I Remain A Grassroots Man

Hakeem Bamgbola, Executive Chairman, Itire/Ikate Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, speaks on the journey so far and why he wants to contest again

What would you say are your achievements as chairman of Itire/Ikate LCDA?

When I came in as the Chairman, my major priorities and the top goals I had set for myself were to improve the welfare of the people, upgrade infrastructure and promote positive attitudes and change. I must confess that in all those respects and many more, I was able to justify my mandate to the people of the council area, because so many people have benefitted from the dividends of democracy that cut across the nooks and crannies of the council area. In the area of education, we achieved so much in terms of construction of new buildings and renovation of some old ones. All primary schools in the council area were supplied with computers, printers, school books, bags and sandals as well as free exercise books. During their holidays, we organized summer coaching for them where they were also given free coaching materials which included note books and ball pens and they were also given free meals as well as access to computers.

Schools like Duro Oyedoyin, Aguntasholo, Akanji and Imam Shuaib Primary Schools were upgraded and new blocks of classrooms constructed while a modern library and computer vocational centre was constructed at Ejire Street.

Under environment, we were able to beautify the area, construct new roads and rehabilitated some bad roads, streets like Obajimi, Makanjuola, Babs Oni/Animashaun and Ayisatu Streets. Through the construction of drainages and culverts, we have been able to achieve a flood-free zone.

On health, the three primary health centres in the area have been renovated and upgraded to meet modern standards. We hired new doctors and retrained existing ones, while wheelchairs, modern incubator and oxygen plant and standard laboratory equipment were provided.

On security and poverty alleviation, we equipped and supported the police and we were also able to create jobs. Over 1,000 people have graduated from different vocational courses.

We have also recorded achievements in sports, and to this end, the Bamgbola Cup was recently concluded. Yearly, we organize a schools sports festival during which our students competed in various events such as football, table tennis and others. All these are achievements that I am very proud of.

Are you re-contesing in the coming local government polls?

Yes. I am, an old adage says one good turn deserves another, and in political terms, it says one good term deserves another. Aside that, government must remain competitive and continually improve. Plans that have been concluded to launch a lot of programmes that will continue to improve the lives of residents and my government will continue to exist to respond to the problems and expectations of the people. My philosophy here is simply to make life better. My administration practically touched all the wards in the council area and succeeded in improving the state of education, health and sports. I am hoping to consolidate on my past efforts and do more. The drainages would be improved upon, more boreholes sunk, more roads constructed as well as more beautification projects to further enhance the local government. In simple words, I am coming back to reward the good people of Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area for their trust and loyalty to both myself and our great party, the Action Congress of Nigeria. I still remain a grassroots man and my programmes would not change from a people-oriented one.

How bright are your chances considering the fact that other parties will contest?

My chances are clearly bright as I have the enormous support of my people. I have been there with them and I know them and they know me. They know my track record and they are all living witnesses to the revolution that has swept through Itire/Ikate. Most importantly too, I have the support of my leaders and they are solidly in support of my aspiration. Through extensive consultations both within and outside the ACN, I can assure you that my chances are bright. I know even the staff of the council will want someone like me back, because under my administration, staff welfare received a boost and official vehicles were purchased for staff and political office holders alike, to enhance efficient delivery of services at the local government level.

Do you think Lagos State deserve more council areas?

This is a matter that has been stressed in so many quarters and to be candid, for Lagos state to achieve the rapid development needed to place it among the leading mega states in the world, there is a need for more councils to be created. Lagos state has a large population and with a population twice as that of some countries, but it is very much disadvantaged because of its few council areas. Lagos State definitely deserves more council areas. For more councils to be created, there are some considerations that must be critically examined, like internally generated revenue, contingency and the national boundary. Lagos state certainly deserves to get more council areas as this will allow development to get to the rural areas and the people at the grassroots who ultimately are the downtrodden and major people affected by the poor economy.

What is your message to the grassroots people?

I would like to congratulate Governor Babatunde Fashola and his administration for the bold steps they have taken in transforming Lagos from a dysfunctional urban sprawl to a modern mega-metropolis. I also want to give thanks to the governor emeritus of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his purposeful leadership and I pray God will continue to give him strength to lead our great party ACN, to more successes.

To my good people of Itire-Ikate, I thank them for their support, loyalty and understanding and I also urge them to continue to support the Action Congress of Nigeria, and to go out and vote for our great party on 22 October in the Local Government polls, so that they can continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.