Improving the welfare of the people is my goal- Shammeh
The chairman, Isolo Local Council Development Area, Hon. Shamsudeen Olaleye, known by his admirers as Shammeh, spoke to Echonews’ Damilola Kusimo on the achievements of his administration
You served a three year first term and a four year second term as chairman of the Isolo Local Council Development Area. How do you feel about this achievement?
I thank Allah, the Merciful for giving me the rare opportunity to serve the good people of Isolo. I thank the residents, the community and political leaders for their support and co-operation. Without them, I and my entire administrative and political team could not have gone this far.
What motivated you to go into politics?
It is the passion to improve the welfare of the common man and woman. The belief that government can be used to touch the lives of people and make them better citizens. For the welfare of the people is the purpose of government. The needs of the people are many but gradually and with focus, we can meet the basic needs and make many people happy.
Good roads are considered critical to development, how would you score your administration on roads?
Despite socio-economic problems experienced this year, our road infrastructure drive was extended to Ago-Okota, The roads we have commissioned so far include Dotun Adeagbo, Hakeem Onitiri, Sylvester Anyanwu, Nwakiba and Adejoke Sumbo, Lukman Atobajeun, Moshalashi Street, Asa Afariogun via Kolawole Shonibare and Chivita Avenue.
What has been the focus on education?
Everybody knows that education is important to the growth of our society because it enables us to nurture the next generation. Our administration successfully reconstructed Akinbaiye Primary School. We procured two 100-seater school buses to convey children to the school village. This innovation was informed by the need to reduce the risk the students are exposed to on their way to and from school. We also introduced N50, 000 bursary for undergraduates and 250 graduates have benefitted so far. We have also distributed exercise books to primary schools in the seven political wards of the development area.
Health, they say, is wealth. Local governments are charged with the responsibility of primary health.
Yes, health is very important and we take it seriously. You can go and do your research. All primary health care centres operate optimally across the council with commendable service delivery in primary health care. Our model PHC in Ilasamaja operates 24 hour service with qualified doctors and nurses on hand to attend to emergency cases. The others at Isolo, Ajao Estate, Apena, Okota, Ishagatedo and LSPDC Estate operate day services.
Aside running ante-natal and post-natal clinics in all the PHCs, we have also distributed maternity packs to pregnant women to reduce the financial burden of getting such packs as well as facilitating their safe delivery.
Government is expected to take care of the under-privileged, how have you fared in this area?
In the last three years in office, our administration has continually extended helping hands to the widows, senior citizens and the physically challenged, within Isolo council area in fulfilment of our campaign promises. Though the toke of N10, 000 and food items may not be enough to turn their lives around, it represents the council’s modest way of connecting with the deprived members of the LCDA. The first batch of the Endowment Programme was held in August 2017 with 100 people benefitting. Another 100 benefitted from the second batch on the 21st of April, 2018. The third batch of the programme was held in April, this year to bring the total to 300.
There have been improvements in the council’s working environment. Is this also part of your legacies?
Of course, as an administration that places premium on the comfort of our workforce, we have spent the last three years on the gradual renovation of offices starting from re-roofing, re-painting and restructuring of administrative blocks A,B,C, D and E while work is already going on at the Engineering block. It will include the construction of a 1,000 capacity hall that would also augment the council’s revenue generation.
