Glamour as Lagos holds community day for residents

It was a carnival-like atmosphere at Ikeja Police College last Thursday as Lagos State celebrated the 2014 edition of Community Day.
The event, organised by the state’s Ministry of Rural Development in commemoration of United Nations’ Community Day, was dedicated to various Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Committees (CDCs) and Community
Development Advisory Council (CDAC) in the state. It was to promote harmony and chart a part to improved development in Lagos.
Hence, residents numbering about 2000, decked in predominant checkered- blue “aso-ebi” attire to participate in the annual community festival.

There were more than enough to drink and eat. They ate, drank and danced to melodious music supplied by different local cultural groups of various local governments at the venue. Dignitaries who graced the event included , Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who led by other members of the State Executive Council; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, who led the council of obas and white-cap chiefs, community heads, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and heads of various agencies at the local councils, market men and women, transport unions among others.

Addressing the residents, Fashola (SAN), congratulated Lagosians for yet another milestone in community development programmes, even as he assured that the programme would continue as long as the All Progressives Congress ( APC) remain in power in Lagos. Fashola was grateful for all the good times they had had together, citing that it was his last as the sitting governor of the state.
Fashola said: “From communities to communities, we have been there on our part. I have made promises to you in the last seven years, and I have kept all of them; check my inauguration speech.

The Federal Government that collects 52 per cent of total revenue has made promises that they have not kept. Despite that, Lagos is rocking and our impact are in your communities.

And it is because you are paying tax. “If they come with promises of better life where you will not pay tax, then be careful. Allocations to state government are reducing, and price of oil is dropping. Several states are now borrowing to pay salaries. That is not your lot in Lagos. So, remember all these when they come with their deceptive umbrella to give you empty promises.

“This will be the last time I will stand here as your governor. But I’m optimistic that even a better government on the platform of APC will be here to continue. You must therefore do your best to participate in the process.”
He stressed that the communities have a responsibility to ensure continuity of the programme by voting the government of their choice in 2015. The governor informed that there are threats from opposition party to oust the APC in Lagos, urging residents never to be swayed by the threats and empty promises.

The governor, however, said that the people should also remember that the Federal Government had made promises in the area of electricity, empowerment and infrastructure, “all of which they have never kept,” and should be wary of empty promises now coming.

In his welcome address, Commissioner for Rural Development, Cornelius Ojelabi, noted that collaboration between the CDCs and his ministry had facilitated rural development.
“Through community mobilisation, no fewer than 3,360 CDAs meet on monthly interactive stakeholders fora, where issues bordering on government policies, programmes and activities particularly security related issues and tips are disseminated,” Ojelabi said.


Source: newtelegraghonline