Lagos inaugurates new Community Development Advisory Council

... COMMENDS CDAs, CDCs for selfless service

Pix 1:  L-R:  Dr.Wale Ahmed,  Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government & Community Affairs,Alhaji Azeez Amusat, newly inaugurated Chairman, Community Development Advisory Council, Mrs.Ganiyat Amusat and Cardinal Omolaja Odunmbaku, APC chieftain & Life Patron of the Community Development Advisory Council @ the inauguration of newly elected members of LSCDAC and valedictory service for immediate past Members @Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island on Friday.

Lagos State Governor, Mr.Babajide Sanwo-Olu has  extolled the zeal, passion and commitment of various Community Development Associations, CDAs and Community Development Committee, CDCs across the State, saying that the group had over the years exhibited high level of selfless service to the state government and their various communities.

Sanwo-Olu who gave the commendation through Lagos State Commissioner for Local,Government and Community Affairs Dr.Wale Ahmed at the inauguration of newly elected 23 members  of the State Executive, Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council (LSCDAC)at Eko Hotels & Suites on Friday.

He said that the fact that members of the group organised themselves in such an orderly manner and took ownership of government projects in their various domains without expecting any financial reward from government in return shows patriotic disposition that should be commended.

 Addressing the newly sworn-in officers, Sanwo-Olu charged them to continue in the path of transparency, probity and accountability as already enshrined in the practice of the council over the years.

He implored the exco to ensure that the activities and self-help projects of the CDAs are in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the present administration in order to achieve the Governor's vision of a Greater Lagos.

He added that the role of Community Development Associations majorly is to complement government developmental activities at the grassroots. "As development partner, I enjoin you to focus in this direction and to achieve this, you must engage and communicate with every member of your community on how to complement Government's effort in our communities. He stated."

While thanking the outgoing executive for serving meritoriously and for contributing in no small measure to the peaceful coexistence across communities in the Centre of Excellence, the Governor reminded them of how the present administration relies on them for quality governance, stressing that they are very integral in delivering dividends of democracy to all residents of the State.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Taiwo Salaam in his welcome address appreciated CDA members and executive for the success recorded at the recently concluded election conducted.

He stated that the efforts of all CDAs and CDCs across the State has made the goal of bringing the government closer to the people possible, saying that Lagos today, boasts of over 3,900 vibrant CDAs.

Similarly, Cardinal Omolaja Odumbaku, a member of Governor’s Advisory Council and Life Patron, Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council, LSCDAC, while giving his speech thanked Mr Governor for the honour he has given to CDAs in the state by recognising and including them in the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda of his administration.

He commended Dr. Wale Ahmed for using the experience he has garnered over the years in grassroots politics to contribute immensely to the development of Lagos state.

He also appealed to them to ensure that resources garnered at the CDAs are used meticulously for the purpose they are earmarked for, thus contributing to the State Government’s Agenda of making Lagos State a 21st century economy.

Odumbaku who is the life patron of LSCDAC advised members of the various groups to cooperate with their local government Chairmen, saying, that is how they can get the needed support for their various projects at the grassroots.

Speaking on behalf of the outgoing executive, the Chairman of the LSCDAC, Alhaji Tajudeen Adeniyi Quadri thanked the State government for given them the opportunity to serve the state and for the unflinching support.

He pleaded with the state government to extend same support to the newly elected executives so that they can sustain the tempo of development at the grassroots and even surpass their own achievements.

The newly elected LSCDAC Chairman, Alhaji Azeez Amusat while giving his acceptance speech thanked the state government for the platform created for CDAs to relate with government, just as he appreciated the Ministry for conducting a free and fair election which brought about his emergence as the new Chairman of LSCDAC.

He assured the state government that the Council will heed to the advice of the state government and ensure his tenure exemplifies  probity, accountability and transparency.

The Director, Community Development Department, MLG&CA, Mrs Sherifah Ewumi-Dosumu thanked the state government for its commitment to development at the grassroots.

She assured that her department through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs under the leadership of the Commissioner, Dr Wale Ahmed, would work effectively to take Community Development Advisory Council in Lagos State to the next level of community development by giving continuous support and audience to all the CDAs.

2019: Sanwo-Olu Adoption Mere Speculation - APC Chieftain

The Lagos State Chapter of All Progressives Congress on Wednesday said it had not adopted any governorship aspirant as its candidate for the 2019 elections.
The Chairman of the chapter’s Elders’ Forum, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
He was reacting to media reports that the chapter had adopted an aspirant, Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu, the incumbent Managing Director of Lagos State Property Development Corporation, as its governorship candidate.

NAN reports that Mr James Odumbaku, the immediate past Vice-Chairman of the party in the state and an ally of Chief Bola Tinubu, was reported to have claimed in a video on Tuesday that Sanwo-Olu had been adopted as the incoming governor.

Odumbaku, who was with Sanwo-Olu and other chieftains at a meeting in the video, said all the 57 council chairmen had endorsed the LSPDC boss as their candidate, claiming the adoption was at the instance of Asiwaju Tinubu.

NAN reports that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, had on Monday, declared his intention to run for another term.
A former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, had also declared his aspiration for the number one seat in the state.

Olusi described the purported adoption of Sanwo-Olu to puncture the second term bid of Ambode as mere speculation.
He said the party could not have resolved to hold a primary when it had adopted an aspirant.

“All these things are speculations. They are not true, How can we plan to hold a primary to elect our candidates and then adopt somebody?

“If we are still going to hold our primary, why then should we adopt, or does the adoption cancel the primary? No.

“This is the political season, all interesting things happen, but I can tell you most of the things that have been reported on the matter are mere speculations and not facts. Nobody has directed any adoption,” he said.
Olusi, while referring to the video, said it was normal for individuals or groups to back or endorse aspirants ahead of any election.

He, however,  said such endorsements should not be taken to be the position of the party.

Olusi said the determination of who would become the governorship candidate of the party would only be done at the primary.
He described the APC as a democratic party, saying all aspirants would be allowed a level playing field.

On the feasibility of holding a direct primary at the chapter in view of the large numbers of party members, Olusi said there was no cause for alarm.

He said the right preparations were being done, expressing optimism that everything would go well during the exercise.

Olusi said he would not comment on the controversies emanating from adopting different modes of primary in some APC state chapters.
“Honestly, I do not want to comment on that. However, we are a growing democracy and we learn every day,’’ he said

(NAN)
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