Stakeholders from across Ikorodu Division converged at the 700 Seater Hall in Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Ikorodu, Lagos to attend the annual Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting in Ikorodu.
The meeting which simultaneously occured across all the Constituencies in Lagos State is Organised to ascertain the Challenges facing each Constituencies and also giving Platforms to different Stakeholders and Youth leaders to contribute Intellectually towards the growth and advancement of the communities at the grassroot level.
The chief host of the meeting (Hon SOB AGUNBIADE Majority Leader Lagos State House Of Assembly Representating Ikorodu Constituency 1) made his presence felt from the get go, Engaging members and Stakeholders while also appreciating their presence through the Program spokesperson Mr Azeez Olosugbo.
On interval Post Briefing, Leaders, Baales, CDC/CDA & local government area Representatives took to the floor to air their plights.
NYCN & NAIDS leaders where also given the platform to present their challenges which stems from bad roads to unemployments in the Communities. Others stated the need for an overhaul Government reforms which has literally dented the progressiveness of the State & Nation At Large.
Some also hammered on the lack of security and dilapidated school Structures across the Region.
The briefing was also translated in Yoruba via the program’s transcript. Thereafter, The Majority Leader briefly spoke about the incidence that occurred on the 23rd of October at his residence which was invaded by thugs and also the palliative arranged for Windows in Ikorodu which was Looted Subsequently.
“Before digressing further I want to Appreciate the youths in Ikorodu for staging a very peaceful protests as regards the #EndSars Movement that took the entire Nation. Though it was eventually hijacked by problem seekers, But it was indeed obvious that we have viable and vibrant youths in Ikorodu that truly seek a better Government reform”.
“With that said, I want to say at this moment, It is no secret to all of you about the sad incident that occurred to me prior to my birthday at my residence, But we thank God Today because the intended plans of the enemies was futile”
“If you look at the videos that went viral on social media as regards the attack, You would see clearly that my home is obviously different from the location where the palliative was Looted, If truly it was all about just looting palliative, Why did the invaders proceeded to my home with guns and cutlass to ransack my entire apartment even to my bed stands”.
“Only God knows what would have happened if I was at home that fateful day. But it is good to know that investigations are currently ongoing and some of the suspects has been apprehended as we speak” Hon SOB Agunbiade.
“And to the political individuals who are behind this attack in order to dent my name and ruin my legacy. They even went as far to using the fake news media to flip the story upside down. Know that it is only God that can dent a man’s legacy, Let my heart based intentions for Ikorodu be the distinction to my criticism” Hon SOB Added
Prior to the end of the meeting the lawmaker provided small packs of Rice which was Distributed to each attendants at the program.
The Brief
Distinguished constituents and other invited guests, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to this year’s edition of our Annual Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting holding simultaneously in all the House of Assembly constituencies of the State with the theme:
POST COVID-19 PANDEMIC: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
We all knowthat the Annual Constituency Stakeholders Meeting was created to interface between the people and
the government particularly the parliament which serves as the eyes, nose and ears ofthe people.
Your participation, therefore, gives your elected representatives an opportunity to enumerate the achievements recorded, to inform you further about government policies and programmes while the constituents on the other hand are expected to list infrastructural and social amenities required in their various communities for the attention and implementation by the government, particularly for inclusion in the budget of the coming year On the 31st December, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) was formally notified ofthe outbreak of Corona Virus disease, otherwise known as COVID-19 in the city of Wuhan in China.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the world has sadly recorded over 1 million deaths with total cases of infected
persons put at 37 million while the total number of recovered persons is 26 million.
The virus has not only spread across the world but has ravaged virtually every facet of the socio-economic and political life of nations. Normal life has become a mirage prompting many businesses to close or collapsed, with the attendant loss of jobs and food shortage. These have compounded the already dire unemployment and poverty situation, particularly among the youths in developing and under developed countries like Nigeria.
It would be recalled that on the 27th of February, 2020, the first case of Corona Virus was detected in Lagos State and subsequently, the House on the 2nd of March of 2020 passed a resolution commending the Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his team for their prompt response in addressing the outbreak of the disease in the State.
In its collaborative efforts to stem the tide of the pandemic and bring a new lease of life to Lagosians, the House being the embodiment of the representatives of the people invited the Commissioner for Health, alongside the Chairmen and other officials of the Local Governments/Local Council Development Areas to brief the Assembly on the efforts made so farto combat the pandemic in the State.
The House further approved the sum of N20 Billion COVID-19 Intervention Fund aimed at containing and managing the spread of the virus in the State as well as mitigate its effect on Lagosians.
This legislative support coupled with individual palliative efforts of Honourable Members in their various constituencies has had a great impact on the successes recorded so far in the fight to effectively contain the ravaging disease.
The economic headwind generated by the COVID-19 pandemic also necessitated the approval of the House for the reordering of the Y2020 Budget to provide necessary support for business owners, the vulnerable members of the society and improvement in healthcare facilities.
To ascertain the level of preparedness of academic institutions in the State before the government officially reopen schools in line with guidelines on COVID-19 protocols, the Assembly mandated its relevant committees to embark on fact-finding assignment to different schools.
