⁣𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐚-𝐈𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐦𝐮 𝐋𝐂𝐃𝐀 𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦

 

By Kayode Olopade 

The Executive Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Jimoh Olawale Saliu (Olugbani), has marked his first 365 days in office with a renewed commitment to tackling drug abuse, cultism and election-related violence in the community.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme organised by the Lagos State Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) at the Apapa-Iganmu LCDA Secretariat, Jimoh expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the successful completion of his first year in office and thanked residents for the confidence reposed in his administration.

The chairman also appreciated political leaders, the legislative arm of the council led by Hon. Abdullahi Adigun Arogundade, and the management team headed by the Council Manager, Mr. Badmus Lateef Omokayode, for their support and collaboration in the council's activities over the past year.

Reaffirming his administration's zero-tolerance policy against social vices, Jimoh pledged continued support for campaigns aimed at eliminating illicit drug use, cultism and election violence across the LCDA. 

He urged residents, particularly young people, to reject criminal activities that threaten lives, disrupt businesses and hinder community development.

"We want a community free from drugs, cultism and election violence to secure a brighter future for our youths and accelerate the development of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA," he said, adding that the council would continue collaborating with the Nigeria Police and other stakeholders to combat crime.

Representing the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, the Area B Commander, ACP Oyinye Onwuamegbu, called on community leaders to take the anti-drug and anti-cultism campaign to motor parks, markets, community development associations, mosques, churches and homes.

She emphasised that effective policing requires active community participation, urging residents to uphold the law and work collectively to rid their neighbourhoods of crime and other social vices.

Similarly, the Divisional Police Officers of Badia Division, CSP Salawu Kazeem Ishola; Amukoko Division, CSP Enyinnaya Edward; and Layeni Division, CSP Afolabi Salawu, appealed to stakeholders to promptly report criminal activities and refrain from shielding offenders, irrespective of their social status.

The Lagos State POCACOV Coordinator, SP Olivia Ugochukwu, led participants in a pledge to reject drug abuse, cultism, election violence and all forms of criminality while promoting peace, respect for the rule of law and responsible citizenship.

Certificates of participation were presented to stakeholders in recognition of their commitment to the community sensitisation programme themed "Say No to Drug Abuse, Cultism and Election Violence."

The event attracted a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including the Vice Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Hon. Chief Mrs. Fadekemi Otitonaiye; former House of Representatives member Hon. Adewale Babatunde Jimoh; members of the legislative council; council officials; market leaders; transport unions; community development associations; youth groups; police officers; and other community stakeholders.