The Nation Newspaper

Category: Grassroots

  • Community leader distributes palliatives

    Community leader distributes palliatives

    A community leader and two-term ward executive in Ayobo/Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Sobowale, has distributed food items to residents of the area. 

    They included rice, beans, and garri to cushion effect of the subsidy removal. The event held at the Ipaja.

    Sobowale said he had lived in the area as a  member of the All Progressive Congress (APC)  for 25 years, and had been contributing to the development of the area in various capacities. 

    Read Also: DSS arrests suspects for diverting palliatives

    He said: “I have been in this area  for the past 25 years, contributing my quota to the development of the party  and and the community. I hope to serve  in a higher  capacity, God willing.”

    Beneficiaries expressed happiness and promised to support his T.S. Project 25 which he launched at the event.

    A beneficiary, Mrs. Ramota Olawale, said: “Permit  me to express my happiness at gesture, We continue  to wish  Mr Sobowale  well in all his  endeavours for providing  these food items.”

    Sobowale promised to serve them in a higher capacity if he is given the opportunity.

  • Ifelodun lifts residents with food packs

    Ifelodun lifts residents with food packs

    Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has cushioned the effect of fuel subsidy removal by giving food packs to its residents.

    Its Chairman, Mayor Olufemi Akanbi Okeowo lifted over 5,000 widows, the vulnerable and some residents of the area.

     The event, which took place on Wednesday, at the Council Secretariat witnessed a crowd  of people from Wards A, B, C and D.

      “Government is very much aware of the effects of the fuel subsidy removal , hence the need to mitigate the effects,” Okeowo said.

     Fuel subsidywas being enjoyed by a cartel in the past, who were  few and super rich, he said..

     “This palliatives, which contain Vegetable oil, Semovita, Garri, Rice, Salt and ,Beans will go far for more people ,who could not have ever enjoyed or benefited from the subsidy in the past,”

      “Our children and wives go to the Markets, they buy fuel. We live amongst you, therefore we feel what you feel,we equally remember that you voted for us out of love,” he said.

  • Apapa gives GCE forms to indigent students

    Apapa gives GCE forms to indigent students

    The Apapa Local Coucil Development Area (LCDA), LagosState has distributed free GCE forms to no fewer than 200 students of the council.

    Speaking at the event, the Council Chairman, Dr. Funmilayo Akande-Muhammed, said the distribution was part of the council’s programme to reduce the effect of fuel subsidy removal on indigenes.

    She explained that the gesture was part of the youth empowerment programmes of the administration to make youths more productive and responsible persons.

    She added: “In the early quarter of this year we distributed free Jamb forms to the Students of our community in which most of them are almost in the higher institutions of their choice.

    “Our administration has put in place a vocational training programme which would commence any moment from now so that people can be self dependent, and also to alleviate poverty.”

    Read Also: Mushin Council chairman gives GCE forms to indigent youths

     The council boss felicitated with the beneficiaries and urged them to maximize the opportunity by coming out in flying colours in the examinations and to maintain the hard work for which they were known in order to improve on the remarkable performance in their academic pursuit in this imminent GCE examinations and other related academic activities to make them a better person in future.

    She disclosed that the massive road rehabilitation projects in various wards and the ongoing construction in Akorede and Osime Streets would soon be commissioned and would be part of projects projected to the public for her 200 days in office.

  • Chairman warns against open defecation

    Chairman warns against open defecation

    • By Oluwatamilore Macaulay

    Mushin Local Council Development Area (LCDA) boss Mr. Emmanuel Olanrewaju Bamigboye has urged the residents to desist from open defecation.

    He said this at the launch of ‘Clean Lagos Initiative and the Use of Toilet Campaign’ in Mushin.

    The initiative aims at sustaining healthy habits and eradicating open defecation.

     “To get rid of open defecation, we need strong decisions and huge material resources to combat these vices. It will not be easy but it is not impossible. We would explore all possible techniques to put an end to this indiscriminate act,”  he said.

