According to the United Nations Office for Public Administration, a local government refers to a political subdivision of nation in federal system which is constituted by law and has substantial control of local affairs, including the powers to impose taxes or to exact labour for prescribed purposes. The governing body of such unit is elected or otherwise locally selected.

This description has indicators which connote citizens’ participation in the management of local affairs, efficient and equitable provision for essential services, as well as resource mobilization for development purposes. It is also regarded as a system of local administration under which local communities and towns are organized to maintain law and order, provide some limited range of social services and public amenities and encourage the co-operation and participation of the inhabitants in joint endeavour towards the improvement of their living.

In Nigeria, local government administration has undergone several reforms, restructuring and mutations. Currently, the local government, as the third tier of government operates a uniform structure based on the presidential system of government.  

However, since the return of Nigeria to democratic governance in 1999, the performance and impact of the local government administration have left much to be desired. This is due to myriads of critical challenges besetting many of the 774 Local Government Councils across the federation. These include interference from the State Governments, financial strangulation, poor service delivery, lack of qualified personnel, corruption, amongst several others which have caused the citizens to lose faith and trust in local government, the closest tier of government to the grassroots, over the years.

Nevertheless, despite these daunting challenges, the nation has witnessed the ingenuity and resilience of a crop of highly astute managers and administrators that have redefined and taken local government administration to an entirely new level. Where others failed, these ingenious Local Government Chairmen have performed far above expectations and aptly demonstrated that with the right people in position of leadership, Nigeria can indeed be great again.

In this special report, The Guardian highlights and celebrates the remarkable achievements of Hon. Babatunde Sunday Johnson of Orile Agege LCDA; Hon. Wasiu Adesina of Ikorodu LGA; Hon. Bamidele Yusuf of Surulere LGA; Hon. Saheed Adesegun Bankole of Eti Osa LGA; and Hon. David Olusegun Odunmbaku of Ojodu LCDA.

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“My passion for good governance, selfless service, driving force for remarkable success at Orile-Agege LCDA” – Johnson

Hon Johnson Sunday Babatunde, the Executive Chairman of Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area, is one individual that can be aptly described as the ‘son of the soil’. Born and bred in Alagba, Orile-Agege, Lagos State, he attended the Zion African Church Primary School and Giwa College, Ilaro, Ogun State for his secondary education before proceeding to Yaba College of Technology to study Computer Science, where he was one of the first set of students in the Department. Subsequently, he gained admission to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and obtained a B. Sc in Accounting and also obtained a PGD in Theology from the Redeemers’ Bible College. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration Of Nigeria, he worked briefly with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) as the pioneer Senior Data Processing Assistant before joining politics which he said was the opportunity to serve his people.

Having been recognised as one of “Nigeria’s Twenty Leading Result-Oriented Local Government Chairmen Of Excellence With Impactful Dividends Of Democracy To The Grassroots”, Hon Babatunde Sunday Johnson spoke with The Guardian on his personal background, political career journey, his people-oriented programmes, remarkable accomplishments amidst daunting challenges, and enduring legacies, amongst sundry issues. Excerpts …

Can you give us an insight into your background and what shaped your orientation?

Naturally, I prefer a quiet life and I am quite unassuming, However, something happened that changed the narrative. There was this aged woman called Iya Shagari, who was formerly with Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s party in those days and one day at a community forum, she lamented that youths from Alagba were not participating in politics. She canvassed that it was ideal to pick someone to fill in the available political position. Interestingly, I was nominated and the onus fell on me to represent the community. That was how my political journey started. 

Meanwhile, prior to that time, my uncle, Mr. Owolabi Dada, who was the first Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government, had engaged me as a party agent during elections. But that was not appealing to me. Therefore, when it was decided that a candidate was needed to represent Alagba to end the age-long marginalisation, I saw an opportunity for my political aspiration. Although, during my time in Yabatech, I was involved in students politics and I became the Chairman of Electoral Committee during our Students Union elections. That experience gave me confidence when I was told to join the political arena in my locality. I pitched my tent with the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC).

Initially, my mother was so sceptical about it when we started, and was shielding me because she thought I could be harmed, but to God be the glory, nothing of such happened to me. It was an open secret ballot then, so during the primary election, we met disappointment and I decided to go back to school. That was when I went to UNILAG, I was in school when we were told that they have cancelled that primary election and there was going to be a rerun. They went to my mother and she said “No, my son is not even around.” 

