The Nation Newspaper

Category: Grassroots

  • Onigbongbo chair lifts residents with cash, projects

    Onigbongbo chair lifts residents with cash, projects

    • By Muinat Ajibade-Alasela

    Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area Chairman Oladotun Olakanle has inaugurated Akerele Street and donated Compactor Truck to support LAWMA.

    Olakanle also gave N100,000 each as grants to 100 beneficiaries.

    The multiple events also featured groundbreaking for a new secretariat.

    The council boss assured residents of continuous sustainable developmental projects across communities.

    “We will ensure our electorates who have bestowed confidence in governance continue to enjoy dividends of democracy. I will not fail you. We are conscious of your expectations and we are resolved to make you and our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) proud,” he said.

    The chairman highlighted some of programmes to be executed next year to include Infrastructure, Basic Education, Health and Environment, Road Rehabilitation and Reconstruction and other core areas of grassroots’ governance.

    He further added that in the area of human capital development, he paid adequate attention to empowerment, especially women empowerment, health, education and youth engagement.

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    “In order to get more of our people involved in governance, we have created about seven committees with over 150 members drawn from across the six wards to help with community engagement in policy formulation and implementation. We pay monthly allowance to everyone who serves on the committee.

    “A total of 778 people mostly women, have benefitted from our empowerment programmes. We have given wide range of items including sewing machines, hair dryers, vulcanizing machines, cooler with drinks including cash. Under our Onigbongbo cares programme. We distributed food items to some households and give cash of N5,000 to some selected elderly on a quarterly basis even before fuel subsidy was removed,” he said.

    The council boss stated that with fuel subsidy removal, the economic situation has worsened and as a responsible government, they had equally increased their level of intervention to augment what the state and federal governments are doing to ameliorate the situation adding that the last food distribution programme they had, a total of 3000 households benefitted.

    The council boss stated that to further sustain many more micro businesses in LCDA, he had concluded arrangements to enter into partnership with Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, to access seamless credit.

  • ALGON hosts African local council areas’ meeting in Lagos

    ALGON hosts African local council areas’ meeting in Lagos

    To ensure African countries continue to be united, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has hosted its executive committee and the Pan-African Council of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa).

    The meeting focused on the adoption of the UCLG Africa 2024 work plan and 2024 budget and also discussed the preparation of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), the annual summit of the UNFCCC’s decision-making body (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), scheduled between November 30 and December 12,in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that there is no other time than now when African countries need to come together to form a strong force to move the continent forward.

    Sanwo-Olu said: “With the coming together of the local government chairmen within and outside the country, it is a good idea and I believe as time goes on, we shall begin to see the results of this meeting. This is a great idea which we all buy into and the state government is ready to give all its support to make sure that this kind of meeting continues.”

    Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Kayode Robert, said the coming together of the local government chairman and chairpersons is a good development, an avenue to share ideas and to form common goals for the development of the grassroots, local government and the entire continent as a whole.

    The Pioneer President of the Forum of Regions of Africa and former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, expressed high hopes with good wishes to the organisers of the  30th Executive Committee Meeting and the 27th Pan African Council Meeting of the United Cities and Local Government of Africa (UCLGA).

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    Fayemi noted that strengthening the regional economic communities of Africa, as a prerequisite for building bridges and blocks continental integration, was a key value proposition well-structured and aimed at addressing concerns of geographical, political, economic and social heterogeneity of the continent of Africa.

    President of ALGON, Kolade Alabi, said, Lagos is delighted to host the gathering, as it embodies the dynamism of Africa’s urban landscapes and reflects the potential to drive growth and development.

    “Lagos resonates with diversity, energy, and innovation. On behalf of the over 774 Local Governments in Nigeria, the people of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole, I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all the esteemed members of UCLGA gathered here in Lagos State,” he said.

     He said UCLGA is a beacon of collaboration and cooperation, and its efforts to promote sustainable urban development across the African continent are commendable.

