By Abayomi Elias
L-R: Vice Chairman Kosofe LG Honourable Oluwole Sosanya, Honourable Commissioner for Waterfront Hon Yecoob Ekundayo Alebiosu, Host; Honourable Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawon (Okla).
As the Honourable Member of Lagos State House of Assembly representing Kosofe Constituency I, Hon. Sanni Ganiyu Babatunde Okanlawon (OKLA) convened the 10th Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting, as expected, new matters, a testament of the true essence of the impact of community engagements with stakeholders emerged from the meeting.
Newsconnect reports that as oliver twist, the stakeholders at the meeting at Mende Town Hall having listened to the Guest Speaker and Honourable Okla’s appreciation message and scorecard presentation expressed satisfaction and areas of concern where they want government urgent intervention.
The theme of the 10th stakeholders meeting which was done simultaneously across the 40 constituencies in Lagos State was dubbed “Governance in Action: The Gains of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The Coordinator Lagos Youth Development Initiative Kosofe Youth Chapter Prince Kehinde Omotehinse in an interview with Newsconnect correspondent said Honourable Okla has been a wonderful lawmaker that has been given employment opportunities to youths, however, he should do more empowerment for the youths.
In his words,
”It is not everyone that would get employed. He has facilitated more than 300 employment for our youths, I am proud of him for that. What we need from him his empowerment, he shouldn’t just facilitate employments.of youth, he should facilitate more empowerment projects.
”Some people have learnt some jobs, but they need funds to rent shop and do other things. He gave like 7 people Keke Napep but that is not much.
”We want him to do more. Kosofe is a populated area where 70 percent of the population are youths. An idle hand is a devil’s workshop, when you empower an idle man, you have giving him a livelihood, he will desist from crime and other social vices”. He said.
Alhaji Rasheed Awofeso, a child protection enthusiast and community leader in Kosofe brought the plights of out of school children to the fore. He appealed to the lawmaker to do something about it. He said there are areas where out of school children are populated in Kosofe that intervention should be targeted at them.
The Executive Secretary of Kosofe LG Babatunde Shoneye lauded the stakeholders meeting initiative, he said it is a good one and thanked Honourable Sanni for all he has been doing for the people of Kosofe.
He said the Government has addressed the issue of out of school children through its agencies, he urged those who have contacts of these children yet to be reached to reach out to them.
The Chairman School Based Management Committee for Kosofe Central Odeyemi Richard said what they are doing here today is an heroic symbol, it is a symbol that ensures legislative to the people is not decending, he said.
“What we are seeing today is a good initiative that is making everyone to participate, we have showcased our minds and our honourable is listening to us.
”He has allowed us to air our views, and we are happy this will be continuous since this is the 10th edition.”.
”Stakeholders in Ifako posited that they were neglected in the scheme of development, but Honourable Sanni in his riposte to them at the meeting among other things mentioned some of the roads infrastructure facilitated for them and the ones under repair. He assured them more to come and they should keep supporting the APC government”.
Ajilore Oluwanifemi Bunmi, a student of Okla Computer training program and the overall best student who from the recently completed computer training program in an interview at the event said she has learnt so much.
“I know how to use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, create slides and code. I am using this medium to say a big thank you to Hon Sanni Babatunde Ganiyu Okanlawon for fully funding this program and giving us the opportunity.
“May God continue to bless you sir. All your efforts on your children will not be in vain, downfall will not be his portion, may he continue to prosper more and more in Jesus Mighty Name”. She expressed.
Awardees included:*
🔹 Overall Best Student: Ajilore Oluwanifemi Bunmi (Ogudu)
🔹 Second Best Student: Muritala Olasunkanmi Muritala (Anthony).
The Honourable Commissioner for Waterfront Honourable Hon. Yacoob Ekundayo Alebiosu, having informed stakeholders to share their plights so it can be captured in the next year budget cycle donated 2 million naira to support widows and 100,000 naira each to support the first and second winners of the computer training program. He also emphasized his plans to bring ferry terminal to Oworo, multi-billion naira project that would transform the economic activities of greater Kosofe.
Hon. Okanlawon in his goodwill message thanked constituents for their unwavering support and emphasized that good governance must remain people-centered. He highlighted some of his interventions in the constituency, including:
Honourable Sanni Ganiyu said there are some honourable who can’t point to any development project. He said since the Ojota-Ogudu road was fixed, it has eased traffic gridlock.
“Good governance is a daily practice, we will remain committed in rasisng legislative excellence”. He said
Some of his interventions include:
🔹 Job Creation: Over 150 constituents facilitated into state government employment.
🔹 Educational Empowerment: Provision of scholarships, educational aid, and digital skills training.
🔹 Sports and Youth Development: Sponsorship of community sports initiatives.
🔹 Infrastructure Advocacy: Facilitation of roads, drainage projects, and other community infrastructure.
“Our goal is to ensure that every resident of Kosofe feels the impact of representation. We are not just making promises; we are delivering results that transform lives,” Hon. Okanlawon said.
The Guest Speaker, Mr. Adewale Adeoye, Executive Director of Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), commended the Tinubu administration for its strides in:
🔹 Infrastructure expansion
🔹 Economic reforms
🔹 Enhanced security measures
He urged citizens to actively engage in governance for sustainable development.
The gathering brought together party leaders, religious clerics, market associations, youth groups, and community stakeholders to discuss governance progress, highlight challenges, and project future development goals in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.