….…Says Democracy Must Benefit the People in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye.
Emmanuel lkpeama
There was excitement across Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Authority on Monday as the Executive Chairman of the council, Dr Seyi Jakande,on Monday 25,May 2026,commenced the sale of heavily subsidised rams to residents ahead of the Eid-El-Kabir celebration.
The exercise, held at the council secretariat on Town Planning Way, Ilupeju, attracted thousands of residents who turned out to benefit from the welfare initiative, which saw quality rams valued between ₦350,000 and ₦400,000 sold for only ₦80,000.
The initiative, according to the chairman, was introduced to cushion the effects of economic hardship and enable Muslim faithful and other residents celebrate the Sallah season without excessive financial pressure.
Speaking during the exercise, Dr Seyi Jakande described the programme as part of his administration’s commitment to progressive governance and people-oriented leadership.
He noted that the subsidised ram sales initiative was in fulfillment of promises made during his electioneering campaign to continue programmes that directly impact the welfare of residents.
“During our election campaign, I promised the people of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye progressive governance and continuation of people-oriented and people-centric programmes, and this is one of them,” he stated.
“We will continue to initiate programmes like this to mitigate hardship, especially during festive periods when people are expected to celebrate and rejoice with their families.”
Jakande further stressed that democracy must positively impact the lives of the people, insisting that residents who participate in the democratic process deserve to enjoy its benefits.
“It is our belief that the people who should benefit from the dividends of democracy are those who participate in the democratic process,” he said.
“With this kind of gesture, people will be encouraged to see that democracy is real and that government can truly work for the people.”
The chairman clarified that the council did not request party membership cards from beneficiaries, but rather required valid Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) or temporary PVCs linked to National Identification Numbers (NIN) as proof of residency and civic participation.
According to him, the voter’s card serves as a legitimate means of identification within the local government.
“We are not asking for any party card or party membership. You may choose not to belong to any political party, but it is your civic responsibility to register as a voter once you are 18 years and above,” he explained.
“The PVC carries your address and locality, and we believe that with your PVC, you are a member of our community.”
Jakande also addressed criticisms surrounding the identification process, stating that the measure was not designed to disenfranchise anyone but rather to encourage residents to actively participate in governance and electoral processes.
The chairman disclosed that the exercise, initially scheduled for the morning, had to be shifted to 2 p.m. due to heavy rainfall in order to ensure the comfort and safety of residents.
According to him, his previous experience in local government administration helped in coordinating the process effectively and maintaining order throughout the exercise.
“It would have been unfair to leave people outside in the rain, which was why we delayed the process. As you can see, residents conducted themselves peacefully and in a disciplined manner,” he added.
Residents who benefited from the programme praised the chairman for what they described as a timely intervention in the face of rising living costs and soaring livestock prices.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Kudirat Balogun, described the initiative as a major relief for many families preparing for Eid-El-Kabir celebrations.
“We are sincerely grateful to the chairman for this support. The price of ram in the market is very high, but this subsidy has made it easier for families like ours to celebrate,” she said.
Another resident, Alhaji Rasheed Bello, commended the transparency and organisation of the exercise, noting that the process was peaceful and well coordinated.
“This is a commendable initiative. The chairman has demonstrated leadership that truly cares about the people. Everything was orderly and transparent,” he stated.
Also speaking, Mrs. Aminat Yusuf said the programme reflected the administration’s commitment to grassroots welfare and community development.
“This initiative has brought happiness to many homes. A lot of people who could not afford the market prices of rams can now celebrate comfortably. We appreciate the chairman for remembering the people,” she said.
The successful completion of the subsidised ram sales exercise further reinforced the council administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, community welfare, and people-focused policies within Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA.