Sanitation: Osikoya canvasses participation, gains community endorsement

 

Endorsement

 An aspirant, under All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ikeja Constituency II, Mrs Abimbolo Osikoya, has urged residents to participate in the reintroduced environmental sanitation exercise.

Osikoya made the appeal during a sanitation sensitisation walk from Ojodu-Berger to Ogba on Saturday amist strong backing from community members and campaign supporters.

Speaking at the occasion, spanning Berger to Ogba axis of Ikeja, the APC aspirant said awareness and community mobilisation remained key to sustaining a clean environment.

“Everybody knows that environmental sanitation is back. The work now is about awareness, to tell our people in Ikeja constituency to come out.

“Ikeja is known for excellence and cleanliness, so we are encouraging everyone to participate and keep the environment clean,” she said.

The aspirant said her decision to contest the Ikeja Constituency II seat was driven by her experience and commitment to community development.

“I am vying for the Lagos State House of Assembly because I believe I have the experience and capacity to serve.

“I have served as a sole administrator, worked in ACME, and participated in several committees. These experiences have prepared me for the task ahead,” she said.

Oshikoya also advocated greater inclusion of women in governance, stressing the need to give women opportunities to contribute to societal development.

“It is time for women to take their place. We are compassionate, caring and empathetic.

“When it comes to management and leadership, women have a lot to offer. We should be given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully,” she said.

On party primaries and political competition, she called for fairness and openness.

“They should allow us to go to the primaries so that people can test their popularity. Democracy is about giving everyone a fair chance,” she said.

She further urged residents to shun voter apathy and participate in the electoral process.

“I appeal to constituents to come out and vote for candidates of their choice.

“Participation is key to strengthening our democracy,” she said.

Reacting to public perception about her party, Oshikoya called for patience, noting that ongoing reforms required time to yield results.

“Our President is implementing policies that will bring positive change.

“Four years is not enough to achieve everything, so Nigerians should give more time to see the impact,” she said.

The aspirant also disclosed that she empowered not fewer than 500 residents, particularly elderly women, with food items as part of activities marking the sanitation exercise.

“I decided to support them because they came out for the exercise. Starting with elderly women, we are distributing rice to appreciate them and show that we care,” she said.

Meanwhile, some residents and campaign supporters expressed confidence in Osikoya’s candidacy, citing her grassroots connection and philanthropic record.

Mrs Kafilat Ahmed, the Iyaloja of Akiyode community said the aspirant had demonstrated empathy and responsiveness to the needs of the people.

“We are mothers in this community and we understand what people are going through.

“Sometimes, those we send may not respond to our needs.

“But we believe that if she gets there, she will listen to us and attend to our requests,” Ahmed said.

She added that Oshikoya’s track record had earned her widespread acceptance.

“People already know her as a giver.

Many residents are in support of her aspiration,” she said.

Also speaking, the Director-General of her campaign, Mr Gab Oguntola, said the aspiration had gained traction since its formal declaration about two weeks ago.

“We declared our intention about two weeks ago and it was widely covered.

“The campaign is driven by her passion for the community, her support for government initiatives and her commitment to youth development,” he said.

Oguntola noted that participation in the sanitation exercise was also aimed at supporting the Lagos State Government’s environmental development initiative.

“We are aligning with the government to promote a cleaner Lagos. We are also sensitising residents to take responsibility for their environment,” he said.

Oguntola added that the campaign would intensify grassroots engagement to mobilise more support ahead of the elections.(NAN)