Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-Honours community stakeholders
The Community Development Committee (CDC), Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) last Thursday, held its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), where it enumerated its achievements, challenges and also planned for the future of the body.
At the well – attended event, financial, audited and the secretariat reports were presented to the chieftains and members of the CDC and those of the Community Development Associations (CDAs) who were in attendance in their large numbers.
The AGM, themed, ‘The Dawn of a New Reality’, was held at the HOMAT Megalite Hall, Geregere, Igbogbo.
Also in attendance at the AGM were the outgoing Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Builder Sesan Daini, former Head of Service, Lagos State, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, chieftain of the Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA), Mr Babatunde Afuwape, chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Sefiu Ogunyemi, as well as traditional chiefs among others.
As part of the event, some stakeholders in the council and chieftains of the CDC/CDAs were honoured with special awards for their support for the body and contributions towards the development of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
Some of the awardees include HRM. Oba Barrister Abdul Semiu Orimadegun Kasali, Emugoriade I, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Builder Olusesan Mayokun Daini, Executive Chairman, Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, MHR, Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, Member, Lagos State House Assembly, High Chief Tajudeen Onasanya, Odofin of Igbogbo Kingdom and Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Rasaq Ibiyemi, CDC Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, speaking at the event, said that the CDC/CDAs have faced enormous challenges but through working together, they have triumphed and forging ahead.
“This year’s theme, ‘The Dawn of a New Reality’, is not just symbolic, it is a declaration of our resilience, our shared vision, and our collective determination to usher in a new era for our community.
“As we reflect on the past, we acknowledge the travails that tested our unity and perseverance. Yet, we also celebrate our triumphs which are proof that when a community stands together, it can withstand any storm.
“Through the unwavering grace of God and the steadfast leadership of our indefatigable Executive Chairman, Builder Olusesan Mayokun Daini, we have kept our community afloat and firm on the path to transformation”, he said.
The CDC Chairman assured that the body will continue to mobilise residents towards development.
“Looking forward into 2025, we aim to deepen our mobilization of community efforts towards sustainable development and to champion initiatives that yield long – term benefits”.
The achievements of the CDC as listed by the chairman are allocation and renovation of the CDC Secretariat within the council secretariat, and institutional support among others.
The CDC Chairman also acknowledged the massive road infrastructures that were championed by Rep. Babajimi Benson and the construction of the Agunfoye Road by Sen. Abiru.
Alhaji Fatai Adewale Gbademosi, Treasurer, CDC, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and Chairman, AGM Planning Committee, also speaking, said that the theme for the AGM is not just a mere slogan, but a charge to mobilise the community towards action.
“This year’s theme, ‘DAWN OF A NEW REALITY’, aptly captures the spirit of transformation and renewal that defines the current phase of the IBLCDA CDC. It reflects our shared desire to embrace a future of unlimited possibilities where innovation, resilience and collaboration shape our path towards the future.
“DAWN OF NEW REALITY is not merely a slogan, it is a clarion call for bold action, collective responsibility, and inclusive growth. It underscores our resolve to re-invent community development through quality ideas, confronting challenges frontally with courage, and strengthening and relying on the bonds that unite us as one Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA CDC family.
Speaking on the achievements of the CDC, Gbadamosi said that:
“The CDC has recorded significant progress in critical areas such as community engagement, dispute resolution, distribution of palliatives to the vulnerable members of the community, peace building and stakeholders’ collaboration. These gains reinforce our relief that we are indeed entering a new era of absolute possibilities.
“Nonetheless, we recognize that the journey ahead requires continuous innovation, adaptability and strategic thinking. This AGM offers us the opportunity to review our strategies, share constructive insights, and chart a more inclusive and sustainable path forward for all residents of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA”, he said.
In his secretariat report, the General Secretary, Mr Yaya Ogunsowo, said that the umbrella body, through the secretariat, has provided support for all its affiliated bodies.
