Ekocity layout August-1

ETI-OSA JOURNAL
ETI-OSA JOURNAL
Lagos has become
a model for other
states to emulate –
Ojomu of Ajiran Land
Oba Tijani Akinloye is one traditional ruler in Lagos State that is committed
to the development of his kingdom. The jovial, generous and articulate King
has continued to remain in touch in with his roots and his people having
ruled his subjects for 22 years as Ojomu of Ajiran Land - the foremost traditional
ruler in the Lekki area of Lagos State. Nnamdi Nwokolo and Abiodun
Fawumi had a chance encounter with the King during a courtesy call to his
palace by the Executive Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government, Hon. Saheed
Bankole during the campaigns. Excerpts.
The Candidate of the APC for the Chairmanship
of Eti-Osa Local government
came to pay homage to you, what is your
advice to him and his team?
My sincere advice to them is to be careful,
play by the rules and straightforward. We
have discovered over the years that when
politicians are canvasing for votes, they
make unrealistic promises to sway the people
to vote for them. First of all, they should
not make promises they know they cannot
fulfill. You’ll agree with me that the local
government is the closest to the people
and a lot is being expected of them in terms
of dividends of democracy, so they should
strive and make their impact to be felt if
they are elected. Above all, I wish them all
the best in their political journey.
Would you say the impact of local government
has been felt at the grassroot level?
The role of the local government is clearly
spelt out in the constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria. If for any reason they
are not living up to their expectations, it is
the duty of the government to checkmate
them to make sure they deliver. Having said
that, I think the Federal government needs
to do more for the third tier of government,
to make governance felt by the people. Lagos
state is a model to all the states of the
federation as the local government is doing
their best but there is always room for improvement.
What is the role of traditional institution
to ensuring good governance?
The traditional rulers play an advisory role to
ensure good governance and as many people
may misconstrue, playing an advisory
role does not necessarily mean dragging
royal fathers into politics.
I think it will not be out of place to make
constitutional provisions for the traditional
rulers, so that they can make positive contributions
that will ensure good governance.
Governance is about people and because
we are the custodians of the people’s culture,
we should be allowed to make contributions
that will be binding to the three
tiers of government. Beyond all this, we
have remained nonpartisan to be able to
ensure that there is peace, tranquility and
cooperation to move the kingdom to the
next level.
Bankole tasks Eti-Osa residents
on Proper Disposal of Refuse
Honourable Saheed Bankole, the newly sworn in Chairman of Eti-Osa Local Government Area has tasked residents
of Eti-Osa on the need to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the area.
The Chairman made this known during
the launch of Operation Zero
Tolerance for Refuse in Eti Osa local
Government Area, reiterating the
State Government’s Zero Tolerance for Refuse
and Environmental abuse especially
indiscriminate refuse dumping, drainage
blockage and construction on waterways.
He disclosed that all the Local Governments
Areas in Lagos State have keyed
into the laudable programme of His Excellency,
Governor Akinwunmi for effective
environmental cleanliness. Hon. Bankole
said since indiscriminate refuse dumping,
drainage blockage and construction on
waterways are no doubt inimical to our
health and could lead to flood disaster, it
becomes imperative for all hands to be on
deck to check the menace.
The Chairman who was accompanied
by his vice chairman Hon. Omooba Adeola
ADETORO, Councillors, Management of
CDA/CDC and some environmental officers marched out to Gbara
and Lekki road area to observe the environmental sanitation, stating
that the purpose of the exercise is to ensure cleaner environment in
other to prevent outbreak of diseases such as LASSA fever, cholera
and so on.
He therefore pleaded with the Iya Oloja and Baba Oloja of Jakande
market to ensure that no market activities is allowed on the
walkways as it contributes to environmental pollution. He urged
residents to desist from dumping refuse in the drainage emphasizing
that Eti Osa is naturally below the coastal level and flood should
be averted in all ramifications, promising that the exercise will be a
continuous process in all the wards of the Local Government.
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