Category: Grassroots

No fewer than 500 households have benefited from the financial palliative programme initiated by the Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos, Adebayo Olasoju.

The gesture was part of activities to commemorate his second year anniversary in office.

The event, which held on the council premises, recorded attendance from not only the beneficiaries but notable personalities in the council area and beyond, which included Chief M. A. Taiwo is a member of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Committee (GAC).

Olasoju explained that it is only ideal to commemorate the second anniversary with such an event even though it is one of the frequently held programmes of the council.

He added that it’s one of the ways the council intends to complement the state and Federal governments’ efforts on a post-subsidy palliative aimed at cushioning the effects of the policy on Nigerian homes.

He said: “In addition to this programme, we will launch our food bank soon to further ameliorate the attendant challenges of subsidy removal. We realise that the last time we held an empowerment programme of this kind, people collected by proxy but this time around, we’ve decided to give everyone an accreditation tag to ensure that those we designed the programme for get it and it doesn’t get diverted.

“Some were disqualified during the screening process because this programme is for low-income earners. We will, in due course, evolve programmes that will capture medium-income earners. Let me specially appreciate the Community Development Committee (CDC), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), market leaders and others for ensuring that this gesture got to those who merit it. We believe this palliative will enhance their businesses and improve the livelihood of their respective families.”

The council boss used the medium to announce a free medical programme held the following day, urging the residents to turn out en masse at council secretariat to make the most of the project.

The health mission featured screening of sugar level, blood pressure, eye test, dental consultation, and general medical check-up.

“May I use this medium to once again, urge us to intensify our prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the state governors and also council chairmen. Let’s emulate Americans who consciously or unconsciously pray for their country. This is our country, this is our home, the peace, progress and development of this country is to our advantage,” he said.

Chief Taiwo, Oba-Elect of Oke-Alo/Gbagada/Mende Habeeb Adeshina Faronbi, and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the council, Gani Bello, applauded Olasoju for his remarkable programmes and projects since he assumed office.

A beneficiary, Mrs. Victoria Osega, who trades at Afenifere Market, Okota, was full of praise for the council chairman.

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Elizabeth Adebayo, who resides on Iyewa Street, Isolo, promised to invest the cash endowment on their trades.

Olasoju also made a cash donation to a physically challenged staff of the council on the prompting of the programme anchor, Olaniyi Afonja who spoke about the beneficiary, Damilola Johnson’s patriotism and selflessness before the audience.

Moved by this submission, the council boss directed Johnson be included on the listed for cash award as was meted out to some staff of the council recently while a community leader, Otunba Jide Oni placed him on his foundation’s monthly salary of N25,000.

Igboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area, Lagos, yesterday distributed food items to over 17,500 residents.

The gesture, tagged: ‘We-lift Food Bank Initiative,’ saw thousands of beneficiaries gathered at Arowosegbe Primary School Compound, Alapere, one of the distributing centres.

Chairman of the council, Dele Oshinowo, said the initiative was in line with the programmes of the federal and Lagos state governments.

Oshinowo, represented by the council’s Vice Chairman, Mrs Folake Kayode, described the programme as successful.

He said: “You can see that I have lost my voice trying to control the crowd; it has not been easy. We have a mammoth crowd here and they have been here since morning. We are doing our best to ensure the food items go round.

“We have sorted out the elders, the pregnant women and those with disabilities. We did all those ones earlier before allowing other groups into the school compound. What we give out are Rice, Garri, Yam and Beans and each beneficiary has a choice of choosing any two from the food items.”

The council chief said provision was made for 2,500 packs of foodstuffs for each distribution centre.

Oshinowo said: “We have seven wards and the distribution is going on simultaneously in all those seven centres. We will continue this gesture as long as the effects of fuel subsidy removal bite hard. The decision to remove the subsidy is a painful one that we must as a nation take to move forward. There is nobody that is not feeling it but we know that after it is for a better tomorrow. It is just like gold. Before gold can be turned to something worthwhile, it would have gone through the goldsmith who will put it in the fire.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu meant well for Nigerians. All those developed countries – America, United Kingdom and France among others have passed through this difficult stage. It is our own time to take that difficult decision for our future to be better. Nigeria will get there one day.”

A beneficiary, Hamzat Agboola thanked the council boss for the palliative.

“We were given rice and we really appreciated it and were happy about it. The subsidy removal really affects us and we are praying for the government to cushion the effect and come up with measures to bring the situation under control,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Kemi Esan, wants the government to fix the moribund refineries.

This, he said, would make the fuel available and cheaper.

“I have four kids; it is not easy coping with their school fees and other expenses. We pray God should intervene with what is happening in Nigeria and that is why we came to line up here since morning. My kids have not eaten since yesterday, which is why I struggled to be here this morning.

