Kunle Adelabu & Kehinde Faleti (SIWES)
-Receives APC leaders, Lagos CJ, others commendations
The Chairman, Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, has commissioned a legacy project – a Legislative and Customary Court Complex, with the aim of improving the legislative process and dispensation of justice within the council.
The beautiful and well -equipped edifice which has received commendations from eminent personalities and party leaders, is named after the first executive chairman in Ijede LCDA, the late Yeye (Chief) Mrs Fausat Gbadebo -Alogba, who administered the secretariat from the location where the edifice is situated before moving to its new location and who incidentally was the incumbent chairman’s mother.
The landmark edifice was officially commissioned by the Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who was supported by many chieftains of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), party leaders, council chairmen, state and council lawmakers, traditional rulers and chiefs and others.
In the newly commissioned Legislative section of the two-storey Yeye Fausat Gbadebo-Alogba Building, are a big legislative chamber, office of the Council Leader, Deputy Leader, Majority Leader, Chief Whip and legislative staff. While in the Customary Court section, there are Court Chamber, offices of the Customary Court President, co -judges, clerk and other judiciary staff. Both also feature advanced audio-visual systems, fully furnished and other features.
Speaking at the commissioning, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba said that the building underlined her administration’s commitment to good governance in the grassroots by ensuring that every arm of government operates effectively.
“Today is far more than a date on our calendar. It marks a significant milestone, a bold testament to our collective commitment to good governance, accountability, and democratic advancement at the grassroots. This magnificent edifice before us is not just a structure of bricks and mortar; it stands as a symbol of our shared aspiration for progress, effective service delivery, and institutional strengthening.
“When we assumed office, we made a solemn pledge to elevate the standard of governance and to bring infrastructural development closer to our people. We envisioned an Ijede LCDA where every arm of government, the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary operates harmoniously, each equipped with the conducive environment and resources needed to function optimally.
“This building is a direct fulfillment of that vision. It has been thoughtfully designed to provide a modern, dignified, and functional workspace for our Honourable Councillors and members of the Customary Court, a place where they can deliberate, debate, and make informed decisions for the well-being of our people.”
She highlighted her administration’s achievements across key sectors including Education, Infrastructure, Environment, Community Development and Management, and Transportation.
State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, appreciated the Ijede people for standing with APC and voting for Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba which resulted in her re – election for the second term which has brought about her better performance.
The party leader said he chose to attend the event in Ijede LCDA instead of others at urban parts of the state as a deliberate action to identify with the people of Ijede which is still a developing council and also to honour the council chairman who he has developed special interest in.
“I developed a special interest in Motunrayo to evaluate whether she is going to take after her mother and I must say that I am not disappointed. Her term in office was full of achievements referencing the reports of the assessment committee that we set up to go round the 20 local government areas and 37 LCDAs.
“Today, we are here to observe what she has been able to do in the last 100 days in office. I want to congratulate her for making sure that we strengthen, and expand our party; for making sure that she did not disappoint our party and for fulfilling the covenant between her and the good people of Ijede.”
“I make bold to tell the people of Ijede that you have a council chairman that is working assiduously,” APC Chairman said.
Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba in his remarks said that he attended the function to express his gratitude to the chairman for providing a befitting building for the two other arms of government purposely.
Justice Alogba also commended Hon. Gbadebo – Alogba for the judicious use of resources available to her.
Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Bashorun, a GAC chieftain in his own remarks, said, “This young lady has performed and I am particularly grateful to her. She has proven to be a good daughter for taking after her mother.”
A GAC chieftain and former Minister of Works, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, said that the chairman’s grand mother was his campaign manager when he ran for the Senate in 1998, and pledged his continuous support for her. He congratulated Ijede people for voting a performing administrator.
The political leader emphasised maintenance of the edifice for it to continue to serve the people.
Otunba Femi Pedro, former Deputy Governor, Lagos State also speaking, said that he was impressed with her performance. He commended her passion, determination and doggedness in entrenching good governance in Ijede and surpassing her predecessors including her late mother.
He commended the vision of President Tinubu for creating new councils while he was a state governor and also allocating more funds to the council to perform.
HRM Oba AbdulaHakeem Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom in his royal remarks expressed surprise that such a functional and architectural masterpiece can be funded and constructed in Ijede.
He thanked the council chairman, her management team and councillors for their cooperation that has provided the befitting edifice.
Hon. David Kolade, former council chairman said that other councils in Ikorodu used to contribute part of their allocations to sustain councils in Ikorodu in the past. He emphasised the turnaround in council finances.
“In the past, councils in Ikorodu struggled with inadequate allocations. We used to contribute to help them, but today, they receive good and moderate allocations and we have to thank the President, but it is one thing to receive the allocation and another to use it judiciously.
“So, I have to thank Chairman Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba for commissioning two‑in‑one projects: the Legislative Council and the Customary Court. For the legislative chamber, she is providing a conducive environment for our councilors to thrive.”
Former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye and representative, Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. (Dr.) Aro Moshood Abiodun, also speaking lauded Hon. Gbadebo -Alogba’s infrastructural development.
After the commissioning, dignitaries at the occasion embarked on a tour of the complex.
Other dignitaries at the commissioning were Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, the senator representing Lagos East, Hon. (Dr.) Aro Moshood Abiodun, representative, Ikorodu Constituency II, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, former Minister, Hon. (Mrs) Olayinka Oladunjoye, Lagos State representative at National Population Commission (NPC), Mrs. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Senator Ganiu Olanrewaju Solomon, Dr. Adeola Jokomba, State APC Secretary, Dr. Nurudeen Agbaje, Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Omoba Hammed Aroyewun, Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Hon. Adedayo Ladega, Chairman, Ikorodu LG, Hon. Sunday Benson, Hon. Sesan Daini, former council chairman, Mr Lanre Kuye, Director Information & Public Relations at LASUSTECH, traditional chiefs and councillors amongst others.