     According to Bamigboye, the United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF) has urged governments to build thousands of public toilet for people’s use to curb the outbreak of cholera and dysentery, among others.

     “My government through the Department of Environmental Health Services will engage more in private sector participation and collaboration to end this act.”

    Read Also: Lagos intensifies campaign against open defecation

     He further urged stakeholders interested in investing in public toilet building to come with ideas that would help make a difference in combating the public nuisances.

     “We shall try to build over 500 public toilets in Mushin with our already established ones in motor parks,  markets and other public places” he added.

    Council Vice Chairman Mr. Olatubosu Haruna Aruwe advised the government to make the public toilets accessible.

    He also urged environmental officers and the task force to do their work properly and without sentiments.

    A representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environmental and Water Resources, Mrs. Omoyemi Balogun, urged political leaders, government agencies, non governmental organisations and others to join the fight against open defecation.

    “The eradication of open defecation is not an option, it is a necessity. It should not only be limited to Mushin, but every where.”

  • Ikeja LCDA begins food packs distribution’

    Ikeja LCDA begins food packs distribution’

    Ikeja Local Council Development (LCDA) Chairman  Mojeed Alabi Balogun, an engineer, has begun the distribution of palliatives to residents.

    Balogun noted that the country had witnessed changes which prompted the council to take action to mitigate the impacts of   those changes.

    Balogun, at a briefing held on August 30, at the council Conference room, clarified speculations on the provision and distribution of food packs to residents.

    “In response to the challenges that this decision pose, I am proud to announce that Ikeja Local Government has taken a proactive step to alleviate the potential burden on our community,”

    “We have provided food palliatives to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal ,independent of both state and federal Government funding, this is in our bid to complement the efforts of both the state and federal Government in finding lasting solutions to the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on the masses,” he said.

    Read Also:DSS arrests suspects for diverting palliatives

    On the total package, Balogun said: “We have packaged 7.5kg pack of food stuffs each comprising of  Rice, Beans , Garri , Spaghetti, Red oil worth six thousand seven hundred naira for 1,500 vulnerable  persons for free.”

    However, he emphasised that the food packs were not entirely free for all residents.

    “While the most vulnerable members of our society will receive these foodstuffs worth six thousand, seven hundred naira at no cost, those who are not in the vulnerable category would get the foodstuffs  at a subsidised rate of 40 per cent which means a whooping 60 per cent slash off the prices of each food pack.”

    Balogun expressed gratitude to the resilient people of Ikeja Local Government for their understanding, cooperation, and continued dedication to the community’s progress.

  • Coker-Aguda boss fetes 2,000 residents

    Coker-Aguda boss fetes 2,000 residents

    The Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has distributed foodsuff to over 2,000 residents in the council.

    Its Chairman, Razaq Ibrahim, said the programme was to alleviate the stress of the people and beneficiaries were drawn from all the wards.

    He said: “We called people around the seven wards in the local government, including the artisans, the disabled, youths, women, clerics, without excluding anybody in the community to have a feel of the council’s gesture.”

    According to him, the exercise will be in batches to reach residents.

    The council boss said the food items being distributed were palliatives from the local government, stating that when that of the federal government comes, they will add it to what they have on ground so that more people will benefit.

    Read Also: Ojo partners trust funds for loans

    “We have over 2,000 beneficiaries, but the next one will be more than this because this one is just to kick-start to see how it goes,” he said.

    On the continuity of the gesture, the council chairman assured that the programme will run till December.

     He said the committee in charge went to houses to check for the needy and got their details.

    This, he said, was to ensure the palliatives got to the right people and to prevent them from receiving twice.

    “We still have lot of things to do, in the educational sector, we distributed General Certificates Examination (GCE) forms to students to ease the burden on their parents because we know how much the form is.

    “We also organised holiday coaching class for students and we had 2,000 beneficiaries,” he said.

    The Coker-Aguda Council chief assured Nigerians that the removal of fuel subsidy was not meant to inflict pains on the people, but in the end, they will be happy.

