The Ajeromi Ifelodun Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Alhaji Ismaila Sanni, has reiterated that community development activities remain a continuous process, noting that initiatives and interventions are carried out regularly to address emerging challenges and strengthen grassroots governance.
Speaking with Lagos Focus News in his office while providing updates on the committee’s recent engagements, the chairman stressed that community work “is always ongoing week in and week out,” adding that there is always something happening within the various neighbourhoods under the committee’s watch.
He disclosed that the committee recently intensified monitoring activities following the demolition exercise carried out by the Lagos State Government at Gidan Grammar. According to him, the committee took proactive measures to prevent displaced occupants from the demolished settlement from relocating into surrounding communities.
“To safeguard our neighbourhoods, we placed Alayabiagba, Orodu, Tolu, and Boundary markets on red alert. Some of the displaced settlers attempted to resettle within our communities, but through collective vigilance and cooperation among residents, we were able to resist such attempts,” he said.
The chairman further noted that the committee has stepped up public enlightenment campaigns aimed at improving documentation and record-keeping within the communities.
He explained that documentation of residents and community activities, which was previously minimal and often difficult to manage, has now improved significantly due to sustained awareness and cooperation from residents.
“Our intensified orientation programmes have made documentation in our communities more seamless. What used to be a challenge before is now being taken seriously by residents,” he stated.
On civic engagement, the chairman also highlighted ongoing collaboration with relevant government agencies to facilitate access to essential services for residents.
He revealed that registration for the National Identification Number (NIN) has been made easier through community mobilisation efforts in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
“Registration for NIN is now free. Our role as a community body is to mobilise residents, disseminate information, and coordinate the gathering of people within their neighbourhoods so that registrants can easily be captured,” he explained.
Similarly, the chairman said representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had attended one of the committee’s meetings, where discussions centred on improving voter registration accessibility.
“At that meeting, we appealed to INEC officials on the need to take their registration exercise from community to community so that more eligible residents can participate in the process. They listened and consented to the idea,” he added.
He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to sustaining community development initiatives and strengthening collaboration with government agencies to improve the welfare and civic participation of residents across the affected communities.
In the same vein, Alhaji Abubakar Musa, the Chairman of the Alayabiagba Community Development Association and Secretary-General of the CDC, disclosed that arrangements had been concluded for the installation and proper siting of the community’s electricity transformer, which had been faulty for some time but was recently replaced through the collective efforts of residents.
He explained that the replacement was made possible through the CDA’s sustained mobilisation of support from within and outside the community, acknowledging the contributions of the Managing Director of Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Abdulbaqi Oladimeji Balogun, the Council Chairman, Olamilekan Akindipe, as well as Sabur Akanbi Oluwa and other public-spirited individuals who rallied support for the replacement of the transformer and restoration of electricity to the community.
