ALL INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE: WE ARE READY TO ENGAGE ALL LG/LCDAs – GOVERNOR’s AIDE

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen has revealed that the Lagos State Government is ready to engage all Communities in all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to ensure the prompt delivery of the dividends of good governance and promote civic participation among residents in Lagos State.

He revealed this at the Quarterly Community Development Sensitisation and Enlightenment Programme, organised by the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, on Thursday at the Agege Maternity Centre, Pen Cinema, Agege.

Welcoming the participants, the Special Adviser said that the initiative is in line with the continuous efforts of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to achieve the THEMES Plus Agenda, adding that the sensitisation programme will be held across the five divisions of Lagos State.

Emphasising the importance of community engagement, Afolabi stated that the target is to ensure all State Government policies are passed down to the grassroots while providing insights into ongoing legislative efforts at alleviating the suffering of Lagosians and encouraging active community involvement in development projects of Lagos State.

“It is our responsibility and our mandate to enlighten the citizens of Lagos about the programmes and initiatives that have been embarked upon by the State Government. If we don’t come to the grassroots for engagement such as this, the people will be ignorant of how beneficial these programmes are to them”, he averred.

Appreciating the large turnout at the event, the Special Adviser said that the enthusiasm of the residents in receiving the Office is a testament to the fact that the Lagos State Government has positively impacted their lives and the community at large.

Speaking on the Mandate of the Office, Permanent Secretary of the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Engr. Abiola Kosegbe noted that grassroots development, growth and sustainability of society start with community engagement and sensitisation of the Lagosians on topical initiatives and activities of the State Government.

Reiterating the importance of engaging the Lagos State MDAs on the CitizenGate 2.0 platform, Kosegbe explained that the Citizens Gate App is strategically developed as a ONE-STOP-SHOP for everything about Lagos State, addressing several issues, enquiries, complaints, suggestions, commendations and giving the citizens direct access to the 100 MDAs already on board the platform.

The Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government, Honourable Gbenga Abiola appreciated the Office for partnering with the Local Government, assuring participants that the Local Government is committed to engaging, empowering and ameliorating the suffering of its residents.

While recalling some of the laudable achievements of the Local Government, he said there is an ongoing #100,000 monthly empowerment scheme in the localities over 60 people have benefitted from these interventions, while over 3000 residents of the community have also benefitted from the palliative distribution scheme across the community.

Hon. Abiola therefore urged the State Government to partner with the Local Government, specifically on its “Deradicalization Process”, a scheme where the Local Government take the young touts and area boys away from the streets to rehabilitate, train and employ them as Security Personnel.

The Ward F General Chairman and Obayemo CDA Chairman, Mr. Ewuoso Obayemo, while commending the state government, said the good works of the present administration are evident across the state. He, however, appealed on behalf of the people of Agege Community to the Government to approve the construction of a General Hospital for the Local Government as well as provide an overhead bridge for the residents at Pen Cinema.

The programme featured sensitisation sessions from the Lagos State Resident Registration Agency (LASRRA), Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA).