition of engaging and mediating between the people by enhancing national identity and providing an institutional safety-valve for community development.

    He mentioned this during the opening of a Three-Day Retreat organised for traditional rulers on their roles in community and national development at Crown City Resort in Ogun State recently.

    According to him, the value placed on traditional custodians, most especially at the Local Government levels, cannot be overemphasised,adding that in any circumstances and human endeavour, they play key roles in identifying a problem, thereby offering solutions where necessary.

    “Traditional rulers have always been more than just symbols of authority. They are the custodians of our cultural heritage, the arbiters of our customs and pillars of our social fabric,” he said.

    According to him, their wisdom, experience and deep-rooted connection to the people at the grassroots make them invaluable assets in fostering community development.

    However, he emphasised that there are key areas where they can play more significant roles in ensuring a saner society aside from what government is doing. These, he said, include regular community engagements and mobilisation, conflict resolution, environmental stewardship, economic development, education and youths’ development.

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    “It is imperative to note that our traditional rulers are indispensable partners in community development; their wisdom, authority and influence can make significant difference in the lives of the people by working together with government at all levels, security agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as other stakeholders to build stronger, more resilient and prosperous communities,” he stated.

    While setting the tone for the role of traditional rulers in bringing about meaningful development, Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bolaji Robert, said traditional rulers’ roles go beyond ceremonial duties.

    “They are the bridge between tradition and modernity; in ensuring our cultural values align with contemporary needs. They must consistently demonstrate their capacity to promote community development, resolve conflicts and bring about social cohesion.

    “I must say without iota of doubt that traditional rulers face challenges like limited resources, insufficient funding which hinders their ability to implement community projects and the urge to balance their cultural heritage with modernisation which requires careful navigation,” he said.

  • Ikorodu West holds Stakeholders’ forum on budget

    Ikorodu West holds Stakeholders’ forum on budget

    Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area has held Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum ahead of next year’s budget preparation.

    The event took place at Isawo townhall, Igbo-olomu, Ikorodu.

    The Council Chairman, Kazeem Sulaimon, lauded the participants for their constant support towards the upliftment of the local government.

    He said their support aided the success achieved so far.

    “I am happy to announce without any fear or equivocation that given the modest allocation and funds available to us, we have done our best possible to move Ikorodu West LCDA forward. Our LCDA is wearing a new look with the new administrative building being built, interlocking of the entire compound and general facelift of our environment to reflect a serious-minded work environment. All our streaks of achievements, reflect our commitment to the development of our LCDA which we would not have done alone except with your support,” he said.

    The council boss described his administration as a listening government; saying most of the achievements in the outgoing year are projects that were nominated by the people through the previous gatherings.

    He urged the residents to continue to support governments at various levels.

    He said: “Let me make it clear that our country, Nigeria, is in safe hands. It is currently undergoing necessary reforms that would guarantee a more robust economy which only a courageous leader like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu can do. He understands the issues and he is taking necessary steps to make life more meaningful and better for every Nigerian. As we all know, it takes pain for a mother to get the baby out of her stomach after nine months but after giving birth, she would be congratulated and she would rejoice. I am hopeful and optimistic that in no distant time, Nigeria and Nigerians would rejoice. Let us keep the hope alive. Tomorrow would be better for us all.”

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    One of the stakeholders, Jimoh Kayode, praised the council boss for relating with the community.

    He said: “We have proposed two of our needs to him out of our numerous challenges. We need a bigger structure to accommodate more pupils in our school and also our health centre needed to be expanded so that it can benefit more people.”

    Representative of Okeoko Community and a member of National Youth Council of Nigeria in Ikorodu, Ojo Oyewole, explained that the council has been doing a lot for the community but more needs to be done.

    Oyewole called for the building of recreation, sports and vocational centres as well as empowerment programmes for youths.

  • Tech firm trains youths on digital skills

    Tech firm trains youths on digital skills

    • By Rofiat Aderounmu

    Access Corporation and NerdzFactory Foundation has concluded the fifth edition of the DigiGap 5.0 Programme to bridge Nigeria’s digital skills gap.

    Director of NerdzFactory Foundation, Ade Olowojoba, described the DigiGap Programme as a “catalyst for transformation,” highlighting its role in shaping participants’ futures while contributing to Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem.

    Olowojoba said: “As the country continues to assert itself as a player in the global tech industry, initiatives like DigiGap are key to building a competitive workforce. This initiative, aimed at empowering young Nigerians with essential technology skills, provided training for 500 youths in Lagos over a four-week period.” According to him, participants were immersed in intensive courses on Product Design and Digital Marketing through a hybrid learning model that combined online and in-person sessions.

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    This approach, he said, allowed participants to gain not only technical knowledge but also practical experience, preparing them for the challenges of the digital economy.

    He added that the program also emphasized soft skills, including communication, teamwork, and problem-solving—critical abilities for navigating the modern workplace.

    Participants expressed that the program boosted their confidence and improved their career prospects, further validating its impact.

    Access Corporation and NerdzFactory pledged to continue expanding the program in future editions, with the goal of driving social innovation and fostering human capital development in Nigeria’s burgeoning tech sector.

  • Carloha showcases Arrizo 5 CNG conversion to auto technicians

    Carloha showcases Arrizo 5 CNG conversion to auto technicians

    Carloha, the franchise holder and assembler of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, has displayed Chery Arrizo 5’s CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).

    This, the firm said, was a significant step towards more eco-friendly transportation solutions in Nigeria.

    The display captivated the attention of automobile technicians and artisans during the Nigerian Artisans and Technicians Conference (NATCO) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, at the Old NITEL Compound, Lagos.