    “We recognise the crucial role that local and regional governments play in advancing the prosperity and well-being of our citizens. As we convene here, we are not just representatives of our respective cities; we are the architects of Africa’s urban future,” he said.

    He said the gatherings offer a unique platform to foster collaboration, strengthen networks, and build partnerships that can drive progress, saying “the 30th Executive Committee Meeting and the 27th Pan African Council Meeting are a testament to our commitment to working together, sharing knowledge, and finding innovative solutions to the challenges that our cities face. Let us embrace diversity and unity in our discussions, for it is through our differences that we can find the most creative and effective solutions.”

    Alabi hailed the Lagos State Government, UCLGA and ALGON for their dedication and hard work in making this event possible.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, commended the governor and ALGON for the programme which has brought people of Africa together towards achieving a common goal.

    “The deliberation cut across all borders, regions and countries. It greatly benefits us, as this fosters relationships amongst local governments, states and countries. It is of great importance. We all know where we are moving to by 2060 in the area of carbon and green economy. Everybody should work towards improving the environment to reduce carbon emissions.”

  • Apapa holds stakeholders meeting

    Apapa holds stakeholders meeting

    • Working on one textbook per child

    Apapa Local Government has concluded plans to introduce one meal per day and achieve one textbook per child covering all subjects in primary schools within the council.

    This was made known by the chairman of the local government, Idowu Senbanjo, at a recent stakeholders’ meeting preparatory to the 2024 Budget.

    The meeting, had in attendance the Vice chairman, Ismail Ganiyu; senior council officials, markets leaders, security officers, religious leaders, community leaders and artisans in attendance.

    Senbanjo said the meeting was to enable all stakeholders within the local government make their contributions towards the budget.

    “It is hoped that this strategic meeting will seek to review the focus of our administration and its achievements and the strategic vision needed to transform Apapa into a 21st century modern Port City;” she stated, adding that the councils “is very serious not only about the stakeholders meeting but also about our execution of the decisions as resources permit.”

    She seized the occasion to reel out some achievements of her administration in the last two years as regards the four cardinal points of the SHEE agenda of: Security, Health, Environment and Education.

    Notably, she said her administration is working closely with security agencies to maintain law and order, while also suing for collective efforts of the people in fighting the insecurity occasioned by the influx of strangers and visitors  to the port City.

    On health, Senbanjo  spoke about the continuous sensitisation of the people on the various diseases like breast cancer, diabetes, and vaccinations for preventable ones like hepatitis B, HPV etc.

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    She also spoke on efforts to return the port city to its old glorious years, working with the state, Federal Government, as well as citizens and stakeholders; while in education, she spoke the 21st century skills training for primary schools teachers in robotics education, provision of boats and life jackets for pupils in riverine areas, purchase of WAEC and JAMB forms, and essentials like uniforms, bags, books and furniture.

    “We have established a robotics tech centre at Ladylak Primary School, music room and a minimal football pitch in collaboration with an old student of the school from the Ibru family,” she said

    Freshly crowned Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, Oba Muhammed Morufdeen Atanda, who was attending the council’s programme for the first time, commended the chairman and her team for their efforts so far and vowed to work with business stakeholders within the local government to ensure they contribute their CSR quota to the development of the council, stating that he has already commenced the process by writing to them.

    He also promised to prioritise programmes of the council whenever he is invited.

  • Iba LCDA holdsmeeting on budget

    Iba LCDA holdsmeeting on budget

    • By Aishat Shonibare

    The Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has held a Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum for year 2024 budget.

    Its Chairman, Yisa Jubril said the event symbolised the shared commitment to support the ‘survival’ of the council, adding that it should be seen as yet another way to fashion the way forward for the community.

    “We are gathered here again to discuss the needs of our people for the implementation of the year 2024 Budget in such a way that will provide a clear map to economic sustainability and infrastructural development,” he said.

