A grassroots politician, Alhaji Toyin Balogun, has declared his intention to run for the chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State.
He said the time was ripe for redefining grassroots governance, urging stakeholders to brace up for a new dawn.
Balogun, who declared his ambition at the weekend, promised to build on the good legacies of former chairmen, who worked for the progress of the council.
He paid tribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration created the LCDA in response to popular yearnings when he was governor of Lagos State.
Balogun said the creation of additional councils in the state had expanded the frontiers of participation in community development and fostered women and youth inclusion.
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He promised to protect the interests of the communities making up the LCDA through the implementation of progressive and people-oriented policies and programmes in critical sectors, including education, health and social welfare, environment, infrastructural development, sports and tourism.
Ikosi-Isheri is a blend of rural and cosmopolitan formations, with highly sophisticated and politically conscious elite and other residents.
Balogun is a household name in the council, reputed for loyalty, mobilisation for the party and sacrifice.
Although he had vied for the Houses of Assembly, Representatives and council chairman before, he deferred to party elders’ advice to step down.
A businessman, he never nursed grudges. Instead, he doubled his efforts at mobilisation for party victory.
He pledged to implement policies that would empower women, enhance economic opportunities, support female entrepreneurs and improve access to education.
He also promised to ensure women’s voices were represented in governance.
He said: “Our women are the pillars of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, and their success is the success of our entire community. I am committed to fostering an environment where they have the resources, security and opportunities to excel.”