Fast forward, in 1997 during the defunct United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) era, I contested for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat and won. Unfortunately, after the demise of the late former military Head of State, General Sanni Abacha, that election was cancelled. We had even started attending seminars in preparation for our inauguration. Till date, the Certificate of Return issued by the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) is in my archive. That cancellation dealt me a great blow because I exhausted all my resources on the exercise. I never even knew candidates are often sponsored by other individuals or groups. 

Eventually, I put my acts together but by the time the new political dispensation commenced, I was financially weak and could not match up. However, somewhere along the line, God raised an in-law who financed my electoral campaigns to vie for the House of Representatives seat. At that time, Alhaji Lai Mohammed was the close confidant to President Bola Tinubu, who was the Governor-Elect of Lagos State then, and I was on his list and was already being called “Honourable”. Nonetheless, on getting to De Rovan Hotel, Ibadan, where the fate of the late Chief Bola Ige was decided through the coalition that produced Chief Olu Falae as the Presidential Cnadidate of the AD/APP alliance for the 1999 elections, the ensuing horse-trading and substitutions cost me the ticket to the aforementioned House of Reps ticket. Based on the decision of the top hierarchy of the party led by the late Pa Emmanuel Alayande I was told to step down.

By 2002, I was sitting in my house when an elderly man came to me and said that “they” have decided that I should be given opportunity to contest as the Local Government Chairman after Hon. Ajiboso. They asked me to get myself prepared. Curiously, that same man who came to call me was one of those who backed opposition against me. He was the person that put my eyes on the chairmanship position. Again, I was told to step down but this time, I was offered the position of Deputy Secretary at the then newly-created LCDA. I accepted the position. In 2004, I was elected as the Vice Chairman and for three times, consecutively, I acted in the same position. Afterward, in 2017, I was elected as the Chairman and got a second term.

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So, how can you describe your experience as the Chairman of this LCDA?

It has been service, service and service to the people because I have passion for public service. Let me say this, for so many years, I was the Chairman of Free Readers’ Association at Iyana Ipaja where we engaged in arguments and challenged one another about leadership. Today, I thank God for what I have been able to achieve in public service. I even heard somebody from another local government said that I always tried to be “good boy”. Very sad comment, though. I was not trying to be “good boy” except that my driving force is the passion for good governance. 

My vision for Orile-Agege LCDA is so big. For example, for an all-inclusive governance, we ensure that our Councillors have their state-of-the-art Legislative Building and as part of our revenue generation drive, we operate an Event Center – all within the vicinity of our Secretariat. Most of our projects are done with the aim of making statement and creating a model for others to copy, viz: healthcare centres, rehabilitated roads, empowerment programmes, amongst other things. Recently, we empowered 210 persons with the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira each. Similarly, apart from the fact that we have renovated many primary schools’ buildings and constructed new ones in some places, many students have benefitted through free GCE forms, as well as five exercise books and writing materials for each of our primary school pupils.  So, the experience has been very interesting, especially for someone who has passion for service, there is an inner joy that people are able to feel the direct impact of your effort.

From what you have said, will it be correct to say that you already have a blueprint on what you wanted to do when you assumed office as the Chairman. Can you give us an insight into this?

I have a vision which is to Rebuild, Restore, Renew – the 3Rs. This was at the back of my mind and the vision statement is to leave Orile-Agege LCDA better than we met it. If you visit some of our schools now, you will be tempted to think they are higher institutions, based on the quality of work done there. According to my Council Engineer the amount of work done in one of our schools’ complex was enough for some LGAs to boast. When some officials on Sustainable Development Programmes (SDGs) from Abuja visited, saw our work and compared with what their own contractor did, they were amazed at the huge difference.

In terms of security, we will soon launch our Crime Fighters brigade for the LCDA.

Can you tell us more on how you have been able to generate revenue to execute these laudable projects?

