Kunle Adelabu
– Representatives, youths charged on community development, good behaviors
The First Permanent Vice Chairman and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Adegorushen V, the Adeboruwa of lgbogbo and the Secretary of the Ijebu Traditional Rulers in Lagos State, Oba (Barr. ) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson and the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Opomulero of Ikorodu Kingdom, Hon. Sanai Oyeniran Agunbiade, have wished residents of Ikorodu Division well in the year 2020.
The traditional rulers, representatives and others, in their new year messages, wished residents across the six Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in the division a prosperous new year.
Oba Shotobi spoke with THE IMPACT on the New Year Day during his visit to the Ikorodu General Hospital where he and his wife, Olori Kudirat, presented cash donation and other gift items to the first baby of the year and others.
While wishing the people of Ikorodu a happy and prosperous 2020, the traditional ruler also charged them to support the government by paying their taxes to enable it deliver on its promises to the division.
“Good health care delivery is a major thing that I wish my people in Ikorodu and I thank the Governor for given priority to it in 2020 budget that he signed into law on December 31, 2019”.
The revered monarch also urged residents to regularly and promptly pay their taxes to support the government in raising the required money to finance this year’s budget.
“The people in Ikorodu should be ready to listen and help the government in achieving its policies. The budget that was signed into law, which is N1. …trillion, is the highest in the history of the state and it needs funding. You and I have to support the government by paying taxes”, Oba Shotobi stated.
“Everybody should be prepared to pay taxes. If the government is doing good things, we should be able to assist it and that is my campaign this year for everybody. If you want street lights and other facilities, you must support government with your taxes. That is my message to the people in my community.
“I have my own PIN number and l do pay my company’s taxes. I feel proud to pay tax because we are getting the dividends of democracy. I’m imploring everybody to do same too”.
The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, in a release sent to THE IMPACT and signed by him, stated that the new year is an opportunity for residents of the division to give thanks to the Almighty God for granting their prayers, while also enjoining youths to shun violence and prayed for the progress of Ikorodu division.
“I am happy to extend warm season’s greetings to sons, daughters and indeed, all residents of Igbogbo Kingdom in particular and Ikorodu division in general. It is an opportunity for us all to give thanks to the Almighty God for all the answered prayers, and His wonderful blessings upon us in addition, in spite of our shortcomings.
“As I welcome us all into the New Year, I equally urged all members of our society, especially the youths, to shun violence and every known vice. The only rational expectation of the modern society from them is to contribute their quota towards the building of a safe and prosperous society that everyone can belong to”, the royal father stated.
“This year, by the grace of God, both the Federal and Lagos State Governments shall honour the demands of the division. The land itself will bring forth fruits for the good of her people.
“God bless our land “, Oba Kasali prayed.
In his own message, Hon. Babajimi Benson, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Defense Committee, wishes his constituents good health, happiness, and fulfilment in the new year.
“This new shall bring you good health, peace of mind, prosperity, protection and great fulfilment. Before you ask, He shall answer you in Jesus name. May He enables us run the race of 2020 and beyond with honor, happiness, increased gratitude to the Almighty God”, Hon. Benson prayed.
“It shall be well with you and all yours in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen”.
The Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. S. O. B. Agunbiade, in his own new year message, preached love, giving and Godliness.
“It’s the beginning of a new year, let us live each day in the most loving ways, the God-conscious way. Let us serve all who are in need, regardless of race, affiliations and religions”, he stated.
“May this year be filled with joy, happiness, prosperity and Good tidings.
“From my humble self and my family, we say a Happy New Year to you and all yours”, stated Hon Agunbiade.
The lawmaker representing the Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Nurudeen Saka Solaja, in his own message, thanked his constituents for their supports and cooperation.
“I want to thank our people for their massive supports during the last election that gave me their second term mandate and for the love and affection till date. I really want to appreciate them.
“I have enjoyed maximum cooperation and supports from the good people of Ikorodu Constituency II and I am soliciting that they should continue to support us. I wish them happy and prosperous New Year that will be filled with riches, joy and happiness”.
Stating that 2020 is going to be a good year for Ikorodu, Hon. Solaja stated that construction works are going to commenced on major roads in the division soon.
“This is going to be a good year for us in Ikorodu division as the government has awarded the contract for the construction of the Ipakodo-Igbogbo road and the construction will commence this January and those that their properties were demolished will also be compensated.
“In the same vein, the reconstruction of Itamaga-Ijede road has commenced since December and it shall continue. The Igbogbo-Oreta-Offin road too are in the pipeline and likewise, the Imota-Itoikin road are going to be rehabilitated and expanded.
“In the year that just ended, we were able to facilitate many things including the upgrading of our hospital into General Hospital. There had also been massive rehabilitation of schools.”
He assured Ikorodu people, especially the residents of Ikorodu Constituency II, that lots of developmental projects are going to be done in Ikorodu this year as stated in the 2020 budget.
“The 2020 budget is one of compensation in the sense that the government is going to use it in compensating us for the years that we had lost. There are going to be lot of infrastructure development. I can assure you all. Luckily enough, I partook in the budget process and I can assure that lots of things are coming to Ikorodu division this year, including the completion of the stadium, Rice processing plant and Mile 12. Igbogbo stadium and the one at Ipakan in Ijede are also going to be done too. Lots of schools are going to be rehabilitated. You are going to see a new Lagos in 2020”, the lawmaker assured the residents.
Hon. Solaja also enjoined constituents in Ikorodu division to continue to give him and other representatives maximum support.
“We want maximum cooperation from our people for the three representatives and the government by paying their taxes to do more projects. I want them to continue supporting us so that they can continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“I have a lot of things in the pipeline for my people which are going to be unfolded very soon. There will be lots of empowerment and infrastructure that I will sponsor within my power”.
Prince (Engr.) Amid Adekunle Oduborisha, speaking on his new year’s wishes for the people of Ikorodu division, thanked the people for their supports and while acknowledging that Ikorodu is under-represented at Federal and State levels, he charged the elected and other leaders to make development of the division their top priority.
“My message for the new year is such that we appreciate our people for what we are. I want to advise our political elite to be more focus on our community. Our division is the second largest in the whole of Lagos State but we have only one representative at the House of Representative; only two members at the State House of Assembly, whereas, if you compare Ikorodu with Somolu, Kosofe, Epe, we are nowhere in terms of representation.
“So, the pressure are on those three people. Instead of us to have like four representatives at the House of Representatives, we only have one and instead of having like six at the House of Assembly, there are only two representing us”.
He also enjoined the three Representatives in Ikorodu division and the Senator representing Lagos East at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, to ensure that they use their positions to influence projects that would impact positively on the division.
The Ikorodu Local Government Chairman, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, has also wished residents of Ikorodu a prosperous New Year.
“I wish the entire people in Ikorodu a prosperous and fulfilling 2020 and enjoin them to celebrate in peace and harmony with others.
“They should be law abiding and continue to support our government so that we can move Ikorodu and Lagos State forward together”, Hon. Adeshina stated.
Hon. Adeola Adebisi Banjo, Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, in his own New Year message, wished residents peace, fulfilment and happiness.
“HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! This day, I wish you all sound health, peace of mind, greater fulfillment, prosperity and irrepressible happiness all through year 2020.
“May we all live to celebrate more decades in love, peace, harmony and may all the rest of our lives be filled with reasons for humanity to praise the name of Almighty God”, Hon. Banjo prayed.
Alhaji Lanre Kuye, the Deputy Registrar, Information & Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Polytechnic, in his own New Year message for staff members and students of the institution, stated that:
“May the new year brings us unspeakable peace and joy, erase every sorrow in our lives and also open opportunities for greater heights for us, Amen.
“This is my wish for all staff members and students of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu.”
