Kunle Adelabu
The outgoing Chairman of the socio – cultural and economic group serving as the rallying point for lkorodu people, the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, has charged his successor to ensure that the relationship established with the Lagos State Government is sustained.
He made this statement on the heel of the financial challenge facing the association and how the state government has been of immense help, not only in the execution of IKODASS projects, but also its impact on infrastructural development in Ikorodu Division.
In a chat with THE IMPACT, Otunba Abiru also commended the administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu for impacting on the Ikorodu Division more than his predecessors had done.
“The challenge that my successor would face is money and money and if there is another problem that will militate against programmes, it is also money. Funding is very fundamental and I must use this medium to thank Lagos State Government”, he said.
“The state government has been very wonderful. If not for the government, some of the things that we did in the last four years wouldn’t have been possible. Lagos State generously supported our activities. I want to urge my successor to further explore the possibility of involving Lagos State in the cultural activities of the Ikorodu people”.
He said that his success as IKODASS Chairman was due to the support of the state government, his friends and well – meaning individuals that believe in him and what the organization is doing.
“We achieved a lot during the four years and the experience also was very illuminating and eyes opening in the sense that there are challenges of funds but by God’s grace and with the support of the Lagos State Government and well – meaning individuals, both within and outside Ikorodu, particularly my friends, we have been able to do something very reasonable”.
Otunba Abiru single out the recognition by the Lagos State Government for Ikorodu – Oga Carnival as part of the state’s annual festival calendar, as a major achievement of the IKODASS under his leadership.
“Of all the achievements, one thing that will gladdens my heart till tomorrow is that for the first time in the history of IKODASS, the Lagos State Government got its activities recognized by enlisting it as one of its annual cultural activities and that in itself is something that I cherish because when you are doing something and the government of that state recognizes you, honestly, it means that you have done wonderfully well”, the former Permanent Secretary said joyously.
Emphasizing the state government’s support, the outgoing IKODASS Chairman also said that the first Ikorodu Division Economic Summit was a huge success, stating that other Divisions and councils had since following suit in organizing same.
He also said that the Sanwo – Olu led administration has been implementing some of the resolutions arrived at during the first Ikorodu Division Economic Summit.
“There was a communiqué after the summit and what we did was a cynosure for other divisions and Local Governments to do theirs. I thank God that we blaze the trail in that respect.
“The Ministry of Commerce did a lot to actualize some of the things that we resolved at in the communiqué.
“We did advocate for the development of offshore lines in Ikorodu Division and I am glad that the government has started doing this which is, of course, the development of our coastal areas”, Otunba Abiru said.
“The Fourth Mainland bridge that has been proposed will open up our area and our shoreline would also be further developed.
“We did highlight in our communiqué that we cannot do good business without a good road network and thank God that Governor Sanwo – Olu is doing wonderfully well in this regard.
“I can say without any doubt in my mind, that of all the last three Governors in the state, I can say that with every sense of responsibility that the only one that has done so much for Ikorodu within a short period of time is Sanwo – Olu.
“Look at the roads that he’s handling now, there has been no governor that has ever done that for us. He has to be commended for that. These are part of what were included in our communiqué. Also, the Ikorodu roundabout redevelopment which the government is now looking into.
“These are the fallout of the Economic Summit and I believe that my predecessor should not rest but ensure that we have the second summit during his reign”.
