Wale Jagun with Mariam Akinloye & Ayoola Oladipupo
Youth leaders and stakeholders across Ikorodu Division on Friday converge at the Ikorodu Town Hall with a purpose of publicly recognising the impacts of representation and endorsing Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson and Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, for another term as members of the National Assembly.
While Rep. Benson is returning to the House of Reps for the fourth term in the Green Chamber, Sen. Abiru is seeking a third term return to the Red Chamber.
The event, a press conference in recognition and endorsement organised by the Ikorodu Division Youth, held at the open roof of the Town Hall, gave the youth leaders the opportunity to examine the impacts of the two lawmakers with massive developmental projects that they have facilitated coupled with their other programmes and initiatives that have greatly impacted and benefited their constituents in Ikorodu Federal Constituency and Lagos East Senatorial District.
Speakers at the press conference lauded Rep. Benson, for his quality representation, infrastructural interventions, youth empowerment programmes, and educational support among others. They also commended Senator Abiru representing Lagos East Senatorial District, for his strategic legislative contributions and developmental projects across the region. Several youth leaders took turns to speak, reeling out specific achievements of both leaders and expressing deep appreciation for their commitment to the progress of Ikorodu Division.
The press conference underscored the confidence and trust the young people of Ikorodu Division have in the continued leadership and representation of the leaders.
At the event were youth leaders Comrade Samuel Adeshina Soyiga, Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives; Comrade Awolesi Ekundayo Idowu, President Elect, National Association of Ikorodu Division Students (NAIDS); Senator Olafare Comfort Legislative Assistant to Senator Adetokunbo Abiru; Comrade Ogunsowo Ridwan Opeyemi, Coordinator, NYCN Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA; Comrade Ogunkoya Jackson Adewale, Coordinator, NYCN Ikorodu North LCDA; Olorunimbe Boluwatiri Islamiat – Coordinator, NYCN Ikorodu Central LCDA; Comrade Bello Idris– Coordinator, NYCN Ijede LCDA, Comrade David Gabriel Oluwasegun, Students; union leader, LASUSTECH; Comrade Taiwo Anuoluwapo, Ikorodu West NYCN Coordinator; Comrade Adebogun Oriyomi, Imota NYCN Coordinator among others.
Placards with messages of gratitude and solidarity were carried by stakeholders at the conference creating a lively atmosphere as youths openly displayed their support for the two distinguished representatives.
Comrade Adebogun, Coordinator NYCN Imota branch speaking said that Ikorodu and its people are seeing results of representations for the first time from the duo describing them as righteous persons.
“We have seen results and we have witnessed lasting impact in Ikorodu Division. The Ikorodu Division of today is what it is because we have responsible and dedicated individuals in positions of authority.
“As the Bible says, ‘when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.’
“Over the years of their service and representation, they have recorded tremendous achievements across key sectors such as security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and employment opportunities.
“The question is — what aspect of development can we say they have not touched in Ikorodu Division?” he asked.
Adebogun examining specific impacts of the two, said:
“I am speaking specifically about Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, who has brought significant development, especially in the area of technology and youth empowerment.
Also, Hon. Babajimi Benson has made remarkable contributions, particularly in infrastructure development. Many of the roads across Ikorodu Division today are a result of his intervention and commitment to service.
“At this point, we are reaffirming our support and endorsement for these leaders. We are saying clearly that we expect even more in the next four years, because when people come out to support good leadership like this, they deserve even greater results in return.
“A good turn, as they say, deserves another,” the youth leader declared.
Stating that youth does not only complain but have crucial roles to play, Adebogun emphasised that Ikorodu youth stakeholders are mobilising young men and women in the division towards political participation.
“According to statistics from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), youths constitute the highest number of registered voters in Nigeria. This is verifiable and can be fact-checked.
“Even in the Ikorodu Division, during previous voter registration exercises, young people came out in large numbers. I personally participated in mobilising youths, moving from street to street, encouraging them to get their Permanent Voter Cards.
“We must understand that leadership is not only about complaints on social media or criticism from behind keyboards. It is about participation, responsibility, and decision-making through the power of the ballot.
“So, to the youths of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, I can say we are fully prepared for the upcoming general elections confidently.
“We are not just observers — we are participants in shaping our future,” he added.
The Students’ Union President, LASUSTECH, Comrade David Gabriel Oluwasegun, spoke on the contributions of Rep. Benson to the LASUSTECH community.
“Our Honourable Representative began by visiting communities where over 60 percent of LASUSTECH students reside and facilitated the construction of roads leading to those areas. That alone has improved the lives of many students in a great manner.
“It did not stop there. Currently, a mini stadium project is under construction within our institution, and this project is being facilitated by Hon. Babajimi Benson. This is another clear example of his commitment to the development of education and youth empowerment in our constituency.
“There are many more achievements to mention, but with these few examples, we can say with confidence that good work deserves another opportunity.
“On behalf of my colleagues, and as a leader representing over 13,000 Nigerian students residing in Ikorodu, I proudly stand here today to endorse Hon. Babajimi Benson for another tenure in the Federal House of Representatives,” the LASUSTECH student leader declared.
The President, Igbogbo Students’ Union (ISU), Comrade Yunus Abdulmalik (Olorunosebi), also acknowledging the impacts of Rep. Benson, said that the union and its members are proud and grateful to have Rep. Benson as their representative.
“The students of Ikorodu are proud and grateful to have a representative like Hon. Babajimi Benson. He has contributed immensely to education through the construction of schools, improvement of roads leading to schools, and sponsorship opportunities that have benefited many students.
“Law students and several other student groups have also benefited from his support and empowerment initiatives.
“Beyond education, residents across Ikorodu Division have benefited from several developmental projects, including the construction of modern public toilets, installation of solar-powered streetlights, and distribution of solar lighting systems to homes.
“These initiatives have improved the standard of living for many people across the division.
“Today, I stand before you to say that Ikorodu cannot afford to lose a leader like Hon. Babajimi Benson. To many of us, he is a role model and a true servant of the people,” the ISU President also declared.
NAIDS President -elect, Comrade Awolesi Ekundayo Idowu, also speaking about Sen. Abiru, endorsed him for another term because of what he described as his good works and being an outstanding senator.
“I am here today to appreciate and endorse the good works of our distinguished senator, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru.
Senator Tokunbo Abiru has proven himself to be an outstanding representative of the people of Lagos East Senatorial District. As an indigene and resident of Ikorodu North, I can confidently say that we have all felt the impact of his leadership and developmental projects within our communities.
His contributions are visible in several areas, especially in: Infrastructure development, Installation of solar-powered streetlights,Youth empowerment initiatives and educational support programmes.
“These interventions have positively affected the lives of students, youths, and residents across the district.
“Therefore, on behalf of the National Association of Ikorodu Division Students, we proudly declare our support and endorsement of Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru for another term in office,” he declared.
