The Chairman of Trinity Community Development Association (CDA), Alhaji Olalekan Bankole, alongside his executive members, has continued to receive accolades and prayers from past leaders, mentors, and community elders following the association’s emergence as the Best CDA of the Year among 54 CDAs at the 2025 Ajeromi Community Development Committee (CDC) celebration.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Lagos Focus News in the community, Alhaji Bankole attributed the achievement to divine grace and strong institutional support, particularly from the Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, the CDC leadership, and other well-meaning individuals. He noted that the widespread praise from residents, often expressed in chants urging the council leadership to “continue the good work,” reflects the positive impact of grassroots governance.
“We give glory to God for this feat. It would not have been possible without the support of the council chairman, the CDC chairman, and other stakeholders who believe in what we are doing,” Bankole said. He added that the Trinity CDA is praying for renewed grace to retain the top position in 2026.
A former Chairman of the Trinity CDA and current Community Matron, Hon. Fehinti Danmole, described the award as a continuation of a long-standing legacy. According to her, Trinity CDA has a history of excellence laid by visionary founders and past leaders, including Baba Akintepede Tonato, Madam Aderemi, Chief Iwunna, and others.
“This is not the first time Trinity CDA has emerged as the best. Excellence is a tradition here, built by mentors, fathers, and leaders who laid a solid foundation,” Danmole said.
Recalling her tenure, the former Sole Administrator of Ajeromi Local Government explained that the association already had a strong structure when she assumed leadership. She said her administration consolidated that base by strengthening street CDAs across 42 streets, mobilising levies and deploying them for projects and administrative needs.
Danmole highlighted key interventions during her time, including the redevelopment of the God Dey Cinema axis, drainage construction, and road rehabilitation with support from the Lagos State Government during the tenure of former council chairman, Hon. Kamal Bayewu. She added that street lighting installations by her regime, including those along Palace Road, further attracted state intervention that culminated in full road reconstruction.
She also commended the Ward H Councillor, Hon. Saheed Mogaji, himself a former Trinity CDA chairman, describing his current political elevation as Councilor as a reflection of his performance at the community level.
Tracing the leadership transition, Danmole said Alhaji Bankole took over from Hon. Mogaji as Acting Chairman and has recorded remarkable progress within a short period. “As Community Matron, I can attest to what he and his executives have achieved in the blink of an eye,” she said, citing the ongoing community Wi-Fi project that has created temporary employment opportunities, which would enhance digital access.
On his part, Bankole outlined several other projects executed by the CDA, including street lighting from People’s Bus Stop through Kirikiri to Adeniyi, road palliative works using community-sourced materials, and the enforcement of weekly environmental sanitation every Thursday to keep markets and public spaces clean.
He disclosed that the association would submit multiple project requests to key government officials, including the local government chairman, the Lagos State House of Assembly member, Hon. Sabur Akanmbi Oluwa; the House of Representatives member, Hon. Paul Kalejaiye; and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He recalled that appeals through the governor’s office led to the rehabilitation of Hospital Road and Kudaisi Street, both fitted with street lights.
The CDA chairman expressed appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu and private individuals, notably a local businessman popularly known as Mr. Ego, who single-handedly reconstructed a community road with interlocking stones. An official letter of appreciation, he said, has been prepared and will be copied to the CDC and the local government.
Bankole reaffirmed the association’s commitment to deeper community development, noting that sustained goodwill from leaders and stakeholders continues to drive progress. Among those the CDA Chairman acknowledged for their enduring support are Bale Riliwan Babatunde Oluwa of Ibafoland, Bale Kayode Hassan of Ebute-Ibafoland, the late Hon. Kabiru Imam, Elder Iwunna, Chief Tonato, Alhaji Ismaila Sanni (CDC Chairman), Mr. Saheed Olajide (CDA Secretary), Elder Thomas Afadapa, Elder Yinka Popola, the joint Trinity-Ibafo Chairman, and Mr. Muftau Olasunkanmi.
“With unity, transparency, and support from our people, this is only the beginning,” Bankole said
