By Esther Onyegbula

The Executive Chairman of Oriade Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, Hon. Rasaq Akorede Olojede, has said his administration completed several road, bridge, environmental, education, healthcare and social intervention projects in its first year in office.

Olojede, who disclosed this while marking the first anniversary of his administration, said the council had prioritised people-centred governance, infrastructure development and improved access to basic services across its communities.

According to him, the administration hit the ground running from its first day in office, beginning with an inspection of the ongoing Ayinke Timpson Phase II Road Reconstruction after separate meetings with elected councillors and the management team.

He said the road, which serves as a strategic link in Satellite Town, connecting Golden Tree Hotel, First Bank, Sports Complex and Bright Stars Academy, had been completed and commissioned.

“Exactly one year ago, I stood before you with a solemn promise to lead with integrity, serve with compassion, and govern with the people at the very heart of every decision.

“Today, as I reflect on our collective journey, I am profoundly grateful for the trust you have placed in my administration and filled with immense pride at what we have accomplished together,” he said.

Olojede said the administration’s approach had been driven by urgency and a commitment to delivering tangible results.

“That sense of urgency has defined our administration’s approach to governance, no delays, no excuses, only results,” he said.

Infrastructure

The chairman listed the rehabilitation of Assembly Road, construction of a link bridge along the Ibeshe/Imoore axis and a 78-metre concrete bridge linking Imoore and Ilashe in Ward I among the completed infrastructure projects.

Other completed projects, according to him, include installation of solar streetlights across Assembly Road, Dupe Otegbogola and Navy Gate; installation of 100-watt integrated solar power lights at Omila Street, Onireke; reconstruction of Moshalashi Street, Gojere Barracks; reconstruction and interlocking of Jimoh Street, Agboju; Ayinke Timpson Road Phase II and Community Road, Satellite Town.

He said ongoing projects included rehabilitation of Moshalashi Street, Gojere Barracks; construction of Izigwe/Isolo Street, Oluti; rehabilitation of St. Paul Road, Satellite Town; rehabilitation of Lawansen and Nwanko streets, Ijegun; and construction of Oba Afeez Oriyomi Road with standard drainage channels.

The council, he added, was also constructing Karimu Street in partnership with the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kirikiri Command, as well as a 1,795-metre Community Circular Road project covering Irede, Ikaare, Iyagbe and adjoining communities.

Other ongoing projects include construction of a reinforced concrete perimeter fence at Iyagbe Primary School and the Satellite Town Area Office Building.

The highlight of the anniversary event was the presentation of vehicles by the LCDA chairman to councillors, three traditional rulers, the Community Development Committee (CDC), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Market Union, with each of the latter groups receiving a bus.

Executive committee members, including supervisors and three management staff, also benefited from the gesture.

Environment

On environmental management, Olojede said the council had dredged the blocked canal at Dupe Otegbola Road, desilted Community Road by Young Shall Grow, Ijegun Egba, and cleared Abule Ado Community Road.

He said the council also cleared overgrown weeds from Mazamaza to Abule Ado and public schools across Oriade LCDA, fumigated public primary schools, evacuated waste regularly and maintained council premises.

The administration, he added, evacuated an overflowing septic tank at Ijegun Egba Primary Health Centre and cleaned and maintained the council’s library environment.

He said the council, in partnership with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, cleared overgrown weeds and evacuated refuse dumps along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway from Mile 2 Bridge to the barracks boundary.

Olojede also disclosed that the council inaugurated the Oriade Cleaner Environment Team, OCET, to strengthen sanitation activities across the LCDA.

He said the team’s interventions on Assembly Road, Dupe Oretobi and Omila Onireke had contributed to improving the appearance and cleanliness of the areas.

Education

On education, the chairman said the administration had sustained annual sponsorship of GCE and UTME forms for indigent and qualified students, while 500 free JAMB registration forms were distributed in 2026.

He said the council organised spelling bee competitions for private and public schools and continued the distribution of furniture and learning materials to schools.

According to him, the council also flagged off the “Adopt-A-School: Snacks for Thought” initiative under the PBAT Feeds programme and commissioned the refurbished Kuje Amuwno Nursery and Primary School, sponsored by The Lagosians of Chicago.

The council, he said, sponsored the 2026 Placement Examination for pupils across riverine schools in partnership with Amuwo-Odofin LGEA, hosted a joint Children’s Day and Democracy Day celebration and sponsored 100 students to Technical College, Ado-soba.

Healthcare

Olojede said the administration’s healthcare interventions included ward-to-ward mini health missions offering free hypertension and blood sugar screening, HIV/TB tests, eye and glaucoma screening, cervical and hepatitis screening, immunisation and LASHMA enrolment.

