The Nation Newspaper

Category: Grassroots

  • Senbanjo demands better performance from officials

    Senbanjo demands better performance from officials

    The Chairman of Apapa Local Government, Idowu Senbanjo, has demanded better performance from the council officials.

    Senbanjo spoke during a Three-Day Workshop/Retreat for Political Office Holders and Management Staff at Dover Hotel, Ikeja.

    The theme of the training programme was “Repositioning the local government for good governance and quality service delivery.”

    The council boss lamented that many things that could move the council forward were left unattended to by the officials.

    She tasked them to look into their scope of work and what the offices they held required from them.

    “We cannot sit idly and expect things to move forward. Government is not run like that. The office holders have to come up with ideas that would make the council grow and serve the residents better.

    “Those who elected us are expecting solutions to myriads of challenges facing their communities. It is our duty to critically look into challenges of each community and come up with solutions.

    “I expect that this training would spur our officials on, especially the political office holders. I want to see a change in the next few weeks,” she said.

    Council Manager of Apapa Local Government, Mrs Mosunmola Otaiku-Okoka, urged the officials to be opened to criticisms.

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    This, she said, is part of the way to make the council progress.

    Senbanjo said: “Our officials should always come up with fresh ideas. The Chairman is a woman that is efficient; she’s active and effective. She believes that people need to be exposed to modern ways of doing things and that’s what we’ve been doing since her administration has commenced.

    “She believes in motivation and supports all things that will make your job easy. She carries everyone along in decision making no matter your level. If you give her any idea that you think it could improve the council, she will accept it.”

    The Council Treasurer, Mrs. Ronke Oki, said the officials should not just look for what to benefit from the council, rather making their impacts felt by contributing meaningfully to its progress.

    She said the council’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) needed to be improved upon.

    The officials, she said, must device ingenuity ways of improving the IGR without causing much inconvenience to the public.

    According to her, with improved IGR, the council cannot carry out lofty projects.

  • Council lifts 50 residents with N5m

    Council lifts 50 residents with N5m

    • By Muinat Ajibade-Alasela

    The Chairman of Agege Local Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi, has empowered 50 residents with N100,000 each.

    The gesture, he said, is ensure the beneficiaries had seed money for a startup or to boost existing businesses.

    The council chairman, represented by the Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Alhaja Aramide Abdulsalam, admonished the beneficiaries to ensure the money was not used for frivolity.

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    She assured others that have not benefited that they would be captured in the subsequent programme.

    “Recall that Egunjobi led administration has been empowering residents with the said amount on monthly basis since the inception of this administration in 2017,” she added.

    The beneficiaries expressed appreciation and prayed for Agege for continuous growth and development.

  • Our youths must be educated, says LCDA boss

    Our youths must be educated, says LCDA boss

    • By Muinat Ajibade

    The Chairman of Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Jubril Yisa has bought Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms for indigent students Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration.

    The council boss stated that taking education to the greatest height was the priority of his administration.

    He reiterated his readiness to complement efforts of parents to achieve quality education.

    Yisa said: “It has been discovered that majority of the students who finished secondary school could not continue their education due to financial constraint. Some parents could not sponsor their wards for further studies due to economic challenges. This and other reasons have prompted this administration to finance this brilliant initiative”.

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    He added that his administration is sensitive about the plight of the residents, hence the need  to provide succor to youth at all levels.

    He listed some of the projects his administration has done in the past to include doling out 250 GCE forms to indigent students, distribution of skill acquisition forms for empowerment, revived adult literacy Class among aged men and women to improve their education standard.

    He enjoined the beneficiaries to put in every necessary effort to record best scores in their examination.

    “Buckle up and make sure you come out in flying colors, as this will motivate the council to finance more when need arises,” he said.

  • Community market for subsidized foodstuff opens in Ibeju-Lekki

    Community market for subsidized foodstuff opens in Ibeju-Lekki

    • By Muinat Ajibade-Alasela

    The Ibeju-Lekki Local Government has opened a Community Market for subsidised foodstuffs.

