_By Duke Diipo Akinsete_
The Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, *Hon. Dr. Seyi Jakande*, demonstrated what *Humanity, Empathy, Work, and Accountability* look like in governance on Monday, June 29, as he visited communities devastated by the over 6-hour downpour of Sunday, June 28.
Within 24 hours of the flood, the Chairman was on the ground. Not in a convoy for optics, but walking through the affected streets to see, feel, and speak with the people.
*HUMANITY & EMPATHY: SHOWING UP WHEN IT MATTERS*
Dr. Jakande toured Ade Akinsanya Street, Olusoji Idowu Street, Bolade Adebanjo, Coker Road, Johnson Street, Odusami Street, Shokunbi/Challenge, Olorunishola Street, Adeshiyan Street, Igbaja Street, Okushaga Street, Shyllon Street, and Ibadan Street.
At each stop, he expressed sympathy to families whose homes and valuables worth millions were lost to the flood.
_“I feel your pain,”_ the Chairman told residents. _“We will not leave you alone in this.”_
He also inspected an abandoned building on Ade Akinsanya Street and an ongoing construction on Coker Road identified as contributing to drainage obstruction.
That presence matters. In times of crisis, people don’t just need money — they need to know their leader sees them.
*WORK: CONTINUITY, NOT REACTION*
This flood did not catch the administration unaware. Since assuming office, Jakande has made *routine desilting of clogged drainages* a priority across the LCDA.
On the tour, he pointed out the recurring issues: blocked drainages, indiscriminate refuse disposal, and buildings sited on water channels.
The message was clear: prevention work is ongoing, but it must be sustained.
*ACCOUNTABILITY: SHARED RESPONSIBILITY*
The Chairman did not shift blame. He owned the government’s role and called citizens to own theirs too.
> “We cannot continue to clog our drainages with debris and expect the government alone to solve flooding,” he said.
> “Every household must ensure their gutters are kept free from waste. Do not drop dirt, plastics, or refuse into the channels. This is the only way we can collectively control perennial floods.”
He, however, assured affected residents of government support and pledged swift interventions to avert a recurrence.
*THE HEWA TAKEAWAY*
This visit was more than a flood inspection. It was *HEWA in motion*:
1. *Humanity* – He showed up within 24hrs.
2. *Empathy* – He spoke to people, not at them.
3. *Work* – He linked the crisis to ongoing desilting and enforcement.
4. *Accountability* – He named causes and demanded shared action.
For Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye, Year 1 of Jakande’s administration is ending with a clear signal: leadership here will be present, practical, and participatory.
As the rains continue, residents and government must now match words with action — clearing drains, obeying planning laws, and protecting public infrastructure. That is the only way to turn _“swift action”_ into lasting solutions.
_Duke Diipo Akinsete writes on governance and community development in Lagos._
