Residents of FESTAC Town and Amuwo Odofin in Lagos have received a clarion call to actively partner with their elected representatives and community leaders to drive the ongoing revival of their neighbourhoods.
Lawmaker Champions Strategic Lobbying for Development
The appeal was made by Mrs Stella Osafile, the member representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly. She spoke at the first-ever end-of-year dinner and community builder award ceremony, an event organised by the Take Back FESTAC initiative.
Osafile reassured residents of her dedication to championing strategic lobbying on their behalf, describing the process as "ongoing and result-oriented." She stressed that meaningful development requires consistent collaboration and engagement with the executive arm of government.
"We are cooking something. Nobody wants to know how you bought the ingredients or how you lit the fire. What they want to see is the soup. And it is my prayer that what we are cooking — the work between the legislator and the executive — will materialise. You will be alive to see it happen," she stated metaphorically.
She clarified the role of lawmakers, noting they do not directly execute projects like road construction. Instead, their duty is to lobby the executive, advocate through budgetary allocations, and monitor implementation to ensure their communities are prioritised. The growth of FESTAC, she concluded, hinges on this continuous engagement.
A Community-Driven, Apolitical Initiative
Also addressing the gathering, the President of Take Back FESTAC, Valentine Ayodele Udu'ebo, framed the group's efforts as a gradual process, estimating current achievements at about 25 per cent.
"It's a gradual process. We are not apostles of microwave or rocket science development. We love things done patiently and in due time. We are not concerned with speed; we focus on achievements," Udu'ebo explained.
He emphasised that the initiative is apolitical and purely community-driven, a fact underscored by the non-political background of all award recipients. "From 1977, nothing like this has ever happened, not in Amuwo. What you hear in Lagos are awards to politicians, people we entrust with our taxpayers' money to build environments. So, why would we want to honour someone we are employing?" he questioned.
The awardees were selected after "serious and significant census and questionnaire surveys." They included individuals who have made substantial investments in the local economy, such as building hotels and industries that employ dozens of people. "You build a three-star hotel with a minimum of 30 to 40 employees — that's not just an environment... No government has ever said thank you to them. We deemed it appropriate to say thank you," Udu'ebo added.
A Call for Values and Continued Service
A member of the Take Back FESTAC executive, Dr Dumebi Owa, called for a broader revival of core values in leadership. He stated, "Take Back FESTAC is more than an infrastructure initiative; it is a moral and cultural reconstruction project aimed at restoring values and fostering sustainable development within FESTAC and its environs."
One of the honoured residents, Folorunsho Ola-Western, said the recognition served as both an honour and a motivation. "More awards mean more responsibility and more intensive delivery of services. Leadership and service are more than political offices; it is a determination to continue being active despite the presence or absence of an office," he remarked.
Another awardee, Dr Jude Ukusare, praised the significance of the recognition coming directly from the community and pledged to collaborate with Take Back FESTAC through his foundation.
Other distinguished residents honoured at the ceremony included Chief Anderson Uhuegbu, Prince Obape, Chief Okoye, and Chief Nwosu.
