Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday commended Community Development Associations in Lagos Island for their contribution in stopping avoidable loss of lives of school children and pregnant women in the area.
Ambode, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, gave the commendation at the 2017 Community Day celebration organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs at Lagos Island Local Government Area.
He said: “Government alone cannot drive development in communities.
“This is why we are celebrating our CDAs for their support aimed at complementing government’s efforts.
“For the people living on Lagos Island area of the state, it was discovered that we were losing school children to boat capsizes and the CDA put an end to that problem by building a school for our children.
“We were also losing pregnant women on the road because the hospitals are too far.
“The CDA built a health centre to solve that problem.
“They also built Police Post for the protection of lives and property.
“We salute the leadership of these communities for rising up to the challenge and teaching us the values of independence and responsibility.
“Our administration is proud to receive our CDAs as critical stakeholders in governance in the best spirit of democracy, as the power of the people comes from the grassroots.”
Ambode said his administration was determined to run an all-inclusive government, where all residents, irrespective of their party affiliation, could feel a sense of belonging.
He said sustainable growth and development should start from local communities through active participation of CDAs.
In his remarks, Tijani Olusi, the Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government Area, said community development associations were veritable instruments for national development.
Olusi said the community associations were partners of the government as they help mobilise the public and contribute to government’s policies and programmes to drive development.
He urged residents to pay their taxes and government levies to generate funds to provide necessary social services for the people.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is: “Community Affinity: Aligning the Needs of Lagos Communities with Corporate Organisations.”
The community day celebration is being held in the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas to further enrich community participation in the nooks and crannies of the state.
Trending
- Transcorp Power appoints Non-Executive Directors
- Troops neutralise 192 terrorists, apprehend 341 others in one week – DHQ
- Why we sacked coach Paul Offor – Sporting Lagos FC Chair
- JUTH records first set of IVF quadruplets
- Victor Boniface: From military barracks to Bundesliga glory, by Kayode Adebiyi
- GOtv Boxing Night 31: Abimbola targets N1m cash prize
- Police arrest driver for alleged unlawful possession of pistols
- Navigating boss-subordinate relationship, by Kenechukwu Aguolu