The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kosofe

  • ‘Kosofe committed to residents’ welfare

    ‘Kosofe committed to residents’ welfare

    Chairman, Kosofe Local Government, Moyosore Ogunlewe,  has said his administration  is committed to the welfare and well-being of residents, and will continue to do its best to  positively impact  lives in the area.

    Ogunlewe spoke at a programme to commemorate the second anniversary of his administration in  Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that the council  chairman distributed  food palliatives  to no fewer than 5,000 residents during the programme .

    He said the distribution of the items, such as rice, beans and yam, and launch of Kosofe Food Bank were  part of the council`s interventions to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

    “We are launching the Kosofe Food Bank  to assist  our people here in Kosofe with foodstuffs in order to alleviate the burden  of fuel subsidy removal.

    Read Also: FG pushes for discipline in money supply as FAAC shares N966.110bn July revenue

    “When we were given this mandate, we promised the good people of Kosofe that we would erase poverty and all forms of human miseries and usher in success, liberation and renewal of hope. What we are doing today is just a step in that direction,” he said.

    Speaking on  plans of his administration for the next two years, Ogunlewe said the council would continue to serve the people and always  carry them along in the scheme of things. He added  that he would fashion policies to make his administration inclusive and participatory.

    “By this, we will make people the centre -piece of our administration, they will be involved in our day- to day management through their suggestions.

    “And we shall create suggestion boxes in various wards and area offices for people to air their  views, which will help shape our policy formulation,” he said.

    Ogunlewe noted that his administration would also hold periodic town hall meetings to interact with the people to know their needs.

    He added that the commitment of his administration to  reinventing the local government area was irreversible .

    “Our administration will not relent in its efforts to ensure that we touch every area of needs. Our construction work took off immediately after we assumed office. To God be the glory, we  have embarked on a series of projects such  as Primary Health  Care Centre at Oworonshoki  Ward A in collaboration with Access Bank Plc .

    “We  have built a new customary court and administrative offices.We have also graded some roads at Mechanic Village, Ogudu. Education is key and very dear to our administration, and we have made our impact felt in this sector. We distributed 150 GCE e-pins and completed registration for 150 beneficiaries at the maiden edition of in 2021,” he said.

  • 2019: Lagos lawmakers rally support for Gbajabiamila

    Some members of the House of Representatives from Lagos State have commended the leadership of the Leader of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila at national, state and constituency levels since his election into the house in 2003 .

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) lawmakers spoke in turns at the “Surulere General Assembly’’ on Thursday night.

    They said that they would support his bid to seek re-election to serve his people through quality representation.

    They appealed to residents of Gbajabiamila’s constituency to also support him in his bid to seek re-election.

    The newsmen reports that Gbajabiamila has been representing Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in the green chamber of the National Assembly since 2003.

    The lawmakers are: Messrs Jide Jimoh ( Yaba Fed. Constituency ), Ayo Joseph ( Apapa ), Rotimi Agunsoye ( Kosofe ) Yusuf Ayinla ( Mushin 2 ), and Olaitan Nurudeen ( Ifako-Ijaiye ).

    Mr JIde Jimoh described Gbajabiamila as an asset to the House of Representatives, who he said, had acquitted himself remarkably well as a legislator.

    He said the House Leader had initiated many development-oriented bills in the house and contributed robustly to debates in its sessions.

    Jimoh said Gbajabiamila served his people selflessly, urging residents of Surulere to unite and support him for another term.

    “We are here today to thank Surulere for giving to the house an impactful legislator like Hon.Gbajabiamila.

    “He has been an asset to the house with his great presentation of issues and robust contributions to sessions.

    “We are proud of him and we want you, his constituents to unite and support his bid to seek re-election,” he said.
    Jimoh said that Gbajabiamila was already a principal officer of the house and that replacing him with someone else at this point would not give much benefit to the constituency and the state.

    Also speaking, Hon, Ayo Joseph said lawmaking was about experience, passion and service.

    He said that Gbajabiamila’s wealth of experience as a member of the House was a great asset not only to the National Assembly but also to the nation.

    He urged residents of Surulere to speak with one voice and support the House Leader for another term to “continue the good work he has been doing”.

    Mr Rotimi Agunsoye said the hallmark of leadership was to lead well and see what others could not see.

    He said Gbajabiamila had demonstrated exemplary leadership and had impacted positively on his constituents.

    Agunsoye said the House Leader was a legislator per excellence who commanded the respect of house members with his erudite presentation of issues.

    “When Gbajabiamila speaks others listen. Every one of us loves to listen to him in the house.

