Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu said that his administration remains committed to addressing the needs of its residents and listening to their voices.
Sanwo-Olu stated this on Thursday, at the Grand Finale of the Year 2024 Community Day Celebration with the theme “Stronger Together: Building a Resilient Community,” at the Police College Parade Ground, Ikeja, Lagos.
The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat added that the state government has prioritized strengthening the capacity of individuals, communities, businesses, and institutions to not only survive but also adapt and grow despite economic and social stresses.
His words, “As a responsive government, we have prioritized strengthening the capacity of individuals, communities, businesses, and institutions to not only survive but also adapt and grow despite economic and social stresses. Through innovative policies and targeted intervention programs, we are mitigating the impact of global and local economic challenges on Lagosians. “
According to the Governor, these interventions, which include various initiatives spearheaded by the Ministries of Agriculture and Wealth Creation, such as EKO CARES programme, 25 percent reduction in BRT fares, Ounje Eko, among others, have significantly supported individuals, businesses, and communities across Lagos to adapt to economic and social pressures.
Commenting on the theme of the celebration, Sanwo-Olu said it underscores his administration’s collective commitment to extending the dividends of democracy to every corner of Lagos State. He added that it also aligns seamlessly with the Lagos Resilience strategy’s shared vision of building a stronger, more adaptable city capable of thriving in the face of 21st-century challenges and beyond.
He therefore, called on all Lagosians through the various Community Development Associations to support his administration’s shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous Lagos, adding that they should be vigilant and united against any actions that could undermine investments, infrastructure, and heritage of the state.
“As we celebrate today, I urge all Lagosians, through the over 5,000 Community Development Associations represented here, to continue supporting our shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous Lagos. Let us remain vigilant and united against any actions that could undermine our investments, infrastructure, or heritage. Such destabilization would have devastating consequences for us all,” he concluded.
In his Welcome Address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje, said that the event was another moment to appreciate the Community Development Association in the state for their immense contributions to the development of the State through many self-help projects executed by them and for promoting peace and security as well advising the state government on matters affecting community development across the state.
Agbaje added that the vision of the administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is to be a model in the management of vibrant, well-developed , and sustainable communities towards achieving the dream of a Greater Lagos. He commended the Governor for his commitment and support to the development of communities across the state through the provision of critical and vital infrastructural interventions, such as rural roads, rural electrification, and water schemes which were facilitated through the Office of Rural Development to the several communities across the divisions in the State.
He described the theme of the celebration as a testament to the commitment and passion of the present administration in ensuring Lagosians receive adequate care regardless of their socio-economic status and afford business owners an environment that engenders ease of doing business, thereby strengthening the economy of the state and affirming the resilient spirit that Lagos is known for is paramount and important to the government.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Community Development Advisory Council, Alhaji Azeez Amusat noted that the event was set aside to showcase the unity, and strength in rapprochements with the government and its leadership as a partnership that has endured in participatory democracy, especially in the last quarters of a century unblemished.
Amusat stated that since its inception, the present administration has done a lot of interventions and social welfare programmes as well as made Community Development Associations one of the pivots of the administration, saddling them with many onerous tasks which they never failed.
He said they seek more recognition and fulfillment of salient pending promises to further undermine the body as a critical sector in governance.