    Chairman of the council, Abdullahi Olowa, said gift items will also be given to those who patronize the market.

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    Residents of the council could not hide their joy for the council’s gesture.

    Olowa said the decision to introduce the subsidise market is precipitated by the need to support the Federal and the Lagos State governments in dousing the tension caused by high cost of food items.

    The initiative, he said, does not only cater for the consumers but also provides a means of livelihood for traders.

    He added that the market will be a monthly exercise.

    He urged residents to be patient with governments at all levels.

    Some lucky customers went home with free Charcoal Stoves provided by the council to solve the problem of the high cost of cooking gas.

  • 1,000 residents get free health insurance forms

    1,000 residents get free health insurance forms

    Wife of Ojodu local Council Development Area (LCDA) Mrs. Abimbola Odunmbaku has distributed 1,000 free health insurance forms to the residents.

    The gesture was part of free medical outreach held in conjunction with the Lagos Health Management Agency (LASHMA).

    Mrs. Odunmbaku said the act was an essential step by the Olusegun Odunmbaku-led administration in promoting healthcare coverage for residents.

    The health insurance, she said, would help provide financial protection and access to better medical resources.

    According to her, the initiative was to ensure the residents have access to quality healthcare services when needed.

    She said her husband’s administration has consistently prioritised the rejuvenation of primary health service delivery guided by the H.E.Y. S (Health, Education, Youth and Women Empowerment, and Social Infrastructure) agenda and both the medical outreach and distribution of health insurance forms were significant steps in promoting the health and well-being of the residents.

    “Today, our dedicated medical team will be providing a comprehensive range of free services, including hypertension and diabetes screenings, free medication, and free health insurance. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every member of our community has unfettered access to high-quality healthcare services, regardless of their financial status,” she  said.

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    According to her, the administration have recorded some essential projects which includes Installation of Solar Power Systems at several Primary Health Centers (PHCs),  procurement of a brand-new Ambulance for emergency services, upgrade of selected PHCs to offer 24-hour services, recruitment of competent medical personnel, initiation of regular medical checkups.

    She explained that the adminstration collaborated with Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) such as WaterAid Nigeria, Rotary Club, and others to provide Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, medical amenities in public spaces within the LCDA.

    Mrs Odunmbaku stressed that the efforts is aimed at ensuring that residents enjoy the benefits of grassroots’ governance.

    She urged residents to utilize the opportunity of the free medical outreach to take care of their health.

    “I implore you all to seize this opportunity and come forward for medical check-ups and treatments. Your health is your most valuable asset, and it is of utmost importance that you prioritise its care,” she said.

  • Commissioner to roll out the drums for 60th birthday

    Commissioner to roll out the drums for 60th birthday

    A Commissioner in the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, Hakeem Bamgbola, has lined up many activities to celebrate his 60th birthday.

    The celebration would commence today with a Special Prayer at the Eko Club, Surulere.

    Bamgbola, the two-term Chairman of Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA), and former Secretary-General of Conference of 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Area (CONFERENCE 57), will tomorrow visit charity homes with his friends to donate materials for the less privileged.

    According to former Vice Chairman of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Pastor Olugbenga Oyebode, who is the Secretary, Planning Committee, there would be a Special Jumat Service at the National Secretariat of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADSN) in Ajao on Friday.

    Pastor Oyebode said the grand finale will hold on Saturday at an Event Centre, in Ikeja, Lagos.

    King of Fuji music and Olori Omoba Akile Ijebu Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, he said, will entertain the guests.

    The celebration will end with a Thanksgiving Service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) LP44 CALVARY Parish, Itire.

    Bamgbola was former All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos Central Vice Chairman.

  • Mushin inaugurates taskforce on roadside trading, environmental abuse

    Mushin inaugurates taskforce on roadside trading, environmental abuse

    Mushin Local Government has inaugurated a Taskforce Squad as part of measures to control the menace of environmental nuisance and walkway trading being constituted within the community.