    He advised Nigerians to calm down because there are lot of good packages in store for them from the Presidency.

    “What we need is prayer for our president, governors and local government chairmen,” he said.

    The Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Palliative Committee, Olaleye Martins Olanrewaju, said the palliatives were distributed regardless of the political party beneficiaries supported.

    He further said the price of each  package was over N10,000

    “I advise the beneficiaries not to sell the palliative; they should use them for their consumption. We know things are hard, but if you sell it, you are the one losing,” he said.

  • Council boss distributes 26 official vehicles to political officeholders

    Council boss distributes 26 official vehicles to political officeholders

    Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman Hon. Ramotalai Akinlola-Hassan has handed over the keys of 26 vehicles to councillors, political appointees (Supervisors), and three principal management staff.

    The chairman during the hand- over at the council secretariat, assured staff of the council that she would continue to give adequate attention to their welfare, to enable them to discharge their duties efficiently and effectively.

     She said: “the provision of these official vehicles by my administration is to motivate public servants working in Oriade council to show total commitment to their duties.”

    She added that they were expected to reciprocate the good gesture of her administration by ensuring that they are punctual at work and more hardworking than ever before.

    The council chairman saidthat the staff bus would be used to convey staff members residing in the Badagry axis, adding that in the next few months, another staff bus would be purchased for staff residing in the Igando, Ikotun, and Egbeda axis.

     She also assured heads of departments and units that, they would be provided with official vehicles in the next few months.

    Read Also: Subsidy: Ibeju-Lekki residents hail council chair over palliatives

    The beneficiaries of the new official vehicles were happy to receive their keys. They assured her that they would, henceforth, be more dedicated and committed to their duties in the overall interest of the growth and development of the LCDA.

     Among officials who were given official vehicles by the council chairman, are, elected councillors representing the seven wards in the council, all the supervisors that constitute the executive committee of the council, including the Chief of Staff to the council chairman, Mr. Daisi Muhideen.

     Others were the Council Manager, Builder Akitoye Semiu Babatunde, Council Treasurer, Mr Olugbuyi Babatunde and Council engineer Alufoge Fatai.

    The branch Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE),in Oriade LCDA, Comrade Olukolu Falilu and Head Of Human Resources Department, Mrs Simire Bolanle received the keys to the Coaster Staff Bus from the council chairman.

  • Mushin Council boss calls for collaboration

    Mushin Council boss calls for collaboration

    Mushin Council chief Emmanuel Olanrewaju Bamgboye has congratulated newly inducted Rotarian Oluwaseyi Oladimeji, who emerged the 2nd female and 7th president of Rotary Club of Mushin Golden, Lagos.

     Oladimeji was installed as the Hope President of the Rotary Club, Rotary District 9110, Nigeria for the year 2023/2024, on Saturday August 26, 2023 at the May Fair Hall, ikeja.

    Bamgboye, speaking at the event, said Rotary was a wonderful club  selflessly doing good to its community all over the world, that it should be given priority as its social responsibility is very high.

    He congratulated the president for accepting to take the mantle of leadership to serve her community as the second female president, and urged the club to ensure it joins hands with the local government for collaboration to execute her yearly community projects.

     Newly installed President, Oladimeji expressed joy to God over the success of the event, and pledged to continue to execute more projects whilst serving the community through the seven areas of focus to differently transform the mushin community on literacy education, maternal and childcare programmes and to help to observe the climate change through the planting of trees in the community.

     She promised not to stop the provisions of water in the areas where the community is lacking to ensure it is done and installed, just as four Boreholes were installed in different communities in the last Rotary year.

    Read Also: ‘Kosofe committed to residents’ welfare

    Oladimeji also affirmed that the club will not hesitate to notify and engage the Mushin Local Government Council for collaboration on the year 2023/2024 rotary projects, to achieve the best for Mushin community.

    She stated that the twenty award recipients included those who believed in the selfless service to humanity and have always donated to charity some of which are distinguished Senator Ganiyu Solomon and Hon. Emmanuel Bamgboye.

    The president also listed the proposed service projects for rotary year 2023-2024 which includes donation of books, laptops and desktop For Ajumoni Secondary school, Daleko Mushin, and donations of school jniforms, school bags, sandals for 100 Pupils, targeting two adopted primary schools in Mushin community.

    To give some financial supports to petty Traders, widows, widowers, disabled persons fund, youth sponsorship and training at N30,000 per participant, maintenance of the club’s existing water projects and renovation of water system for Ajeabo Primary school Ilasa Mushin, Lagos State.

    The Chairman on the occasion, Alhaji Moshood Shehu, said the investiture was so wonderful for a young lady to rise to a pinnacle of the community service to humanity, which remains an inspiration to other young women to come and serve their community.

     He thanked the club for honouring him with an Excellence Award of recognition and dedicated the Awards to God Almighty and his family who has always been there to support him.

     He further appealed to the Government to invest more in the youth because they are the asset of the nation. He said that the government can only get the best of the youths when they are treated well.

  • Ejigbo Council boss announces dissolution of CDC,CDA executives

    Ejigbo Council boss announces dissolution of CDC,CDA executives

    • By Nnenna Chukwunyere and Onyinye Okafor

    The Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, (LCDA) Lagos State, Alhaji Monsurudeen Bello (OBE) has announced the dissolution of the executives of the Community Development Committee (CDC) and the Community Development Association (CDA).

    Bello announced this during the meeting with community leaders and members, held at the council secretariat on Thursday, August 10.

    According to the Chairman, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu, dissolved the executives of the CDs and CDAs and he was only announcing it locally.

    The floor has been thrown open for Community members who are aspiring to either get re-elected or be newly elected.

    Every eligible community member would be allowed to vote and be voted for. The criteria for eligibility could be confirmed from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Services,” she said.

    Read Also: Ojo partners trust funds for loans

    However, it should be noted that out of the 119 CDAs in the council, only those registered with the state government would be allowed to take part in the election process.

    Bello further stated that Local Governments have been tasked to organise palliatives measures for the people because of fuel subsidy removal and the increase in dollar rate. The suggestion made revolved around: free distribution of food items, subsidy on price of food, transportation, among others.

    The council chairman stated that he would discuss  with the councillors and supervisors so as to work out ways of bringing the suggestion to life.

  • Chairman gives 500 GCE forms as palliative to indigent youths

    Chairman gives 500 GCE forms as palliative to indigent youths

    The Executive Chairman of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mayor Olufemi Okeowo, has said youths deserve palliatives and lifting from illiteracy and ignorance.

    Okeowo spoke during the presentation of 500 free General Certificate Examination (GCE) forms to youths, who cut across the seven wards of the Ifelodun LCDA.

    He said:”As a government and parents, we know the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on strata of society, particularly our youths. We are also aware of the fact that many of you present here have sat for WAEC but could not make the necessary prerequisites for admission into higher institutions.

    “This is another golden opportunity we have provided through these free gifts to you. Some parents are going through financial difficulties, hence, the could not afford the cost of the forms. This is the reason we decided to shoulder this  challenge.Your parents can put the money into other uses.

    “This administration is ready to provide free JAMB forms to all those who made the required credits through these forms given to you. It is the tax payers’ money. Read well and pass, so that the gesture could be justified.”

    Read Also: Ojo partners trust funds for loans

     Head, Department of Education, Mrs. Funmilayo Abraham, said the recipients were selected from the over  2,000 applicants who applied,  and almost all the recipients were residents of Ifelodun LCDA

    A recipient, Oluwadare Bulala, thanked the chairman for the largess at this time when many parents and youths could not afford the prohibitive cost of the form. He said the recipients would not disappoint the local government.

     Present at the occasion were the Vice Chairman, Alhaja Adetoun Ojora-Adejiyan; Secretary to the Local Government Hon. Hassan Olanrewaju, members of the executive committee, Council Manager Mr. Azeez Saheed Abiodun, party leaders, members of the Community Development Associations, youth leaders, market leaders and others.