FUAD ATANDA LAWAL BOWS OUT IN GRAND STYLE AFTER 8 YEARS AS CHAIRMAN, IKOYI-OBALENDE LCDA ... Commissions remodeled council secretariat, 3 arterial roads

After eight years of meritorious service, Fuad Atanda LawaL has bowed out of office as Chairman, Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area, Lagos State. Lawal spent his last day in office in celebration, surrounded by well-wishers, political associates, chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, council officials, as well as the incoming elected officials of the LCDA, among others. The highlight of the occasion was the official commissioning of the remodeled Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA secretariat and a network of three completed arterial roads off Ikoyi Road, within Obalende.  Former Lagos State Head of Service and current Principal Secretary to President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Hakeem Muri Okunola, was the guest of honour at the event. In his address, Okunola expressed confidence in the quality of leadership and service delivery that can be achieved at the local government level, if given the right opportunity. He thanked President Tinubu for facilitating the financial autonomy of local government councils, which he said has made funds available for development at the grassroots. Okunola, who was represented by Hon Kolawole Penegrino, General Manager of the Lagos State Printing Corporation, said he was happy to return to Obalande to witness the transformation that has taken place under the leadership of the outgoing Chairman.  He commended Fuad Atanda Lawal for serving the people of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA with passion and purpose, thereby touching their lives in many ways through his selfless service, and also for making the leadership of the APC proud during his eight years tenure. On the completed network of arterial roads that were also commissioned during the ceremony, including Oluwa and Maitama Sule, Hakeem Muri Okunola said that would make Obalende more functional, attract new opportunities for residents and uplift the socio-economic development of the area. On his part, the chief celebrant and outgoing Chairman of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Fuad Atanda-Lawal, said that although the event marked the final chapter of his eight years journey, he would always be available to support the incoming administration whenever necessary.  Addressing the gathering at the council secretariat in Obalende, Fuad Atanda Lawal said he served the people of Ikoyi-Obalende with sincerity of purpose and succeeded with the support and sacrifices of his colleagues in the executive and legislative arms, as well as the diligent staff of the council. Lawal said that with his record of achievements over the past eight years, he has been able to demystify the long time believe that local government councils could not deliver democracy dividend to the people. Fuad Atanda-Lawal urged residents of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA to give maximum support to the incoming chairman of the council in order to build on the legacies he was leaving behind and also improve the wellbeing of the people.  Also speaking at the event, the Ikoyi-Obalend LCDA Chairman-elect, Bola Oladunjoye, promised to run an all-inclusive government that will cater to the needs of all residents, irrespective of political affiliation or ethnic bias. The member representing Eti-Osa Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, who was also present at the commissioning ceremony, described local government administration as a critical element for socio-economic development of the country. Hon Yishawu thanked President Bola Tinubu for ensuring that local government councils received and are now enjoying financial autonomy to fast-track development in various areas across the country.