Ikorodu Economic Summit: Residents Call For Private, Govt Support For Initiative

Kunle ADELABU
-Holds Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Origin Gardens & Zoo, Ebute-Iga

Residents of Ikorodu Division have called for support for the Ikorodu Division Economic Summit (IDES) which is scheduled for Thursday, February 22, 2018, at Origin Gardens & Zoo, Ebute-Iga, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu division.
The call was one of the major resolutions arising from a two session   discourse by participants on THE IMPACT Platform’s Chat on Saturday, February 10, 2018.
The Summit, which is themed, ‘Stabilizing Local Economy’, is a private initiative event aimed at aiding the development of the division’s economy and also repositions it.
The Chief Moderator of the Discourse sessions  was Mr Steve Adesemoye, a lecturer in the department of Mass communication, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu main campus, Mrs Funke Awoyemi, a business woman, community developer and social media activist  served  as co-moderator representing the general members on the platform, while Mr Agboola Odesanya, a lecturer in the department of Mass Communication, Lagos State University (LASU), also served as co-moderator representing the platform administrators.
The summit is being facilitated by Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, a retired Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly and incumbent   chairman, Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Prince Abiola Kosoko, Chief Executive Officer, Origin Zoo & Gardens, Mr Oluwakemi Hassan, Chief Executive Officer, Suave Records and Mr Olaoluwa Godwin, an Economist and Doctorate student in University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Leading the discourse on THE IMPACT Platform, Mr Godwin Olaoluwa, the coordinator of IDES, stated that the focus of the forthcoming summit is to stabilize the local economy and the asset based of the division among others.
“Our plans and the focus of the Ikorodu Division Economic Summit is to deliberate on how to stabilize the local economy, identify the asset based of the community  and means of creating long-term employment opportunities”, Mr Ogooluwa stated.
“We also want to focus on building the local resources and capacities, establishing trade link that benefits all businesses within the community and also, to establish community control utilizing a grassroots bottom-up process”, he added.
Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly,while contributing to the discussion on THE IMPACT Platform said, “I have   read through the debate and I  am fascinated with the colourful ideas canvassed and very rich submissions so far made  from progressive minds.
“I commend the idea and pray that the vision behind the summit is achieved.
“I have not received or read any letter in respect of the summit  and no one has discussed anything about it with me, save the bits and pieces I gathered from my occasional visit to platforms these days, but I like the idea and I identify with it,  just as I do with anything constructively and genuinely  progressive about Ikorodu”, he added.
 
“To build and continue to build  a society is a collective responsibility. Let’s continue to do our bits”, said Agunbiade.
 
Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, in his own contribution, commended the robust discussion on the summit and call on eminent personalities in Ikorpodu to support the initiative.
“I must confirm that some few things have been learned from d deliberations which will cause adjustment to our plans, but we must be conscious of the fact that all our problems can’t be solved at this one summit.”
“I am confident that our representatives and other well meaning individuals will eventually support us despite the fact that their moral support has been impressive. Some of them have equally been dialoguing with us. ”
“Ikorodu, surely, is on the path of becoming a California of Nigeria. If lkorodu were to be a Nation or a Country on its own, won’t we survive?” he queried.
The issue of support from the state government, local governments in Ikorodu division, private bodies and individuals for the Economic Summit enjoyed more attention from the participants through out the debate.
The aggregate opinion of the over 200 participants is that though, the initiative is private driven,  it needs moral, financial, technical and other supports for it to achieve its intended aims and objectives.
The participants called on the representatives of Ikorodu division, both elected and appointed, to support the initiative of Ikorodu Division Economic Summit.
Among issues raised by the moderators and contributors on THE IMPACT Platform when engaging the facilitators of the summit include  issues concerning data collection and management which  were adjudged  to be  very key to economic development and efforts of the organizers of the Summit in adequately capturing these for effective economic use.
Issues also came up regarding Odogunyan Industrial Estate which is the largest in West Africa and which participants believed should be contributing, in no small measure, to economic development of the division.
Another issue that was extensively discussed was the role of Infrastructures in the economic development of the division with participants challenging governments at local, state and federal levels to see to the infrastructural development of the division because of its strategic position in Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
There was also discussion on the issue of the relationship between the Town and the Gown as participants submitted that more areas of partnership between Ikorodu community and the Lagos State Polytechnic should be explored.
Other areas where the debate also covered were capacity building and human capital, SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis of Ikorodu division, traditional beliefs and economic developments, security of lives and property,  political interests and policy Summersault and risk assessment.
 
Searchlight was also beamed on tourism potentials of Ikorodu division with participants agreeing that if well tapped into, tourism may significantly add  to the earnings of the division.
 
Mr Temitope Oyekoya, former Economic AFC and Founder, Nextnonics, is scheduled as the Chairman of the Summit while Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, would deliver the keynote address.
 
Discussants expected at the summit are Dr Timothy A.G Okeowo, Lecturer, Department of Agriculture, Lagos State Polytechnic, Mr Wole Oyekoya, an Agripreneur and Chief Executive Officer, Bama Farm, Mr Joseph Agunbiade, Co-Founder, Budgit,  Mr Olalekan Lasisi, Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Taxation and Revenue.
 
Others are Prince Abiola Kosoko, Chief Executive Officer, Origin Garden and Zoo, Engr. (Dr) Olukayode Bawallah, former Dean, School of Transportation, Lagos State University, Mr Saka Adewunmi, founder, Contagious 129, Mr Seun Onigbinde, Co-Founder, Budgit and Mrs Oluwakemi Ajiboye, an Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer, Crystal Skin Ventures Limited.