Wale Jagun & Ayoola Oladipupo
-Nine PhD candidates, 50 Masters’ students get N1m, N50, 000 each respectively
The Executive Chairman of Imota Local Council Development Area, Hon. Benson Sunday Ayodele, on Wednesday, concluded the week-long activities marking the first anniversary of his administration with the presentation of his scorecard and the unveiling of educational and empowerment grants which was an initiative aimed at improving education and social welfare within the council area.
The grand finale, held at the Imota LCDA Secretariat, attracted the presence of political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community stakeholders, youth groups, market leaders, party faithful, and residents who gathered to witness the administration’s achievements over the past one year, and reaffirmation of its commitment to inclusive governance and sustainable development.
At the event, Hon. Benson presented ₦1m grant each to nine candidates pursuing PhD programmes, supported Master’s students, and gave N100, 000 each as bursary award to 107 undergraduates. He also provided financial assistance to 200 widows and elderly residents, with each receiving 50, 000 as social support.
Presenting his scorecard, Hon. Benson highlighted key milestones recorded under his administration across critical sectors, including education, healthcare, road infrastructure, environmental sanitation, youth empowerment, security, agriculture, sports development, and social intervention programmes.
He reaffirmed his commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy through the council’s development agenda, while appreciating residents for their unwavering support and cooperation.
While presenting grants to Doctoral and others students who are qualified indigenes of Imota LCDA to support their academic pursuits, Hon. Benson described education as the most reliable instrument for community transformation and assured beneficiaries that his administration would continue to invest in initiatives that promote academic excellence.
“Today, we are supporting nine outstanding students with ₦1 million each, while 50 Masters students will receive ₦100,000 each.
“In addition, we had initially planned to award bursaries to 100 students, but because of the overwhelming interest, we increased the number to 107 beneficiaries. Each of these students will receive ₦50,000 annually to support them until they complete their degree or HND programmes. Our objective is to encourage academic excellence and produce more first-class and Second Class Upper graduates from Imota.
“Our vision is to improve the educational standards of Imota LCDA so that, in the future, our young people will become accomplished professionals and contribute meaningfully to the society”, Chairman Benson said.
Beyond educational support, the chairman, while presenting social support to the 200 widows and elderly residents, comprising 120 women and 80 men as part of his administration’s social welfare programme, noted that caring for vulnerable members of society remains a priority, stressing that governance should be compassionate, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of every segment of the community.
“We have also remembered our senior citizens. Although, the Constitution recognises senior citizens from the age of 65, our administration decided to focus on those aged 70 years and above. And they will receive ₦50,000 each.
“We have also provided support for widows whom we carefully identified as genuinely requiring assistance. A total of 100 of them have been selected to benefit from this programme, with each beneficiary receiving ₦50,000”.
While pleading for more support and cooperation from stakeholders and residents, Hon. Benson assured artisan residents of a mega empowerment programme to support them too.
“Before the end of this administration, we shall also organise a mega empowerment programme for artisans, youths and young entrepreneurs across Imota LCDA, to help them become self-reliant and economically productive”, he assured.
In his royal remarks, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajibade Bakare-Agoro, CFR, the Ranodu of Imota, Olufoworesete II, commended Hon. Benson for implementing programmes that have positively impacted the lives of residents. He described the administration’s first year as purposeful, people-oriented, and development-driven, urging the chairman to sustain the momentum by initiating more transformative projects and empowerment programmes.
Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Reuben Basorun, former Secretary to the Lagos State Government and chieftain of the Governing Advisory Council (GAC); Senator Kingsley Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Minister of Works and also a GAC chieftain; Alhaji Fatai Lasisi, Commissioner I, the Lagos State Civil Service Commission; Hon. Nurudeen Saka Solaja, former Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. (Prince) Wasiu Kunle Agoro, immediate past Chairman of Imota LCDA, and others that spoke at the grand event, congratulated the chairman on his successful first year in office, and commended his remarkable achievements.
Other dignitaries and council officials in attendance were the Executive Chairman of Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, Otunba Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju; the Vice-Chairman of Imota LCDA, Princess Abisoye Omowunmi Jimoh; the council’s councillors led by the Leader of the House, Hon. Adeshina Ademola Oluwole; members of the Executive Council led by the Secretary to the Local Government, Alhaji Fagbesan Akeem Muhammed; management staff led by the Council Manager, Alhaji Enitan Nojim; Party leaders including Rev. (Dr.) Col. Bolaji Titilola Onafowakan (Rtd), LGA’s All Progressives Congress (APC) Party Chairman, Hon. Aremo Kamilu Ogunnowo, former Party Chairman, Hon. Ramoni Akinyemi, LGA Party Secretary, Mr. Olowu Mutiu Olanrewaju, and all the Ward Chairmen; the DPO of Imota Divisional Police Station, CSP Babatunde Ogunniyi; among others.
Also in attendance were members of the Ranodu-in-Council, the League of Baales in Imota LCDA, the leadership of Community Development Committees (CDC) and Community Development Associations (CDAs), market men and women, religious leaders from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Muslim community, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), youth organisations, women groups, party faithful, other stakeholders and residents.