    “He is a selfless leader and a legislator per excellence. I want the residents of Surulere to re-nominate this gentleman to keep the flag flying,” he said.

    Also, Mr Olaitan Nurudeen said Gbajabiamila was a rallying point for Lagos lawmakers in the house.

    He added that the lawmaker was a blessing not only to Surulere but to the state, urging his constituent members to support him for another term.

    Similarly, Mr Yusuf Ayinla also commended Gbajabiamila for what he called his achievements in the house, saying he deserved another term for his great performance.

    The Secretary of APC in the state, Mr Hakeem Bamgbala described Gbajabiamila as a great party man who had not only made the state proud but also the party.

    Bamgbala represented by the Vice-Chairman, Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, said Gbajabiamila had demonstrated exemplary leadership.

    Read Also: Lagos Island Rotary to build hospital

    Also, Mr Desmond Elliot; a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly ( LAHA ), said Gbajabiamila had touched the lives of many constituents.

    He said that he had empowered many residents through so many initiatives and represented the area well at the House of Representatives.

    He urged the residents of Surulere to give the House Leader all the support in his bid for another term.

    A resident and chieftain of the APC, Mr Adeseye Amigos, praised Gbajabiamila for his contributions to the development of Surulere.

    He said that the residents were pleased with him and would support his bid for another term.

    The newsmen reports that other constituents took turns to commend Gbajabiamila at the assembly, pledging support for him.

    NAN

  • Kosofe unveils N2bn budget

    Kosofe Local Government Chairman, Hon Afolabi Babatunde Sofola has presented a N2,148,188,2018.38 budget for the year 2018 to the council’s legislative council and EXCO members.

    The budget, tagged “Budget of Infrastructural Development and Renewal of Hope,” allocates a lion’s share of 35 per cent (N747,982,620.39) to Education. General Public Services comes second with 28% allocation, totaling N590,072, 457.00.

    27 per cent (N527,640,057.35) goes to Works, Housing and  Infrastructure. This, the chairman explained, is to take care of lighting of some roads constructed by the local government. It will also go into constructing new ones, as well as rehabilitating old ones and maintaining clean drainages.

    Health, and Waste and Environmental Sanitation get 4 per cent each: N109,725,439 and N88, 267, 633.56 respectively.

    Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, WAPA gets N24,500,000.00 (1 per cent) while Agric and Social Development gets N88, 267,633 (1 per cent).

  • Council of Imams turbans three chiefs in Kosofe

    The Council of Chief Imams and Ulamah, Kosofe Zone has turbaned three persons for uplifting Islam.

    Lagos State House of Assembly member Otunba Tunde Braimoh, wife of Kosofe Local Government Chairman Alhaja Ganiyat Sofola and former Agboyi Ketu Local Council Development Area Sole Administrator Alhaji Rasaki Ilelaboye were honoured with Olootu, Ameerat Muslimat and Jagunmolu Adinni of Kosofe.

    The council urged them to expand the frontiers of Islam within and around the community.

    Its Chairman, Imam Sulaiman Adesina, said the honorees had contributed to the growth of Islam in Kosofe.

    Imam Adesina said: “The council’s relationship with the honorees should be treasured by all concerned and this is geared towards implementing projects that would serve the masses. I congratulate those receiving titles  and urge them to keep their heads high as I assure them that this event marks the beginning of many good things in their lives.”

    Chairman on the occasion, Sikirullahi Osinowo, a lawmaker in the state, praised the council for its efforts in propagating Islam.

    He promised to give the council a bus and also pay part of the money for acquiring  land for a cemetry.

    Alhaja Sofola promised to discharge her duties, saying: “The meaning of Ameerat Muslimat is a woman leader in guiding people about knowing God and worshipping God more in line with Islamic injunctions. I’m happy about this. We would go according to what God wants us to do in the awareness that Islam is a religion of peace. So when we are able to sit with our immediate community, and let our children know; it will reduce the war and hatred  happening around the world now. So, I hope with this honour, I’ll be able to carry the women and children forward. There will be various health, education, programmes to uplift the living standard of the downtrodden.”

     

  • My agenda for Kosofe, by Braimah

    My agenda for Kosofe, by Braimah

    Tunde Braimah was the executive chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area between 1999 and 2002. Braimah, a lawyer went back to practice his first love, law, after leaving office. More than a decade after, he is back into active politics and has won the primary election to represent Kosofe in the Lagos State House of Assembly under the banner of the APC. In this interview with SEGUN AJIBOYE and INNOCENT DURU, he spoke about his expectations and what put him in good stead for legislative assignment. Excerpts:

    You defeated an incumbent in the recent primary election for the Lagos State House of Assembly in Kosofe Constituency. How did you achieve this?

