In the lead-up to the 2025 Lagos State Community Day Celebration, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Rural Development, Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje, on Tuesday the 2nd of December 2025 led hundreds of residents in a spirited health walk themed “From Health to Impact: Deepening Community Resilience” at Alausa, Ikeja.
The early-morning fitness activity formed part of statewide events designed to promote wellness and underscore the critical role of strong community structures in sustainable development.
Participants, including community development leaders, senior government officials, volunteers, and ministry staff, marched through designated routes around the Alausa Secretariat, chanting motivational slogans and displaying banners advocating healthy living.
The mood was both festive and purposeful, reflecting the state’s commitment to strengthening community ties through inclusive civic engagement.
Speaking shortly after the walk, Dr. Agbaje highlighted the importance of health-focused initiatives in driving social progress, particularly within rural communities where access to healthcare and wellness programmes can be limited.
“The idea behind this walk is simple but impactful—a healthy community is a productive community,” he said.
“As we move towards the grand finale of the Community Day Celebration, we want to remind our people that their wellbeing forms the foundation for resilience, unity, and sustainable development.”
Dr. Agbaje encouraged Lagosians from all Local Government Areas and LCDAs to attend the grand finale scheduled for November 4, 2025, at the Police College, Ikeja, stressing that the event will bring together representatives of about 5,000 Community Development Associations (CDAs) across the state.
He disclosed that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will personally attend the event to celebrate and reward communities that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to self-help, innovation, and grassroots problem-solving.
As part of this year’s incentives, Dr. Agbaje announced that the best-performing CDA will receive a fully-equipped water truck, aimed at enhancing water supply efforts within its locality.
The first and second runners-up will receive operational buses, while several other deserving CDAs will be honoured with special cash prizes for successfully executing self-help projects such as community boreholes, drainage clearing, environmental beautification, and neighbourhood security improvements.
“These rewards are not just gifts—they are investments into communities that are taking responsibility for their development,” Dr. Agbaje said. “We want to encourage more CDAs to be innovative, proactive, and collaborative.”
The fitness walk also witnessed the active participation of key government functionaries, including Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, who commended the enthusiasm of participants and reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to support all activities that enhance civic unity and public health.
Similarly, Hon. Babatunde Durojaiye, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Rural Development, praised the walk as a symbolic reminder of the power of community-driven initiatives.
He noted that the Community Day Celebration remains one of the state’s most impactful platforms for recognising grassroots contributions to development.
With the countdown to the 2025 Lagos State Community Day underway, expectations continue to rise as the state prepares to honour community structures that have become the backbone of development, resilience, and shared responsibility across Lagos.
INN-HOUSE☆ 