By: Manoah Kikekon
ActionAid, under the Local Rights Programme commenced a tripartite model where local government, community, civil society groups, media partners and other relevant stakeholders visited rural communities in discussing developmental challenges and solutions.
The LoGAF had field trip to Ojogun Community, Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Badagry, Lagos State, requiring about 30 minutes boat ride across the water to access the island community.
Speaking on the initiative, Adebowale Keinde, representing ActionAid and Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development explained that the core objective of LoGAF is to bridge the developmental gap between rural and urban areas
> “The objective of LoGAF is to make sure the local government sees the challenges of the people, proffer solutions, and act on them so that people in rural areas can also benefit from what people in urban areas are enjoying relating to access to quality education, healthcare, food security and social services.
During the interactive session, a community representative, Abiodun Ajose, outlined the severe infrastructural and socio-economic hurdles facing the island, highlighting acute shortages in education, healthcare, and road networks.
Related News:
ActionAid’s LoGAF commences community visit to Badagry Rural Communities
HUFFPED and ActionAid Launch Local Government Accountability Forum in Badagry
“On education, we don’t have enough teachers, and the few teachers we have don't come the same day and can't afford to come every day because of the distance. So, the Ojogun community has resorted to supporting teachers whom the community pays." he said.
"Youth unemployment is also high in Ojogun. We need accessible roads; there was a time when we were constructing a road that links to Ago Ajo, but it was eventually abandoned because the community can't afford it,” Mr. Ajose lamented.
Mr. Ajose also drew attention to a dire healthcare crisis and a lack of agricultural support plaguing the agrarian settlement.
“We don't have a health facility in Ojogun and the closest is about 2hour drive including crossing the river. Diring child birth it's usually difficult to get them to the hospital. A few months ago, because of the long distance to the hospital, I lost my baby, and this has happened to several residents of this community. On agriculture, we've not had government presence here. We are farmers here, and we need government support for farm implements and support for livestock farmers too.”
In response to the grievances raised, local council officials pledged immediate and medium-term interventions to address the community's needs.
Akingbade Kadijat, the Head of Department for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) in Olorunda LCDA, commended ActionAid for shedding light on the plight of Ojogun residents.
“Today's programme is commendable, as ActionAid has let us realize the challenges of Ojogun community. We are going to come up with short-term skill acquisition relating to fashion, interior decoration, and also baking being the list of services available now. This will help them to be independent and able to contribute to their families,” Mrs. Kadijat assured.
Echoing similar sentiments, the Education Officer for Olorunda LCDA, Kudoro Johnson, promised that the council would take actionable steps to overhaul the educational infrastructure in riverine zones.
“With engagements like this, we will be able to revive education in our riverine communities and all the interior communities. We have identified the challenges of this school, which the local government will work on by making sure we provide enough desks, benches, and also more teachers,” Mr. Johnson stated.