The Nation Newspaper

Category: Grassroots

  • Council holds career talk

    Council holds career talk

    The Apapa Local Government  in Lagos recently organised a two-day career summit for students in Apapa, with over 500 students in attendance

    With the theme: Making the Right Choice in Life and Career, the event witnessed resource persons who took turns to speak to students on how to choose and navigate their career paths.

    Welcoming the gathering, the council chairperson, Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo said as future leaders and innovators of the community, it is essential that the students have the tools and knowledge to succeed.

    Admonishing them further, she said: “But it’s not just about finding a job; it’s about finding a career that fulfills you, a career that makes you happy, and that makes a positive impact on your community. As you navigate your career journey, remember that your dreams are valid, and you should chase them with passion and determination. Failure is not the end, but a stepping stone to success. Networking and building relationships are key to opening doors to new opportunities. Continuous learning and self-improvement are essential to staying ahead in your field.”

    In his address, Dr Mike Egbayelo, Special Adviser on Education, Youth and Sports said the goal of the summit is to provide a platform for students to discover their passions, develop skills and connect with the resources they need to succeed.

    Read Also: Lagos, Delta rule Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship

    The keynote speaker, Country Director, Business School, Netherlands, Prof. Lere Baale who used the acronym, SHAPE to buttress his points said: “Life is a series of choices, big and small, that collectively define who we are and where we are headed. The decisions we make today have the power to shape our tomorrow, influencing sour personal growth, professional success, and overall well-being. Whether it’s choosing a career path, deciding on educational pursuits, selecting life partners, or embracing opportunities for personal development, the choices we make are pivotal in crafting the narrative of our lives. Moreover, in the journey of life, making the right choices extends beyond career decisions.

    “It encompasses fostering meaningful relationships, prioritizing mental and physical well-being, contributing to society, and embracing opportunities for personal growth. “

    Journalist, Brand Strategist, Perception Manager, Life and Personal Development, Joseph Yemi Adeniran who spoke on Personal Branding harped on the need for good grooming as perception heavily influences a person’s worth.

  • Odi-Olowo youths leader seeks higher office

    Odi-Olowo youths leader seeks higher office

    The Coordinator of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye local branch, Ibrahim Adigun, has declared interest in the state’s chairmanship position.

    Adigun made his intention known at a briefing held at the multi-purpose hall of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA Secretariat, Ilupeju.

    He said his aspiration is driven by a vision for an empowered and united youth community, committed to professionalism, and productivity.

    Adigun assured that he would replicate his remarkable grassroots projects at the state level for the betterment of youths across the state.

    He promised to complement and work in tandem with the state government and 57 council chairmen to make life more meaningful for the youths by undertaking human capital development programmes, among others.

    “My administration will actively create entrepreneurial opportunities for our members, promote self-reliance, enhance human capital development, and ultimately contribute to nation-building, especially in the economic sphere,” he said.

    Read Also:Work to begin on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway’s sections 3 and 4

    Adigun, a one-time speaker of the Lagos State University Student Parliamentary Council, promised to elevate state NYCN chapter to model for excellence not only for our local branches and affiliated voluntary youth organizations but also for other chapters across the country.

    He appealed for continued support for his emergence at the state elective congress, scheduled between July 5 and 7.

    The outgoing Vice Chairman NYCN Lagos West, Comrade Jamiu Ademosu, the outgoing publicity secretary, Comrade Idris Ajala, emeritus state chairman, Comrade Olayinla Oresile, coordinators of the 28 local branches under Lagos West, as well as heads of various community-based organizations and Voluntary Youth Organizations (VYO), declared their support for Adigun’s aspiration, vowing to work for his emergence.

  • Private sector, property owners drive growth says Senbanjo

    Private sector, property owners drive growth says Senbanjo

    By Muinat Ajibade-Alasela

    The Chairman of Apapa Local Government, Idowu Senbanjo has stated that the private sectors and property owners are the people to drive the council ‘s economy.

    The gesture was made at the stakeholders’ meeting tagged “Regeneration of Apapa” and was held at Atlantic Enterprises, Creek Road, Apapa.

    The council boss said having highlighted the challenges bedeviling Apapa, the aim of the meeting was for all the stakeholders to collaborate and proffer ways to regenerate the community.

    According to her: “I think to drive the economy of Apapa, the private sectors are the people to drive the economy and we are saying that the private sectors and property owners should come in and take charge of real developing and regenerating the economy of Apapa”.

    She added that that the support and turn outs from Non-government organisations and captains of industry among others is alarming and encouraging.

