Kunle Adelabu
-Any council chairman that is not creative should not be re-elected
The Chairman of Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and former Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, on Saturday, November 16, 2019, spoke the minds of many residents of Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, when he alleged that the division is lacking government’s presence despite its immense contributions to Lagos state and Nigeria as a whole.
Abiru stated this in his address at the grand finale of the 2019 edition of the Ikorodu-Oga Day Carnival held at the Ayangure palace in Ikorodu.
The theme for this year’s edition, which was the 28th in the series, was “Cultural Revolution –A Necessity for Socio-Economic & Political Empowerment”.
Otunba Abiru charged the government to look into the state of roads, schools, health care system, transportation and among other areas in Ikorodu division for urgent attention.
Among the dignitaries at the well-attended event were His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabiru Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was the Special Guest of Honour.
The Governor was represented by the Special Adviser on Agriculture, Ms. Ruth Olusanya.
Other top government functionaries at the event were the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Senator representing Lagos East District, Sen. Bayo Osinowo, Member of the House of Representatives representing the Ikordu Federal Constituency, Hon. Babajimi Benson, the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade and Member, Lagos State House of Assembly representing the Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Nurudeen Solaja among many others.
The IKODASS chairman, while noting that the challenges of government is enormous, charged the state government to make its presence more feasible in Ikorodu division by rehabilitating roads that are in terrible conditions across the division.
“Your Excellency, the responsibilities of government are enormous and it is universal fact that the welfare of the people is the supreme law”, he stated.
“I must say here that the people of this division are not having the best of government’s presence and therefore, on behalf of the good people of this division, I want to appeal to government to please intensify actions on the road construction and rehabilitation it has started in the division”, Abiru appealed.
He also sought for the government’s attention on health, schools and other areas.
“Government should also look at our Health Care Delivery system, School buildings and their environs, water transportation among others”, he charged.
“All the social amenities that had been abandoned should be revisited in order to enable our people to enjoy dividends of democracy”.
Otunba Abiru also stated that any local government chairman in the division that is not creative in delivery of services to the people should not re-contest in the next council elections.
“With direct disbursement of funds to our Local Government, we will no longer accept the lame excuse of “No money”.
“With what we have on ground, we can still make meaningful impact on the socio-economic development of this community.
“The time for our Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) Chairmen to be creative is now and if they will continue to tell us the same old and unconvincing story, there is no need for them to recontest in the next elections.
“We desire a Local Government that is security conscious; we want a Local Government that wll be interested in the wellbeing of its people; we want a Local Government that will regularly maintain our roads and not allow a small pothole to become a big gull; we deserve a Local Government that will judiciously manage our commonwealth; we want a local Government that will be really interested in the educational progress of our children and not yearly distribution of exercise books and pencils that add no value to the educational progress of the pupils, and also we desire a Local Government that will not ignore our traditional institutions”, Otunba stated.
“All these desires can be achieved if we look into the revenue collection machinery of the third tier of government and remedy the deficiencies inherent in it.
“The relevance and significance of a politician is determined and measured by the number of good things or projects he or she has been able to secured or executed for his or her community and people”.
In her brief speech on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ms. Ruth Olusanya stated that the governor appreciated the people of Ikorodu division for voting him into the government as Governor of Lagos State.
“The governor is very appreciative of everything that you have done towards his ascension to being the Governor of Lagos State.
“Unfortunately, the governor would have loved to be here but he has to go on official assignment to China and USA. He ably recognized IKODASS and did what is appropriate towards making sure that this event is a success”.
Speaking in her own capacity, the Special Adviser on Agriculture stated that any community that recognize and celebrate her culture will develop.
“As the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State, I am truly proud to be a daughter of Ikorodu. This would be one of the few occasions that I would be attending here but I believe that Ikorodu will rise as long as we celebrate our culture and heritage”, she stated.
While addressing the youths of Ikorodu, Ms. Olusanya stated:
“To the youths of Ikorodu, I just want to say that we are all in this together. We will make Ikorodu and Lagos State great together”.
Oba Kabir Shotobi, in his royal address at the occasion, stated:
“During the campaign (last year), the governor was in our midst to celebrate with us and today, as th governor of Lagos, he has not forgotten us. Although, he is not available because of his official schedule, but he has sent a worthy representative”.
He appealed to the residents to support the government, while also reminding the governor on the need to rehabilitate the Sekumade road among other roads needing attention across Ikorodu division.
Also in his royal address, Oba Shotobi said that:
“The Sobaloju of Ikorodu (Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa,Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly) has been with us in Ikorodu. He has always been here to support us. He was with us two weeks ago for the celebration of Asa festival.
The monarch also commended Senator Bayo Osinowo, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade and Hon. Nurudeen Solaja for their supports.
