The Nation Newspaper

Category: Grassroots

  • Kosofe chair presents scorecard

    Kosofe chair presents scorecard

    The Executive Chairman, Kosofe Local Government Area, Moyosore Adedoyin Ogunlewe, has given an account of his three years in office.

    At a media parley at the council secretariat with the Vice Chairman, Oluwole Sosanya, Leader of Kosofe Legislative Arm Oluloro Idowu, and other members of his excos, Ogunlewe, who listed what he described as his modest achievements, expressed optimism that every resident regardless of social strata and political affiliations would continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy in fulfillment of his electoral promises to the people.

    “Three years ago, you entrusted me with the leadership of this great local government. You placed your hope, dreams, and aspirations in our hands, believing in our vision for a better Kosofe. Today, I am both humbled and proud to present to you our scorecard – a testament to our collective efforts and achievements over the past three years,” he began.

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    Pressed further, he said: “When we assumed office in July 2021, we made a solemn promise to work tirelessly for the development and prosperity of Kosofe. We pledged to focus on key areas that would significantly improve the lives of our people – infrastructure, health, education, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment. Today, I am pleased to report that we have made substantial progress in each of these areas.

    “Let me start with our infrastructure development initiatives, which we aptly named ‘Kosofe Works’. Infrastructure is the backbone of any thriving community, and we recognised its critical importance from day one. I am proud to announce that over the past three years, we have constructed a total of 30 roads across all seven wards of our local government.”

    The lawyer said many road network projects “dot the Kosofe landscape all across Mende, Anthony, Ogudu, Ifako/Gbagada, Oworo I and II, Ojota axis and environs, with additional 11 in the works, including drainages, construction of blocks of classrooms, boreholes, primary healthcare centres,” just as he has made interventions in the primary and post-primary levels of education in the council.

    Under his administration, the Kosofe Food Bank, an initiative to help cushion the effect of the spiraling food inflation especially for the vulnerable and less privileged members of the council as palliatives.

    Ogunlewe, who boasted that the council relied totally on the internally generated revenue and its monthly allocations from the Federal Government without recourse to any external loans, assured that his administration will continue to work towards uplifting the people and the council in general, even as he expressed his token of appreciation to the leaders of thoughts in the community include the Governors’ Advisory Council, traditional rulers, market women, transport unions, community development associations amongst other stakeholders for their support and encouragement thus far.

  • Daini sensitises residents on Cholera outbreak

    Daini sensitises residents on Cholera outbreak

    • By Sherifdeen Amusa

    Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has been sensitizing residents on cholera outbreak.

    The campaign which features health experts and officials educating residents on the causes, symptoms and preventive measures of Cholera, was led by the Chairman of the council, Olusesan Daini.

    The campaign also focused on promoting good hygiene practices, hand washing, sanitation, and clean water usage.

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    The council boss said the campaign was premised on the prevention of cholera in the community, urging adherence to the safety regulations.

    “We are committed to ensuring the health and well-being of our residents, and this campaign is a crucial step in preventing the spread of cholera in our community. We urge everyone to join us in this effort and take the necessary precautions to stay safe,” he said.

    Daini added that the advocacy programme would be taken to all wards, schools, and markets in the council.

  • Agbado Oke-Odo assures on road project 

    Agbado Oke-Odo assures on road project 

    Chairman of Agbado Oke Odo LCDA David Famuyiwa has reassured residents that ongoing projects will not be abandoned.

    He gave this assurance during the kick-off of the reconstruction of Olawale-Cole Street in Abule Egba.

    He appealed to residents to be patient and support the contactor for a timely completion of the project.

    The council boss said the jinx of the road project had been broken.

    He said the road would have street lighting and proper drainage channels, appealing to residents to pay their taxes for more developmental projects in the area.

    According to him, the legislative arm of the council contributed immensely in ensuring people-oriented projects for the area.

    He also thanked the management team for their support.

    Read Also: No need for protest because I’ve heard your call – Tinubu tells Nigerians

    Supervisor for Works Akinola Olalekan expressed the hope that the construction would be completed in due course.

    On behalf of the contractor, Skiddo Construction & Engineering Limited, Oluwaseun Emmanuel, who is the project manager, said the 400-metre road was part of the redevelopment of the area.

