Sanwo-Olu awards Best CDAs at 2022 Community Day celebration
…as 4,325 CDAs endorse governor, Tinubu
By Ibrahim Adeleke
Four Community Development Associations (CDAs) that came best in their activities in Lagos were awarded with brand new buses by the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the 2022 Community Day Celebration organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs.
The Governor said his government has been working in good partnership with the people at the grassroots to raise the banner of the State.
He said this as over 4,325 Community Development Associations (CDAs) across the 57 LGAs and LCDAs through the Community Development Advisory Council (CDAC) declared support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for second term.
Sanwo-Olu said the grassroots support was a testimony of working partnership with the CDAs.
Sanwo-Olu received the endorsement instruments at the 2022 Community Day Celebration organised by the Community Development Advisory Council (CDAC) in collaboration with the Lagos State Government.
The event with the theme: “Strengthening Community Engagement for Inclusive Governance”, was held at the Police College in GRA Ikeja.
The CDAC chairman, Alhaji Azeez Amusat, said the community associations’ support for the Governor and the APC presidential candidate was borne out of the personal connection and the positive impacts the endorsees had with the grassroots across the State.
Amusat noted that the State Government had been supportive of active communities collaborating with the State in promoting sustainable development in their areas.
He commended the State Government for programmes targeted at improving lives in communities.
The CDAC chairman also praised Sanwo-Olu for approving annual subventions to support the groups’ activities.
He added that the Governor approved leadership training for members and supported the associations’ congresses.
Amusat called on the CDA and CDC members to get their voter cards and vote for the Governor.
Sanwo-Olu said the endorsement attested to a “working partnership” his Government had established with the CDAs and CDCs across the local councils in the State, pledging continuation of programmes and policies that would have positive benefits for the grassroots.
The Governor said the critical role played by the grassroots movement in promoting peace and stability within the State could not be undermined, stressing that CDAs and CDCs’ advisory council had not only been dependable, but had proven to be trusted organisation in bringing development to local communities.
He said: “This occasion of your annual Community Day Celebration provides a unique opportunity to reflect and acknowledge the role of CDAs and CDCs as important stakeholders in delivering all Government interventions to the grassroots. You have become an important arm of our community. I cannot thank you enough for being our eyes and ears within communities. The advisory council has not only been dependable, but has proven to be one to be trusted. You are worthy partners in the progress of our State.
“The endorsement you have given us today is an attestation and a confirmation of a partnership that is working. We will not take your support for granted. This tells us we have made positive impacts in your communities and we need to do a lot more to ensure this confidence reposed in us is not lost. We will continue to engage you and strengthen your commitment on the cause you have chosen by ensuring you participate in governance and creating a sustainable system for your growth.”
Sanwo-Olu said his administration had restored peace in many of troubled communities across the State and brought dignity back through impartial appointments and installation of traditional rulers and chiefs.
The Governor said the CDAs and the CDCs played a key role in assisting the Government to bring key stakeholders to agreements whenever necessary, pointing out that the CDAC had metamorphosed into an indispensable tool for progress and peace.
Sanwo-Olu said: “Through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, we have installed over 40 traditional rulers in various communities across the State without any rancour. The traditional leaderships are happy with us because we take their stool, their roles and interventions seriously.
“Our commitment is to serve our citizens with dignity and I reassure that we will continue to lead a purposeful government. We appreciate your participation and partnership. We will strengthen cooperation with you and ensure our development programmes reach every community in the State.”
Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Bolaji Roberts, said CDAs and CDCs had been assisting the Government on vital issues in the areas of security and governance, while also promoting peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationships amongst the people within their domains.
The ceremony, he said, further demonstrated the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to ensuring dividend of democracy is extended to all the nooks and crannies of Lagos through Community Development Associations, which, he said, play pivotal roles in the development of the State.
Chief Rotimi Williams Community Development Association in Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area was named the Most Outstanding CDA in Lagos, winning a brand new 18-seater bus to support its activities.
Other winners are Hilltop Community Development Association in Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA (first runner-up), and Gateway Zone Community Development in Ikosi Isheri LGA (second runner-up)
Ilupeju Community III Community Development Association in Ojo Local Government Area won the Best Rural Community.