    I will not subscribe to the use of the word ‘defeat’ because it was an intra-party primary election. The word defeat may sound inappropriate in that circumstance. It was a kind of arrangements of the best hands in the party to be selected for the job. There were other people that aspired for that post. It was an election of the most qualified person.

    What have you been up to, since you quit office as a local government chairman?

    I went back to law practice, but it was not as easy as it used to be. The expectation of the people will not allow me to move freely. Many people did not know the difference of being a lawyer and a politician, they try to lump everything together. It was affecting my performance to my clients, even the way my client related to me. But the office is there, I only stepped aside for other colleagues to run the office. I have concentrated fully on my other business, which is hospitality. I have invested my time and resources into it.

    What was the secret of your success in the primary election?

    God has been kind to me. Whatever others did with so much money, I have always achieved with little or nothing. This is because of my background, the name and the goodwill. There was a particular leader who encouraged me to continue to do more. He told me to ensure that I continue to do more for the people. That advice has really encouraged me to continue doing to my doing good to my people.

    Politics is an expensive venture. How have you coped all this while?

    I thank God that I am not a pauper.  I have source of income and I had to cut my coat to my size. I did not go out of my way to do what I should not do. I am taking everything in my strides and God has been kind.

    What happened to your followers while you were out of office?

    Many left while others stayed with me. My staunch supporters stayed with me even when I was not contesting any election. You would be surprised that they rally round me whenever I have anything to celebrate.

    Looking back at what happened when you ran for the office a local government chairman, what would you say has changed?

    For my experience, I believe that things have indeed changed. I thank Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the development he has brought to bear on our party. He has allowed for a free and fair contest, and of course, that was what helped me. I thank God there was no order from above. The conduct of the election was liberal and proper, and it allowed people who really know us to vote freely.

    I thank God there was no order from above it was liberal and proper, and it allowed people who really know us to vote and make their choice. In 1998 when I became chairman, the process was also free and fair. And sincerely, I think when election has been free and fair, God has always been kind to me.

    What particular lesson did you learn as chairman that you hope to bring to bear if you win?

    The basic lesson I took away from office as chairman is about public attitude to governance and that you must be public-oriented. Of course my background as a lawyer will help me because it is a procedural activity. Procedures are used in court, though I know that there will be differences. I practiced law undiluted since 1999, doing nothing other than law practice.

    So what do you think should give you the edge seeking a legislative position?

    My profession as a lawyer has really helped me. As a practicing lawyer, I know how to present a motion and argue matters, though there may be slightly differences in the way legislative business is done because instead of me persuading somebody, I will be convincing them. And I will adapt, by the grace of God, to bring myself in tune to the rules of the House. There is enough time to prepare for the election. My background should be a good start for me to build on. Moreover, I also have the benefit of having held an executive position. So, I think the combination of the two experiences would go a long way to assist me in carrying out my responsibilities to my people.

    You said something about goodwill. How easy is it for you to have maintained you followers these past years?

    The world is like a talking drum. It faces some and at the same time backs others. But you must always believe in yourself. There are three ways of judging people’s character- what he says, what he does and what people says about him. What he says and what he does are the most important things. What people say about him, of course, may not be a fair assessment of who he is.  But what you do says a lot about you and people must know who you are.  Character is the most important thing, because that is who you are. For instance, you may be reputed to be a womanizer, but it may a very wrong opinion about you. But for me, there is nobody that I cannot deal with. If someone has a wrong impression of me, I try to keep up with him, because I know that with time things will change. When you are persistent on an issue or in your relationship with people, they will get to know who you if they allow their minds to be open. Majority of the people in Lagos are hard working people whose desire is good representation. Therefore,

  • Why I want to represent Kosofe, by ex-commissioner

    Why I want to represent Kosofe, by ex-commissioner

    Former Lagos State Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Prince Rotimi Agunsoye has joined the House of Representatives race in Kosofe Constituency.

    He said: “I joined the race to serve and contribute to the legislative cause for good governance. I have the experience and the exposure. I have served as the vice chairman of a local government, special adviser and commissioner at the state level. I am a committed party man and I have served without blemish.”

    Other aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are Commissioner for Works Hon. Olatunbosun Jeje; member of House of Assembly Hon. Bayo Osinnowo; a youth activist, Alhaji Oluwatoyin Balogun; and Hon. Dayo Alebiosun, who was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 2007 and 2011.

    Agunsoye said he is in the race in fulfilment of the wish of his people, who he said, are rooting for his candidature. He noted that he was amazed at the activities of youths, women and leaders who printed posters for him and encouraged him to contest for the seat as a committed stalwart.