    “It is encouraging and I am happy to know that the residents, the stakeholders in Apapa are ready to support me at every step that I am taking,” she stated.

    Read Also: JUST IN: LASTMA rescues two accident victims in Lagos, blames brake failure

    She urged the residents to be patient and support the government in improving the economy of council.

    Lagos State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Cornelius Ojelabi,  noted that in regenerating Apapa, the way to go is by soliciting for the partnership of major stakeholders within the local government such as the industries, the captains of theindustriy, Community Development Associations (CDAs) and the political class in the community.

    “I am glad that she has really outlined her programme, education wise, action wise, asking the community, the companies what they can do to complement the effort of her administration. For social development, highlighting the needs of the people. There’s need to pay attention to the drainage so that the issues of flooding, cholera, out break of epidemic will not happen within this particular corridor, I think it is a welcome development and it is a good initiative she has represented to do”, he said.

    Ojelabi implored the community members to embrace the engagement and support the government to do what’s needed.

    The Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage and Water Resources, Olalekan Shodeinde, who was one of the panelists and a Stakeholder noted that

    regeneration is about engagement and being proactive adding that there’s need to start putting in place solutions that had been planned for not reactive to what is happenings around.

    “We need to be focused. This is our plans and we will put it in place. Government is really trying with fund and we expect people to bring their money into the picture. There are master plans that had been done for Apapa that we need to put in place. When this is done the built place will now be more sustainable”, he said.

    The Representative of Chairman of Apapa GRA Residents Association, Dr Ayesha Akinkugbe, expressed that she was excited that the regeneration of the community is coming about to take place adding that it is just about time that Apapa will return to what it used to be and even better.

    Dr Akinkugbe encouraged the community members to always support the government in whatever way they could because the government can’t do it all alone.

    “We have to help and collaborate with them”, she said.

    The Representative of the Igbos Association, Chief Okano Ifeanyichukwu, said that they were ready to support and collaborate with the chairman because she has done so well for the community adding that they had seen the improvement and they wanted it continue.

  • Bamigboye distributes free eye glasses to residents

    Bamigboye distributes free eye glasses to residents

    By Sherifdeen Amusa

    Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Lagos, Emmanuel Bamigboye has launched “Jigi Bamigboye” at Palm Avenue Primary Health Centre, Mushin, Lagos.

    The initiative featured distribution of free glasses, testing and drugs to residents of Mushin, Lagos.

    Bamigboye urged the residents to prioritise their health. He added that the various infastructural projects undergoing construction by his administration can only be enjoyed by healthy people.

    “If we are doing numerous projects, we should also look after our health because Health is wealth. As a result of that, It is when we are alive that we can enjoy all these projects,” he said.

    He urged the beneficiaries to handle the glasses with care.

    “The glasses should be handled with care. They should keep it aside when they want to sleep. They should maximise the way they use it, so that it won’t wear out in time,” he said.

    Speaking on the Cholera outbreak in the State, Bamigboye advised residents to maintain the highest standard of hygiene and abandon bad cooking and eating habit.

    He also added that residents should revert to the safe hand washing habits that was practiced during COVID-19 outbreak.

    Read Also: Work to begin on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway’s sections 3 and 4

    “We should place premium importance on washing our hands as we got accustomed to it during COVID-19 outbreak. Let’s also be careful of our phones. Research has shown that it contains germs; all it edges harbours germs,” he said.

    Supervisor for Health, Femi Nuga, lauded the various health strides embarked upon by the council boss including the donation of various medical machines to Primary Health Centres and General Hospital in the council.

  • LAGFERRY seeks local patronage of water tourism

    LAGFERRY seeks local patronage of water tourism

    In a bid to woo Lagosians at various councils in the state, the Lagos Ferry Service (LAGFERRY), has organized a boat cruise with Fuji musicians treating riders to a unique experience.

    The breathtaking experience, themed ‘Fuji Lori Omi,’ is aimed toward blending entertainment, tourism, and transportation to showcase the potential of Lagos’ waterways for hospitality, leisure, and economic growth.

    The gentle swaying of the boat and the soothing sound of music performed by A-list Fuji musicians like Wasiu Alabi Odetola (aka Pasuma wonder); Sulaiman Adio (aka Atawewe); Sulaiman Alao Adekunle (aka Malaika) and Toyin Ololade, create a peaceful ambience, making it a perfect environment for relaxation.

    LAGFERRY’s Managing Director of Lagos State Ferry Services, Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, said the boat cruise is a historic event, highlighting the significance of showcasing renowned artists in the music industry to promote Lagos as a hub for water tourism.