The driving force is to just let the people know that firstly, as a believer and child of God is here. Secondly, that things can be done, differently, and that Nigeria can be a better place if we put all hands on deck. Here, we have been able to plug leakages and we have achieved result. In one of his books, Peter Drucker said a manager is a person who gets this done and as for me, I do not care about how you get food on the table of the people or how you put infrastructures in place, just ensure these things are there for people to use. Today, I have been given many appellations: “Mr Project”, “Mr Kosheleri (Never Happened Before)”, even the area boys call me “Atunluse”. Within my tenure, we have bought Korope buses for the area boys within the LCDA and they could not hide their joy – no political office holder has ever done such here.

How would you describe the level of collaboration and support your LCDA has been getting from the State Government?

It has been like master-servant relationship because they are our boss. Lagos State has continued to play intervention and supporting roles to us. Some of the works done on roads here are parts of the State’s interventions. Orile-Agege LCDA does not have the financial muscle to do all the roads. Furthermore, the State has been working on the canals which our budget for the whole year cannot accommodate. Lagos is a large state in terms of population, there are several developmental projects needed and the LGAs have been complementing the State’s efforts. Honestly, for not being overbearing, Lagos State Government has done well and has assisted us in achieving a lot. Truth be told, His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu is a visionary leader who has given us free hand to put the resources at our disposal to best use.

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To what extent has your LCDA empowered women through your administration’s 3Rs Agenda?

As mentioned earlier, out of the 210 people supported through our recent empowerment programme, about 80 percent are women. Women are favoured here and no one can raise the issue of gender disparity. Meanwhile, on monthly and quarterly basis, we engage in the distribution of food palliatives though using a different format. What we do is subsidising food items for the people. For instance, a tuber of yam normally sold for N3,500, we offer same for N1,000 only. Ditto, a measure of rice sold for N800 in the open market, we give it out at N350. We also packaged garri, beans, other food items and made available at subsidized prices at just N4,000. To achieve our purpose, we made use of our 53 Community Development Associations (CDAs) to dispose these packaged items shared equally in 500 units and coordinated by our staff. Other stakeholders such as the Police, school teachers (both public and private), health workers (including general hospital staff), artisans, drivers, traders, in the LCDA were not excluded.

Through this bulk purchase arrangement, we have also been able to empower the suppliers who are the local traders at the Oke-Odo market, regular yam sellers, We went as far as Shaki to bring garri. I am of the view that if other Local Governments in Nigeria do the same, you can imagine the multiplier effect it would have on the people and the farmers.

We agree that the level of work your administration has done and the impact it has made on the people cannot have gone unnoticed. Can you tell us about the recognition and awards who have received as the Chairman of LCDA attributed to your remarkable accomplishments, as well as your sterling and visionary leadership qualities?

There are several awards that have been given in appreciation of what we have been doing over the years. The Federal Ministry of Special Duties during the last administration gave me award as the Best Local Government Chairman. There are many others that time will not permit me to mention.

What are you doing towards making sure that the legacy and the laudable projects you are building can be sustained at the expiration of your tenure?

The Department of Works here can tell you the rate at which projects are being executed. It is a general opinion that the next Chairman will have to continue to maintain what we have done. We will do our best to support whosoever comes to the saddle. I have been telling our Councillors to put their eyes in what we are doing because who knows any of them could emerge as the Chairman in the future.

For me, I am a fulfilled person. I am a man of the masses. I am a servant leader. Today, without an iota of fear, I walk freely on the streets among the people, I even take okada and they are always excited to see me..

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“The need for improved public governance, desire to serve people, triggered my interest in politics” – Adesina

Born 56 years ago to the Adesina family of Ikorodu with maternal background from the Muleruwas and paternal Rademos, both in Ikorodu, Hon. Wasiu Adesina, Executive Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Lagos State, started his primary school education at Ijomu Primary School (formerly called Muslim B) in Ikorodu and secondary education at Oriwu College, Ikorodu in 1982. He holds a Diploma Certificate in Community Development and Adult education before he joined the Lagos state University for his first degree in Political Science and his Masters degree in Public Administration with specialization in Human resources Management from the Lagos State University (LASU). He is a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria. He was first elected as the Chairman of the Ikorodu Central Local Government Area in 2017 and won a re-election in 2021.

A former International Consultant for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other International agencies on strategies and issues, Hon. Adesina was involved in the development of the Bauchi State Economic Empowerment Development Strategies (BASEEDS) and other UNDP programmes on Youth development in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria which includes Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States.