Badagry, a coastal town and local government area in Lagos State, is reputed for its rich history. As far back as the 18th Century, it acted as a commercial centre and point of contact between European slave merchants and slave traders from the hinterlands. 

On the positive side, however, its location as a coastal town with links northwards to Abeokuta and Oyo made it a port of entry for missionaries through whom western education was brought into the country. 

But it’s slow pace of development has been at variance with its popularity. So much so that new visitors to the community are left to wonder if the town they behold is one and the same with the one they have read and heard about. 

This state of affairs persisted until the current council led by the Chairman, Segun Onilude, took it as a challenge to match the community’s history with its physical development.

“Because of its rich history, Badagry’s name echoes far more than what is physically on the ground,” says Onilude.

“Very often, I have heard people say, ‘Is this the Badagry we read about in History class?’ Badagry should be a tourist attraction, but we lack the necessary infrastructure to support it.

“Hence I was determined to change the face of Badagry by erecting some landmark structures which would in future support growth economically. 

“Badagry  is one of the foremost local government areas in Nigeria. First, it was called Egun/Awori District Council, then to Badagry Local Government when the local government covered the entire area from Seme to Ajegunle. 

“Later, it was divided into two, namely Ojoo and Badagry. Later, Ajeromi came, Amuwo came, then the LCDA (Local Council Development Area) also came. 

“Before now, when you visited the local government secretariats in Lagos State, you would wonder why the mother of them all was so backward in terms of infrastructure. 

“We should have got infrastructure that shows opulence because when Badagry was together, it was the seat of power. 

“What I know is that seats of power which have capital place are usually more developed than others, but that was not the case with Badagry. We were still using the town hall bequeathed to us by the colonial masters.”

Onilude noted that since the present seat of the local government headquarters came into being in the 1970s, “no one has added a block to change the face of the secretariat. The best anybody has done is to remove the louvers, change them to sliding windows and repaint.

“At times when we visit some of our colleagues in other places we are ashamed that our mother of all local government areas is so backward.

“We took it as a challenge that the shame must end with us. That is why we put up an edifice of two-storey building to change the narrative.”

Covering a land area of 1,119 square metres, the design and construction of the edifice in question, according to the supervising engineer, Jelili Olawale Yusuf, was inspired by Hon. Onilude when he assumed office in July 2017, went round the premises of the local government’s secretariat and declared that he would like it to have an administrative block of this nature. 

Engr. Yusuf said: “It was like of all the local government areas in Lagos State, Badagry was the only one that was still using the old structures inherited from the colonial period. 

“Having gone round, he came up with the idea that our department should look at what the council could do to have such an edifice. 

“We met with architects, came up with the design and he fell in love with it. That was how the project began.”

Yusuf, who said the project took about three years to complete, said a soil test was conducted on the land space to determine the kind of foundation needed for the structure.

“From the result, it was decided that piling type of foundation should be done because the area was reclaimed. 

“The number of piling points we have there is about 72 while the depth is about eight metres and the diameter of the reinforcement is 600mm.”

He said apart from Onilude administration’s plan to make history and change the narrative, the project was also motivated by the dearth of office space in the existing structures. 

“Definitely, it was the problem of lack of office space that we had in the local government that prompted the chairman to think up the project,” he said. 

“The decent work environment that will be created with this will definitely enhance the productivity of workers and eradicate all the problems we are having with office accommodation.”

Asked what mechanisms were being put in place for proper maintenance of the structure, Yusuf admitted that poor maintenance culture is a major problem in the country, “and that is something we’ve really thought about. Our plan is to have a certain amount dedicated to its maintenance in our yearly budget. 

“ Once there is a budget for it, there would be no issue of not getting it serviced as we want. It will definitely be maintained by the Works Department.”

• By Onyinye Okafor

Residents of Ikeja Local Government, Ojodu and Local Council Development Areas have been praising their representative in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, James Abiodun Faleke, for embarking on various projects in the community.

Faleke’s efforts are complementing the works of the chairmen of the three councils.

The lawmaker, representing Ikeja Constituency, in company of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and stakeholders, visited the sites of ongoing constituency projects across the all the wards in the three council areas.

The team inspected 30 roads being upgraded and ongoing construction of blocks of classrooms.

After visiting the sites, Faleke urged the contractors handling the projects to ensure timely delivery without compromising standards.

He told the constituents of his plan to add four more roads.The lawmaker assured that the roads would be fitted with drainages for durability.

According to him, a plan to replicate the model of three-floor block of 15 classrooms being built at Ikeja Cantonment is in the works.

