Tag: Sanwo-Olu

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Babafemi Hamzat, Chairman Ikorodu West Local Government Development Council, Kazeem Sulaimon and the Baale of Owutu Town, Pa Joseph Olátúnjí Aluko have waded into the crisis that led to the demolition of about 200 houses of residents by alleged land grabbers allegedly hiding under the guise of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), with a view to solving the crisis and unravel those behind the demolition.

Sanwo-Olu met the residents lastThursday through his Special Assistant on Rural Development, Dr Nurudeen Agbaje when they embarked on a peaceful protest to the State House, at Alausa Ikeja on the activities of an alleged notorious land grabber, Mr Jimmy Sholaja of Osholonge family.

The Deputy Governor, Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat who similarly received the protesters and received their petition, said the state government will not allow anyone to be deprived of his or her rights in Lagos, and promised to get to the root of the matter with a view to seeking solution to the lingering crisis.

In the same vein, the Chairman of Ikorodu West LCDA and the Baale of Owutu Town in Ikorodu have both dissociated themselves from the demolition of their houses, purportedly carried out by the staff of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).

The Chairman, while addressing protesters at the Local Government Secretariat on Friday, said while he was neither aware nor informed of the demolition which took place at about 200 meters away from his office, he promised to make effort to unearth those behind the dastardly act.

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The Baale, Pa Joseph Olátúnjí Aluko, also dissociated himself and the palace from the activities of the alleged land grabber, Jimmy Sholaja, who he said, does not have the blessings of his palace in the crisis being orchestrated by Sholaja and the Osholonge family, noting that no good monarch will support the demolition of residents of his subjects.

Some people who wore Lagos State Building Control Agency jacket, accompanied with KAI vehicles, gun-weilding uniformed men, and thugs who were believed to be cultists besieged Agric, Owutu Town on Wednesday, March 26.

Consequently, the residents embarked on a series of protest to all stakeholders to save them from Mr Sholaja who they alleged connived with LASBCA to demolish their houses.

The residents who had been sleeping on the rubbles and the ruins of their homes for over a week since the bulldozers of LASBCA visited their community, lamented that the demolition was carried out, despite the court orders restraining the Lagos State government and LASBCA from demolising their property; and in spite of the fact that the case is also at the Appeal Court.

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, Convener, Women in Successful Careers, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola and hosts of other eminent personalities yesterday turned out in large number for the maiden Lagos West Women Assembly put together by the senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Dr Idiat Adebule.

Women from all local governments within the senatorial districts attended in large number.

The event held at an expansive hall along Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, was also witnessed by former Lagos State Deputy Governor, now Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs) Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, now member of the Federal Civil Service Commission Princess Sarah Sosan; former deputy speakers of Lagos State House of Assembly Adefunmilayo Tejuoso and Bola Badmus-Olujobi; National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Mary Alile-Idele; APC Lagos Women Leader Jumoke Okoya-Thomas; House of Representatives member, Ganiyu Ayuba and Secretary of Conference of 57 Local Councils in Lagos State Rasaq Ajala among others.

Dr Sanwo-Olu commended Senator Adebule for coming up with the initiative.

She described the Lagos West Women Assembly as an inspiring and visionary platform designed to unite, uplift, and empower women across the district.

She said: “Let me begin by appreciating the thoughtful leadership of Senator Adebule. This initiative is a testament to her enduring passion for women development and grassroots impact.

“Indeed, the strength of every thriving society is anchored on the unity, resilience, and active participation of its women. When women are given the opportunity to rise, they become unstoppable forces of change—in homes, communities, markets, boardrooms, and government institutions. Here in Lagos State, we are proud to witness a dynamic wave of female leadership and collaboration, driving transformation from the grassroots to the corridors of power. The Lagos-West Women Assembly is both timely and strategic—it provides an inclusive platform for connection, capacity building, and citizen-government synergy.”

The convener, Senator Adebule, said the Lagos West Women Assembly was meant to bring women together and inspire them to realise their potentials.

The former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, added that that the assembly would give the women the impetus to play their naturally endowed role as builders of great, strong and resilient communities as a catalyst for nation building.

She said: “We are here today in recognition and celebration of the strength and resilience of women as well as the powerful force they represent in shaping the future of our communities, our state, and our nation.

“As women, we are the heart and backbone of our society. From our homes to our workplaces, from our local markets to our schools, our influence on every facet of life cannot be ignored because without women, the world will be a boring and dangerous place to live. Wherever there are women, there is focus, balance, love, compassion, happiness, nourishment and purposefulness. It presupposes that the inherent qualities and virtues of women are indispensable and cannot be outsourced because they come with nature.”

According to her, the theme of the assembly – ‘Building a Stronger Community’ – “calls upon women to recognise that collaborative engagement is the key to breaking all barriers limiting their ability to excel and be counted among the leading lights of our communities. If indeed we must build resilient communities with women being indispensable in the matrix, then empowering them intellectually, economically and politically to improve their capacity to engage at the community level is of utmost importance. These are the issues that are at the heart of this assembly.”

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She thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; leaders of the APC, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Deputy Dr Kadri Hamzat, Dr Sanwo-Olu; Mrs Hamzat; Chief Tinubu-Ojo; Mrs Orelope-Adefulire; Mrs Sosan, Ajala and her constituents for their supports.

Convener, Women in Successful Careers, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, described as an honour and a privilege to speak at the historic event.

Mrs Oyagbola, expressed sincere gratitude to Senator Adebule, for her foresight and leadership in convening the timely and vital platform.

According to her, “This assembly is not just a conversation, it is a movement. A rallying call for women to rise, lead with intention, and shape the communities we live in. It is an opportunity to reaffirm a truth we know too well: that when women lead, communities flourish.”

She stated that to build stronger communities, there is a need women in leadership at every level—from the family unit to the Senate chambers, from classrooms to boardrooms, from markets to ministries.

The highlight of the event was the empowerment of 250 women with resources to support their livelihoods. Participants also had the opportunity to win prizes in a raffle draw, including generators, 50kg bags of rice, Ovens and two mini-buses aimed at bolstering the beneficiaries’ businesses.