He joined the Civil Service in 1983 and worked in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development. In 1989, he ventured into politics under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and became a Supervisory Councillor in Ikorodu Local Government in 1991.

In this interview with The Guardian, Hon. Wasiu Adesina spoke about the beginning of his political career, his accomplishments in the Ikorodu LGA, challenges, ongoing projects, future projections, amongst other pertinent issues. Excerpts …

Briefly tell us more on how you started

Initially, my desire to attend the Lagos State Polytechnic (now Lagos State College of Science and Technology), was quashed by my sister who advised me to work for a while in the Civil Service. During my employment at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, now Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, I was among the 30 personnel drawn for a year Certificate Course in Social/Community Work. That programme brought out my interest in social work. That Certificate helped me a lot in my career journey.

One day, I saw an advertisement in the newspaper on the University of Ibadan’s Diploma Programme in Adult Education/Community Development. I applied and was admitted. During the programme, an association that runs a scholarship from Germany came to UI to look for brilliant students and I was amongst those selected. My Head of Department at the time, Prof Omolewa prepared all of us well for the trip to Germany. Unfortunately the then Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of the Federal Government triggered a nationwide riot which hindered our journey. However, as compensation, the German association gave us six thousand naira each, which was big money then. I concluded my Diploma in 1989.

Immediately after the programme, I had the opportunity of becoming a Councilor in my ward. That was when the former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd) made tax clearance certificate one of the requirements for contesting elections. There were two government-created political parties, viz: National Republican Convention (NRC) and Social democratic Party (SDP) and both parties were looking for a qualified candidate to fill different positions. Luckily, I had the requirements and eventually pitched my tent with the SDP.. Thereafter, I was elected and became a Supervisory Councilor for Education in 1990 before the late General Sanni Abacha disbanded the Local Government system, after three years.

Having been thrown out of office, I applied through direct entry for a B. Sc in Political Science at the Lagos State University (LASU), graduated in 1998 and did my Masters in Public Administration, subsequently. 

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What made you come back to contest for political position? 

Before I became a Councilor, my friends and I (many of them are in the Diaspora now), used to discuss the socialist activities of radical world leaders in comparison to the administration in Nigeria. We tended towards socialism then and believed that there was need for improved public governance in our country. Thus, when I was elected as a Councilor, I did not want to deviate from the position we held. That really helped me to be people-focused and I was able to make positive impact as a Councilor. When the opportunity came in the current dispensation, the desire to further serve people made me contest for the Chairman of Ikorodu LGA.

How can you describe your experience as the Chairman of Ikorodu LGA?

As a political leader, over the years, I have learned that even when one is sure of his position and ideas, one still have to be tolerant of other people’s positions. One should be able to study the behavioural pattern of the people because you are there to serve them. This orientation has guided and yielded positive results for me in my position as the Chairman of my LGA

Can you tell us more about your administration’s blueprint and what have been done to achieve it?

One can better appreciate how far we have gone by understanding what we met on ground when we came in terms of revenue. What we met was insignificant. Thus, when we came in, we designed and implemented a blueprint that could cushion the effects of the poor revenue inflow especially, with the five Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) created out of the old Ikorodu LGA sharing single allocation from the Federation Account. Once teachers and local government staff salaries are deducted, nothing would remain. Another development is that more people have moved to Ikorodu, more expansion in the need for educational infrastructures, primary healthcare, other utilities, and thereby increasing the direct and overhead costs. The salary structure became too much for what Ikorodu LGA was making. 

To address that, a unified system was introduced. We equally changed our demand notice and digitalize our revenue collection process to improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),. On security, we have provided patrol vans to improve security amongst other capital projects embarked upon despite paucity of funds. Also, with the assistance of our traditional rulers and political leaders, we have intensified efforts and strengthen our local vigilantes. We have continued to restructure our vigilantes system to meet up with current security challenges. Very soon, we are going to inaugurate a standard security system. Apart from the Onyabo group, we have to bring in the Agbekoyas, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), and other security groups to form our Joint Task Force which will be inaugurated, very soon.

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Can you highlight other accomplishments of your administration?

