Lagos NOA Director Hails Ifako-Ijaiye LG Boss, Harps on Synergy with CDA, CDC
As a way to show appreciation and commemorate the landmark achievement of Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat, the Executive Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Lagos State, within 100 days in office, the Community Development Committee of the Local Government on Tuesday the 9th of November, 2021 held A-day symposium on Good Governance with the theme: “The People and Good Governance” at the Council Multipurpose Conference hall in Ifako, Lagos State.
Delivering a paper as a Guest Speaker on the topic: “Good Governnance at the Grassroot, Responsibilities of the Local Government and the Role of the Community Development Association (CDAs)”. The Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Lagos Directorate, Mr. Waheed Ishola defined local Government as a political sub-division of a nation or (in a Federal system like Nigeria) state, which is constituted by law and has substantial control of local affairs, including prescribed purposes. The governing body of such an entity is elected or otherwise selected. Community Development on the other hand, is a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems using local initiatives and methods. In order words, community development is a veritable tool which empowers members of any community to create strong and connected communities.
The Local government and the Community development associations are, therefore, a conjoined twin which cannot be easily separated even by any best-known method of political surgery. It could be agreed that their existence is not just legally mandated but naturally created to serve the interest of the people at the grassroots. They are not just natural partners, but indispensable socio-political machineries for delivering the dividends of democracy and promoting good governance. The Director tasked the Leaders of CDAs to cultivate synergy with the local government, encourage community members to live up to their civic responsibilities as responsible Nigerian citizens at all times. Providing such enabling support, he said, is not only sacrosanct but necessary to enhancing the collective wellbeing in the society. He further noted that the survival of any government and by extension, the society, depends heavily on the level of support provided by the people to the government. It is therefore necessary for community leaders to know that the best way to enhance good governance and guarantee adequate delivery of the dividends of democracy is also by recognizing their roles as responsible leaders at different spheres of influence and authority who must live above board.
Earlier in his welcome address, the CDC Chairman, Pastor Samuel Opajobi said that the symposium establishes the synergy and strong bond between the government of Ifako-Ijaiye and the common people in the community which the CDC represents. He noted that within 100 days in office, Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat led administration had presented itself as a mission-oriented administration with special focus on human and infrastructural development in Ifako-Ijaiye. The number of people-oriented projects delivered within the 100 days in office had encouraged their trusting him with their mandate. He promised more cooperation with the government in seeing that the Local government maintains its leadership role in the state.
In his goodwill message the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Affairs, Hon. Babatunde Jimoh Adwale, noted that Lagos state government appreciates all the developmental activities within the community, especially the peaceful co-existence of the people. He urged them to always pay their taxes, levies and dues so that the government would continue to provide for them more dividends of democracy.
The Executive Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat thanked the various community Development Committees for finding his administration worthy to be celebrated within the 100 days in office. He promised to do more for the people because governance is all about the people. A peaceful community is a peaceful local government.
In attendance were: Leader of the house and some parliamentarians; Special Adviser to the Governor on Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, Engr. Adekunle Olayinka; Oba-Elect of Iju Ogundimu Kingdom, Prince Gbolahan Matthew Ogundimu; Iyaloja General of Ifako-Ijaiye, Mrs. Doyin Coker Ogunbiyi (JP); Chairman (CDAC), Alhaji Azeez A. Amsat; Representative of CAN, Mother in-Isreal, Modupeola Ilori and the Representative of Muslim Community, Imam Fazaci Mishaudeen Adeshina amongst others.
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