Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-As new excos take Oath of Office
It was a smooth transition as Seun Elesho, the immediate past president of the I-Heroes (Ikorodu Heroes), passed the baton of leadership of the club to his successor, Olanshile Majolagbe, after a successful two years tenure.
Elesho handed over to the new President, at the club’s 8th Annual General Meeting held at the Oteju Hall of the Ikorodu Town Hall, on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Other officers sworn – in to steer the affairs of the socio – developmental club, are Oduntan Babatunde (Vice President), Godwin OlaOluwa Oke (General Secretary), Bakare GBEMILEKE (Assistant General Secretary), Shokunbi Adedamola (PRO), Dawodu Olowosago Abiodun (Social Secretary) and Balogun Kamarl (Treasurer).
At the well – attended ceremony, were the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Bisola Olusanya; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr Damilola Olowoshago and former aspirant for the Ikorodu Federal Constituency seat and Coordinator, Atiku Campaign in Ikorodu, Mr AbdulAzeez Awesu.
The guests interacted with members of the club on different issues.
Meanwhile, the new I-Heroes President, in his acceptance speech, thanked the immediate past executive council, for setting a high standard, as well as the members for their support.
“My fellow members and partners in progress, I wish to gracefully accept this opportunity to serve you as your president for the next two years. I do not take this for granted. I will not disappoint you”, he said.
“I want to specially appreciate the immediate past Excos, headed by Mr Seun Abolaji Elesho, for their great work. You have set a standard of performance that cannot be compromised, my team will follow in that footstep and we will further raise the bar.
“My fellow club members, I want to thank you for nominating our team to steer the activities of the club for the next two years. We cannot go through this journey alone. At regular intervals, we will require your cooperation, your wisdom and advise”, he said.
While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Olanshile called on members of I-Heroes to fulfill their obligations to support the new administration.
“I understand that the task of leading this gathering of brilliant and smart gentlemen committed to service to humanity, is not an easy one. I know there is a high expectation from my team to deliver on performance. We shall not disappoint you. However, we will require members to fulfill their obligations to the club. Please, ensure the club dues are paid promptly and attendance at club meetings and gatherings are prioritized in our schedules”, the new I-Heroes president pleaded.
“On a final note, I urge the newly elected exco members to work with me on this journey to take l-Heroes to greater heights. I will need your attention and commitment to deliver on our promises”.
He thanked guests for honouring the club’s invitation to the occasion.
The immediate past President, Elesho, while giving the account of stewardship of his administration, highlighted some of the achievements of the club under his reign among which are: the designing of a 5 – year plan for the club; donation of borehole water projects to schools and support for educational development generally; bringing more attention to issues in Ikorodu; engaging leadership and residents on developmental projects; support for the youths; increased membership of the club among many others.
Further stating the positions of the club, the former President said that there is need for concerted efforts towards the realisation of the Ikorodu governorship agenda in 2027, the need for improvement on inner roads in Ikorodu, the need for computer education in primary schools and providing lasting solutions to the perennial traffic along the Lagos – Ikorodu road.
He also called for proper census to ascertain the true number of residents in Ikorodu Division.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, addressing members of I-Heroes and guests at the AGM, said that her Ministry is executing a 5 – year action plan in tandem with THESE agenda of the Governor to bring about sustainable food security in the state.
She was represented by the Deputy Director in the Ministry, Dr Sarumoh Muhammadu Bolu.
While stating benefits accruing to Ikorodu from the Agricultural Ministry, since the inception of this administration, Ms. Olusanya listed the Imota Rice Mill which is the biggest in the sub – Saharan Africa and that it is expected to generate thousands of jobs and address dependent on importation.
OIusanya also listed efforts of the government in encouraging young people in farming, and provide support for farmers.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr Kamaldeen Olowosago who spoke on the effort of the Lagos State Government to improve traffic situation within and around Ikorodu, said that the reconstruction going on at Benson/Ikorodu garage roundabout/Ayangbure Road axis, will open up the area and resolves the issue of perennial traffic.
Olowosago, who was a former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, also cited the reconstruction of Ogolonto/Oba Sekumade/TOS Benson, installation of street lights and other ongoing road construction as part of the government’s efforts in improving Ikorodu traffic problems.
The young top government official, who also stated that he has been able to use his position in government to facilitate other developments and assisting Ikorodu residents, especially in terms of employment, also charged members of the I-Heroes on the need to be focused and committed to Ikorodu.
He also congratulated members on coming together to form the club and for sustaining it.
Mr Kenny Jackson, who represented Awesu, shared his boss’ political experience in the last election. While explaining the intrigues and dynamism involved, he emphasised that Awesu, who aimed at representing the Ikorodu Federal Constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aspired to use the office to better the lot of the constituency.
While thanking the members of the club for extending an invitation to him to speak with them, he also congratulated them on the AGM.