    Jubril recalled the previous year’s forum and presented a showcase of the programs and projects implemented during the period.

    The projects include the distribution of 100 JAMB forms and 200 G.C.E forms to students, the ongoing project of a Primary Health Care Centre in Ago Anago, Okokomaiko, and the construction of road interlocking and conversion at Ifelodun Road, as well as the interlocking of Gospel Road, the sponsorship of 100 inhabitants for WAPA Skills acquisition and the distribution of 2000 food palliatives.

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    Expressing his determination to build on past achievements, Jubril emphasised the importance of gathering diverse opinions and ideas from various sectors to guide future development efforts. He added that the forum served as a platform for stakeholders to contribute to shaping a more-inclusive and impactful agenda for the local government’s future endeavours.

    “Gone are the days when decision of governance used to be “arm chairs” decision. Nowadays Budget preparation involves everyone to justify our democracy which is the’ government of the people for the people. Budget preparation is supposed to be a “Bottom Top” phenomenon which is expected to be totally participatory. I therefore crave the independence of everyone for robust’ and constructive contributions meant for the growth of our communities. On this note, I wish to appeal to everyone to be patient with this administration while issues raised here today shall be prioritized and input into the year 2024 Budget for execution one after the other, with recourse to availability of funds”, he added.

  • Ajala rolls out exciting welfare packages for residents

    Ajala rolls out exciting welfare packages for residents

    Residents of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area are in a joyous mood.

    This is due to many exciting welfare packages the council has embarked upon to make them enjoy dividends of democracy.

    At a briefing on Friday, the Council Chairman, Razaq Ajala, unveiled mouth-watering welfare programmes that would run till the end of the year.

    The programme started on Saturday when Ajala led residents, particularly youths, on an awareness/ fitness walk for the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Sports Fiesta tagged: “Walk for harmony and prosperity”.

    The walk would be followed by sensitisation and stakeholders’ meeting for the 2024 Budget and distribution of palliatives to residents.

    On November 23 and 24, students of tertiary institutions who reside in the council area will collect forms for bursary while artisans and other interested small-scale business owners are also expected to collect forms for trade assistance and loans.

    According to Ajala, screening of applicants for students’ bursary, trade assistance and loans would take place on November 28 and 29. The deadline for submission is November 27.

    The council boss said skill acquisition programme for residents would hold between November 13 and 27, while the graduation holds on November 30.

    Ajala, who is Conference 57 Secretary-General, announced that quiz and debate competitions for public and private schools within the council area would takes place between November 27 and December 1, while the final is scheduled for December 4.

    Attendees from various segment, including religious leaders, Community Development Association leaders, traders students, artisans, and youths, gave Ajala a standing ovation when he announced the Trash for Gas programme where residents are expected to exchange refuse for gas cooker on December 1 and 2 at two centres.

    He said the payment and presentation of the end-of-the-year packages and allowances for teaching and non-teaching staff in public primary and secondary schools in the council area would continue while bursary for students in tertiary institutions would also be paid.

    He said: “It’s the turn of the security personnel in the council area on December 7, as they would be given paid end-of-the-year packages and allowances. Medical outreach for residents will hold between November 27 and December 2.

    “On December 11, the vulnerable people in the council area will get their palliative while December 12 will be for graduation and presentation of certificates to students who have graduated from the ICT training programmes.

    “The Christian Staff Fellowship Xmas Carol takes place on December 13; the trade assistance programme has been scheduled for December 15. The same day the councillors will have their day; the closing ceremony of the sports fiesta and presentation of prizes hold on December 16, 2023. The annual sale of subsidized festive chickens would hold on December 18, while the programmes climaxed with the payment and presentation of loans worth millions of Naira to the beneficiaries.”

  • Itire-Ikate LCDA, Rotary offer free healthcare

    Itire-Ikate LCDA, Rotary offer free healthcare

    • By Koribat Oshineye and Zainab Olanrewaju

    The Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has held free health screening for about 1,500 residents and others.

