By: Manoah Kikekon
The Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to transformative governance by hosting high-level delegations aimed at boosting community development and youth engagement.
In a series of strategic meetings held on March 31, 2026, the Chairman engaged with ActionAid Nigeria and the Lagos State Scouts Council, signaling a renewed focus on social justice, education, and character building within the ancient city.
The day commenced with a familiarization visit from ActionAid, led by Mr. Adebowale Keinde. This collaboration is set to deepen strategic engagement across the local government, focusing on the core pillars of human rights and inclusive governance.
Hon. Hunpe, joined by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, and the Council Manager, Mrs. Avoseh Senami Oluwakemi, expressed the council’s total readiness to partner with organizations that align with the immediate needs of Badagry residents.
The Chairman emphasized that for governance to be truly "people-centered," it must leverage the expertise of international development partners. The discussions centered on critical areas such as women and youth empowerment, education, and community resilience. By integrating ActionAid’s global experience with local insights, the administration aims to bridge structural gaps and foster sustainable social justice at the grassroots level.
Shifting the focus to the younger generation, Hon. Hunpe also hosted the Badagry Division of the Lagos State Scouts Council, led by Elder Mustapha Ademola Tajudeen. During the session, the Chairman shared a nostalgic reflection on his formative years, citing the Boys Scouts and Boys and Girls Brigade as the bedrock of his discipline and leadership. He noted that these voluntary organizations provide a "foundational platform" for character building that the modern academic system often overlooks.
"These structures help cultivate a sense of duty, resilience, and community spirit," Hon. Hunpe remarked, urging a return to the values of teamwork and responsibility. He stressed that in an era of increasing social distractions, organizations like the Scouts are essential in molding adolescents into responsible citizens who are ready to contribute meaningfully to the community.
The Council Manager, Mrs. Avoseh Senami Oluwakemi, echoed the Chairman's sentiments, praising the Scouts for their enduring legacy in Badagry. She issued a direct challenge to the Council to reactivate and strengthen its presence within local schools. By enrolling new members and reviving the vibrant school-based scouting traditions of the past, she believes the community can effectively combat social vices and promote social cohesion.
This push for school-based youth development is seen as a strategic move to ensure that the "Greater Lagos" vision trickles down to every classroom in Badagry. The administration's goal is to create a seamless pipeline where young people are not only academically sound but also civically engaged and disciplined through structured extracurricular participation.
These back-to-back engagements underscore a clear policy direction for the Hunpe-led administration: Collaborative Progress. By balancing high-level NGO partnerships for economic empowerment with grassroots voluntary movements for social engineering, Badagry is positioning itself as a model for holistic local government administration in Lagos State.