    He promised to work according to the job specification and solicited the support of all to complete the project in 10 months.

    The Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Mr. Ernest Kasumu, assured the construction company of support of residents.

    Kasumu drew the attention of  the council boss to the need to complete the road at Omi Ata Bus-stop.

  • How to access retirement benefits without delay, by commission

    How to access retirement benefits without delay, by commission

    By Muinat Ajibade

    The Chairman of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), Kamal Bayewu, has informed council workers to submit their retirement letters six months before the due date.

    This, he said, would make the commission meet up with their clearance.

    Bayewu stated this during the commission’s visit to Apapa Local Government Area.

    “When we are retiring from service statutorily, it behoves on us that we should put in our retirement letter on time, so that we can access our money and benefit on time. If you waste time, that means you will be delaying the time you will get your money,” he stated.

    He advised that the retirees should include working phone numbers in the forms filled.

    He also enjoined workers to update their next-of-kin.

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    He said: “If you are called three times and you weren’t reached, your files would be sent back, that means you will start all over again. I have been asked to tell you that there’s need to update our next-of-kin in our records of service. Some of us weren’t married when we joined the service, but now we are and we have children. You have forgotten that it’s the name of your sister or brother that you used as next-of-kin, nobody prays that the unexpected happens and if it happens that means you have lost the right of your children to your siblings. So go back to your record of service, meet your Human Resources and ensure that you update your records of service.”

    Apapa Local Government Council Manager, Mrs Mosunmola Otaiku-Okoka, told the commission that the Council Chairman, Idowu Senbanjo, has been cognisant of the staff welfare, noting that she is a kind and  generous woman that believes in doing things right.

    “In our local government, you can’t talk or dress anyhow, you must conform with the standard. We are a corporate local government because our council is situated in a corporate community”, she stated.

    She thanked the Commission Chairman for performing a wonderful job since his assumption of office.

    “He has been doing wonderfully well in terms of posting and promotion.Promotion letters unlike before doesn’t come out early but now it does – within a month or two after your examinations, you get your letter,” she said.

  • Ajeromi-Ifelodun empowers women with N200m

    Ajeromi-Ifelodun empowers women with N200m

    By Sherifdeen Amusa

    Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Fatai Ayoola has empowered women with items worth N200 million at the Maiden Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Governments Women Summit/Mega Empowerment Programme

    The empowerment, a public-private driven, was facilitated by Wema Bank, Dangote Group, Smart Gas, Ajinomoto Foods, Global Medus Resources, and Venus Processing & Package.

    The empowerment sees women going home with cash between N50,000 and N500,000; 100 deep freezers;1000 units of 3kg gas cylinders; 50 pieces of 2.9kva generating set; 50 pieces of hairdryers; 50 pieces of sewing machines and 5,000 bags of 10kg rice.

    While appreciating the corporate entities who supported the initiative, the council boss beckoned on other corporate bodies to emulate them for the betterment of the society.

    “The Local Government is well appreciative of Wema Bank, Dangote Group, Smart Gas, Ajinomoto Foods, Global Medus Resources, and Venus Processing & Package that have assisted us with their products for onward distribution to the deserving beneficiaries.

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    “We also call on other corporate entities to take this initiative and collaborate with us going forward for the betterment of our people”, he said.

    Ayoola appealed to the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grants and items.

    “I am appealing to the beneficiaries to combine the lesson notes of yesterday’s seminars/workshops and make the best use of these grants and items in ways that would contribute to the economic development of our council,” he said.

  • Lagos NYCN trains youths on skill acquisition

    Lagos NYCN trains youths on skill acquisition

    In commemorating this year’s World Youth Skills (WYS) day, the Lagos State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has trained about a thousand youths across the state on different skills.

    The World Youths Skills Day is celebrated every July 15.

    The chairman of the state chapter,  Ibrahim Adigun, an Engineer who toured the various councils across the  state, expressed joy over the initiative which affords the council the opportunity to train the youths.

    Adigun promised the trainees a continued exercise. He assured them that his administration will focus on professionalism, productivity and publicity.

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    He said his administration mantra is to ensure self-sufficient for the youth through trainings and entrepreneurship opportunities.

    The youth body helmsman said he will work with all stakeholders including council chairmen to ensure youths are gainfully engaged for self-development and economic sustainability.

