Sanwo-Olu urges Lagosians to champion peace, unity at Community Day Celebration

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on Community Development Associations (CDAs) to prioritise peace and unity in their neighbourhoods, urging collective efforts to safeguard the state’s progress.

Speaking at the 2024 Community Day celebration held at the Police College in Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, highlighted the importance of harmonious coexistence in overcoming global and local challenges.

Themed “Stronger Together: Building a Resilient Community,” the event, organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development, served as a platform to honour the contributions of over 5,000 CDAs in Lagos.

“As we celebrate today, I urge all Lagosians to support our shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous Lagos. Let us remain vigilant and united against actions that could undermine our investments, infrastructure, and heritage. Destabilisation would have devastating consequences for us all,” the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing the needs of Lagosians, noting that initiatives such as the EKO CARES programme, reduced BRT fares, and increased civil servant wages were designed to ease economic pressures.

He also emphasised the significance of the Lagos Resilience Strategy, aligning it with the event’s theme to build a more adaptable and robust state capable of facing global challenges.

The governor further announced the creation of the Non-Partisan Special Dispensation Advisory Council, comprising human rights activists, youth representatives, religious leaders, and members of opposition parties, to ensure inclusivity in the implementation of intervention programmes.

In his welcome address, Dr. Nurudeen Yekini, the Special Adviser on Rural Development, commended CDAs for their vital role in Lagos’ socio-economic development.

He acknowledged the state’s investments in rural infrastructure, electrification, and road projects, reaffirming the administration’s dedication to grassroots development.