Kunle Adelabu
It was another rounds of condemnations for the Council Chairmen in Ikorodu as Chairman, Multi – Choice Nigeria and Chairman, Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited/GTE, High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, the Odofin of Ikorodu Kingdom, described them as incompetent and people who have failed woefully.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu and the Asiwaju Steve Anifowoshe, the Asiwaju of Ikorodu Kingdom and several others that spoke at the Business Community Breakfast with Ayangbure, equally echoed the same remarks.
The event, organized by the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), under the chairmanship of Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, was chaired by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Commerce & Industry and Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru.
At the breakfast meeting were government functionaries, eminent personalities in Ikorodu, Captains of Industry, representatives of professional groups among others.
High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, speaking at the event, said that it is a shame that the council chairmen were not present at an event where issues of business and development of lkorodu were being discussed.
“Our Local Government Chairmen are totally incompetent. They have failed woefully”, Odofin Ogunsanya said.
“When Kabiyesi expressed his concerns about the security challenges, we started the Ikorodu Peace Initiative Limited and we invited them (Council Chairmen) to meetings about three to four times. At a particular meeting, we were about two to three hours into the meeting when some of them came in and I asked them to leave”, the no – nonsense senior lawyer recalled.
“Here we are today with Senator Abiru, Hon. Babajimi Benson who sent a representative and I am very sure that he would have been here if he is not on official assignment, as well as other stakeholders , yet, we do not have our Chairmen here and we are discussing development in Ikorodu. It’s a shame”, Odofin of Ikorodu Kingdom lamented.
“Those that should be concerned about development in Ikorodu are not here”.
He charged the public to hold them accountable for the management of the funds that are in their care.
“In Ikorodu, we are our own Local Government, we do our roads, clear our drainage and do everything ourselves.
“We should hold them accountable for what they are earning as tax which they are collecting from business owners”, he said.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi also did not spare the council chairmen whom he said he would campaign against, while reacting to what Odofin Ogunsanya said.
“Don’t bother about the Council Chairmen, they are still coming back. I will campaign against them. Whoever knows them should go and tell them what have just said”.
Asiwaju of Ikorodu Kingdom, Asiwaju Steve Anifowoshe, in his own remarks, also condemned the failure of any of the council chairmen to attend such an important event.
“I am really surprised that council representatives are not here today. They are supposed to be the first to be here today. Very soon, they will soon be coming around to seek for votes”.
Chairman, Blossom Unique Schools, Ikorodu , Mrs Bola Animasaun, also described the council authorities as obstacles to business growth and development of lkorodu.
When contacted on the phone, Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, denied knowledge of the event and also added that he has been on official assignment.
“Sincerely, I wouldn’t ignore such an important gathering if I was aware. Unfortunately, I have been on official assignment at the state level and for the past days, I have also been on tour with other council chairmen with our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu”.
He also added that his administration is interested in development and that he has been creating opportunities to make the environment enabling for businesses and the generality of the people within the council.
Also responding via WhatsApp chat, Hon. Adeola Banjo, Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, said that he was aware of the important gathering.
He also said that he has been out of town with other Council Chairmen on consultation tour with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I didn’t get any invite”, Hon. Banjo said.
“We’re on tour with our national leader and by God’s grace, our incoming president, since three days ago and still counting….To Ondo, Akure, Owo, Ekiti”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of lkorodu Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, is yet to respond to the WhatsApp messages sent to him by our reporter and we have been unable to reach him on his mobile phone.
