The Nation Newspaper

Category: Grassroots

  • No pupil will drop out of school, says council chairman

    No pupil will drop out of school, says council chairman

    • By Abimbola Asawande

    Chairman of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos, Mayor Olufemi Okeowo, has promised that no child would withdraw from the 23 public primary schools within the Ifelodun LCDA area because they could not afford basic school materials.

    He made the pledge during the distribution of school materials to pupils.

    He said the gesture was another form of palliative designed by “this administration to ensure that we reduce basic burdens from our parents at this critical moment to provide the needs of their children for no fault of theirs.”

    The council boss added: “From the survey we carried out and assessment of events around us, some parents could not afford to buy uniforms for their children. Due to the psychological effects this may have on the pupils, this administration is distributing free school materials to our almost 10,000 pupils in all the public primary schools.”

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    Similarly, a programme named, “Okemoney” was launched where 50 peasant traders received N50,000 each.

    Speaking at the event, Okeowo said there were families who could not raise N20,000 to start businesses like selling groundnut nuts, roasted plantain, oranges, fish, roasted corns and other petty trading.

    He said the beneficiaries were drawn from all the seven wards that make up Ifelodun LCDA.

    According to Okeowo, the idea is to lift 50 people out of poverty every month for the next 24 months.

    The occasion was witnessed by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun; a lawmaker, Sahaad Olemoh;  and Vice Chairman of the council Mrs. Adetoun Ojora-Adejiyan, among others.

  • Oriade takes delivery of Sanwo-Olu’s food packs

    Oriade takes delivery of Sanwo-Olu’s food packs

    The Chairman of Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos, Ramotalai Akinlola-Hassan, has lauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the provision of various food items to Lagosians as palliative.

    The gesture, she said, was to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.

    Akinlola-Hassan made the commendation at the council secretariat while taking delivery of the food boxes and bags of rice, beans and garri for distribution to residents of the council, particularly in wards H and I, and others in the upland of the council.

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    The council chairman stated that the gesture by the governor would go a long way in ameliorating the pains and suffering, millions of Lagos residents were going through.

    Akinlola-Hassan appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience and understanding with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over some of the tough economic policies.

    She added that the pains and suffering being experienced by them would not last forever, because they (ordinary Nigerians) would be the major beneficiaries of the positive outcome of the policies.

    On the distribution of the food items to residents of Oriade LCDA, she stated that she would ensure there was fair, equitable, effective and efficient distribution to vulnerable residents in the council area.

    The food items were 50kg of bags of rice, beans, garri shared in food boxes containing 10kg of rice, 5kg of beans and 5kg of garri.

  • Ojodu council chief empowers teachers, gives bursary

    Ojodu council chief empowers teachers, gives bursary

    • Distributes free GCE forms

    Chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, David Olusegun Odunmbaku, has presented 200 free GCE forms and awarded bursaries to students.

    The gesture, he said, was part of the ongoing efforts to prioritise education and foster sustainable development.

    The council chief emphasised that quality education was the cornerstone of progress and a catalyst for individual and community growth.

    Odunmbaku stressed the role of education in driving progress and development. He highlighted that empowering the youth was a fundamental responsibility of any nation, and failure to do so would compromise its future.

    The chairman expressed gratitude for the opportunity to address the gathering, stating that the occasion resonated deeply with their commitment to education and empowerment.

    Odunmbaku highlighted the various educational initiatives undertaken by the Ojodu LCDA, including the yearly distribution of 200 JAMB forms to youths, distribution of exercise books to pupils, welfare packages and prizes for outstanding teachers, provision of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities in schools through partnerships with Kimberly Clarke and PEPSICO, upgrading of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Center, provision of free shuttle buses for students and pupils, coaching sessions at the ICT Hub for GCE and JAMB candidates, and vocational training for out-of-school children.

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    According to him, plans are underway to rebuild Oke-Ira Secondary School in partnership with SUBEB/Scripts and collaboration with CDC/CDA to adopt and upgrade schools, and the installation of Solar PVs at schools by GSEL Solutions.