    Its Chairman, Emmanuel Bamgboye, l constituted a Five–Man Environmental Taskforce committee, to complement the activities of Environmental Sanitation officers to sustain the cleanliness of the environments around Mushin community.

    According to him, the committee is saddled with the responsibility of clearing all environmental infractions on the walkways and drainages is also empowered to paste removal notices on abandoned vehicles.

    “The Taskforce will apply discretionary measures on enforcement and shall be effected in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Laws.

    “Members of the public are hereby advised to desist from indiscriminate abuse of the environments as the government will not hesitate to deal decisively with any person caught violating the environmental laws,” he said.

    The chairman said traders who were in the habit of displaying goods on the walkways and drainage, would henceforth face the full wrath of law as the taskforce would commence operation any moment.

    Bamgboye said that owners of abandoned vehicles causing environmental infractions on the streets should find a way to remove them as the taskforce has been empowered to paste removal notices on such vehicles.

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    “The owners of abandoned vehicles causing environmental infractions on the streets should find a way to remove them as the taskforce has been empowered to paste removal notices on such vehicles which signifies that such vehicles will be towed by government officials,” he said.

    “As the rainy season is approaching, residents are advised to always clear their drainage channels to allow free flow of wastewater.

    “They should also dump their refuse appropriately by patronising government registered waste managers.

    A clean environment is a healthy environment. Let’s keep our environments clean, and be free from diseases and other infections,” the chairman said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Five–Man committee include, Mr Showande Rasaq, Chairman; Ogunti Busayo, Secretary; Oredola Gabriel; Hakeem Folorunsho and Abati Olamide as members.

  • Council to residents: bid for projects

    Council to residents: bid for projects

    • By Ameenat Ilyas

    The Council Manager of Apapa Local Government, Mrs Mosunmola Otaiku-Okoka has called on residents to be active participants in the council projects.

    She said this during an opening bid for building of  roads in the council.

    This was a follow-up to the invitation of bids to 114 Roads advertised by Conference of 57 local councils in Lagos State.

    Only three contractors submitted bids for roads in Apapa Local Government Area.

    This, the council manager, who doubles as the Chairman of Procurement Committee, observed that it could be improved upon.

    She said the public display of the bidding process was to ensure transparency.

    Mrs. Otaiku-Okoka urged bidders to be patient after registration and application as their documents will be scrutinised .

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    “My advice for them is to be patient because we have to go through their documents. it’s not a matter that according to the list posted contractor is going to get it . A lot of things has to be taken into consideration; the experience, will they have the fund to finance the project and have they done such project before,” she explained.

    The Council’s Chief Procurement Officer, Hakeem Bankole, enjoined contractors and potential bidders to be diligent in their presentation and documents presented.

    He said council project is open to bidding by all and sundry across the state.

    Bankole said: “Getting contract in the local government is a biding process and depends on the threshold that determined the amount of money the contract worth.

    ‘For the case of selective biding, you will be invited in to know if you can embark on the project or if we can negotiate the price after you might have registered for the bid. Afterwards, you will be given your letter of award and you will be paid, so you don’t need to know anybody personally at the local government before you are given a contract. People should go through the normal process,” he said.

  • Alabi inaugurates 16-man committee on palliative distribution

    Alabi inaugurates 16-man committee on palliative distribution

    The Chairman, Bariga Local Council, Kolade Alabi, has inaugurated  a 16-man committee to work on palliative measures aimed at cushioning the effect of economic hardship on  Bariga residents.

    The committee was inaugurated on Monday at the Executive chambers of the council.

    Former Akoka Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman, Segun Adesanya, is the committee chairman. The council boss said he would also serve as co-chairman, while Dr. Kehinde Lawal will serve as the Secretary.

    Alabi, who presented the members with letters and terms of references, said the members of the committee were selected for their outstanding pedigree.

