Lawmakers Meet Lagosians as Agunbiade Shines in Ikorodu

By Wale Abideen/ It was a gathering of who is who in Ikorodu Kingdom, well attended by personalities and a multitude of residents at the Lagos State Polytechnic Ikorodu last Friday where the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly and lawmaker representing Ikorodu Constituency 1, Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade engages the people he represent in a dialogue towards an improved legislation.

The arrival of the traditional ruler, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu and his large entourage of chiefs and traditional leaders kick tart the meeting and the Chief Imam of Ikorodu Oriwu Central Mosque, Sheik Yahaya Oshoala Assamadaani offered prayers from the second stanza of Nigeria’s National Anthem. The expansive 700 Hall was filled to capacity as leaders of trade unions, market associations; transport Unions as well as Community Development Associations, CDA’s and political parties’ leaders dialogued over issues affecting their local communities.

Residents of Ikorodu shower encomium of excellence performers on their legislator whom they described as a lover of the masses. “He always makes himself available at any point in need” Engineer Zakari, leader of Hausa Community says as others who spoke at the meeting including CDA leaders express joy over Hon. Agunbiade’s role during g the Badoo crisis.

Some of the parents of students who were given school uniforms during the birthday anniversary of Hon. Agunbiade were also on ground to hail the ‘peoples’ friendly lawmaker’ . It will be recalled that over 5oo indigent pupils were blessed with school uniforms courtesy of the famous SOB. From the traditional rulers to the masses the residents hail the Administration of Akinwumi Ambode and urge him to do more especially in the area of internal road construction within Ikorodu and link routes to its neighboring communities.

Oba Shotobi lauds the APC led administration in the state and send an appreciative message to the Lagos House of Assembly. The Kabiesi expresses confidence, stressing that all the demands of the people will be met by the Ambode’s led government. He describes the Opomulero of Ikorodu, Hon SOB Agunbiade as a rare gem, blessing him with prayers to do more for his people.

The Lagos State House of Assembly under the leadership of RT Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa is indeed unique for many reasons. Perhaps the gesture of holding simultaneous stake holders meetings across all constituencies in the state has further personified the 8^th Assembly as a shining example among its peers.

The 3^rd annual Constituency Stakeholders Meeting themed: True Representation and Accountability, was however an avenue for people to make more demands and issues that require more Legislation: The need for motor garages and road reconstruction were echoed by many residents and transport Unions leaders at the meeting made further appeal on this. Kayode Alabi, Lagos state Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA noted that there is no bust stop in the whole of Ebute area of Ikorodu and urge decisive actions on this. Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Ikorodu Branch Chairman raised the issue that has to do with shop owners erecting a container in front of the shop that have been rented out. He noted that it has always be a legal crisis in the state.

Responding, Hon. Agunbiade urges residents to make good use of their representatives by informing them adequately of the situations and things required to be done in their various communities. He added that people can take pictures of bad portion of the roads or any other things and send to him for onward processes. The lawmaker affirms the commitment of the state government to construct Igbe/Ijede roads, Ishawo/Igboolomu roads and that palliative repairs will continue to be carried out on Ikorodu /Ishagamu road until the Federal Government reconstruct the road.

Agunbiade says that ritual killing is now a thing of the past in Ikorodu, urging the residents to be more vigilant. He recalled how he galvanized community leaders to take some “behind the scene” measures that brought an end to Badoo killings in the area. “We were troubled by Badoo, but we all played a prominent role behind the screen and Badoo killing has stopped forever”.

“I also took it upon myself to stop militancy in our community and today activities of kidnapping has been checkmated, “ Agunbiade said.

Giving his scorecard, Agunbiade said despite the fact that the lawmakers has no constituency allocation to carry out capital intensive projects he had provided boreholes in markets, rehabilitated several roads and renovated classroom blocks in schools, including his alma mater, Jamaitul Islamiyah Primary School. Ikorodu.

“We have continued to improve on our legislative competences and accomplishments over the past two years.

While the interactive session were going on ‘demand forms’ were also been given to those who could not air their views to write out their demands. These were collated as Hon. Agunbiade promises to do justice to their demands. 10kg of LAKE Rice were given to participants in lieu of their refreshment.