Kunle Adelabu & Oyewumi Adebisi (trainee
-We are not slowing down in terms of infrastructural developments -Lawmaker
Residents of Olu-Odo and Araromi-Solebo communities in Ikorodu, trooped out at the weekend to welcome the representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, and his large entourage as he commissioned road projects he facilitated in Igbogbp/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and Ikorodu West LCDA.
Rep. Benson, at the commissioning of Olu –Odo/Adegbose/Igbo –Agbowa and Araromi-Solebo Roads in IBLCDA and Ikorodu LG, respectively, described the developments as an important step towards improving access and community development.
The commissioning exercises, held in quick succession, featured the unveiling of the Olu-Odo Road and roads within the Araromi-Solebo Community Development Association (CDA) area. The projects commissioning attracted traditional rulers, political leaders, council officials, community representatives and residents, with Rep Benson highlighting the importance of infrastructure delivery and acknowledging the support he said he had received from the people of Ikorodu.
The three – term lawmaker was presented with a special recognition award by tlhe Araromi – Solebo community in appreciation of his quality representation
Among those present were His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barrister) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Emugoriade I, the traditional ruler of Igbogbo Kingdom who joined Rep Benson in cutting tapes and unveiling plaques at the project locations.
Other dignitaries included Asiwaju Olorunfubmi Basorun, former Secretary to the State Government and chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC); Senator Kingsley Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Minister of Works and chieftain of the GAC; Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, former Commissioner for Agriculture and chief of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Prince Adesegun Olusola Ogunlewe, former Head of Service, Lagos State; Hon. Basanya Babalola, former Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA); Hon. Babajide Banjoko, Executive Chairman of Ikorodu West LCDA; Alhaji Rilwa Jinadu, former APCF Chairman, Ikorodu LGA, Prince Lanre Balogun, former Commissioner for Rural Development and Builder Olusesan Mayokun Daini, immediate past Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA.
In attendance also were Executive Chairman, IBLCDA, Omo’ba Hameed Olalekan Aroyewun; Executive Chairman of Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Otunba Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju; Executive Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, Mayor Ameen Olawale; and APC LGA Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Hon. Taiwo Orenuga; and Aarebirin (Dr.) Folashade Olabanji-Oba,
Speaking during the exercise, Rep Benson described the projects as part of the developmental interventions he facilitated for the constituency.
“Today’s job is very simple. Today’s job is to commission one of the dividends of democracy that our father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has brought to Ikorodu Federal Constituency”, he said.
The lawmaker acknowledged the role played by residents in supporting his representation, saying the opportunity to deliver projects was connected to the confidence they had placed in him through the electoral process.
“As I always say, you always appreciate me, but I am the one who should be thanking you constantly. Thank you so much. May your prayers be answered. Your prayers and votes in 2023 are what have given us the opportunity to do all that we are doing”, Rep Benson said.
He noted that the constituency had long sought greater development and recognition, adding that the completed road projects provided tangible evidence of the interventions being made.
While stating that he is also facilitating a Command Secondary School, bridge linking Majidun and Ogolonto, transformers, security vehicles and improvements to health facilities, he assured constituents in Ikorodu federal constituency that he will continue attracting infrastructure and other developmental initiatives to communities across Ikorodu.
“I will continue to represent with purpose, attract development with determination and pursue results that make a real difference in your daily lives. We are not slowing down. We are building on our achievements, extending our reach and working towards an Ikorodu Division where every community matters and every constituent has a stake in our collective progress”, he said.
The lawmaker also assured residents that their demands will always be given serious consideration and urged them to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections with their votes.
At the Olu-Odo commissioning, Rep Benson acknowledged the community’s expectations regarding request for more road projects and recalled how local leaders had continued to request additional infrastructure as earlier projects were completed.
Rep. Benson said that such requests reflected the need for development which extend beyond one location, adding that he expected community leaders to continue drawing attention to infrastructure needs across the constituency.
The Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun, speaking, emphasized the significance of the road projects and commended the cooperation between the community and the contractors during construction.
Aroyewun also lauded the CDA for mobilising their people during PVC registration exercises and for providing logistical assistance.
“When we came to flag off this road, they raised the issue that if anybody disturbed the contractor, the contractor would move away. Throughout the construction, the CDC and CDA structures in this area cooperated fully with the contractors.
“The level of cooperation by the community demonstrated its interest in seeing the project completed”.
According to Aroyewun, the road reconstruction has the potential to improve the economic outlook of the area where poor access had previously affected movement and commercial activity.
“There is a video my media team created showing when the road was impassable and the economic condition of this area was down, almost to zero. The economic value that the reconstruction has created cannot be evaluated”, he said.
He stressed that community infrastructure should be assessed not only in terms of the construction work itself but also by the benefits it could bring to residents and local businesses.
Aroyewun further commended Benson for what he described as his interventions across Igbogbo/Baiyeku and the wider Ikorodu Division, while mentioning other projects he said were being considered or pursued for the area.
He said the road projects have encouraged residents to take a more active interest in governance and community affairs, adding that local leaders remained hopeful that further interventions would address other needs.
Also speaking at the event, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA) , who represents Ikorodu Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, thanked Benson for facilitating the road projects, saying it would make it easier for political representatives to engage residents, adding that the project has removed a major challenge that could have affected their ability to campaign in the community.
“Thank you for making campaigning easier for us. Because if you did not do this road, it would have been difficult to come and campaign here”, he said.
He recalled that during the 2023 campaign, he had promised residents that he would take their concerns over the road to Rep Benson.
“I remember when we campaigned in 2023, I made verbal promises that I was also going to escalate this road to my boss, Hon. Babajimi Benson. Oga, thank you so very much. Thank you for having a listening ears.Thank you for fulfilling this promise. On behalf of all of us, I sincerely want to appreciate you”, AMA said.
He appealed to residents of Olu-Odo and neighbouring communities, including Ibeshe and Igbo-Agbowa, to show their appreciation for the project through their participation in the next election.
“I am glad it is on the same day we are voting for Asiwaju, the Senator and JB. Where do we cast our vote? APC”, he said, urging residents to come out on election day.
AMA added that residents could use their votes as a basis for demanding further development from their representatives.
“If Honourable Babajimi Benson could fulfil his promise, if the votes are more than this, then we would be able to do more”, he said.
A GAC chieftain, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, congratulated Ikorodu people for quality representation that they have been enjoying through the lawmaker and called for supports for the party.
Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, a GAC chieftain, also commenting thanked Rep. Benson for the road and other projects he has facilitated across Ikorodu Division.
He urged residents of Ikorodu to pay him and other APC candidates back with their votes and ensure that the Division record 250, 000 votes.
In his own remarks, Hon. Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ikorodu Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, urged residents of the areas to reciprocate the gesture with their votes for APC candidates in the coming elections and use it to demand for more projects.
“Please and please, everyone standing here today, give us the challenge, give us the mouth, give us the power so you can demand more from us, because the number of votes we have will represent the number of things you can get”, he said.
At the Araromi-Solebo area, where the commissioning marked the completion of five roads within the estate, the Chairman of Araromi-Solebo CDA, Mr. Ahmed Olayemi Oladipo, said the projects represented a significant development for residents who had long hoped for improved roads.
“What we are celebrating today is the commissioning of our newly built roads, facilitated by Honourable Babajimi Benson.
“We have five roads constructed for us in this estate. It signifies a lot of development in this community, which we have been longing for a long time. We give praise to God that it has come to pass in our time”, he said.
He thanked Rep Benson for facilitating the project, describing the road construction as an opportunity for the community to experience infrastructure improvements it had long anticipated.
Recalled that the Olu –Odo/Adegbose/Igbo –Agbowa Road was flagged –off in December 2024.