When we came in, we divided what we planned to achieve into segments – infrastructure, health, sanitation, provision of Boreholes for critical areas, youth empowerment and staff welfare. In the area of infrastructure, starting from the Secretariat, we had to rehabilitate the building, especially the roof using the Gerard modern roofing system, windows and doors to make it conducive and decent for both staff and visitors. Before then, whenever it rained, it affected the staff activities. Currently, we have provided more offices for our HODs, equipped the departments with air-conditioners, and other necessary equipment. We even have a Marriage Registry now and trying to provide separate building for our Councilors.

On roads, my administration has done more than 50 roads and drainages across the LGA. We did Molupa and Arinola roads with proper drainages, street lights, etc. We also did Igbo Oluwo which is an estate at the back of St. Augustine Church. There is Adaraloye, Elepe before the state government took over the construction of the road from us.

Meanwhile, amongst the LGAs in Lagos, Ikorodu receives the least in allocation, but we have been able to do better. We recently gave GCE enrollment to 200 students and we are still going to arrange tutorial classes for them. By next week, we are going to commission five classroom blocks at Salvation Army. Last week, 100 students that were trained by us on ICT graduated with certificates. In fact, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund has decided to partner with us to provide funding for some of them. Continuously, we are well involved in the construction of blocks of classroom and distribution of textbooks for our students in public schools.

Furthermore, we have five well-equipped Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) in Ikorodu and we are trying to build on the Agura Heath Centre which is old and needs renovation. The PHC at Ita-Elewa is an award-winning PHC that we delivered with assistance from some donours.

Can you speak more what you have been doing on youth empowerment?

Presently, Ikorodu LGA is one of the few paying bursary awards to students, annually. Similarly, we have empowered more than 1000 members of the community with free interest loans and purchase of minibuses for some youths so that they can be gainfully occupied. We have done the first phase and the second phase will come up, soon. We are also putting a plan in place to train some youths on farming through a School of Agriculture owned by Lagos State. Thereafter, we plan to make soft loan available to those who will be trained there. Ikorodu LGA is discussing with some banks so that we can secure loan for them while we provide the collateral. We are looking at land in Agura where we can empower people to engage themselves in fishing and farming.

Please tell us more about the level of support you have been getting from the State Government

From the beginning of my administration, we have keyed into Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s developmental agenda. Thus, Lagos State has really been supportive, appreciating our projects, and complementing our efforts. Some roads that we cannot do in terms of cost, but we got support from the state government to execute them. Ikorodu is fast developing, while some roads are in need of rehabilitation, we are equally making effort to construct new ones. If you look at Itamaga to Igbodu, the road is beyond our capacity, but the State Government has taken over its construction – the first phase has been completed. The second phase from Igboju to Gberigbe is being worked on by the State.

What are you putting on ground to ensure that all these policies and legacies are sustained? 

We can only do our best and leave the rest for God. I can continue to offer advice to my successor if the need arises. We just hope that anybody that comes here after us will continue to build on what we have done. For us, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is somebody we can copy from his achievements.

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Why our blue print for accelerated development in Ojodu LCDA is in tandem with Lagos State’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, by Odunmbaku

Hon. David Oluwasegun Odunmbaku, the Executive Chairman of Ojodu Local Government Area, is a resourceful young and savvy professional with uncommon knack for quality delivery and excellence. Distinguished by his proactiveness and sustained by his competence and integrity. Having amassed a wealth of experience at the Ikeja Local Government Area where he was the Secretary for a couple of years, Odunmbaku said he went into politics with a passion and desire to simplify grassroots governance through the application of innovation. According to him, he has come to provide unique solutions that could take care of the challenges he noticed before coming in as the Chairman of Ojodu LCDA of Lagos State.

Born into a family of politicians – his father was both a clergy and grassroots politician – he explained that giving back to the community, lifting up people is his second nature which has always been expected of him and that if he was not a politician, he would probably have been a philanthropist or a clergy. 

In his words, “my father was a politician and giving back to the community is what we have been taught from very young age. I lived abroad for thirteen years before returning to my native country, and I have always felt a strong desire to do so because I do not fit into the stereotypical Japa personality. I like everything about Nigeria and Africa. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to serve as the Secretary at Ikeja LGA when I returned home. For me, that was a baptism of fire. However, getting into the swing of things was not difficult for me when I returned from Europe because I was born in this same locality, it is like a natural progression. So, after gaining enough knowledge and experience abroad, it was common sense for me to come back home to do my own quota towards improving the society and nation building.