    He underscored the importance of leveraging the vast water resources in Lagos State for economic development, with a particular focus on water transportation and the blue economy.

    Read Also: MEET DR AMARA AJAEGBU, PROGRAM DIRECTORFROM ASTON BUSINESS SCHOOL IN LAGOS, ABUJA, ACCRA AND NAIROBI

    Balogun emphasised the support and encouragement received from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to explore the untapped potential of Lagos’ water bodies. He noted that a significant portion of Lagos State is covered by water, prompting the need to maximize the benefits of the blue economy.

    “The focus on Fuji music for the event was a deliberate choice to highlight the traditional roots of Lagos and its rich cultural heritage. The event served as a platform to not only showcases the talents of these Legendary Fuji artists but also to promote the diverse offerings of Lagos State in terms of tourism and entertainment,” he said.

    He reiterated the importance of integrating creativity, tourism, and Blue economy in leveraging the water resources of Lagos for sustainable development.

    Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson, said the event was designed to demonstrate the various activities that can take place on the waterways, including parties, transportation, and work.

    Applauding LAGFERRY’s initiative, Odetola emphasized the importance of showcasing what Lagos has to offer to both residents and visitors.

    He addressed the improper waste disposal, highlighting the negative impact of refuse ending up in the sea.

    General Manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) Damilola Emmanuel, said Fuji Fusion is a showcase of Lagos in style, on the waterways, representing tourism at its best.”

  • Amuwo-Odofin charts path to peace, harmony

    Amuwo-Odofin charts path to peace, harmony

    Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos, has canvassed peaceful co-existence as the pathway to growth and development.

    It stated this at a breakfast meeting with ‘’top leaders and Ibo stakeholders’’ at Garden Top Hotel in the area.

    The event had as its theme: “Dialogue for change: Exploring a pathway to harmonious co-existence and collaboration in Amuwo Odofin”.

    Vice Chairman of the council, Mrs Maureen Achara, said she was miffed by the perceived discord and disharmony among residents after the last general election.

    Mrs Achara, who said she had lived in Amuwo Odofin for 30 years, stated that she observed that unlike before, the residents had divided politically. Noting that Amuwo Odofin is a miniature Nigeria as it is made up of various ethnic groups, she urged them to shun rivalry and unite for progress.

    “Politics is not enough to divide us. Let’s embrace peace and harmony, so we can have a long life. Because when you have trouble, life will be cut short,’’ she added

    Read Also: Lagos pushes on with projects despite weather

    She pledged the council’s assistance to collaborate with the various stakeholders in the state to attract the dividends of democracy to the area.

    She promised to hold the programme regularly and extend it to other groups.

    Moderator of the programme, Chief Afam Chukwuma, said the objective of the maiden dialogue was to rub minds with the residents, remove any animosity and suspicion, heal the wounds and uphold truth and reconciliation.

    “We want to see cohesion. Lagos has been good to the Ibo as it has provided us with an enabling environment to do business. We believe we should deepen the relationship,’’ he said.

    Chukwuma, also the Managing Director of International Supply Chain System Limited, added.

     Prince Abiodun Osujide, who represented the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde, stressed love as panacea for peaceful living.

    Guest speaker, Prince Nixon Okwara, blamed the elite for the problems of Nigeria, noting that it is not about tribe or religion.

    He, however, suggested a proper understanding of our cultural differences to avoid chaos. He also suggested a better life for the youth, saying they should not be neglected because they constitute a higher percentage of the population.

    Obu of Nanka of Anambra State, Igwe Godwin Ezeilo, also stressed love. He however added that skirmishes among Ibo and Yoruba are the handiwork of touts. He urged the leaders to step in to such for them to move forward.

  • Lion Club gets new president

    Lion Club gets new president

    A former Advert Manager of the Daily Times, Mrs Mojisola Akanni-Alimi, has been picked as president of Maryland Royal Lions Club for the 2024/25 Service Year.

    She steps in as the 5th president of the club, which was chartered in 2020 by Lion Yemisi Jaiyeola, Lion Abiola Bababunmi and Lion Olabisi Bakare-Biobaku.

    Read Also: MEET DR AMARA AJAEGBU, PROGRAM DIRECTORFROM ASTON BUSINESS SCHOOL IN LAGOS, ABUJA, ACCRA AND NAIROBI

    Lion Akanni-Alimi assumed office on Sunday at the club’s secretariat in Maryland, Lagos.

    The ceremony was witnessed by club members as well as intending Lions and observers.

    The club has made giant strides in four years, with a number of successful and life impacting projects in its immediate community.