He urged beneficiaries to take ownership of the facilities.

As of the last count, 16 schools have benefited from the projects and three other schools have been fitted with state-of-the-art ICT centres.

Some of the project sites visited are Olasimbo and Ibijoke in Oregun community; Road 29 on Alabi Street in Olusosun; Adekunle Fajuyi Road and Fani-Kayode Street in Ikeja GRA and others in Anifowose (Ikeja); Ogunsolu (Onilekere); Afisman Drive (Ikeja) and Bayo Shodipo Street (Ikeja), among others.

• Doles out 250 GCE forms

• By Meimunat Fasasi

The Chairman of Iru/Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos, Princess Rasheedat Abiodun Adu, has presented bursary to 10 polytechnic and university students.

Each of the beneficiaries got N100,000 each to support their academic pursuit.

The gesture, she said, would rejuvenate the education sector in the council.

“Education is not the preparation for life; education is life itself, a viable tool to achieve greatness, therefore your success and accomplishment is very important to us,” Princess Adu told the students before presenting cheques to them.

The beneficiaries, who are residents in the council, were urged to focus more on their studies and justify the council’s investment in them.

The council boss said she expects nothing but great results during their convocation.  

Princess Adu said the 250 free General Certificate Examination (GCE) forms were given to students who intend to further their studies.

She said a temporary registration centre has been provided to ease the process for the beneficiaries.

The council, she said, has also provided tables, chairs and electronic gadgets to pupils in Army Children School to aid effective learning.

She urged the pupils not to relent in their efforts towards success and to also utilise the opportunity well.

“You should study very well to pass your exams. This would ease your admission into various higher institutions. You can achieve your dreams by dedicating your time to your books. Avoid all sorts of distractions on social media by remaining committed to your study. This is the way to achieve your goals,” she said.

Head of the Education Department, Mrs. Akanbi said: “We are delighted to have a mother as the chairman who never ceases to accept our needs and ensure they are provided to the pupils, students and schools. Thank you very much Ma.”

Chiamaka Ekong, a student of the University of Lagos, appreciated the chairman’s support.

 Ekong said: “Indeed the Chairman has the people’s interest at heart; she’s a woman with a heart of gold. We appreciate your support from the past till this moment; you’re always ready to listen and exhort us, thank you Ma.”

A teacher, representing Army Children School, Mrs. Ogunsanya, commended the council chief

“The chairman has renovated our school before; yet she never hesitates to support us again and again, thanks very much Ma, we’re grateful,” she said.

Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Areas, Lagos, Mrs. Bola Shobowale, has joined others in the state to celebrate Year 2023 Tree Planting and Sensitisation Campaign Day.

At the event, held at Community Primary School Isefun, Shobowale said there is need to grow more trees than the rate at which they are destroyed.

“There is always need to grow and regrow trees at a more noteworthy rate than the rate at which they are destroyed. Trees also give many other benefits. We get fruits and flowers from the trees. Trees provide us with fuel and timbers.

“We should plant trees on the two sides of the roads and on all the vacant places in our surrounding,” she said.

Read Also: ‘How FG is stalling completion of Ayobo-Ipaja road’

Speaking on the theme of this year’s tree planting exercise, “Let’s Green our City,” she noted that trees planted in the streets and parks; add to the beauty of the environment.

She encouraged the residents to protect and nurture the planted trees to maturity, adding that “trees consume carbon dioxide, thereby making the environment safe for living.”

She called on the state government to come to their aid in fixing some bad roads in the LCDA, build more primary schools and hospitals in the local government.

Dignitaries at the event include Vice Chairman, Otunba Ladi Oluwaloni, Party Chairman, Dele Ojo, Supervisors, Baales, Clergies and Seriki Usawa.

A woman, Mrs Funke Alawode, has appealed to the Chairman of Ado-Odo Ota Local Government, Ogun State, Sheriff Musa and other well meaning Nigerians for assistance in paying the bills for her 25-year old son, Opeyemi Alawode, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Opeyemi Alawode, who lives at Atan-Ota, Idi-Iroko Expressway, Along Andron Estate, Ogun State, is suffering from mental illness as a result of brain tumor due to delayed labour at childbirth.

Her account details are, Access Bank,

0033774717, Account Name, Alawode Modinat Funke.

According to his mother,  Mrs Alawode,  the brain tumor which resulted into mental health issues was as a result of delay during childbirth as she laboured for five days before Opeyemi was born.

She said, “I laboured for five days before Opeyemi was born, because the baby did not come out on time.He was diagnosed with a brain tumor after we did a test at a Psychiatric hospital in Abeokuta. They said we should do a scan which costs N52,000 but we could not do it due to lack of funds.

