By Abayomi Elias
Otunba Ladi Oluwaloni
For the first time in the history of Alimosho Federal Constituency, the Executive Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA Otunba Ladi Oluwaloni made unprecedented intervention, supported over 500 businesses and entrepreneurs in the axis with hundred thousand each to the tune of 50 million naira.
Newsconnect reports that Oluwaloni who was sworn in on the 3rd of April 2025 after the demise of former council chairman has started fulfilling the promises he made to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the residents of the axis in changing the look of the council.
The Chairman has posited in his appreciation remarks that himself and his team will not disappoint the Governor and the good people of Ayobo-Ipaja with the responsibility bestowed on him.
Oluwaloni, in an interview with journalists at the event said;
“What you are witnessing today, is part of what i think we can do. That is why we need to give the people of Ayobo-Ipaja dividend of democracy. I said it in my speech, this is the first time in the history of Alimosho Federal constituency that we are empowering the residents of our lcda and residents of Alimosho as a council the sum of hundred thousand naira each. That is about 50 million naira.
“The grant is not a largesse, we did it because we are aware that things are quite tough in the coubtry. Some of them said with 50,000 naira they can venture into the business of selling of eggs and in 6 months, there would be turnover.
“Some said they can use it for petty trade like frying of Yam and Akara for sale. Some with the money can think about what they want to do. That is the reason why i deem it fit to give back to the community. It is their money, since we also collect IGR from them. If they pay their money as and when due, we also need to give back to them. Everything must not be on infrastructure alone.
“When i was the acting chairman, the Kufo road that was abandoned since 2022 was fully completed. We have completed the public toilet in Baruwa. We didn’t have ambulance in this council for over 15 years ago.
“My first 3 days in office as Chairman, we secured an ambulance for the health department. We have also been able to complete the outstanding payment on the land given to us at Baruwa/Ishaga since 2007. We have started job there. We have fully paid the outstanding and the land now fully belongs to Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA.
“There is another grader we have in this council. The grader was on ground for over 12 years not working. At the moment, the grader has started working, we have started grading our roads and we know with the help of Mr Governor, he will help us on Amule road because that is too much for Ayobo-Ipaja to do.
“The little we can do, we are doing it. If within, 3 weeks we can complete Kufo road, we will commission it by the special grace of God this week.
“The legislative building is fully equipped and it will also be commisioned this week.
“Non pensionable staffs were being paid 15,000 naira before and we have increased it to 30,000 naira and they have collected it twice. I believe we would still do more, may God help us”.
The member representing Oshodi-Isolo constituency ll, at the Lagos State House of Assembly Honourable Oladipo Ajomale who was at the event talked about the relationship that exist between him and the chairman and his assessment of the Chairman’s intervention.
“When i got the invite, i wasn’t surprised. However seeing a program like this in about three weeks, less than a month, he is already putting is heads and legs on the ground making sure that people are feeling the dividend of democracy. It’s a fantastic day.
“We all understand the state of the country and the nation right now, it is trying time and our President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working assiduously to ensure the economy is balanced.
“Before we get there, we have to go through some rough patches. So for someone to be magnanimous to think of doing a program like this i believe we are all working together to ensure we are moving forward.
“We look forward to ensuring by season 2 of this intervention , some of the beneficiaries will be able to come back and give testimony. We are hoping they put the money to good use, for those who have businesses, let them use it to push their business and for those who don’t have, it is a starting step for them to put the money to a good use”. He said.
The CDC Chairman Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA Deacon Adebayo Oladejo said 4 to 5 CDA’s will be empowered with 250,000 naira each.
“I really appreciate government for coming to the community. About 4 to 5 CDA’s is being empowered today. Development is what we yearn for in the community. Once there is development in the community, definitely the good life would reach the nooks and crannies of our community.
“This money is not what they can spend anyhow. As a CDC being the umbrella body controlling all the CDA, we are going to monitor them to show they spend the money judiciously.
“They can use it to buy solar system, it will distort bad boys looking for a dark place to perpetrate their evil plans. When there is light in the community, definitely all those bad boys would run away. Not only that, they can use it to grade the road, use it to empower the security”.
APC party Chairman Honourable Wole Aina corroborated previous speakers that the intervention is one of its kind in Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA and Alimosho Federal constituency. That they will ensure beneficiaries are monitored so they make good use of the grant.
“This money is not for Asoebi, it is for them to grow their businesses, to take it to another level. I have told them we have their data’s and we will continue to monitor the money, how they make use of it. I have prayed for them, with the blessings of God, the money will be multiplied”.
“Alhaji Ahmed Haruna, Seriki of Alimosho local government told journalists that he is impress with the local government for making the intervention all inclusive.
“This is one of its kind, it has never happened before whereby every members of the community including the Arewa are benefitting.
“The beneficiaries should please invest the money so that they can have a good testimony”. He said.
The Council Manager also lauds the intervention.
Some of the participants at the event include; Jimoh Akinola (Vice-Chairman), SLG Rotimi Akiniyi, Muiz Abayomi Usman Deputy leader, Babatunde Saheed (Council Manager), Hon Akin Bash Party leader, Hon Aminat Moromoke, Hon Bola (Woman leader) among others witnessed the unprecedented intervention.