.jpeg)
By Manoah Kikekon
 |
| Ashade Abdulsalam Abiodun and Mobolaji Ogunlende |
Ashade grassroots movement has organised its first annual lectures, where special prayers were offered for the aspiration of Ashade Abdulsalam Abiodun as the local government chairman of 2025 local government elections.
The annual lectures was held on Sunday at Iworo-Awori, Badagry, Lagos State.
At the event, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, the commissioner for youth and social development, commended the boldness of Ashade and said the party is the decision-maker, as that is what Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu wants.
"Abdulsalam, as you have come to me, several other people have done that, and I've told them to go and work. It's not my decision; it's the parties decision, but before you get to that stage, you must also do some work.
"So I'm using this opportunity to say congratulations. This is what we are talking about. This is what Mr. Governor is talking about. If you don't challenge the status quo, you can't move forward. You've taken the bold step, you've taken the right step, and God will be with you. To all the youths here, it's our time, but we must be respectful, follow procedures, and do things accordingly," he said.
The commissioner emphasised the need to be your brother's keeper, and people should do to others as they will want others to do to them.
"We should do to others what others will do to us, and we should be our brothers keeper. If we all have this in mind, then we can live in harmony, irrespective of culture, race, or tribe," he added.
Ashade Abdulsalam Abiodun, the pioneer of Ashade grassroots movement, said the movement was formed out of passion for grassroots development.
"There is no way we want to build a nation without building a state, there is no way we can build a state without building a local government and there's no way we can build a local government without building a community, so this is formed out of our own mission and concern for good governance.
"Ashade grassroots movement is the sociopolitical movement to promote good governance at the grass-roots level, and we are not doing it in isolation of the people, which is why our motto is: leave no one behind," he said.
Ashade said, "The movement consists of youth and women. These are the key people that constitute that larger population of our environment. Of course, we are not leaving the elderly behind. This we are doing under three Es: Engagement, Employment, and Empowerment.
"If you do not engage the community to let them understand what is expected from the government and from the people, that is where we have the gap in communication, which is why we have expectations of some things that are not needed.
He added that the movement is also to engage the youths towards their political aspirations so that they won't be left behind in the governance of the country.
"One of our agendas for the movement is SCHOOL, as it is necessary for everyone to be successful, this does not necessarily mean higher institutions. Security, Community development, Health and environment, Organised Public infrastructure, Open door policy, and Learning (SCHOOL). It's just a platform where the people will pick their own way of engaging the community towards good governance."