    The programme was in conjunction with the Rotary Action Group for Family Health and Aids Prevention and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

    The medical officer of the council, Dr. Oyekanmi Olufemi, said after the programme that more than the estimated number benefitted from the free check-ups and screening.

    “We checked a minimum of 500 people per day, so at the end of the three days, about 1,500 people benefitted from the free health services,” he said.

    The council’s Supervisor for Health, Rasheed Amusan, commended the initiative of the council boss, Ahmed apatira and the Rotary Club.

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    The Chairman of Inner Wheel District 911, Nigeria, Magdalene Adegoke, said whole essence of the service is to nip diseases in the bud by teaching people to examine themselves and get proper medical attention, and experience proper healthcare.

     “I would like to say that health is wealth and so without good health you cannot truly enjoy your life,” he said.

    A beneficiary, Adekunle Baruwa, appreciated the council and Rotary club for organising the free health initiative.

    Baruwa said it assisted him and many others to know their state of health. Another beneficiary, Idris Tawheed, said the programme would assist the beneficiaries in improving their health.

  • Odi-Olowo/ Ojuwoye partners Smart Gas on cleaner environment

    Odi-Olowo/ Ojuwoye partners Smart Gas on cleaner environment

    • By Abimbola Asawande

    The Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has partnered with SmartGas on a waste-to-wealth programme.

    This, the council said, was to improve cleaner and healthier environments.

    Chairman of the council Rasaq Ajala commended the programme for promoting a cleaner and healthier environment.

    He highlighted its role in advancing sanitation within the community and encouraged people to adopt gas as a cleaner alternative to firewood and charcoal to mitigate environmental degradation.

    He praised SmartGas for their community empowerment efforts, particularly their distribution of gas cylinders, which he described as a significant gesture, especially in light of the removal of oil subsidies.

    “Giving out this cylinder is a commendable gesture and it is essential I thank the SmartGas for this kind gesture This will cushion the effect of the removal of oil subsidy,” he stated.

    He underscored the programme’s contribution to poverty alleviation and community empowerment.

    The event saw the giving of 370 gas cylinders to individuals who collected trash in the area, reinforcing the programme’s commitment to cleanliness.

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    Ajala pledged the programme’s continuity and ongoing collaboration with SmartGas, pledging support with available resources.

    Chairman of Community Development Committee (CDC) in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Otunba Adebayo Adekunle, expressed satisfaction with the programme, emphasising the health benefits of using gas over firewood and charcoal.

    He thanked SmartGas and Ajala for bringing the initiative to the community, highlighting the many advantages of gas usage.

    Chief Executive Officer of SmartGas, Dr. Yinka Opeke,  emphasised the global concern of environmental degradation and her creative initiative to address health hazards and negative environmental impacts caused by firewood and charcoal usage.

    She stressed the importance of this endeavour to both the environment and people’s health.

    The event’s highlights included community members collecting and exchanging refuse in waste nylon bags for gas cylinders, as well as various educational dramas aimed at enlightening the attendees.

  • Ilupeju CDA shares food packs to 200 residents

    Ilupeju CDA shares food packs to 200 residents

    The Ilupeju Central Community Development Association (CDA) in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area of Lagos has distributed palliatives to over 200 residents.

    Its Chairman, Mr. Kole Abe, in an interview with The Nation, said the gesture was to complement the efforts of the Lagos State Government and Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA.

    Abe stated that the bulk of the food items distributed came from the local government.

    He said the CDA decided to add to the items to reach a larger number of beneficiaries.

    He said: “The local government gave out foodstuff to all the CDAs for the most vulnerable people in our communities. But every CDA is peculiar; in our CDA, we went around, we went around street by street, house by house and took a censor. We found out that there were a lot more people that deserved it. So we decided to be a bit creative. We increased the quantities within ourselves to cater for the extra and break them down into quantities. We went beyond the prescribed 75 people to over 200 people.”