Today, I realised that the reason why I gathered the knowledge and experiences over the years in my sojourn were divine as they prepared me for the task and role that I am playing, currently. I can now see why those things were important and necessary. They have enabled me in my quest to tackle problems and challenges that we have seen from the background. Although, initially, I was not looking for chairmanship position because I never saw myself as the type to be leading an open campaign.”

Speaking further on his experience as a leader in comparison to when he was following from the background, the Ojodu LCDA boss explained that “It is not the same thing; instead, it is like the difference between being a football fan and a coach. Things are in different perspectives. Nevertheless, you have to address and attend everyone’s needs and peculiarities, such as those related to empowerment, gender inclusion, recreation, accommodation, and other engagements including the community itself with all its diverse groups both religious, ethnic,  and commerce. So, we have the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), League of Imams, and even traditionalists. For instance, the Isese Day, 2023 was the biggest celebration in the LCDA over the years. I grew up here and I would not pretend that all those things do not exist. “

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On his blue print for accelerated development in the areas of infrastructure, education, primary healthcare, sanitation, sports development, job creations, Odumbaku noted that “During my campaign, I unveiled those areas of focus on a the needs assessments. This led to the development of our Agenda, which is in tandem with the Lagos State’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda which stands for Transportation and Traffic Management; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos State a 21st Century Megacity, Entertainment & Tourism; and Security & Governance. Our own H.E.Y.S agenda stands for Health, Education, Youth & Women Empowerment, Social Infrastructure. In all these critical areas, we liaise with the State’s Ministries and Agencies to leverage on the strategic points for maximum benefits. A concrete example is the absence of a Secondary School in Oke-Ira until recently when we acquired a land to build one. The Lagos SUBEB has been supportive in this regard. In the same vein is there is a land acquired for a prototype general hospital that can be called a mini general hospital which is also a State-assisted project.”

He added that through collaborations, Ojodu LCDA has received a lot of help from the State Government. Expressing gratitude, Odunmbaku thanked His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanw-Olu for making it possible for Ojodu to embark on many laudable initiatives. He said although there are roads that the LCDA cannot simply step in to work on, even if when such is crucial to the business and commerce in the area, permission must be obtained from the State. However, he was excited about the 114 Highways Initiative of the State whereby two roads will be rehabilitated in each local government. 

On the poverty alleviation programme of his administration in the LCDA, he said “It is an ongoing activity. Even before the recent distribution of palliatives, we have taken measures before. What we are doing currently is doubling our efforts. For instance, last year, we distributed 150 JAMB forms and we increased that to 200 this year. Similarly, a committee has been established for disbursement of bursaries and very soon we are introducing a scholarship for our students. Our goal is to ensure that all our programmes benefit the members of this community, particularly.”

Concerning what he wants people to be remembered for when he has completed his tenure, the result-driven LG helmsman maintained that “We are now proposing a new Secondary School in Oke-Ira. We are also working on the Mini-Hospital, and the new Market under construction and other improvements that we have made in the lives of our people. These are part of my legacy. We have been able to provide free food for widows, the elderly, and other less privileged. We have also provided wheel chairs and cash incentives to people living with disabilities, this we do on regular basis. Recently, we provided buses to pick up kids from schools,”

In terms of what should be done to encourage the non-working youths in the environment to shun crime and other social vices, he agreed that although successive government in Nigeria have not done enough, he believed if the right infrastructures and social amenities are put in place, there will be less crimes in the society because many youths will be kept busy.

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𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗦𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗼𝗹𝗲‘𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘁𝗶–𝗢𝘀𝗮‘𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁“

Hon. Saheed Adesegun Bankole, the Executive Chairman of Etiosa Local Government, has exemplified exceptional leadership over the past six years, prioritizing the well-being and progress of his constituents. With a strong commitment to education, empowerment, healthcare, infrastructure development, security, environmental sustainability, COVID-19 relief efforts, and staff welfare, his achievements are noteworthy.

Education: Under his leadership, education in Eti-Osa has thrived. This includes offering financial support through bursary awards, full scholarships for outstanding university students, and the renovation of schools like Ikota Primary School. The establishment of a Vocational Learning Centre ensures skill development for economic growth.

