…APC Chairman Says Increased Allocations Are Boosting Grassroots Development
The Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, has commended the Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Kareem Azeez Abiodun, for what he described as significant development achievements within his first year in office.
Ojelabi spoke after commissioning the newly constructed 456-metre Kareem Street in Shibiri, one of the major infrastructure projects unveiled as part of activities marking Abiodun’s first anniversary in office on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The APC chairman said he was not surprised by the level of development recorded, attributing the increased capacity of local governments to execute projects partly to improved allocations following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Ojelabi, the additional resources available to the three tiers of government have created greater opportunities for local administrations to provide infrastructure and other services at the grassroots.
«“The local government chairmen now have enough resources to do a lot of developmental projects since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy,” he said.»
Ojelabi also urged Community Development Associations (CDAs) and residents to protect and make proper use of public infrastructure delivered by the council.
He called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s administration and vote for his re-election in the 2027 presidential election, while also urging residents to support APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Abiodun’s One-year Scorecard
ABIODUN’S ONE-YEAR SCORECARD
Abiodun’s first anniversary featured the commissioning and unveiling of projects and programmes covering roads, education, healthcare, security, staff development, culture and economic empowerment.
Among the road projects recorded were the 80-metre Mosholashi-Baale Road with drainage in Shibiri, 362-metre Ese-Ofin Jetty and Road reconstruction, and the 538-metre Jesuwame-Igbonla Road with drainage.
The council also graded Elesho Estate, Oke Agbo and Cele roads, rehabilitated part of Babalola Road and constructed the 456-metre Kareem Street in Shibiri with drainage.
Other infrastructure projects included the construction of a new 12-classroom block with offices, toilets and a store at Community Nursery and Primary School, Ilemba-Awori; renovation of Ajewanwa Primary School; and renovation and equipping of the Skill Acquisition and ICT Centre at Ijanikin.
Solar-powered streetlights were installed at several locations, while electricity infrastructure was extended from Ido-Oluwo Ile to Igbode, Idoye, Ojaje and Ikotun Ase.
The council also renovated the Adaloko Community Town Hall and constructed a palliative wooden bridge linking Ketu and Adaloko.
ALI-BALOGUN COMMENDS COUNCIL
Commissioning the newly constructed school facilities at Ilemba-Awori, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic Education, Hon. Jamiu Ali-Balogun, commended Abiodun for the projects delivered within his first year and urged him to sustain the pace of development.
Ali-Balogun said the investment would provide pupils with a more conducive learning environment and contribute to human capital development.
Commissioning the new school facilities at Ilemba-Awori, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic Education, Hon. Jamiu Ali-Balogun, commended Abiodun for the projects delivered within his first year and urged the council chairman to sustain the pace of development.
He said the investment would provide pupils with a more conducive learning environment and contribute to human capital development.
EMPOWERMENT REACHES WOMEN, YOUTHS, VULNERABLE RESIDENTS
The council also rolled out a wide range of empowerment initiatives targeting women, youths, widows, elderly residents, artisans and other vulnerable members of the community.
It said ₦5 million was provided in cooperative support for women, while 100 women received ₦250,000 each as business grants.
Another 100 widows and elderly residents received ₦50,000 each alongside food palliatives.
Beyond cash grants, residents were empowered with income-generating equipment, including sewing machines, deep freezers, popcorn machines, generators, hairdryers and hair clippers, aimed at helping beneficiaries establish or expand small businesses.
In education, 500 students received free JAMB forms, with cash awards for top performers, while free GCE forms and exercise books were also distributed.
The administration also supported a Spelling Bee Competition with ₦1 million for the winner and ₦500,000 for the runner-up, and introduced a One-Day Chairman and Vice Chairman programme to give young people practical exposure to leadership and governance.
Another 100 widows and elderly residents received ₦50,000 each alongside food palliatives.
₦10M CDA GRANTS FOR GRASSROOTS PROJECTS
In a further demonstration of its grassroots development approach, 10 Community Development Associations (CDAs) received grants of ₦1 million each, amounting to ₦10 million, to support community-driven development projects.
The council also presented operational vehicles to security and community organisations to strengthen grassroots security and response capacity.
HEALTHCARE AND SECURITY
Healthcare interventions included free medical missions, maintenance of the council’s ambulance and the provision of solar power at Ijanikin Primary Health Care Centre.
Residents also benefited from free eye screening, treatment and recommended eyeglasses.
On security, the council presented operational vehicles to security formations, including the police, Joint Task Force and Community Development Committee, to strengthen response capacity across the LCDA.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT, CULTURE
The administration also highlighted investment in staff capacity, with council personnel participating in training programmes in Singapore, Qatar and Abuja.
Newly recruited and existing staff underwent administrative, professional and leadership training, while the Legislative Arm benefited from capacity-building programmes, budget retreats and public hearings.
The council also sponsored the 2025 Awori Day Cultural Festival as part of efforts to promote the cultural heritage of the Awori people.
ABIODUN: “THIS IS SERVICE WITH SINCERITY”
Speaking at the anniversary programme, Abiodun thanked residents, traditional and community leaders, council staff and other stakeholders for their support during his first year in office.
He pledged to build on the administration’s interventions while sustaining its focus on infrastructure, human capital development, healthcare, security and economic empowerment.
Summing up his administration’s philosophy, Abiodun said:
“From roads to classrooms. From light to livelihood. From security to dignity. This is not just governance. This is service with sincerity.”
The anniversary programme provided an opportunity for the Oto-Awori administration to showcase projects and programmes implemented during its first 12 months, with further interventions expected across the LCDA.