    Abe, who was recently sworn in as the CDA chairman, and received certificate from Chairman of the council Rasaq Ajala, said it was wrong to assume that some people don’t deserve palliative because they live in “rich areas.”

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    “It is very wrong because food and hunger are very universal. That’s one thing I found out from going on the streets. I went on the streets and interviewed people. We took their names, their phone numbers ahead of time. This is about a month before the distribution.

    “We talked to them and asked of their challenges and needs. Some of them thought we were going to give them a loan. For instance you have drivers who can’t feed their family members. We have a lot of people who are doing nothing and are just hungry every day. So we had a mix of that and of course, there are a lot of the privileged people who would also bring out their dependents. So they will tell us to take care of their family members or domestic helps because they have a lot of people depending on them. So some people generally need a little bit of help. The process of giving was very rewarding,” he said.

  • Apapa trains market leaders on recycling

    Apapa trains market leaders on recycling

    Apapa Local Government has held a market sensitisation workshop on Cleanliness, Recycling and Packaging for market men and women within its jurisdiction.

    The workshop, which was kicked-off by the Council Chairman, Idowu Senbanjo, accompanied by Vice Chairman, Ismail Ganiyu and other top council officers, was held at the Council Secretariat.

    Senbanjo said that Apapa, as a major commercial hub and largest port in the country, plays a vital role in the nation’s economy, especially in the constant flow of goods and services.

    She said: “Apapa has always been a very clean and welcoming place, especially Anjorin vegetable market, which was a model market, but which today, is a shadow of itself.

    “What I’m telling you today is about our homes. Most of our food vendors prepare and sell food in very dirty environment. Even the water we use is bad. Some of you sell rotten fish and people buy it and come down with food poisoning.”

    She blamed the women leaders for their laxity in the area of sanitation, and warned that the wave of market closure currently sweeping across the state may soon get to them if they don’t adjust.

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    She therefore proposed: “the implementation of strategic waste management system; (which) includes the establishment of designated wastes disposal areas, with the assistance of our health officers; regular garbage disposal schedules and educational campaign to promote responsible wastes disposal among market vendors and customers.  Additionally, we will collaborate with waste management agencies to ensure proper disposal and recycling of market-generated wastes.”

    She said it was high time the people recognised the importance of adopting sustainable practices in the markets, adding that “recycling not only helps us preserve our environment, but also offers economic benefits through the creation of new industries and job creation.”

    The council chief also condemned a situation where all open spaces have been converted to market places and lock-up shops, warning that “All those shops are coming down.”

    Mrs. Arinola Oniyide of Zero Services trained the traders on the need for waste separation, Recycling, Reuse and Reduce (RRR); while Oladeji Agbetokun of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, focused on packaging and branding for SMEs.

  • Iba gives more palliatives to residents

    Iba gives more palliatives to residents

    The Chairman of Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Jubril Yisa (aka ABILA), has rolled out another food palliatives for residents.

    This, he said, was part of the council’s ongoing effort to cushion the effect of subsidy removal by the federal government.

    Yisa said the palliatives would cut across all the wards in the council.

    According to him, the beneficiaries were drawn from every part of the council.

    The food items include Rice, Beans, Pepper, Groundnut oil, Spices and Garri.

    Prior to the distribution exercise, the Council Chairman had urged the Councillors and Cabinet Members to reach out to their various communities on modalities of the distribution.

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    The lawmakers and executive members were in charge of drawing the list of beneficiaries from their wards and communities.

    The council chief reassured the residents that he will continue to keep up to his promises by prioritising the welfare of the people.

    “It is heart-warming that Lagos is putting the welfare of her residents on the front burner, it is also gladdening that other states are following suit in bringing palliatives to their residents and our council will also not be behind in this kind act,” he said.

    The residents expressed appreciation the council boss for the gesture.