  • Cholera: Agege suspends school food vendors

    Cholera: Agege suspends school food vendors

    The Agege Local Government Area in Lagos State has suspended food vendors in schools in the area as a way of preventing the outbreak of cholera.

    The council has also embarked on rigorous sensitisations to prevent outbreak of the disease in its communities.

    Chairman of the council, Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  last week.

    According to the chairman, efforts have been put in place to sensitise market stakeholders and schools on radio to prevent the outbreak within the community.

    “We have suspended all school food vendors to ensure safety of the pupils and students.

    “We have informed both the pupils and students on radio stations to come with their foods to ensure their safety from the cholera disease.

    “This development will allow us to detect and prevent the outbreak in our community,” he said.

    Egunjobi added that schools were visited and inspected to ensure the children are in good health and environmental condition.

    Read Also: Epe deserves more from Lagos govt, says group

    According to him, market traders in various communities were also enlightened and sensitised to adopt environmental hygiene in their places to prevent the outbreak.

    “We are working tirelessly to prevent the menace of cholera outbreak in our community.

    “We are using various means to talk to our people, through landlord associations and others,  to caution them on ensuring hygiene in preparing  foods and drinks.

    “We urge residents to acquaint themselves with precautionary measures against the deadly cholera disease outbreak.”

    NAN reports that the killer disease has spread to over 30 states with Lagos recording 24 deaths from 417 cases.

  • Mushin compensates victims of collapsed mosque

    Mushin compensates victims of collapsed mosque

    • Sherifdeen Amusa

    Barely a month after Masjid Mutmainnah Mosque on Shotinoye Street, Papa Ajao, Mushin collapsed with two deaths and several injured, the Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Emmanuel Bamigboye, on Monday, compensated victims and management of the mosque.

    The beneficiaries got compensation ranging from N100,000 to N1 million, while the mosque’s management got N5 million.

    While sympathising with the victims, Bamigboye admitted that the compensation cannot be compared to the ‘irreplaceable damage’ caused by the unfortunate event.

    “We commiserate and sympathise with the victims. We don’t have a sufficient amount to give you, but the local government is giving you this token out of generosity and magnanimity,” he said.

    Bamigboye said that he had personally donated N500,000 to one of the victims when he was informed that her leg was to be amputated.

    Read Also: Another body found at collapsed mosque site

    “I personally sent 500,000 to her father’s account to cover the expenses. I extended the same gesture when I heard about the death of Dogo, the guy rescuing people during the incident, whose remains were later found under the rumbles; I sent 500k to cater for his burial expenses,” he said.

    Vice Chairman Haruna Aruwe, who is Chairman of the Compensation Committee, noted that the compensation was done as a way to show the administration’s love to their citizens. He urged them to accept it with love.

    “There’s no amount we can give you that’ll suffice, but let’s see it as one coming from a government that loves its citizen. This was what necessitated today’s event,” he said.

    Member, House of Representatives, Toyin Fayinka, represented by Babatunde Ige, urged the victims to accept it as an act of God, noting that there’s no level of compensation that would suffice for the damages lost.

    The Imam of the mosque, Imam Qazeem Olokuta, on behalf of the beneficiaries, lauded the gesture.

  • Daini rewards winners of Chairman’s Cup

    Daini rewards winners of Chairman’s Cup

    The Chairman, Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, Olusesan Daini, has rewarded winners of the Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman’s Cup.

    He congratulated the winners of the competition while encouraging youths to continue promoting their talents and supporting upcoming ones to reach greater heights.

    He said that the LCDA has provided cash prizes to the teams and outstanding players, while individuals, industries, and organisations within the LCDA also donated to the tournament.

    The winners of the football competition went home with the grand price of N500,000.

    Daini also revealed that some soccer scouts were present at the tournament and had already identified talented players to join Nigerian leagues.

    He added that three players from the competition are currently playing in Europe, with one in Belgium and another in Ukraine, who had returned home to participate in the Chairman’s Cup.

    The Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, Deola Banjo, described the initiative as “a lofty idea” and “a nice football competition” that showcased the outstanding performance of the players.

    Read Also: Delta PDP leaders bicker over chairman’s second term bid

    He commended Daini for bringing youths together through the competition, stating that it is a commendable initiative that promotes unity and talent development.

    “This is a fantastic football competition, if this can happen in every local government and LCDA, we’ll be able to grow the talents from the grassroots,” he said.

    Deputy Leader of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, Princess Basirat Banjoko, described the tournament as a “wonderful initiative” that brought people together and provided a platform for social interaction.

    She highlighted the tournament’s impact on the community, stating that it successfully engaged the youths and reduced social menace during the period of the competition.