“We were referred to a trado-medical hospital, Ige Trado-Medical Hospital, after I pleaded for help at Faaji Fm. The doctor in charge said we should make a payment of N500,000 to begin treatment after which, Opeyemi will be given injections and medicines to use, now we need about N2,000,000 for him to get well.

“We are pleading with Nigerians to come to our rescue and help us raise the money. I have exhausted all the money from my business while trying to raise funds for his treatment”, she tearfully said.

Chairman of the Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos Olusesan Daini, has taken a step towards alleviating the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the people of the community.

Daini established a seven-man committee for the Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA food bank initiative, aimed at cushioning the effects of the subsidy removal, which will run for the next six months.

The committee, which is made up of dedicated members, will be responsible for distributing palliatives to residents, without allowing anyone to hijack the process.

Read Also: Lagos slashes bus fares by 50%, poor families to get food packs

The committee will also ensure that the genuine initiative and intentions of the administration are actualised, with a work plan for distribution pattern in wards, socio-economic strata, particularly the vulnerable and poor groups, without compromising the integrity of the process.

The members of the committee include Mrs. Sonaike Toyin as Chairman, Mr. Abayomi Adelakun, Imam Hakeem Sanni, Mrs. Adekemi Okusanya, Mr. Adeyemi Benson, Pastor Babatunde Fashola, and Mr. Taiwo Oduntan as Secretary.

He said the establishment of the committee is a clear indication of the Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA’s commitment to supporting its community and providing relief to those who need it most.

The food bank initiative, he added, will help to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal and make life easier for the people of the community.

Mushin Local Government Chairman Emmanuel Bamigboye has reflected on the seizure of Lagos State council funds by the defunct Obasanjo administration.

Although he lamented the ordeals of the 57 councils, he recalled that the challenge made the former chairmen to adorn their thinking caps and expand their revenue base.

Bamigboye said Mushin council under his predecessors mobilised the council to embrace the reality of the times and put their destiny in their hands.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu, who as governor, led the 20 pre-existing councils and the additional 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to victory over the “federal oppression.”

Bamgboye, who spoke in his office, said: “Necessity became the mother of invention. Obasanjo seized the council allocation. But, it gingered up our predecessors. They tried to improve on their revenue generation. They were doing N100 m yearly them. They jerked it up to N150m. Therefore, it was a blessing in disguise. It gave the council strength not to depend on the federal allocation.”

Read Also: Sanwo-Olu, the quintessential Lagos driver

The chairman, who spoke on his activities, urged the people to continue to cooperate with his administration to bring more dividends of democracy to their doorsteps.

He said: “Mushin Local Government is spreading dividends of democracy.  I have been here as chairman since 2017. We have tarred 40 roads, filled potholes, given empowerment, provided palliative, including succor to 250 old people

“We had six health centres. I increased it to seven. Four of them operate for 24 hours. We bought medical equipment for them. Now, we are embarking on a medical mission to tackle cataract, gutter, hypertension, diabetes. Our people deserve to enjoy the benefit of welfare.”

Bamigboye said the council has provided free JAMB and GCE forms, and organised coaching classes for students, adding that the bright ones also enjoy scholarships.

He said to make the environment clean, the council has not relented in clearing the refuse from schools, markets and streets, thereby complementing the activities of LAWMA.

On general empowerment,  he said: “We train people on vocations. We buy tools and settle them in their trades after training. We also approach the private organisations in the council to help us absorb our youths.”

Bamgboye said he has fought infrastructure battle, making specific references to the road projects across the wards and streets, including Buhari, Olufunmilayo, Arokolaro, Albania, Adeoyo and Itire.

On housing, he said: “A housing project is being implemented by our council. We will soon Commission it. We are also developing the markets in Ladipo, Daleko, Amu and Oluyide.

Bamigboye thanked Sanwo-Olu for not tampering with the council funds, stressing that it made made it possible to replicate his feats at the grassroots.

He said: “Lagos council chairmen are like governors among their colleagues. When I was speaking about my achievements in Abuja, colleagues from other states asked whether I am a governor.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu has empowered the councils. To whom much is given, much is expected. We will not let him down.”

The chairman said local governments should be sensitive to their responsibilities as the closest unit of administration to the grassroots.

He said while it may not be easy for people to see the governor, local people see the council secretariat as the first point of call.

The chairman added: “We are the closest to the people. It is easy for people to see us. I asked people not to pity me because I applied for the job. People mount pressure on us, asking for school fees, money for birthday, burials, chieftaincy celebrations.

“Judging by our enormous responsibility, the money available to the council is not enough. We have to be strategic or else, we won’t be able to fund our projects, which are dictated by need analysis.”