    He urged the individuals to deliver on the task assigned to them, and also charged the committee toput forward ideas to create an ecosystem that would be engaging and rewarding for residents.

    The committee members include various stakeholders, religious leaders and bi-partisan groups, amongst others.

    Unveiling the committee, the Chief Press Secretary to the chairman, Tunde Balogun, announced the names including: Gbolahan Shobowale, Akintunde Adesoji, Temidayo Odutola (Olomu), Sunday David (Blackman), Caleb Olonitolo, Mrs Idayat Akindele

    Other members are: Alao Abiodun, Rev. Babatunde Elebute (CAN), Imam Bashir Olanrewaju, Ridwan Sanusi, Ogunyemi Azeez, Alhaji Nureni Okeowo, Mr. Samsideen Salami and Lawal Kazeem.

    Alabi said: “This intervention progamme will be for three months, and then we’ll monitor the situation of things with respect to the economy. You’re all selected in your esteemed position as an advocate of positive change. The atmosphere is designed to be devoid of political coloration. The country is bleeding. The spiral foreign exchange that has been fluctuating has affected things.

    “A matter that affects all should be treated with precision. That’s the reason I’ve selected you all. I will speak to that. We’ve the religious body represented. We’ve some of the critical stakeholders in the local government.

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    “Transportation is also key at this time. I’ve two representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in our midst. Hunger does not know anybody. We are all hungry. We are going to capture the vulnerable and the indigents. We will also target those who deserve the palliative.

    “Renewed Hope agenda is a process. There’s no gain without pain. We need to reduce tension in our community. So in the areas of food distribution, health, transportation, educational support, let’s see how we can empower residents.”

    Adesanya lauded Alabi for setting up the committee.

    He said: “It is a privilege to serve the local government. We’ll deliver on the mandate. Hunger has no religion, tribe, or party. We cannot afford to fail. So we are ready to ensure that we bring smiles on people’s faces.”

  • Olasoju takes food packs to residents’ doorsteps, streets

    Olasoju takes food packs to residents’ doorsteps, streets

    The Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Adebayo Olasoju, has taken palliatives to the doorsteps of residents.

    Olasoju also took foodstuff to the streets to share among traders.

    Each of the beneficiaries got 5kg bags of rice, beans, and garri.

    As usual of him, Olasoju insisted that senior citizens (65 and above) be accorded special treatment.

    According to him, the strategic approach was to cushioning the economic effects of subsidy removal and ensuring it reach the downtrodden.

    Not even the early morning heavy downpour was enough to prevent the people regardless of gender and age from trooping out in their numbers to benefit from the largesse.

    At Esa Square of Akinbaye Ward where the council boss’ convoy made their first stop, Olasoju addressed the teeming residents, who had no cue of what the van parked by them was loaded with.

    He said: “Our coming is out of the full realisation that our dear nation is undergoing a period of economic restructuring which has left citizens with hardship. As patriotic citizens, we should remain faithful and pray that the administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu succeeds”.

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    The train then moved to Eyin-oja in the Ishagatedo/Ire-Akari ward of the council area. The experience of contending with disorderliness as was at the previous point of call continued, this time, with underage falling on each other to reach for the items on the day’s menu not minding whose toes were stepped on.

    Addressing reporters at Eyin-oja, Olasoju maintained that bringing the items to the beneficiaries was to remove the barrier of enrolment/application which, sometimes, leave certain people disadvantaged as he declared that the modified food palliative programmes is going to be a continuous one.

    Metropolitan College Road was stormed by the convoy afterwards. Residents of this street didn’t waste time in taking to instructions of the organisers as they were handed over the gift serially. Excitement was written on the faces of the about 400 beneficiaries with most of them expressing appreciation for the gesture.

    Olasoju assured them that his administration will always put their well-being first saying their prayers for the administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu are all that is required.

    The beneficiaries didn’t mince words in expressing their appreciation.