Kunle Adelabu and Mariam Akinloye
The incumbent Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government and Deputy National Chairman, Nigerian Vice Chairmen’s Forum, Princess Folashade Olabanji – Oba, has declared her intention to run for the Chairmanship position of the Council after four years of serving as assistant to the Chairman of the council who is also seeking re – election.
Princess Oba did not just declare her ambition, but also unveiled a detailed agenda that she intends to execute if elected as the Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government.
The gender advocate made her public declaration at the EROZ Place, Borokinni, Aga in Ikorodu on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.
The politician, who said that her home town, Ikorodu, is dear to her heart, added that she, despite opposition, decided to return home to work for the development of the town and make it a better community that will be the envy of others globally.
While declaring her intention, Princess Oba said that she is interested in bringing good governance and better life to the people.
“I am running for the chairmanship position of the Ikorodu local government in the elections slated for June/July 2021.l am from lkorodu and of the Christian faith. I am driven by my passion for lkorodu and commitment to good governance, better life and socio political tolerance.
“Throughout my educational pursuits and professional career, I have held positions that demanded service to others and to the society at large. In all instances, I have always given my all and delivered to the best of my ability.
“I declare my readiness to serve Ikorodu Local Government and its people as chairman, with courage, forthrightness, clarity of purpose, integrity and dedication. I hope to continue in the great strides of our indelible compatriots, whose courageous, visionary and remarkable leadership laid a solid foundation for Ikorodu and continue to inspire us all to make the town even better”.
She said that she wants to be an exemplary woman that changes the face of politics in her community and also makes people trust politicians as people of integrity who fulfill promises.
“I decided to return and stay back in Ikorodu despite challenges and opposition to work for Ikorodu’s development and make it better and the envy of other towns in the world”, she said.
“I want to be an exemplary woman and a politician that people know for her integrity and ability to fulfill promises.
“I am pleading that you work together with me and let us make our council work better”.
The aspirant, who said that she is very concerned about women, also allayed men’s fears that they might not be given their due recognition and respect in her administration.
“I am very concerned about women participation in politics and want to be part of those that truly empower the womenfolk, especially in a challenging economy like ours.
“But our men too will be accorded their due honour and respect. They don’t have to fear anything because only a woman that does not appreciate their important roles would not pamper and cater for them”, she assured.
“We are starting our campaign fully on Thursday and today (Tuesday ), we are interacting with the media for our activities to be given adequate coverage”.
Unveiling her agenda, Princes Oba said that she intends to consolidate on the vision of her party, APC, and make Ikorodu a better place.
“In my desire to serve, I wish earnestly to further and consolidate on the vision of our dear party,All Progressives Congress(APC),a party which reepresents positive change and which has brought remarkable change to Ikorodu Local Government, including improved infrastructure, security and peaceful co-existence among the people of lkorodu in all ramifications.
Speaking on her mission and vision, the Chairmanship aspirant said that vision and mission are to:
“To make lkorodu a clean, secure and more prosperous community with a robust economy built on service,equity and justice
“Develop tourism through the provision of the necessary infrastructure and facilities to make lkorodu one of the notable tourist destinations for tourists and foreigners, prioritize economic growth and development for all; making lkorodu a place everyone has equal access to jobs, regardless of sex ,gender, religion, age or physical condition, pursue increased community cohesion and civic identity through participation in social, political and cultural spheres.
“Provide adequate safety and effective security of lives and property.
“Focus on equitable distribution of wealth, benefit and reduction in poverty with the attendant incidence of slums. create a community that protects the rights of all, improve urban living, productivity, mobility and connectivity through the provision of adequate physical and social infrastructure.
“Propagate human rights protection and sustainable development.
“Create an environment of clean air and safe streets for leisure and business; to ensure a society of prosperity, equity fairness, justice and rule of law”.
Princess Folashade Oba also promised to be accountable, ensure good governance, create opportunities and provide effective services.
Speaking on plans to improve security, Princess Oba said:
“We will boost our community security fund to scale up the successes recorded so far. ln addition, our government will embark on the acquisition of the latest advanced security communications technology that will track and monitor the daily activities of our community (Ikorodu)”.
On Education, the incumbent Vice Chairman said:
“With our bursary and scholarship, initiative for tertiary institutions, we will encourage the private sector to partner with the Government in this regard as part of their corporate social Responsibility (CSR).We will also deepen skills acquisition through technical and vocational training to create capacity for our informal sector”.
She also promised that her administration would provide free medical care for children from birth to age of 6.
“We will introduce free medical care for our children from birth to age six and also free medical treatments for pregnant women and aged people from 60 years above.
“Healthcare will also be free for pregnant women, including prenatal and ante-natal care, while our senior citizens will also enjoy free healthcare service from sixty-five years above.
“We will improve on the quality of primary Healthcare system and make it more accessible, thereby, reducing the overdependence on our general hospital”.
Speaking on her plans in the area of agriculture, Princess Oba said:
“Opening up the virtually untapped aquatic and seafood resources in Ikorodu. We will provide incentive for agricultural processing companies, thereby, providing employment for our bulging youth population.
On Tourism, Culture and Sports, the aspirant said:
“We will increase the avenues to showcase our distinct and diverse Ikorodu culture and traditions through the establishment of museums and heritage centers in order to make our Ikorodu a tourism destination in Africa.
“We will also develop our water front by providing recreational facilities and encourage investors to invest more in tourism infrastructure.
“Our unique cultural heritage will be promoted and enhanced to attract tourists globally. This will also create a secondary market for job creation. We will create community sport centers to encourage our youth development”, Folashade Oba said.
In the Entertainment and Arts sector, the aspirant said:
“We will make Ikorodu the hub of entertainment and arts in Africa. We will provide grants to producers in the entertainment industry to develop sustainable structures and frameworks to support interested and up and coming youths”.
In the Transportation sector which is a major concern for Ikorodu, the Chairmanship aspirant said:
“We will pursue a fully integrated transport management system that takes into consideration roads, water and walkways as means of mobility for ease of movement of residents in the city centers and the suburbs.
“We will improve on traffic by constructing new roads and maintaining existing ones, as well as placing directional signs in strategic places.
“We will also increase the usage of our waterways through channeling and dredging”, she promised.
On Infrastructure, her administration plans to:
“We will ensure the provision of good and motorable roads amusement parks, and also ensure that all public institutions and facilities are of the highest standard and quality”.
She also promised that her administration will uphold the Rule of Law, adding that:
“We will ensure that all our agencies and parastatals, in alignment with tradition of excellence in Lagos state, uphold the rule of law by rendering services in accordance with laid down rules and procedures. We will also guarantee the protection of the rights of all citizens and give governance back to the people to enable Probity, Accountability and Transparency (P.A.T)”, she said.