    The initiatives, he said, align with the his HEYS (Health, Education, Youth Empowerment, Security) Mission, complementing the broader THEMES (Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, and Security and Governance) agenda of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

    Odunmbaku urged the beneficiaries of the initiatives to seize the opportunities presented to them and become exemplary ambassadors of Ojodu LCDA.

    He advised them to avoid engaging in social vices such as gambling, cybercrime, cultism, and hooliganism, reminding them that education is their most powerful tool.

    The beneficiaries took turns to eulogise the chairman for the benevolence extended towards them.

    The winner of the Teachers Empowerment Programme, Ikuponisi Comfort, received N250,000; first and second runners-up got N150,000 and N100,000 respectively, while another 10 got N50,000 each as consolation.

  • Iru/Victoria Island lifts Army cantonment with water project

    Iru/Victoria Island lifts Army cantonment with water project

    The Chairman of Iru/Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Princess Rasheedat Adu, has executed more projects and programmes geared towards improving residents’ standard of living.

    Princess Adu opened a borehole at Army Cantonment, Bonny Camp in Victoria Island.

    Her gesture was applauded by the host military chief.

    The Commander, 65 Battalion Camp, Lt. Col. MA Lawal, hailed the council chief for the initiative and presented a ‘Thank You’ plaque to her.

    Lawal said: “The main goal of the government is to provide basic needs of the people. My people really need this water and we’re glad it’s been commission today for use, thank you so much, Ma. Based on past records, I have seen several projects executed by you in this cantonment and I’m glad it is continuing during my tenure here. We appreciate you with this award.

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    “From our own end, we assure you of adequate security, we have security patrol at most of the nearest junction in case of emergency and our doors are open for more security operations to save the people. Thank You.”

    The Mogajia (Woman leader) of the cantonment, Mrs. Hassanat Ali, expressed her satisfaction and appreciation on behalf of the residents to the chairman and her team.

    In another development, Princess Adu presented laptops to hearing-impaired residents to support their graphics design businesses and enhance their sources of income.

    “This is what our administration is all about, giving back to the people; very soon the Villa Toscana road will be commission as it nears completion,” Princess Adu said.

  • Council boss invests in workers’ health

    Council boss invests in workers’ health

    • By Elizabeth Ebiniyi

    The Chairman of Eredo Local Council Development Area of Lagos, Monsuru Akinloye, said he has invested in the health of the council workers  to enhance their productivity.

    Akinloye said this during at an interactive session with reporters in Eredo.

    He said the measure became necessary because most workers hardly knew their health status, resulting in low productivity.

    “Investing in workers’ health will boost productivity, increase performance and give them a healthier lifestyle and sense of belonging,” he said.

    According to him, the council partnered Greenworld Organic Products to carry out comprehensive medical checks on 50 workers and also bought organic products worth millions of naira for them.

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    Akinloye, who reaffirmed the saying that “health is wealth”, argued that the workers would not perform optimally when they are not healthy.

    “Workers welfare cannot be compromised,” he said.

    He attributed his administration’s success to the cooperation and support of the members of staff of the council.

    He described the workers as disciplined, dedicated and highly committed, while urging them to endeavour to boost the council’s internally-generated revenue.

    The council boss promised that his administration would sustain its investment in the workers by motivating them for optimal performance.

    He further said the council would continue to prioritise workers’ welfare by creating a conducive working environment for them.

  • ‘Let’s build brighter future for Nigeria’

    ‘Let’s build brighter future for Nigeria’

    Olorunda Local Council Development Area Chairman Samson Folorusho, has urged Nigerians to unite in building a brighter future for the country.

    Folorunsho, in his Independence Day message, said Nigerians should rededicate their energies towards nation building.

    “Let us use this Independence Day as a moment of reflection and renewal. Let us recommit ourselves to the principles that have carried us through 63 years of independence and pledge to work together to build a brighter future for Nigeria,” he said.