    The Arrizo 5 CNG technology, combines Chery’s modern design aesthetics with state-of-the-art technology, making it a standout option for eco-conscious consumers. It offers impressive fuel efficiency that translates to lower running costs for everyday drivers, with lower carbon emissions, contributing to a cleaner, greener future for Nigeria’s roads.

    Carloha’s technical team explained how the system allows drivers to switch between CNG and petrol, giving them flexibility, cost savings, and a lower environmental footprint. Technicians were impressed with the vehicle’s adaptability and ease of use, receiving practical insights into the CNG system, maintenance tips, and the long-term benefits for Nigerian drivers and mechanics alike.

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    The Aftersales Manager of Carloha Nigeria, Samson Akinbowale said: “This demonstration at NATCO is part of Carloha’s commitment to introducing cutting-edge technology and more sustainable energy options to the Nigerian automobile sector. We recognize the vital role technicians and artisans play in vehicle maintenance and are committed to empowering them with the knowledge and tools to adapt to this new wave of automotive innovation.”

    The Conference convener, Mr. Dayo Bello, said: “We are very grateful to all our supporters, especially Carloha, for the Chery display and CNG demonstration. We are equally glad to see that great things are beginning to happen in the Automotive sectors, especially the assembling of new vehicles and the conversion of CNG interface with petrol engines that will help to save the cost of transportation in Nigeria.”

  • Serial award-winning TGPS gets Governor’s Commendation Award

    Serial award-winning TGPS gets Governor’s Commendation Award

    • By Halimah Balogun

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has recognized the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary of Education District II, Maryland, Mrs Anike Adekanye, with the Governor’s Commendation for Institutional Excellence.

    The award acknowledged Adekanye’s tireless efforts in promoting children’s development and implementing Gender-Based Violence awareness programmes in Education District 2.

    The award was presented to her by the governor’s wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.

    While receiving the award during the Governor’s Commendation & Awards Night held at Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Mrs Adekanye expressed gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu, his wife Dr. Ibijoke, and Deputy Governor Kadri Hamzat.

    Adekanye also lauded the Head of Service, Shuaheeb Agoro, and the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, for their support.

    She noted that under her leadership, Education District 2 has achieved remarkable milestones, including producing multiple One-Day Governors and Deputy Governors, National/State Teachers’ and Administrators’ Award winners, and integrating technology into learning.

    She emphasized how serving under the Governor Sanwo-Olu’s vision-driven administration is both a privilege and an inspiration that propel her passion to elevate the standards of education in Education District 2 and contribute to the holistic growth of students across Lagos.

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    According to her, the supports received from the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, have been crucial to the various achievements of Education District 2.

    “His consistent backing has made the district a key player in driving educational innovation and safeguarding students from societal challenges like domestic and sexual violence,” she said.

    Mrs Adekanye appreciated development partners and education stakeholders for their support.

  • Lagos urges councils to submit names for military enlistment

    Lagos urges councils to submit names for military enlistment

    The Lagos State Government has called on leadership of the 57 local councils to submit 500 applicants from each area for recruitment into the military.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG) ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin told Secretaries to the Local Governments (SLGs) during the Quarterly Meeting between the SSG and council scribes in Alausa, Ikeja.

    Salu-Hundeyin, who gave the secretaries two weeks ultimatum to submit the lists of the applicants, said that there was the need for indigenous Lagos youths to enlist in the military.

    According to her, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is interested in ensuring that indigenous youths from the state do not miss the slot.

    This, she said, was in line with the Federal Government’s policy of equal representation of all states into the military.

    The SSG told reporters that the secretaries have been educated on the requirements for the recruitment.

    She said: “This is a particular programme that Mr Governor is very, very concerned about, and he has said that we must go to all the nooks and crannies of the state, to ensure that we get the indigenes to be recruited, we have always been short-changed. Our indigenes have not been showing interest, a lot of people feel that when you join the military, the next thing is you are going to the war front, and you get killed.

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    “Today, we were able to explain and share knowledge with our secretaries, who are the grassroots, and they are going back to tell them that it is not so.

    “When you are in the military, you could still become a lawyer, a doctor, any professional. We are talking about securing your country, it is the noblest job anybody can do and worthy service in the world.

    “A country that is not secured is not a country, an unsecured state is not a state. So we are encouraging them, and who are the best people to secure? You can only secure what you are passionate about, what you believe is yours.”

    She said that the purpose of the periodic meeting with the secretaries to the various local governments was to ensure that governance got to the grassroots.

    According to her, for governance to be effective, it must get to the grassroots, and the secretaries are the people that deal with the grassroots, the people on the streets and everywhere in the state.

    “So, whatever policies that we have arrived at, at the state level, we want to be sure that it is actually cascading to the grassroots and that people understand and it is having positive impact on them,” she said.

  • NYCN urges local entrepreneurs to network meaningfully

    NYCN urges local entrepreneurs to network meaningfully

    By Naimat Dauda

    The Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Itire Ikate Branch, John Ayodele Oshodi, has urged local entrepreneurs to engage actively and network meaningfully so as to unlock their business potential.

    Oshodi gave this advice at a programme organised by the group in commemoration of International Youth Day.

    The event tagged: Elevate your business through digitalisation, turning clocks into growth featured design thinking, design marketing and networking.

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    Oshodi emphasised the importance of seising opportunities for personal and business growth.

    He said: “We stand on the cusp of unlocking the full potential of our business and future. I encourage each one of you to actively engage and elevate not just your ventures, but your vision.”

    The Director of Africa Bridge Initiative (ABI), a non-governmental organisation, Opelowa Taiwo, noted the significance of conversion rate optimisation in modern business.

    He explained that this practice increases the percentage of users who perform desired actions on websites.

    He added that the ultimate goal of business in the 21st century is not just profit-making but the consistent building of relationships and trust with customers.