Residents of Ikeja Local Council have welcomed the commissioning of new community projects as the council marked the first anniversary of the administration of its chairman, Akeem Olalekan Dauda.

The projects, which are aimed at improving living conditions and infrastructure across the council area, include interlocking stones, a one-sided drainage system and streetlights at RST Apena Close, Ikeja.

The administration also rehabilitated Bashiru Owen Street with interlocking stones and provided streetlights, while an ultra-modern public toilet was constructed under the bridge in front of the council secretariat.

Speaking during the activities, Dauda said the projects were part of his administration’s commitment to delivering tangible development at the grassroots.

He said leadership was not about occupying an office but about identifying the needs of the people and responding to them.

“We are here to celebrate the people of Ikeja and to present some of the dividends of our mandate,” he said.

Dauda said the projects were more than physical infrastructure, noting that they were intended to make everyday life easier for residents.

He listed achievements recorded in the past year in infrastructure, education, healthcare, sanitation, youth empowerment and social welfare, while acknowledging that more work remained to be done.

The chairman expressed appreciation to residents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market leaders, artisans, youth organisations, security agencies and party leaders for their support and constructive engagement.

He also urged residents to protect and maintain the newly commissioned facilities, stressing that their sustainability depended on collective responsibility.

“As we celebrate one year in office, we acknowledge that there is still much more to be done. One year has gone, but the journey continues. Together, we will build an Ikeja that is cleaner, safer, more accessible, inclusive and purposeful,” Dauda said.

The Council Manager, Mrs Juliana Taiwo Odubeko, described the past year as one of purpose, progress and impactful grassroots programmes.

Odubeko commended Dauda and the council team for their leadership and commitment to grassroots development, while thanking residents and other stakeholders for their support.

“As we commission these projects, let us continue to support the administration in its drive to deliver more dividends of democracy to our people,” she said.

The Chief Whip of the Ikeja Legislative Assembly and councillor representing Anifowoshe and Ogunbiyi communities, Salami Idris, also praised the chairman for rehabilitating key roads in the area.

Idris recalled that Bashiru Owen Street had previously been in a deplorable condition, making movement difficult for residents and affecting the appearance of the community.

He said the rehabilitation, which included drainage improvements and better accessibility, had brought relief to residents.

“This is a clear example of dividends of democracy reaching the grassroots and the good people of this community,” Idris said.

The councillor, however, urged residents and community development associations to take ownership of the projects by ensuring their proper maintenance.

Residents also expressed appreciation to the council chairman, saying the projects had addressed some of the challenges they had faced and would make movement and daily activities easier.

The three-day celebration began with a youth-focused fitness and anti-drug campaign and continued with activities highlighting the administration’s achievements during its first year in office.