    The aspirant said: “This is not the first time I will be vying for the House of Representatives seat. For 12 years, I have been on it. But, party elders asked me to step down. But, I know the party will allow me to run in 2015. My chance is bright.”

    Agunsoye urged members of the party to gird their loins for battle, adding that they should not allow any crack on the wall. He said the party is more important than the ambition of members and so they should remain loyal and steadfast to the progressive bloc.

    However, he dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with a wave of the hand, saying that it does not exist in Kosofe Constituency. He said: “The PDP cannot beat the APC in Kosofe and indeed in Lagos State. The achievements of the APC administration will always count on the day of election.”

  • ‘My agenda for Kosofe’

    ‘My agenda for Kosofe’

    Lagos State Commissioner for Housing Hon. Bosun Jeje is a House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kosofe Constituency. He spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on issues that will shape the contest.

    Why are you contesting for the House of Representatives in Kosofe Constituency?

    If we are to refresh our memory, in 2007, I contested, In 2011, I contested. But, as a party man, who believe in the voice of the leaders, when they made arrangement and say, “this is the way to go,” I followed. So, when I was asked to step down in 2007 and 2011, I complied. This time round, I consulted widely, I have been given a nod that I should go ahead. So, the aspiration is on and on course.

    What is the assurance that you will get the ticket?

    I think it is the way you work that would determine your success. The way you sow is the way you reap. I have been a party man, I believe in the establishment, I believe in my people. I have always been living with them. And I have really been working with them. Even, it is my people that have been nudging me on that I should go to the House of Representatives. So, the chances of clinching the ticket for me, I think it is very high. So, that is what has been propelling in this aspiration.

    What are the developmental challenges facing Kosofe Constituency?

    Well, anything worth doing in life, there are always challenges. But, we look for solution for every challenge. I have come out and I have submitted my form and I have told all the leaders of my aspiration. Some of the challenges are that my party people are also coming out for the same post. And even, the incumbent, I learnt, is coming out too to re-contest. So, I have these challenges but I think they are not insurmountable.

    What experience qualifies you for a parliamentary role?

    I think what goes for me in my life is that I try to give back to the society what it has done for me. And the House of Representatives is a lawmaking institution. I am a lawyer by profession and an environmentalist, a sociologist who has things to do with the people. Basically, my core area has always been people, people and people. For the environment, I think I will be more useful in making laws in that area to ensure that our people live healthy life and that they are well represented.

    My constituency in Kosofe will be well represented in the scheme of things at the national level. When you are the National Assembly, you are now in the Nigeria’s circle. And I want the federal presence in Kosofe.

    How do the people of the constituency perceive your ambition?

    The reception has been wonderful people are really identifying with me. I have been with them, so they are with me now that they know that I have an aspiration. Like I have said, they are nudging me that I should go ahead. They want Kosofe’s name to be heard nationally and be on the map of Nigeria. Who else could do it? My people are convinced that I could do it with my experience in business and my exposure in so many areas. I have attained so many things in my life that I am no more searching for any material gains again than to serve my people. Any time they come to me, they see me. Since when I have become a commissioner, they have been coming and they have been seeing me. I am not a type of commissioner that would luck myself up. They have been telling me that they want Kosofe name to ring bell in Abuja. And I am sure if I get there, it will definitely ring bell.

    It is my duty to make sure that Federal presence becomes more pronounced in Kosofe in every sphere of life.

    There are agitations for and against consensus and primaries. Where do you stand? I agree with both primaries and consensus to get the candidates. Where it is possible to reach a consensus, there is no need for primaries. Primary basically, is expensive. Besides, it generates bad blood in our own clime here. So, we try to go for consensus if we can achieve it. If we cannot achieve it, then, we go for primaries. And good enough, the APC, being a new party, is trying to put its feet down that there should be primaries. I have a revised timetable that states that we should go for indirect primaries. And I think that all of us are going for primaries unless we can achieve consensus. If not, we go for primaries. We are prepared and everybody is prepared for it. I am prepared for it.

    Is the APC not threatened by the move by the PDP to displace the party in Lagos State?

    With what our administration has done in Lagos State, I believe the election would be a work over. Starting from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu dministration down to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), we have found ourselves at a level whereby it would be difficult for the PDP to contest with us and match us. we have convinced the people that governance can be beneficial. And having done that, the people themselves have seen that they can trust government. So, Asiwaju Tinubu, Governor Fashola have set the template for governance in Lagos State. PDP would try to show that they exist because of appointment. But unfortunately for them, there is no more appointment for them in Abuja because APC will over run them next year.