Empowerment: Hon. Bankole’s administration has empowered various groups, including the Gbamayero Tailoring Association with sewing machines, N-power agro candidates with financial and training support, and financial aid and relief materials for the elderly and flood victims.

Healthcare: He has focused on healthcare, providing free medical screenings for the elderly, promoting infant and child health, and remodeling primary health centers for easy access to medical care and subsidized drugs. His commitment to free medical and laboratory services for pregnant women is noteworthy.

Roads and Infrastructure: Infrastructure development is evident through road rehabilitation, construction of culverts and drainages, and the completion of roads with street lighting in various areas. Access roads have been built in communities like Lafiaji.

Security: Hon. Bankole has been proactive in promoting peace and security, engaging with security agencies, repairing operational vehicles, and distributing motorbikes to combat highway robberies. A liaison office for the Lagos State Neighborhood Corps was constructed.

Environment: His administration has promoted cleanliness through sensitization campaigns, focused group initiatives, and drainage maintenance to prevent flooding. House-to-house waste collection in all wards contributes to a cleaner environment.

COVID-19 Relief: During the pandemic, relief materials, facial masks, hand sanitizers, and sensitization efforts were deployed to protect residents from COVID-19.

Staff Welfare: Staff efficiency and welfare were addressed through financial assistance, training, and the provision of official vehicles. Area offices were remodelled for a conducive work environment.

Hon. Saheed Adesegun Bankole’s dedication to the people of Eti-Osa is evident in his multifaceted approach to governance, ensuring progress and well-being. His continuous efforts to provide relief subsidies for the vulnerable demonstrate his commitment to the community’s growth and prosperity. Under his leadership, Eti-Osa has seen significant advancements in various sectors, making it a thriving and progressive local government.

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“My promise to operate comprehensive social welfare programmes, execute impactful people-oriented projects, create jobs for the youths, is binding“  – Yusuf

Soft-spoken, humble-looking, unassuming, yet with a cursory look, it will be quite difficult for an indifferent person not to notice the level of astuteness and depth being displayed when he speaks. Hon. Suleiman Bamidele Yusuf, the Executive Chairman of Surulere Local Government Area, is not a greenhorn in politics, its his second nature. Having been birthed by a father who was a staunch member of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the Second Republic, the amiable grassroots leader attends to everything that came to him with an unusual sense of urgency and humility. He is always quick to tell anyone who cares to listen that one man he holds in high esteem is the former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and current Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, CON, who he refers to frequently as “my boss”.

An alumnus of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State where he obtained a B.Sc in Public Administration, the Surulere LGA helmsman also has a Diploma in Printing Technology from the Nigerian Institute of Printing and Graphics Art. Towing the footsteps of his father, Hon. Bamidele Yusuf joined politics at a very younger age in 1987 under “Zero Party”, contested for Councillorship but lost by a single vote. Later on, he also contested as the Councillor of his Ward in Surulere during the aborted Third Republic. Unfortunately, few months to the primary election, the two political parties, namely: the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC) were dissolved by the then military government, 

Speaking about his background and political career journey, Yusuf recalled his experience during the era of zero party – a political contrivance whereby everybody is free to contest, “At that time the party under which we contested had no name but there were groups such as the New Dimension and Justice Forum. I was in the latter where Alhaja Lateefat Gbajabiamaila the mother of Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila won the local government election and became the first Executive Chairman of Surulere LGA. I was in the same Ward, same CDA/Polling Unit with her. Although, I came first in that Unit but I lost the election with just one vote! The elected candidates only spent nine months in office. I was also very active during the late General Sanni Abacha’s five-political party experiment with the likes of United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), Congress for National Consensus (CNC), Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM), Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) and National Centre Party of Nigeria (NCPN), in 1997. 

However, when the new political dispensation which heralded the Fourth republic commenced in 1999, I joined the All People’s Party (APP which later became the All Nigerian People’s Party, ANPP)) to re-contest but lost. It was the first time in my political career that I lost in my poling unit because ab-initio the elders in my area had called me to join the Alliance for Democracy (AD) which they considered as the indigenous party, but I declined. Although, the youth population voted for, the elders carried the day. 

