AMBODE CELEBRATES EID EL-KABIR WITH CDAs, CDCs
… Restates Commitment To A Lagos That Works For All
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has called on Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Committees (CDCs) to be symbols of peace and harmony in their various communities, just as he restated his determination to continue to promote peaceful coexistence of all residents of the State regardless of their tribe, religion and political affiliations.
Ambode made the call on Sunday during the celebration of the 2018 Eid -El Kabir Muslim festival with members of the Community Advisory Council and Community Development Associations across the State at the Police College Parade Ground, Ikeja, Lagos
The Governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Communities and Communications, Mr. Hakeem Sulaimon, urged all residents of the State to be prepared to play their parts in the development of the State even as they aspire to turn their aspirations into reality in the Centre of Excellence.
He commended the CDAs for their roles in protecting government infrastructure within their domains describing them as strong pillars of his administration.
In his words, “Let me again use this opportunity to reassure all residents that we remain committed to the welfare and well-being of all citizens irrespective of their location within the State without prejudice to the ethnic, religious, political and socio-economic background”.
He also used the occasion to commend Community Development Associations who have completed their self-help projects and also advised those who are yet to complete theirs to do so in earnest.
Ambode told the CDA members that his promise to provide annual grants to complete self-help projects within their various neighbourhoods subsists, stressing that the fulfilment of the promise was hinged on the judicious use of the N500 million grant given to 275 Community Development Associations recently.
“As we speak, we have over 200 different projects going on simultaneously in different locations across the State and this has greatly assisted in providing jobs for the citizenry”, the Governor added.
He further disclosed that the state government is using a multi-faceted approach in tackling the issue of insecurity with the provision of security apparatus for security agencies on one hand and through empowerment initiatives for the teeming population who would have resorted to crime as a result of idleness on the other.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communities and Communications, Mr. Hakeem Sulaimon in his welcome address delivered by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Fola Padonu informed the gathering that the celebration offers an opportunity for everyone to continue to showcase the spirit of peaceful coexistence, harmony, unity, and tolerance which according to him is the essence of Eid El-Kabir.
He posited that the Governor had always been at the forefront of propagating the values of oneness, saying that one of the ways the Governor is promoting this is by identifying and celebrating with the residents on the occasion.
He maintained that though the present administration under the leadership of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has invested massively in community development, there is the need for members of the various associations to continue partnering with the government in its quest to deliver improved infrastructure and developmental projects.