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BY: Manoah Kikekon
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| L-R: Monday Iroko, Barr. Sunday Kappo, Hon. Sewede Pot-Balogun, Ovi Manuel Kuponu, Lookman Emilagba, Banji Olaosebikan-Peters. The Organising committee of the Forum. |
The Badagry Federation Forum for Development (BFFD) has organised a special dinner with the newly elected and appointed political officeholders of Badagry to discuss the development of the constituency.
BFFD is aimed at changing the narrative of Badagry's story of underdevelopment through ICT and modern tools in managing the human and material resources of the Federation.
At the dinner on Saturday, Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, the House of Representatives Member Badagry federal constituency, said in a few months the minister for tourism will visit Badagry for developmental studies, as the constituency will use what it has to get what it wants.
"I won't make promises, but I will be a little bit affirmative. We can see that the construction of the Lagos-Badagry express road is moving at a considerable pace."
In just a few months in office, he has met with several agencies and contractors working on projects in Badagry and assured that contractors will be back on site.
"No constituency can develop when it's cut off from the rest of its society. We are making a strong case for our roads. Owode Apa Road has been redesigned, and it will be a concrete road from wherever it is now to the border, which will last longer."
He assured the youth that the next budget would capture the youth centres.
"For the time remaining for this administration, we will do everything humanly possible to attract development to Badagry. We are engaging the federal government about the deep seaport, and we know the government is serious about it, and this will attract jobs to Badagry."
He added that all the elected and appointed members have agreed to have a forum to push the vision of Badagry forward, he and other members will engage all relevant agencies for progressive development.
Prof. Segun Whenu, a lecturer at the Department of Fisheries at Lagos State University, appreciated the Lagos State government for appointing two commissioners for the first time in Badagry's history.
In his address, he said the differences between growth and development are thin but different. Growth is increasing in size, and development is increasing in improvement.
"The creation of more local government will not bring development unless it brings about inclusiveness of the people by providing equal opportunity to all within Badagry without regard to class, group, or association."
"Synergy requires interaction between corporations and the integration of all stakeholders within Badagry. We must remember that posterity will surely judge us all."
Hon. Onilude Olusegun Adeniran, the local government chairman Badagry, said, "As leaders, we must put the people first in our policies. It is time to start mentoring our young ones for leadership, we must shift focus to occupations that encourage developmental strides.
"It is easy to preach tolerance, but we must all work towards our collective interests. I believe we must all work together in the interest of Badagry."
Mr. Sejoro Oke-Tojinu, the chairman of LACAFAN, said Badagry has all it takes to rule the world through the aquatic resources in Badagry and that he hopes a fishery institution will be established in Badagry to train more youths.
Mobolaji Ogunlende, the commissioner for youth and sports, said, The development of Badagry is in the hands of the people, and that development starts from home.
"The political office holders need the prayers, support, and dedication of the people, especially the youths, and they must be ready and willing to play their own role; without that, no matter the empowerment, it won't work. We all need to change our mindset to absorb the change that is coming."
Barrister Kapo Sunday, a member Audit Seveice Commission appealed to all elected and appointed political representatives to have a synergy for a better Badagry.
"The governor has shown us love in Badagry, and this is a new era for everyone in Badagry, and we assure them that the members of this forum will continue to be at the edge to check the activities of our elected and appointed representatives. If everyone works together, there will be collective progress".