He said the council also partnered with Satellite Town Eye Hospital for free eye screening and surgery, upgraded the Permanent Agboju Primary Health Care Centre and procured and distributed basic medical equipment to primary healthcare centres.

The administration, he added, had engaged Lagos State Health District V on strengthening healthcare delivery and supported the Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign through advocacy with CDC and NIREC.

He also disclosed that a portable water facility was commissioned in Baale Area in partnership with Rotary Club 911 Satellite Town.

Social welfare

On social welfare and empowerment, the chairman said the council had disbursed Renewed Hope Trade Grants to deserving traders and introduced the Renewed Hope Support Scheme for aged citizens and widows.

He said the scheme benefited 150 elderly persons and 150 widows monthly for three months.

Olojede also listed the quarterly disbursement of the Hope Community Self-Help Project Fund to Alahun Osunba Estate Community, Irede Community Development Association and Mobil Estate Residents Association.

He said 3,000 residents benefited from Renewed Hope Food Packs, while the council commenced festive and Yuletide food banks for residents and staff.

Other interventions, according to him, included women affairs and poverty alleviation programmes for girl-child empowerment, sponsorship of women for capacity-building programmes, a Farmers’ Day celebration and community enhancement programme, and participation of Oriade LCDA women at the 2025 Women Assembly organised by WAPA.

Security

The chairman said the administration had also strengthened collaboration with security agencies, describing peace and security as critical to sustainable development.

He disclosed that the council convened its inaugural Peace and Security Meeting with heads of security agencies, including the Police, Navy, Army, FRSC, LNSC and NSCDC.

He said the administration maintained strong cooperation with the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Navy, SSS, LNSC and vigilante groups.

According to him, the council committed ₦20 million to 2025 security improvement projects, including the proposed reconstruction of Satellite Police Division.

He said the Peace and Security Stakeholders Meeting was subsequently enlarged to include royal fathers, executive members, legislators, security agencies, NIREC, League of Imams, CAN, CDC, transport unions, market leaders and youth organisations.

Youth and sports

Olojede said his administration had also invested in youth development through sports and other programmes.

He said the council officially kicked off the maiden Oriade Grassroots Under-21 Football Knockout Tournament 2025, powered by the Rasaq Akorede Cares, RAC, Initiative, and successfully concluded the RAC Renewed Hope Football Competition 2025.

He also disclosed that the council sponsored a three-day Christmas Grotto at First Bank Field, Satellite Town, benefiting children from public primary and secondary schools.

Staff welfare and governance

The chairman said his administration had prioritised staff welfare and institutional development, citing the inaugural staff forum, regular welfare packages, the 2026 Staff Interactive Meeting convened by NULGE Oriade LCDA and the 2026 Budget and Procurement Retreat.

He also listed the construction of the Satellite Town Area Office among efforts to strengthen the council’s institutional capacity.

On governance, Olojede said the administration participated in the Lagos State Government leadership retreat themed “Driving Grassroot Development Through Strategic Governance.”

He said the council held its first Budget Stakeholders Consultative Forum for the 2026 fiscal year and formally presented a 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦12.2 billion to the Honourable 6th Legislative Council.

He further disclosed that he joined Conference 57, a delegation of local government chairmen, at the UCLG World Congress in Tangier, Morocco, and represented Nigeria at the UCLG World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders.

The council, he said, also hosted the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government Administration during an official oversight visit.

Community engagement and recognition

The administration, according to the chairman, also engaged residents and stakeholders through consultations on the Community Circular Road Project covering Ikaare/Irede Island, while participating in cultural, health and community development activities.

Olojede said the council celebrated Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day with pupils and students, attended the 2026 Theatre Day with TAMPAN, Amuwo-Odofin/Oriade Chapter, and participated in World Food Day 2025 and World Tuberculosis Day activities.

He said his administration also engaged CDC and NIREC on Measles-Rubella Vaccination advocacy and celebrated Alahun Osunba Estate Community during the Lagos State Year 2025 Community Day Celebration.

Reflecting on the recognition he received during the inaugural meeting of Scribe 57, Secretaries to the Local Governments in Lagos State, Olojede said the honour belonged to the entire administration.

“I was deeply humbled to receive an Award of Recognition at the Inaugural Meeting of the Scribe 57, having previously served as the SLG of our beloved Oriade LCDA.

“This recognition is not for me alone but for every member of our team who has worked tirelessly to serve our people,” he said.

The chairman said the first year of his administration was only the beginning, stressing that the council remained committed to translating its development agenda into tangible improvements in the lives of residents.