One Year In Office:Kareem Abiodun Marks Anniversary With Road,School And Empowerment In Oto Awori LCDA.

Emmanuel Clement 

Oto-Awori, Lagos–It was a celebration of multiple projects as the Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Hon. Kareem Azeez Abiodun (Asejere),has marked his first year in office with the commissioning of infrastructure projects, empowerment initiatives and other interventions across the council.

The anniversary celebration, held on September 16, 2026, featured the commissioning of projects executed under the administration’s Asejere Agenda, including roads, a 12-classroom school building and a solar-powered water facility, as well as grants to Community Development Associations, CDAs, and support for security agencies.

In a detailed scorecard address titled “Budget of Transformation,”Abiodun said his administration prioritized roads, drainage, education, healthcare, security, youth development, women empowerment, sanitation, infrastructure and staff welfare since assuming office on September 16, 2025.

He listed the rehabilitation and construction of roads, renovation of healthcare facilities, installation of solar-powered streetlights, construction of an ultra-modern legislative building and renovation of community facilities among projects undertaken in the last 12 months.

According to him, on November 18, 2025, his administration commissioned three landmark roads which include Mosholashi-baale road with drainage in shibiri (80 meters),reconstruction of ese-ofin jetty and road (362 meters) opening riverine access, and jesuwame-Igbonla road with drainage (538 meters).

Other interventions include grading of Elesho estate road, Oke agbo road and Cele road, rehabilitation of babalola road with interlocking stones on May 15, 2026,commencement of Kareem Street (456 meters) and patching of bad portions from Badagry Expressway to Ashiribo Bus Stop.

• In education and infrastructure, Kareem cited the delivery of a 12-classroom block at Community Nursery and Primary School, Ilemba-Awori on March 12, 2026, renovation of Ajewanwa Primary School, renovation of Adaloko Community town hall, construction of palliative wooden bridge linking Ketu to Adaloko,renovation of skill acquisition and ICT center at Ijanikin, installation of solar street lights at five bus stops, and connection of Ido-Oluwo Ile, Igbode, Idoye, Ojaje and Ikotun ase to the National Grid.

On social interventions, he highlighted N5 million cooperative support for women,N250,000 business grant each to 100 women, N50,000 cash plus food palliatives to 100 widows and the aged,500 free JAMB forms with N500,000 to top scorers, free GCE forms, free exercise books to 16 primary schools, youth empowerment programmes, ICT training and free medical missions.

Abiodun went further to express appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, council officials, staff and residents for their support, while calling for continued cooperation in implementing his administration’s programmes.

“From roads to classrooms. From light to livelihood. From security to dignity.

This is not just governance. This is service with sincerity. This is Oto-Awori LCDA Rising. Asejere la ma se o!,” he declared.

Investigator news reports that among the projects commissioned was the new kareem road in shibiri (456 meters with drainage).

The road is expected to improve movement, ease traffic challenges and boost economic activities.

Hon. (Pastor) Ojelabi, who commissioned Kareem Road, said the APC would establish an assessment committee to verify the council’s reported achievements.

He urged residents to take ownership of the infrastructure by supporting maintenance, sanitation and security efforts, while advising CDAs to collaborate with PSP operators on waste management.

Ojelabi also called on the residents to vote for all APC Candidates in Lagos including the incumbent president, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu so that they can continue to enjoy more dividends of democracy

Also commissioned was a new storey building containing 12 classrooms at Community Nursery and Primary School, Ilemba-Awori, by the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun.

The Commissioner commended the council chairman for prioritising education, describing the project as an investment in the future of children and a contribution to providing a more conducive learning environment.

The Headteacher of the school, Dr. Mrs. Oriade Modupeola Deborah,in her vote of thanks,said the project demonstrated the impact of grassroots development, noting that construction commenced immediately after the administration assumed office and was completed within a year.

Earlier,the Education Secretary, Ojo LGEA,Hon. Kolawole Esrom Abiola,commended the council’s investment in education, citing school rehabilitation, provision of furniture and monthly support for school managers.

Investigator news gathered that another major project commissioned was an industrial-grade, solar-powered water system at Ojota a riverine community that has faced prolonged water challenges.

The facility is expected to provide residents with more sustainable access to clean water.

In support of community development, the chairman presented N1 million each to 10 CDAs,to support grassroots micro-projects.

Beneficiaries are Teju Royal Garden Estate, Ketu-Ijanikin; New Mebamu Extension/Adekanbi Estate, Ketu-Ijanikin; Rose Garden Phase 2; God’s Glory Estate; Eloso-Ilosu; Ekugbo; Itakete-Imude; Unity Shibiri-Ekunpa; God’s Grace and Elemijaiye CDAs.

The council also presented operational vehicles to the Oto-Awori Police Division, Local Security Joint Task Force (JTF) and Community Development Committee (CDC).

Presenting the police vehicle on behalf of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Area K Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Adeleke Smith,commended the chairman for supporting security operations, saying the vehicle would strengthen patrol and rapid-response efforts.

The anniversary also featured an empowerment programme through which residents received deep freezers, grinding machines, barbing kits, generators, popcorn machines, tiling equipment, sewing machines and hair-drying machines.

A free health mission, including eye screening and distribution of medicated glasses, was also organised for residents.

Speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Sule Tolani commended Abiodun’s inclusive and people-oriented approach, saying the chairman had combined infrastructure development with human empowerment and support for education at all levels.

Similarly, APC candidate for Ojo Federal Constituency,Hon. Bolaji Kayode Robert (Bibiire) described Abiodun as a work-focused chairman whose interventions had covered infrastructure, education, healthcare and security.

Speaking with newsmen,the APC candidate for Lagos State House of Assembly, Ojo Constituency II, Hon. Surajudeen Olatunji Tijani (Emir), said the Asejere Agenda was reflected in the projects and programmes being delivered across the council, describing the administration as an example of purposeful grassroots leadership.

Entrepreneur, philanthropist and APC stalwart,Hon. Olawale Aganga Williams, also commended the chairman for his interventions in empowerment, security, market support and community development

The occasion attracted a broad representation of the council’s political, traditional, administrative and community leadership.

Those in attendance included the Vice Chairman and Supervisor for Works, Hon. Moses Olabisi Aina; Chairperson, Alhaja Nusirat AbdulKareem; Leader of the House, Hon. Audu Sulaiman Awoyemi and other councillors; Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Ajose Ezekiel Tekobo; Chief of Staff, Hon. Mumuni Kabiru, supervisors and management staff led by the Council Manager, Mrs. Whenu Olamide.

Others are Oba Momodu Afolabi Ashafa, Onijanikin of Ijanikin Kingdom; Oba Josiah Olanrewaju Aina, Oloto of Oto-Awori Kingdom; Oba Nofiu Odu-Owoiya, Elete of Ete Kingdom; and Oba Muritala Kayode Abu Disu-Kosoko, Elekunpa of Ekunpa Kingdom.

Also present were Baales, the CDC Executive Council and CDAs led by Mr. Bodunrin Mendes; security agencies; market men and women led by the Iya Oja General of Oto-Awori LCDA, Alhaja Risikat Amure; APC LGA Chairman, Mr. Hezekiah Olakunle Falade and ward executives; APC leaders and party members; the Ex-Councillors Forum; artisans; road transport unions; and the NULGE Executive Council, Oto-Awori LCDA branch, led by Comrade Olamilekan Ashebeji Yaqub.