    He said the milestone should remind Nigerians of the remarkable journey they had undertaken since gaining independence.

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    His words: “It is a testament to our collective strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit in the face of challenges, Our diversity is our strength, and together, we have shown the world the power of unity in diversity.

    “In Olorunda LCDA, we are committed to fostering development, unity, and progress among our residents. Our shared vision is one of prosperity, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.”

    “As we look to the future, let us remember the principles of freedom, justice, and equality that have guided us since the beginning. These ideals remain the bedrock of our nation, and it is our duty to uphold them in all that we do.”

  • Second palliative distribution excites Coker-Aguda residents

    Second palliative distribution excites Coker-Aguda residents

    Residents of Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have hailed the Chairman, Razaq Ibrahim, for commencing the second phase of food packs distribution.

    They described the council boss’ action as timely.

    According to them, those who did not benefit from the first phase are excited to receive theirs.

    A beneficiary, Yusuf Sheriff, praised the chairman for touching many lives via the palliative packages.

    He commended him and prayed God to strengthen him more.

    Another beneficiary, Mrs. Rukayat Oyejide, thanked the council chief for his effort so far and encouraged him to keep showing up.

    Ibrahim, during the distribution, said it was part of the fulfillment of the promise made by the council to disburse palliative packages for six months.

    He said: “The joy on their faces makes me happy. That shows they are appreciative and we on the other hand need to ensure that we play our part to the community.

    “We are distributing food palliative to 2,000 beneficiaries and that is how it will go for the remaining months so we would have disbursed to 12,000 people.”

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    Ibrahim said the feedback from the people had motivated the council to do more.

    He further emphasised that there was no partial selection and everyone was selected irrespective of their political parties.

    “This is a general palliative from the local government to the community and this is how we do it so we can get to everyone in the community,” he said.

    The council boss assured that they were working with the councillors and the executive members and management to get more beneficiaries on board.

    “This is to ensure that we reach out to the number of people we are targeting,” he said.

    Ibrahim encouraged the people to stay calm, be prayerful and rest assured that the palliative packages would get to those who had not received yet.

    The Council Vice Chairman, who is the chairman, Palliative Committee, Olaleye Olanrewaju, said the beneficiaries were carefully selected.

  • Ayobo-Ipaja gives GCE forms to 100 pupils

    Ayobo-Ipaja gives GCE forms to 100 pupils

    • Holds rally against gender violence

    Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State Chief Bola Shobowale has donated free General Certificate of Education (GCE) forms to 100 students in the council.

    The council’s boss said this was to enable the pupils further their education and to make their lives better.

    “We have to give out the forms because we have so many pupils attending schools whose parents are finding it very difficult to provide for.

    “We sat down, looked over it and decided that we have to give out GCE forms to enable the students go to school to further their education and to make their own lives better.

    “Some people might look at it as a small feat. No, I believe it is a big feat to enable these children and their parents have a better life,” she said.

    A beneficiary, Johnson Kamiye, lauded the gesture, while promising to give back to the community.

    “Our local government chairman granted us free GCE and I am grateful to her. I promise her that I am going to come out in flying colours. This form would enable me study Chemical Engineering,” he said.

    In another development, the council held a rally against sexual and gender violence.

    Members of the council took a walk across the council, creating awareness on dangers of sexual assault.

    Shobowale advised parents and caregivers to take good care of their children, especially the female ones.

    She harped on the need for parents to establish cordial relationship with their wards to enable them communicate mutually to them.

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    “Parents should teach their male children how to behave towards women. It’s not only giving your children food that matters. You should endeavour to guild them right. You have to start teaching them about their sexuality from age four. We parents have to look out for our children.

    “Culprits of sexual harassment should not just be taken to correctional homes. Taking them to correctional homes is encouraging them there. They should be taken to where they’ll be really treated as regards the offence they have committed,” she added.