I lost to a friend of mine, who became the former sole administrator of Surulere LGA. I also lost my seat as Councillor. But in 2003, my Boss, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamaila came on board to run for the Federal House of Representatives (we were together in UNCP before he travelled abroad), and reorganised our group. I became one of the four persons that coordinated his campaign organization and to God be the glory, he won the election. Afterward, I became a Supervisor for Health in this same Surulere LGA and during my tenure, I took health work to the doorsteps of the people within the LGA. We organized free healthcare services in all the nine Wards in Surulere then before they were reduced to six after the creation of the Local Government Development Areas (LCDAs). Between 2011 and 2014, I served as the Vice Chairman, Deputy Executive Secretary, then Executive Secretary of Surulere LGA before I returned as Vice Chairman again from 2017 to 2021, and finally the substantive Executive Chairman in 2021.”

When highlighting the record of his remarkable accomplishments within the period of his service to the grassroots governance in Surulere LGA and what he has been able to put in place to ensure sustenance of his policies and legacies, the well experienced political administrator noted that “One of my enduring legacies will be the construction of a brand new Secretariat Building for the LGA. The old in use before I came into the sadle was build in 1984 and commissioned by the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande of blessed memories. I felt there was the need to restore the old glory of Surulere by having a very befitting and conducive work environment for the local government staff. Similarly, we have constructed a modern Legislative Building for our Councillors (I was once a Councillor, too) with a well furnished Chamber and offices for each Member (before now there were three in one office), so they can make useful laws that will benefit the whole of the LGA. All these we have done within just two years.

Fortunately, Surulere has someone who has put our LGA on the global map and that is the Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila who was also a legislator, so we named the Legislative Building after him. That is a legacy. Today, we have many completed people-oriented projects and there are equally many ongoing and nearing completion. One of such is the Jubril  Martins Road which was abandoned for decades because of its location close to the border between the Surulere LGA and Itire-Ikate LCDA,  that road is a long itire ikate  road, that road has been done about 40 years ago in a deplorable Condition, but go there now, the road is completed, with light Also, within the last two years, we have completed six other critical roads.

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In the area of education, we have created free Summer Coaching Classes for students during long school vacations using some of the teachers in various schools within the LGA. The first one was immediately after COVID-19 lockdown with over one thousand students in attendance. Although we have managed to reduce the number and regulate the sittings, we have done the third edition in 2023. That is a legacy that I believe should continue even after I left office. Similarly, we have the Debate Competition amongst schools in Surulere. We just did the first competition where the winner was awarded a scholarship. The second edition is coming up in three weeks from now.

Meanwhile, I was a footballer and a sports enthusiast. Therefore, when I came on board, I re-organized the LGA Football Team which represented Surulere in the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanow-Olu Cup. We are equally improving other sporting activities in the LGA, Part of our efforts in sports is the building of a Mini Stadium at Alhaji Masha area – the first time in the history of Surulere Local Government. Also, Surulere is the center of entertainment in Lagos State and by extension in the whole of Nigeria, most of the big names in music and acting came from here. So, we are involved in the development of talents in acting and music and currently partnering with Nollywood.

While preparing for this office I already promised to operate comprehensive social welfare programmes, execute projects that will impact on the economy and create jobs for the youths. There will be improvement in health, education and roads. Therefore, in the area of empowerment, when I was a month in office, we organized training for skill acquisition where we trained over 400 people and empowered them with tools to start up their businesses.  

For our female youngsters, we partnered with a private organisation called Midas Touch to train them in diverse skills including make-up. Presently, at NIIT – a leading Skills and Talent Development Corporation that is building a manpower pool for global industry requirements –we have 100 youths receiving three and six months training in computer hardware and software trainings. Upon completion, we will give them laptops and other accessories to start up with. Within our two years in office, we are doing another empowerment but in a different style, whereby applicants are required to fill a form telling us where they need to be empowered. We have giving them freezers, generators, cameras, chef kits, according to their vocation, even the fashion designer got 54 industrial machines.

I run an open door policy.  I believe local government is grassroots governance and people must have opportunity to meet with their Chairman, Let the people have access to tell us their needs and we attend to such. Since we can came on board, we have rejigged the LGA revenue drive and today we generate up to N320 million in contrast to the paltry N124 million when we came in. This has become a legacy,” 

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