Ikoyi-Obalende APC members, residents endorse Phillips for Chairmanship position

Ahead of the upcoming Local Government election in Lagos State, residents and All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have officially thrown their support behind Derin Phillips as their preferred candidate for the position of chairman.

Phillips is set to succeed the current chairman, Fuad Atanda-Lawal.

The endorsement comes as the community expresses the urgent need for leadership that will unify the council and drive development, placing Ikoyi-Obalende on the global map.

At a rally organized for Phillips under the Obalende Bridge, supporters from the five wards unanimously voiced their confidence in his ability to deliver meaningful progress for the LCDA.

Abdullahi Adewale, a resident of Obalende, shared his belief that Phillips was the best choice to lead the council, citing his leadership qualities and commitment to the people’s welfare.

Adewale also called for other APC aspirants to step aside in favour of Phillips, who he believes is capable of transforming Ikoyi-Obalende into one of the most progressive councils in the country.

In his address, Phillips expressed his deep-rooted desire to serve the community in which he was born and raised.

He pledged a governance style based on servant-leadership and unveiled a five-point agenda aimed at restoring the people’s trust in the local government and meeting their diverse needs.

The five-point agenda, encapsulated under the acronym F.A.I.T.H., focuses on the pillars of Financing and Innovation, Access to Social Welfare, Innovation in Education and Technology, Transparency in Governance, and Health and the Environment.

Phillips highlighted the importance of supporting local businesses, particularly petty traders and young entrepreneurs, by providing grants to boost their enterprises.

He also emphasized the need for accessible social welfare programs, particularly for vulnerable groups within the community, as a key component of the government’s role in delivering democratic dividends.

On the matter of education and technology, Phillips outlined plans to introduce cutting-edge initiatives, including a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), positioning the council to capitalize on emerging global trends and open up new avenues for youth employment and empowerment.

Transparency in governance was another key theme of Phillips’ agenda.

He promised an “open-door” policy, ensuring that every resident would have direct access to him without intermediaries.

His commitment to transparency extends to public communication, where he pledged to make his contact information widely available, fostering an environment of accountability and responsiveness.

When addressing health, Phillips reiterated his commitment to expanding the reach of his successful free medical outreach program, which has already benefitted over 100,000 Lagosians.

He plans to extend these services throughout the Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, ensuring that healthcare remains a top priority for the community.

In his conclusion, Phillips shared his journey of leadership development, citing his experience as the former Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor and his involvement in student leadership positions during his academic years.

He expressed his determination to take this next step in his 26-year journey toward public service.

“What the people can expect is dynamism, creativity, excellence, and visionary leadership,” Phillips said. “I am ready to lead Ikoyi-Obalende to greater heights.”