The Chairman, Badagry West Local Council Development Area, Mr Rauf Yemaren has appointed 300 junior and senior special assistants as a reflection of his commitment to inclusive governance and broader grassroots participation.
Yemaren made this appointment on Friday during a breakfast meeting with pressmen with the theme: “Presenting Our Journey so Far” which held at the council’s secretariat.
The chairman said that the appointments were intended to strengthen community engagement, improve communication, support implementation of government programmes and ensure that the concerns of residents were better represented within the administration.
“However, these positions come with responsibilities. They are not merely titles for personal recognition. Every appointee must understand the importance of discipline, loyalty, accountability accessibility and service to the people.
“I expect these appointees to work with the administration, respect established structures of the council and contribute positively to the development of their respective communities.
“We are building a team that understands that public office is a responsibility and that every opportunity to serve must translate into value for the people,” he said.
Yemaren said that his administration within a year in office had undertaken the grading and sand-filling of 60 inner roads across the five wards of Badagry West LCDA.
“These interventions are intended to improve accessibility, ease movement within the communities and support commercial and social activities,” the chairman said.
He said that education remained one of the strongest investments any government could make in the future of it’s people and his administration was committed to improving learning conditions and supporting pupils.
“In this regard, we have completed the renovation of Methodist Primary School, Sawa, as well as the painting of it’s perimeter artistic fence to provide a more conducive environment for learning.
“The construction of a modern computer-based test at Ganyingbo Topa is almost completed with a capacity of 504 candidates, designed to provide a suitable environment for computer-based examinations.
“Also, educational materials such as exercise books, school bags, uniforms, among others have been distributed across the eight public primary schools in the council,” Yemaren said.
The chairman said that his administration had distributed and supported the provision of empowerment equipment to residents across different vocational and business categories.
“These include motorcycles, grinding machines, deep freezers, sewing machines, plumbing tools, cobbler equipment and other items designed to support small businesses and vocational activities,” he said.
Yemaren said that his administration strategically supported 100 women through a foodstuff business empowerment programme valued at N100 million to cover foodstuff businesses.
“In addition, we have also continued to provide monthly cash support and special welfare interventions for persons with disabilities because we believe that
governance must be inclusive,” he said.
The chairman said that they had also supported medical equipment interventions, vaccination exercises, polio eradication campaigns and medical outreach programmes to improve improve awareness and access to basic healthcare services.
Yemaren said that his administration recognised the challenges confronting many women relating to livelihood, healthcare, personal safety and access to opportunities.
“Therefore, in collaboration with the Department of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, we distributed over 2,000 sanitary pads alongside other support items to teenage girls to promote menstrual hygiene and awareness.
“We have also supported campaigns against sexual and domestic violence, encouraging residents to speak up, seek assistance and protect the rights and dignity of women and children.
“We will continue to encourage programmes that empower women, support girls and strengthen families because a healthier and more inclusive community benefits everyone,” he said.
The chairman said that there were still much more projects that needed to be completed and that he remained committed to deliver on the promise of renewed hope, action and accountability.
Yemaren said that his administration would continue to work with the traditional institutions, political leaders, community stakeholders, the media and residents to build a Badagry West that is more prosperous.
