Hon. Grace becomes Chief Whip in Ejigbo shake-up
By Motolani AbdulGafar
The only woman councillor in the Ejigbo LCDA Legislative Arm, Hon. Grace Nwankwo-Okere has emerged the new Chief Whip following a shake-up.
Okere, (Ifoshi ward) switched positions with Hon. Suraju Muritala, (Aigbaka ward), the former Chief Whip who is the new Majority Leader.
Following the changes, the councillors held their first sitting to commence official duties last week and later adjourned for three weeks.
During their inauguration on Thursday, July 29, 2021, Hon. Olanrewaju Akinbowale (Larry) was re-elected as the council leader while Hon. Ismail Omoniyi also returned as deputy leader.
However, disagreement ensued when Hon. Omoniyi opposed the return of Hon. Grace Okere-Nwankwo as the majority leader and Hon. Surajudeen Muritala as the chief whip.
ECHONEWS gathered that the councillors belong to two different caucuses – The Mandate Movement (TMM) and Justice Forum (JF) who were struggling for leadership positions, arguing over which caucus is rightful to take over the positions of majority leader and chip whip after the council leader and the deputy council leader positions have been occupied.
Dating from the previous administration, it was gathered that the leader, Hon. Olanrewaju Akinbowale and the majority leader, Hon. Grace Okere-Nwankwo belong to The Mandate Movement while the deputy leader, Hon. Ismail Omoniyi and the chief whip, Hon. Surajudeen Alani Muritala belong to Justice Forum (JF) respectively.
In contrast, after retaining the position of deputy leader via election, councillors of Justice Forum (JF) caucus argued that the position of majority leader should be extended to them as they had in previous administration served as Chief whip.
Their position over the appointment is that the positions of the deputy leader and majority leader be voted for with the fact that these two councillors are from their own caucus.
Speaking to ECHONEWS, the council leader said the issue has been resolved.
He said the council chairman had contacted the party leadership and they have resolved the issue.
He explained that the position of the majority leader has been given to Hon. Surajudeen Muritala of Justice Forum (JF) while Hon. Grace Okere-Nwankwo finally settled for the position of Chief Whip.
ECHONEWS gathered that the members of The Mandate Movement were not happy about the settlement but have to accept the decision of the party.
Meanwhile, Akinbowale said he has set to work and will ensure continuity of developmental proposed laws in the council area.
He informed that all the councillors would soon go for training programme that would equip them for the task ahead and promised to expect more developmental programmes that would be executed in each ward henceforth.
Hon. Chief (Mrs) Grace Amarachi Nwankwo- Okere is the Ada Ndigbo ji eje mba 1 na Lagos State and the Adatugo 1 of Ndigbo in Lagos State.
She is an Ex-officio Ndigbo in APC Lagos State, woman leader Regional leaders council Lagos State.
She is the Managing Director of Klass Beauty Home Enterprises.
Grace was born to the family of Chief and Lolo Uma-Okoro Uma in Abia State on the January 9, 1977.
She obtained her 0’level result in the year 1994, also diploma in computer 2012, Mass Communication in 1998 from University of Lagos State and B.A in English Language and Literature in 2006 from Nnamdi Azikwe University.
She is also a member of council of Igbo Chief of Elders in Ejigbo.
A member of Lagos State Trademark and Artisans. Also a member of PCRC Ejigbo chapter. Matron Ohaneze Ndigbo Ejigbo Lagos.
She is a Matron of Music Association of Nigeria, Ejigbo chapter. Matron, vigilante Group of Nigeria, Adviser of Lagos State Barbers, Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association (LABHCA),
She is the Yeye Oge of LABHCA, and the first Queen of LABHCA Institute of Cosmetologist and Hair Management (LICOHM).
Grace has received so many awards because of her selfless services in humanity and her dogged efforts in grassroots human development.
