Kunle Adelabu
Going by what the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Convener of the Onward Movement of Nigeria, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade and members of his working team, Onward Movement of Nigeria, endured last year, there is no doubt that they need to thank God for His grace and protection over them.
And they did that in grand style on Saturday, February 27, 2021, at the four – term lawmaker’s Constituency office in Ikorodu as they sang praise songs, danced and merry with family members, friends, political associates and other guests.
On ground to lead them in worshipping and praising God at the event tagged, ‘Onward Movement Annual Thanksgiving’, were Funmi Black, Imam Cisse, Adeola Adefeso and Dare Omo Iya Cele.
But it was not all about praises and merrying, as the event also presented the movement the opportunity to announce it’s restructuring for better performance and to serve members and the community better.
To achieve this, Hon. Agunbiade announced the donation of a separate structure within his constituency office as Onward administrative building for effective operation of the movement and also to separate it from the constituency office’s operations.
Announcing changes in the structure of the organization, the ranking lawmaker said that the re – organization is necessary for better performance and good coordination of the group’s work.
“We have sat down to review the Onward structure and repositioned it for better performance. About ten of us deliberated on the changes for about two weeks and we have been able to restructure the organization”, Hon. Agunbiade announced.
“Some of those that are in our ladies wing before had to be moved to the women wing because they cannot longer be ladies because of their current status. Also, those that also said that they are still youths have also been moved to the men's wing.
“We have also fortified our welfare because it is important that we do that. We have ensured that we are capable of managing that office.
“We have created so many Directorates like the Directorate for Empowerment that will look after people having challenges with their businesses.
“All that we have done is not based on any sentiment. The situation demands that we rejig the structure and those that will be there are not going to stay in office forever. After a while, we will look at the performances of those that we have picked and change if necessary.
The Onward Convener, while announcing officers of the group, said that the Coordinator- General, Hon. Azeez Olosugbo, and his deputy, Mrs Omolara Abayomi, will be retaining their positions because they have proven themselves.
“For the position of the Coordinator – General, there is a consensus that we should retain Hon. Azeez Jimoh Olosugbo because he has been effective and consistent in his duty. The announcement elicited loud shout of approval from members present.
“We are also retaining the Deputy Coordinator – General, Mrs Abayomi Omolara, to continue in that capacity.
“Henceforth, we are no longer going to have a Secretary but Director of Administration and the person who will man the position is Elder Olu Omoniyi from Ikorodu North LCDA.
Other positions announced were Deputy Director of Administration (Ibrahim Akintayo), Director of Media & Publicity (Dare Odufowokan), Director of Finance (Pelumi Olamilekan), Director of Welfare & Social (Bola Shobowale, Director of Education & Sports (Pastor Akeem Bello), Director of Projects & Community Services (Agunbiade Jelili) and Director of Entrepreneur & Empowerment (Samson Soneye).
Others were Women Unit Captain (Comrade Kehinde Okeowo), Deputy Captain Women Unit (Mrs Sanni Nosimot), Captain Utility (Abbey Balogun), Captain Sisters’ Unit (Joy Osesile), Secretary and Sisters’ Unit , Arin Okeowo among others.
Also, the trio of Murphy Ajalogun, Wale Olowolagba and Hon. Sikiru were announced as Onward Coordinators for Ikorodu LG, Ikorodu North LCDA and Ikorodu West LCDA respectively.
He said that members of all the Directorates whose officers have been announced will be constituted and released later.
“Your task is to ensure that the Onward Movement is re – organized and repositioned for greatness. We want to see that love and cooperation prevailing among our members.
“Our number should be our strength if we can purposely harness it with love and cooperation. I beg of you to work together.
“We want you to prove your ability that you can work wherever you are assigned to. We are going to do your induction soon during which there is going to be an enlightenment programme to know what is expected of you to move Onward forward.
“Onward is not entirely a political organization, we created the platform for people to work together and chart common courses for development”, he said.
Also in attendance at this year’s event were political office holders, political leaders, corporate executives, market leaders, media and others invitees.
The occasion also presented the Convener of the Onward Movement of Nigeria, Hon. Agunbiade and members of the movement the opportunity of celebrating Arinola Okeowo whose birthday incidentally on the same day.
