Kunle ADELABU & Wale JAGUN
The incumbent lawmaker representing Ikorodu Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the same seat in the forthcoming elections, Hon. Nurudeen Saka Solaja, has rolled out his legislative and representative achievements in the last three years to justify his quest for re-election.
At the flag off campaign of his re-election campaign held at the Imota night market square on Thursday, January 24, 2019, were leaders of the party across the division, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, commissioner, council chairmen and former Assembly members among others.
After the rally where the chieftains of party presented the party’s flag to Hon. Solaja as the party’s flag bearer in the State Assembly election slated for March, the campaign train moved to the palace of Ranodu of Imota, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ajibade Agoro, who gave his royal blessings after Hon. Solaja was presented to him.
Meanwhile, Hon Solaja, in his speech at the flag off rally, enjoined party members and the general populace to vote for all the APC candidates in the coming elections.
He also commended all the aspirants on the APC platform for their sportsmanship and support for the party’s candidates.
The former Council Treasurer pledged to do more if the electorate re-elect him in the coming election.
“You know we have been discharging our representative and lawmaking duties since you have elected us in 2015 and I am ready to do more if you re-elect me in the coming election as your representative”, he told the mammoth crowd.
In a document circulated at the campaign rally, Hon. Solaja stated that he has made good use of the mandate entrusted on him by the Constituency II electorate.
“Products are well packaged as a result of continuous feedback resources gotten from the customers. In the last three and half years as the representative of lkorodu Constituency II at Lagos State House of Assembly, I have set good records in the process of discharging my responsibilities and giving back to the society with the mandate entrusted on me by my constituents.
“Though, as a first timer at the House of Assembly, my performance did not go without shortcomings due to tremendous demands from the people but I was vindicated with the promises fulfilled and the plans I have been able to deliver on yearly”.
He stated that he has evolved an inclusive representation through an open-door approach to constituents’ issues.
“In running a government of inclusiveness, I have being a good listener who welcomes both criticisms and advices. M doors are open to all and sundry and I am always ready to work with any progressive template that can foster socio-economic and political development of my constituency”.
According to him, his scorecard is tailored towards masses oriented programmes.
“Since 2015 till date, I have initiated different bills and supported different motions at Lagos State House of Assembly. Parts of these efforts have resulted into moving of the Mile 12 market to Imota, stopping of the activities of land grabbers (a.k.a Ajagungbale) and establishment of Lagos State Industrial Park among others.
“Since emerging as the representative of Constituency II, 135 students and youths in Imota, Igbogbo, and Ijede from different political leaders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, trade unions, youth organizations, students union bodies among others have benefited from Free GCE programme.
“120 students and youths in lmota, Igbogbo, and ljede also benefited from free computer training programme and Essay Writing Competition in which the winners were awarded brand new laptops”.
According to Hon. Solaja, there has been annual provision of admission assistance to students and youths seeking admission into Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) and Lagos State University (LASU) from the three councils in his constituency.
He has also provided assistance for youths seeking for jobs into Lagos State Civil Service and also distributed Ramadan gifts to all Muslim faithful in all the towns that made up Ikorodu Constituency II.
Hon.Solaja has also distributed rams and other food items as gifts to Muslims, Chriatains and traditional worshippers during the celebrations of their annual festivals.
Among other achievements recorded by the lawmaker are organizing stakeholders meetings in preparation of budgets, securing constituency offices in Imota, Ijede and Igbogbo, installation of 16 borehole water projects and grading of different dilapidated roads among others.
The lawmaker has also organized empowerment programme for 350 constituents where he distributed various forms of empowerment materials in 2018.
“I have also organized Mega Empowerment programme for 350 youths and artisans in my constituency during which I empowered them with Sewing Machines, Grinding Machines, Vulcanizing Machines, Fishing Nets,Clippers & Generators, Fumigating Machines and Hairdressing Driers.
“Others beneficiaries were given crates of soft drinks, Umbrellas & Coolers, Packs of Indomie noddle and Farming Tools among others”.
Hon Babajimi Benson, Member, Federal House of Representatives, speaking at the event, stated that Hon. Solaja is popular among the electorate and charged party members to work together in achieving massive electoral victory for him and other candidates of the APC.
He noted that Hon. Solaja is an household name and a marketable candidate for the party.
Hon. Benson further enjoined all party members and residents of the Constituency II to speak in unison by voting all APC candidates come February 16th and March 2nd 2019 respectively.
The Majority Leader of the Lagos State house of Assembly and the APC candidate for the Constituency I Assembly seat, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, while also speaking, stated that there is no need to engage in lengthy talk because APC is a performing party.
“There is no time to engage in lengthy talk. We are a party known for performance and victory in electoral contests.
“Hon. Solaja is a good person and a representative who must be re-elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“In the coming elections, I appeal to you to vote President Buhari/Osinbajo in the Presidential, Hon. Bayo Osinowo in the Senatorial, Hon. Babajimi Benson in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade for the Constituency I and Hon. Nurudeen Solaja for Constituency II elections”.
In his own speech, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, assured the electorate that Hon. Solaja, who the party has given the ticket to go for another term, will perform better if re-elected.
He also pleaded with party members and electorate to collect their PVCs so enable them vote for all the APC candidates.
“I want to appeal to all of you to collect your PVCs and on the election day, vote President Buhari, Hon. Bayo Osinowo, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade and Hon. Nurudeen Solaja as the APC candidates for the Presidential, Senatorial, House of Representatives, Ikorodu Constituency I and II candidates respectively. Our candidates shall emerge victorious in all the positions across the nation”.
Other dignitaries at the rally included Yeye Fausat Gbadebo, the Senatorial Woman Leader, Lagos East, Chief Adenrele Olowu,APC chieftain, Hon Adebimpe Akinsola, former acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Saheed Hassan Adefarasin, former Member, Lagos House of Assembly and former Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon Jide Banjoko, former Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Prince Jimoh Ogunmuyiwa, former Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Yeye Bolanle Basorun, former Sole Administrator, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Taiwo Orenuga, former Executive Secretary, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Col. Titi Onafowokan, APC Chieftain, Hon. Gbenga Oshin, former member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan, Director of Sports, Sanwoolu Campaign Group and Hon. Adeola Jokomba, former Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA.
Others were Prince Wasiu Agoro, Chairman, Imota LCDA, Hon. Fathiu Salisu, Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Adebisi Adeola Banjo, Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, and Comrade Sesan Daini, Chairman Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