    The youths, who were trained on various skills such as tye and dye, catering, shoe making, soap making and coding among others, expressed appreciation to Adigun for organising the training programme.

  • ‘Tree planting ‘ll prevent erosion’

    ‘Tree planting ‘ll prevent erosion’

    The Chairman of Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Jubril Yisa, has urged residents to plant trees.

    Yisa, represented by the Vice Chairman, Samuel Ayodele, said planting trees would “protect and preserve the environment for future generations.“

    He said: “Trees are vital component of our environment and play a crucial role in regulating the climate, preventing soil erosion, protecting bio-diversity and enhancing resilience to climate impacts.“

    Head of Environmental Department, Mrs Adeoye Mopelola, said planting of trees “is to safe our future as we are already experiencing Climate Change.”

    The HOD said tree planting elongates life and promote good health.

    Read Also: Why Nigerians should be patient with Tinubu’s administration, by Oba of Lagos

    She further made reference to a particular wind that blew at a time and collapsed a lot of building but that buildings that had trees planted around them were saved.

    Mr Olaoye Adeniyi from Lagos State parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) mentioned that it is an offence to cut down trees in Lagos State and an offender will plant five trees if caught.

    “Trees absorb all the fumes, erosion and other things that are not healthy to human body,” he said.

  • Somolu encourages tree planting

    Somolu encourages tree planting

    Somolu Local Government Chairman, Abdul Hamed Salawu (Dullar), has encouraged residents to continue to plant trees in order to mitigate the effects of climate change, flooding and other environmental hazards.

    Dullar was represented by his wife, Mrs. Florence Salawu, during the Tree Planting exercise at Bashua Military Primary School, Somolu.

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    He advised that residents should remain resilient and continue to nurture trees planted.

    Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, represented by Gbolahan Ogunfowote of Lagos State Parks and Gardens, said planting trees would are regulate the climate and prevents soil erosion.

  • Trees are catalyst for well-being, says Sulaimon

    Trees are catalyst for well-being, says Sulaimon

    The Chairman of Ikorodu West Local Development Area, Otunba Kazeem Sulaimon, has said that trees are catalyst for human’s well-being.

    Sulaimon stated this during annual Tree Planting Exercise held at Togedejoye Primary School, Ojokoro, Ikorodu, with the theme “Nurture Our Future.”

    He urged residents to plant trees and protect the planted ones. He called for all to plant at least a tree in a life time, nurture it and watch it grow.

    Read Also: Minister tasks PTDF to complete 24 college contacts

    He said tree planting enhances mental health, wellness of the children and general wellbeing of the society.

    “It is a proactive step to nurture our future by creating sustainable green spaces in our community,” he said.

    Baale of Ajaguro, Chief Orepitan Sikiru Iwofun, lauded the council for embarking on tree planting.

  • NAF promotes four senior officers to retirement

    NAF promotes four senior officers to retirement

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has promoted fourGroup Captains to the rank of Air Commodores for exhibiting dedication and loyalty to the service.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, said the officers, who would also begin their retirement, were decorated with their new ranks by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, before family, friends and colleagues.

    He said the promotion, conducted outside the typical promotion timeline, showcases the profound contributions they had made to both the NAF and the nation.

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    Gabkwet said: “Among the officers promoted is Air Commodore John Opara, honoured for his outstanding performance as an astute administrative officer. The ceremony also highlighted the careers of two NAF Chaplains and Imam, Air Commodores Okechukwu Godson Okoye, David Ajar Ahmadu, and Tahir Bin-Isah.”

    Air Marshal Abubakar commended the officers for their extraordinary dedication and significant impact on the NAF.

    According to him, Opara’s unwavering dedication and significant contributions were recognised, affirming the belief that ‘delay is not denial’.

    He described the officer as one of the few highly experienced, dynamic and versatile administrative officers who made significant and remarkable contributions to the attainment of NAF’s operational objectives.

    The CAS also said two chaplains and the Iman were responsible for fostering unity and mutual respect across different faiths within and outside the service. He said their commitments to the emotional and spiritual well-being of NAF’s personnel, were acknowledged as a cornerstone of NAF’s moral strength.

    “As you embark on this new chapter of your lives, know that your legacies will endure. The lives you have touched and the positive impacts you have made will continue to resonate within our Air Force family,” Abubakar added.