Kunle Adelabu
The Chairman, Ijede Local Council Development Area, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, has launched a quarterly food bank program for the residents of her council in commemoration of her administration’s 100 days in office.
The initiative, tagged, ‘Ijede Tunrayo Ayo Nitemi Food Support Program’, was launched at the council secretariat on Monday, November 8, 2021, by the Chairman with the support of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr) Akem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru of Ijede, High Chief Musediq Alliu, the Regent/Olisa of Ijede, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Deputy Governor of Lagos and Asiwaju Olorumnfunmi Basorun, a chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council among others.
About 600 residents benefitted from the food items distributed during the launch where Hon. Gbadebo – Alogba also gave her account of stewardship of her first 100 days in office, to the people.
Among the beneficiaries were about 15 aged residents who are now confined indoor in there various houses due to sicknesses. They were visited by the chairman and her team and presented with bags of food items and cash.
“Today isn’t just a day to give our account of stewardship as the pilot of the affairs of Ijede LCDA in the last 100 days, it offers us an opportunity to appreciate everyone who has been a part of this journey since inception”, she said.
“To celebrate this auspicious day, we are giving food palliatives to 600 households tagged, ‘ljede Tunrayo Ayo Nitemi Food Support Program’. This initiative will be done quarterly to ensure that we provide succour to our people, particularly in these trying times”, she added.
Hon. Gbadebo – Alogba, while rendering her account of stewardship in the last 100 days, said that her administration has been able to achieve so much within 100 days because of effective consultations and engagements.
“When we assumed office, driven by readiness to work and passion for service, we immediately hit the ground running through strategic visits, consultations, and prompt actions. This explains why we have been able to record a string of achievements within a short period”, she said.
“Our vision for the good people of Ijede LCDA is based on a clear understanding of the role of government in making life more meaningful for the citizenry”.
While admitting that the council is facing some challenges, Hon. Gbadebo – Algba also stated that despite that, her administration has recorded many laudable achievements.
“As a people-oriented administration, we hold a firm resolve to impact the lives of residents – both young and old. Admittedly, we have a number of challenges, particularly in the area of revenue generation. However, we have been able to deliver on some of our promises”, she said.
“Esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen, we strongly believe that it’s one thing to make promises during campaigns, fulfilling them is another– and most important.
“At this juncture, it is imperative to highlight a few of our activities since inception and also inform you of our plans as time and opportunities unfold.
“In the area of education, which is the bedrock of societal development, we distributed educational materials to indigent pupils in primary and secondary schools. This, we believe, would relieve the burden on their parents/guardians”, the Ijede Council Chairman said.
“We hosted the preliminaries of the annual Spelling Bee Competition for secondary and primary schools as well as the Independence Day Children’s Funfare to commemorate Nigeria at 61.
“We also facilitated the construction of additional classrooms at the Vocational Center situated at Igbe-Ogunro through our representative in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Babajimi Benson”.
The young Council boss also stated that:
“Also, we actively participated in all State-initiated programs like the LASEMA Public Awareness Day, World Food Day among others.
“Knowing that infrastructure is key in every society, we facilitated the ongoing installation of street lights on Adetona Bello Street, Area ‘N’ Police Station through Hon. Babajimi Benson.
“As soon as the rainfall reduces, we intend to rehabilitate the Mayflower Road/ Falilat Ajoke Street”, she added.
In the area of health and environment, the chairman said that her administration has put in place plans to end malaria as it affects infants and mothers.
She also pleaded with residents of the council to, at all times, keep their environment clean.
“Our efforts in the health and environment sectors culminated in the creation of the End Malaria Project to combat the spread of malaria in infants and breastfeeding mothers”, she said.
“Cleanliness, they say, is next to godliness. Following this mantra and the need to ensure a clean and healthy environment, we facilitated desilting of drainages in the community through the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, to combat the detrimental effects of flooding on our roads.
“I wish to use this opportunity to appeal to all residents to take more responsibility in cleaning their environment at all times. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation as the saying goes”, she added.
She said that the council is planning to hold a stakeholders’ meeting to make sure the council captures the needs of its residents and addressed them.
“Also, plans are in motion for the year 2021 stakeholders meeting where residents are expected to highlight the needs of their respective communities for the council’s intervention”.
She appreciated residents for their support and also pleaded that they should continue cooperating with her administration by paying their levies to allow the council implements more projects.
“As we move further in this journey of service, we wish to express our readiness for collaboration in ensuring that the dividends of democracy are delivered to residents. Our commitment to bettering the lives of the people remains undeterred”, she said.
In their separate remarks at the event, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye and Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun commended Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba for what she has been able to achieve within 100 days.
Asiwaju Basorun, in his own remarks, pleaded for support for the council chairman.
“We want you leaders in Ijede to support Tunrayo whose mother was once with us, for her to succeed”, Asiwaju pleaded.
“As you can hear her predecessor while given his speech, he said that the current chairman has been able to achieve what he did not think of.
“This is good for the people of Ijede and as I heard, the food items will be distributed every three months”.
The immediate past Chairman of the council, Hon. Fathiu Salisu, also speaking, stated that his successor has been able to achieve what he did not think of while in office.
He pleaded with the party and entire residents of Ijede to continually show her administration support.
Also, beneficiaries of the food items and cash gift, which included special people, widows and less privileged, were equally full of appreciation for Hon. Alogba’s gesture.