    The council’s Education Head of Department, Adekoye Akinbolan Lekan, said: “We can orientate our kids at home on the needs for them to speak out if they are being embarrassed by anybody at all in the society. If anybody is trying to have canal knowledge of them, they should speak out so that the society can come to their aid.

    “In the homes, upbringing matters.If your kids are well taught at home, there will be no need to harass each other in school. We need to censor the kind of exposure they get when they are with their phones because they tend to learn all these bad vices from social media platforms.”

    Woman leader Mrs. Bola Njoku, urged all to desist from crimes and bring peace in the community.

  • Foundation empowers  Ifako- Ijaiye residents

    Foundation empowers  Ifako- Ijaiye residents

    No fewer than 200 individuals have been empowered by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Eleos Touch Foundation, in Ifako Ijaiye Council of Lagos State with interest-free loans and educational materials.

    The foundation distributed over 600 free GCE and JAMB forms and sponsored 10 skill acquisition and empowerment programmes for over 200 recipients.

    The leader of the House, Olalekan Oyekunle, who is also the representative of the foundation’s founder, expressed enthusiasm over the initiative, saying; “This distribution of interest-free loans is part of Eleos Touch Foundation’s ongoing commitment to positively impact the lives of residents within Ojokoro, Ifako Ijaiye, and other nearby areas.”

    He said the foundation’s assistance extended to other local governments, adding that the goal of the foundation was to make a positive difference in the lives of as many individuals as possible in Ojokoro, Ifako Ijaiye, and beyond.

     The APC Chairman of Ojokoro LCDA, Jelili Oseni, commended the foundation’s efforts, emphasising the impact it has had on the residents of Ojokoro. He expressed gratitude for the foundation’s continued support and urged them to keep up the commendable work.

    “The Foundation has developed the lives of many individuals through its assistance programs, and we hope they continue to make such a difference. We pray for the founder’s longevity so she can help even more people,” he said.

    The Supervisory Councillor, Modinat Tijani, described the foundation as a “vital organisation” that lends support to the less-privileged who struggle to meet their basic needs and improve their businesses.

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    She urged other public-spirited outfits to emulate the foundation in eradicating poverty within their local governments.

    The residents expressed their appreciation for the foundation’s contributions, recognising the positive impact it would have on their lives. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to receive interest-free loans and the support provided by the Eleos Touch Foundation.

    Many residents expressed their belief that the initiative would greatly improve their lives in various ways.

    One of the beneficiaries, a small-scale business owner, Mrs. Kikelomo Bello, who received an interest-free loan, expressed her gratitude, saying: “I am so grateful to Eleos Touch Foundation for this loan. It will enable me to expand my business and provide a better future for my children. This assistance has given me hope and renewed my determination to succeed.”

    Another beneficiary, Mr. lawal Wasiu Adeleke, a young student preparing for his university entrance exams, received a scholarship to cover the cost of his JAMB form.

    He shared his excitement, stating: “This scholarship has relieved a significant financial burden for my family. I can now focus on my studies and strive to achieve my dreams. The Eleos Touch Foundation has truly made a positive impact in my life.”

  • Council chief inducted as first Girls’ Brigade District Mother

    Council chief inducted as first Girls’ Brigade District Mother

    The Chairman of Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Olabisi Adebajo, has been inducted as the first District Mother of the Girls’ Brigade of Alimosho District Eight VIII.

    In a statement, Adebajo expressed her gratitude to God, family members, cabinets members, legislators and management staff of the LCDA for bestowing her the title of the Mother of Alimosho District 8.

    She promised to stand with you as a mother should and support you in all aspect my assistant will be needed.

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    Adebajo urged the Girls Brigade to take their activities important.

    “I implore you to take all your activities very seriously and immerse yourselves in the Spirit of them all so that the object becomes the result. I encourage you to continue to render diligent services to the Lord in the various churches you belong even as I pray that your faith in and allegiance to God shall remain unwavering regardless of the interests of this crooked and perverse generation in which we are now,” she admonished.