Lagos LCDA: 302 youths benefit N500m mega empowerment as Jakande marks 1 year in office
Kazeem Akande
302 youths have benefitted from N500million mega empowerment as Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State marked one year in office.
Newsmen reports that youths and artisans on Monday benefitted from various free working tools after three months free training organised by the council.
Dr Seyi Jakande, the LCDA Chairman in his remarks during the empowerment gave gratitude to Almighty God and All Progressive Congress (APC) party leaders and other stakeholders for making such remarkable success within one year in office.
According to him, we assumed office with a clear conviction that leadership must go beyond promises. The government must be visible, accessible and impactful.
“Our commitment was, and remains, to improve the quality of life of our people, create opportunities, develop infrastructure and build a community where prosperity is accessible to all.
“We are not merely celebrating one year in office; we are celebrating one year of action, service and measurable impact.
“At the heart of this initiative is the ₦250 million interest-free loan scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals within the LCDA, tagged ‘ILE-OWO’.
“Our administration has been guided by the HEWA Agenda: Health and Environmental Sustainability, Education and Empowerment, Works and Security, Agriculture,Tourism and Culture.
In health and environmental sustainability, we have supported healthcare interventions through medical outreaches and are today commissioning the Kayode Primary Healthcare Centre.
“We introduced Electronic Medical Records to improve efficiency, reduce medical errors and enhance healthcare outcomes,” he said.
Jakande added that he had inaugurated a medical health insurance scheme, providing free health insurance coverage for 1,500 residents.
He also said that his administration has sustained environmental sanitation with public sensitisation, tree planting, the removal of illegal structures and drainage interventions across the LCDA.
“Today, we are particularly proud to graduate and empower over 600 trainees who have successfully completed our three-month skill acquisition programmes.
According to him, the skill acquisition training included shoe making, catering, hairdressing, fashion design, make-up, event planning, electrical and solar installation, as well as ICT skills including data analysis, graphics and animation, full-stack web development and desktop publishing.
“In works and security, we have completed 18 road and drainage projects, with four additional roads currently ongoing.
“These include Ibadan Street, Muibi Street, Danmegoro Street, Alhaji Kola Oseni Street, Ade Akinsanya Street, Ladipo Sode Street, Industrial Crescent, Akala, Adedoja, Igabrere, Adewusi, Adegboyega, Adesakin, Isijola and Olapade Streets, among others.
“We have also continued to promote our cultural heritage while supporting initiatives that preserve our identity, strengthen community development and create opportunities for our people,” he added.
Sen. Ganiyu Solomon a Former Senator Representing the Lagos West in his remarks hailed the development stride of the council chairman.
Solomon gave kudos to the chairman for such development and mega empowerment for the teeming youth in the community.
The former Senator also advised the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity and work hard to earn a good leaving from both the training and free work tools given to them.
“We want you to make use of this opportunity and ensure you didn’t put these items for sales to allow future continuity of the projects,” he said.
Mr Cornelius Ojelabi, the APC Party leader in Lagos State in his remarks thanked the council chairman for his remarkable development agenda within the 365 days in office.
Ojelabi however appealed to the beneficiaries to make proper use of the items and working tools given to them freely to encourage the chairman to invest more on the residents.
“This is an uncommon opportunity that is very rare in any community and we want you to reciprocate by getting your Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and vote wisely during the election period.
“Your voter card is your power, guide it jealously and ensures you cast your vote wisely to ensure grassroots development,” the party chairman said.
Mr Adekunle Adebayo Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye LCDA also hailed the chairman for his gesture to the youth and residents generally.
Adebayo said that the free training and free working tools would go a long way in helping the youth to become self reliant.
Mr Oladimeji Salako, one of the beneficiaries of Solar Panel Installations training thanked the chairman for the kind opportunity and assured the council chairman of making good use of the empowerment.
“I am really happy to be part of this empowerment and assure the council of making good use of the opportunity,” he said.
Miss Tosin Akande, another beneficiary for Hairdressing also thanked chairman for such empowerment saying it was a life time opportunity.(NAN)