“Over the past year, the secretariat has remained steadfast executing its mandate to coordinate, guide and support over 300 registered Community Development Association (CDAs) spread across Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA. It has been a period of transformation, learning and tremendous collaboration.
“We have successfully maintained a coherent administrative structure that ensures smooth operation and representation of our CDAs”.
He added that the secretariat has been able to facilitate monthly meetings with strong attendance, strengthening the internal reporting structure, reinforcing community leadership roles, encouraging greater engagement of youths and women in decision – making and conflict and crisis management with the active cooperation of the Zonal Chairmen.
Speaking on security, Ogunsowo said that the secretariat has maintained active communication with local security formations and engaged neighbourhood watch group to forestall breakdown of law and order.
He added that timely interventions in times of tension have also been instrumental in maintaining peace in many communities.
In an interview with the council chairman, Builder Sesan Daini, he described the CDC/CDAs as an important body that connects government to the people and assists in bringing about developments.
“For any community to develop, there is a need for a committee to give direction, to give leadership, and to give a way and path for it to follow. So, CDC, by its name, is an organisation of residents in any community to make sure development comes to that place, and they are a supporting team to government structure.
“I tell people that they are not only supporting the local government, but they also providing support to the federal and state governments, because what they do is to make sure that the information and activities of government agencies get to the people directly, and whatsoever the government has done in any community, it can only be well defended, maintained and protected by the community who will take ownership.
“If you want your project to be well maintained, you need the CDC to watch over it and take ownership for you, because the government cannot appoint people as supervisors for all its projects. They are automatic supervisors for all the government projects in any community. So, it is an arm that no reasonable government must joke with”, he said.
While thanking the CDC for the award, the council boss said that he has received maximum support and cooperation from the CDC, and that it is through them that his administration gets information on what the community wants which have been executed.
Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, a former Head of Service (HOS), Lagos State, in his paper, charged the CDC/CDAs in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, to work in collaboration with the Nigerian police, DSS and the Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch Corps to improve security in their localities.
He also enjoined them to work with the council chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, in ensuring effective use of its local security outfit.
The guest speaker also called on residents to support the CDC/CDAs leadership by participating fully in the activities of the associations and discharge their financial obligations.
Prince Ogunlewe also emphasized the need for parents to encourage their children and wards to join youth development organizations like Boys Brigade, Boys Scout, and Girls Guides among others, and also engage them in skill acquisition programmes.
While calling on the leadership of the community associations to explore local and international grants to augment the one being given by the state and local governments, the speaker also charged the that the leadership of the CDC/CDAs must be accountable and transparent.
Other awardees at the event were Alhaji Rasak Abiodun Ibiyeye, Chairman, CDC, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Mr. Tunde Kehinde Adigun, Chairman, Reber Perfect A Limited, Ibeshe, Ikorodu, Alhaji Fatai Adewale Gbademosi, Treasurer, CDC, Igbogbo-Bayeku LCDA and Chairman AGM Planning Committee, Pastor Samson Olusola Ogunrinde, Pastor Olarewaju Aribanusi, Mr. Babatunde Majekodunmi, Mr. Lamidi Ashimiyu, Alhaji Lateef Akinborode, Mr. Yaya Ogunsowo, Prince Emiloju Ilara, Chief Christopher Otorkhine, Alhaji Samsideen Alimi, Engineer Jamiu Salami, Barrister Adebayo Akinade, Alhaji Mustapha Sodiq, Alhaja Iyabode Salisu, Alhaji Lateef Rauf, Mr. Issac Faniyi, Alhaji Muyiwa Ogunlana, Mr. Lawal Abiodun Monsuru, Mr. Babasola Temitayo Aseyege, Alhaja Rashidat Adeogun, Mrs Blessing Kwang, Mr Tope Wilson, Pa. Olufemi Ogundipe, Mr Julius Olajide Asa, High Chief Segun Daniyan and Dr. Chris Ugenyi.
