Nigeria: Council chair holds press conference, gives account of administration

The Executive Chairman, Odiolowo/Ojuwoye LCDA in Lagos State, Hon Rasaq Olusola Ajala, yesterday addressed gentlemen of the press on his achievements since the beginning of his administration.

Speaking extensively about his various achievements in office, he had executed lots of projects ranging from road constructions, road rehabilitations, construction of drains, construction of blocks of classrooms to rehabilitation of defective structures in schools.

According to him, there is no school within the CDA without one project or another from this administration. Some of the schools touched were Nusara-U-deen Primary School in Ayantuga, Corsybethel Primary School, Adeleye primary school, Shokunbi Primary School, Bereola Primary School in Adeshina Street.

He further noted that his administration had purchased two buses that convey students to and from their homes, stressing that it was aimed at relieving the parents of the expenses on their children’s transportation to school.

The Chairman also noted that annually, GCE forms are provided for the indigent students within the local council development area.

“The process was transparent in such a way that PRE-GCE or MOCK exams are usually organised by the council, using Nigerian Union of Teachers as examiners,” he added.

“The same body grades the students after the conference marking system that holds immediately after the exams. The successful students are then selected according to their grades to get our free GCE,” he explained.

He further explained that those who with excellent grades in the GCE benefit from the free JAMB forms distributed within the Council.

“Those who passed the JAMB and got admission are here today to collect their bursary awards with others who are already in various tertiary institutions and are qualified for the awards,” he noted.

He equally mentioned some roads that have been rehabilitated. Some of the roads are: Oziegbe Street, Araba, Ago-Owu, Oyegbola, Opeloyeru, Abiodun Street among others. He added that one hundred and thirty five boreholes were rehabilitated and generating sets given to each to power them.

“The three police divisions within the LCDA: Alakara, Olosan and Ilupeju Police Stations were provided with patrol buses to fortify the LCDA and its neighborhood,” he stated.

The Chairman never failed to enumerate his achievements in the health sector. He made reference to the supply of vaccines to children against polio, the collaboration of the LCDA with some private health organisations to supply free eye glasses to people with visual challenges.

He added the LCDA’s health centers at Ayantuga Street and Ayonuga Streets had been upgraded with adequate provision of modern equipment, while health centre in Cocker road in Ilupeju is being rehabilitated. In the area of education, the council Chairman noted that a good number of schools had been supported. He said the Council had supported their inter-house sports competitions and many other academic programme.

“Various social interventions have been carried out such as selling of subsidized rams during Muslim festivals and chickens and turkeys during Christmas,” He said.

The event ended with the disbursement of bursary awards to successful applicants.

While presenting the awards, Hon Ajala said: “We believe that education is key to a bright future. Access to education should be available to everyone, regardless of their social background.”

“It is the reason this administration is taking up the first phase of the bursary award scheme and will continue its efforts for the common good of the community and by extension, the society at large,” he added.

The Chairman of the Award Committee, Mr Tunde Williams, explained the procedure followed to arrive at the list of successful and unsuccessful applicants.

Some of the students praised the scheme and expressed their gratitude to the Chairman and his team for giving them the opportunity to benefit from bursary awards.

Miss Cocker, one of the recipients, said she initially doubted the reality of the programme when her mum informed her to pick the form.

She said she thought it was one of those scams, but she came and saw what was on ground and had received the alert. She prayed to God to continue to bless the chairman and his entire team.

Adesola Samuel, a student from the University of Lagos appreciated the chairman and his team for the programme.

Adekunle Oluwatosin, who referred to the Chairman as his mentor and leader said he had never felt the impact of the local government like this. He said the Chairman was a man of his words. He added that majority of his course mates in his department are from Odiolowo/Ojuwoye LCDA and they are doing well academically.

Ajayi Oluwagbemileke, a student of Engineering at Yaba College of Technology said the programme has made him understand that one’s background shouldn’t affect his/her being great in life. He said one could achieve what he/she can with determination.

At the event were Vice Chairman, Hon Seyi Jakande, leader of the legislative, Hon Rilwan Ola Ajenifuja, Secretary to the local council, Hon Mujeeb Ayinde Daramola, Lagos State Deputy Women Leader, Hon Mrs Kehinde Babalola Ajinni, APC Chairman for Odiolowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Alhaji Ganiyu Adebisi, his Secretary, Hon Alhaji Olaniyan, Council’s Treasurer Mr Babalola Shuaib Badmus, Supervisors for Education, Hon Abdul Lateef Akinsemonyin, Agriculture, Hon Isak Onoshokun, Youths and sports, Hon Rodiat Ifeoluwa Jimon, WAPA, Hon Morenikeji Awodogan, Health Hon AbdulRofeeu Bola Obale, Environment, Hon Bashir Magbade, Deputy leader of the legislative Arm, Hon Eludepo and all the Councillors.

Also at the event were Education Secretary to Mushin Local Government and Odiolowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Princess Akinlude, HOD Education, Mrs Oladunjoye and HODs from different department in the local council development area.

Others were the Chairman of CDC, Pa Adekunle Adekoya, Iyaloja General Alhaja Mufuliat Adebunmi, Representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Odiolowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, Pastor Peter Ojomu, Representative of the Council of Imams and Alfas, Sheikh Rasheed Ajetunmobi, Partly Chairmen across the wards and members of the public.