Lagos State Government has promised its commitment and unalloyed support towards the economic development of Ikorodu division. This assurance was contained in a statement made by Barr Olayinka Oladunjoye, Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry at the maiden edition of Ikorodu Economic Summit, organised by the Ikorodu Oga Development Association (IKODASS) in conjunction with Advocates for Community Economic Development, A-CED, a not-for-profit research based organization.
The well attended summit themed, Stabilizing the Local Economy was held at Origin Gardens & Zoo where key players in the Ikorodu division local economy gathered to rub minds on how to harness the division’s enormous natural and human resources for the benefit of the division and Lagos state in general.
Hon Oladunjoye who commended the efforts of Ikorodu Oga Development Association (IKODASS) for its forthrightness in organising the community-based initiative commended the choice of the theme for the summit, which she said was apt and timely. She also used the occasion to challenge other divisions of the state to take a cue from Ikorodu division by initiating similar development initiatives.
In her remarks as a panelist, Hon Oladunjoye expressed delight at the initiative while acknowledging that government alone cannot drive economic development of the state. She disclosed that government was open to partnerships with individuals, groups and corporate organizations with realistic feasibility study to explore the enormous economic potentials across the state.
‘As a government, we will continue to provide promotional tools through policies and programmes towards the task of achieving the goal of sustainable trade, industrial and economic development of Ikorodu division’, she stated.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of Ikorodu Oga Development Association, IKODASS Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru explained that the Ikorodu Economic Summit was conceived to stimulate the economic development of the entire Ikorodu division, using the bottom up approach.
The vibrant IKODASS Chairman boasted that, ‘without fear of contradiction, any type of business will thrive in Ikorodu’. He added that, IKODASS as a forward looking community development organization felt that it would be wrong for the people to continue to wait on government to drive community development, hence the hosting of the summit as a platform for stimulation Ikorodu’s development.
Present at the summit were Hon Babajimi Benson, Member, House of Reps, Hon S.O.B Agunbiade Majority leader, Lagos state house of assembly and Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Development. Others were Hon Sesan Daini and Princess Jumoke Ademeyin-Jimbo of Igbogbo-Baiyeku and Ikorodu West LCDAs respectively, while Princess Folashade Olabanji Oba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government represented the Chairman, Hon Wasiu Adeshina.
Royal fathers in attendance were the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiu Orimadegun Kasali, Oba Akeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, Obateru of Egbin Kingdom and Oba Richard Ogunsanya, Olubeshe of Ibeshe among other distinguished guests.