While the government is taking steps to bring life back to normal we urge every citizen to obey all regulations guiding the containment of COVID-19 in the State in order to free our society of the pandemic which is limiting opportunities in many areas.
That said, it would be out of place if we fail to mention the recent disaster that struck our beloved State within the last two weeks and the efforts made by the House to avert same.
On the 8th of October, 2020 at the early stage of the protest, the End-SARS protesters were addressed by the Deputy Speaker of the House and when they insisted on meeting with the Speaker, the Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa at about 12 midnight same day addressed the protesters and immediately convened an emergency session to consider their demands.
The session was held the following day on Friday 9th October, 2020, where the House resolved to:
(I) Call on His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria to direct the Inspector-General of Police to:
(a) Proscribe the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and establish a new outfit which will be more efficient with
code of conduct and rules of engagement clearly spelt out;
(b) Ensure that culpable officers of SARS at State and Federal levels are punished in accordance with the extant law;
(ii) Call on the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command to:
(a) protect the protesters and ensure that they are not molested; (b) stop unwarranted molestation of our youth by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad
The resolutions were conveyed to the Governor and the President and it is pertinent to note that the Federal
Government promptly adopted virtually all the resolutions of the Assembly.
However, it is painful that rather than allow the successes achieved by the Assembly’s intervention to be fully implemented some miscreants hijacked the protest and decided to take laws into their own hands, unleashing mayhem on the State by destroying the means of livelihood of citizens along with significant number of private and government properties.
These miscreants, with virtual impunity looted shops and malls including government warehouses where Covid-19 relief packages were kept, killing innocent itizens and our gallant policemen as they razed down Police Stations, private homes, public utilities and infrastructure. They further attacked and desecrated traditional institution and our common heritage.
There is no doubt that all of these colossal damages and losses which would run into hundreds of billions of Naira would impact negatively on our economy and consequently on the citizens. While we sympathise with those who have lost persons and properties, we appeal to everyone to remain calm and embrace peace and dialogue. On this note I wish to inform you that the House after visiting the scenes of destructions across the State has urged the Government to consider compensating the victims of the tragedy, while setting up an Ad-Hoc Committee to
investigate the matter with a viewto preventing a recurrence of the mayhem.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria and Lagos State in particular is currently facing three shocks of the pandemic: dwindling oil and tax revenue, contraction in global trade and economic recession.
These realities Coupled with the recent youth unrest are negatively impacting on the economy of the State, hence the need to rethink our revenue generation model as a top priority in order to keep the economy of the State afloat.
Thus, in tackling the socio-economic challenges posed by the pandemic, individuals are encouraged to look into the effective management of the various post-pandemic opportunities such as business creation by exploring e-commerce, adapting to the new ICT potentials, acquiring relevant skills or education, while government must also invest more in e-governance to facilitate a more efficient and robust governance.
Citizens are highly commended for their resilience and ability to adapt to the “New Normal” especially in the face of the changing socio-economic situation that has led to a number of new businesses such as the local production of Safety health kits; nose masks, hand sanitizers, delivery services and others. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to be more innovative and creative in the face of this changing world situation.
While asuring you that the 9th Assembly would continue to do everything within its reach to bring governance closer to the people to enable participatory governance, we urge you to continue to support the government by performing your civic roles.
It is on this note that I urge you all to contribute actively and positively to the discussions for the progress of our community, Local Government and the State as whole. We assure you that we will always represent you adequately.
Therefore, I Wish to request you to please feel free to make valuable contributions on the various spheres of the state economy that can strengthen our resolve to do more.
In addition, whatever information, suggestions and Contributions is garnered from this exercise would be used by the Government in policy formulation and execution.
We will obtain memoranda from you, and for those who are yet to come up with their memoranda but wishing to send One, you still have up to Friday, 30th October, 2020 to submit same at my Constituency Office. l am assuring you that the 9th Assembly would continue to do everything within it’s reach to bring governance closer to the people to enable participatory governance.
I Thank you all for honouring our Invitation at all times and for Encouraging us so far.
We are certain that the outcome of today’s meeting would further improve our collective efforts towards reshaping our socio-economic life and making Lagos state our desired dream and the centre of excellence that it is. We urge you to continue to Support the government by carrying-out your civic roles.
Amongst other stakeholders at the meeting on the high table are Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho (Representating The Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom, Engr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi), The Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba Engr. Bashir Aremu Shotonwa, Oba Olukayode David Raji Balogun, The Eweye of Isiu, President of Christian Association Of Nigeria (Ikorodu Chapter), The Chief Imams, Mr Olumide Metilelu (Rector, Lagos State Polytechnic Ikorodu), Chief Asipa Kaoli Olusanya.
Others are the Chairman Of Nigeria Union Of Teachers (Ikorodu Branch) Comrade Fakolade Oluwaseun Oluwafemi JP, Oriwu Sun Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Chief (Alhaji) Monzor Olowosago, The Iya Oloja – General of Ikorodu Division, Alhaja Risikat Allison, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba (Vice Chairman Ikorodu LGA), Bldr Adeola Banjo Adebisi (Executive Chairman Ikorodu North LCDA) & Many others.
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