By Charles Okogene
08054103321 (SMS only)
charlesokogene@yahoo.com
The December 14,2024 edition was the the seventh edition of the Christmas Carol that has always been holding in the Maryland residence of Sir (Chief) Folorunsho and Dame (Chief) Lucy Ajayi who until three years ago, was the executive director of Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
It was uniquely different from the past six editions in more ways than the rest. One in the number of women and kids that grace the occasion.
Two in the number of the crowd that were well managed to the extent that there was no casualties; for this, the organizers of the unfortunate Ibadan, Okija and Lekki events need a lesson or two from the Ajayis on crowd control.
That said the over 5000 women and children were well taken care of with bags of Xmas goodies just as those who missed out on it, were compensated with naira and they were happy.
Kudos has to go to the choir of St. Jude’s Anglican Church Mende Maryland and the over seven clergy men from the church for their beautiful rendition of the very popular Xmas songs and sermon on the essence of the season respectively. Of particular interest was the story of how the carol started at St. Jude’s seven years ago, a story told by the founder who was one of the clergy.
Perhaps, the most touching of the occasion was the story Dame Ajayi told of one Basirat Oseni, a Muslim was the pillar of her support in the hosting of this years edition. Oseni, according, to Ajayi, is based in America and never wanted her identity revealed but Ajayi would not hear such and as my Yourba folks will jocular say decided to ‘be speaker’ at the event.
Below are pictures from the event culled from charlesokogene. com.
For Iju, it has never been this good
As the headline says, the Iju Community in the Ifako/Ijaiye Local Government Area has never been this good. It has never been touch with the dividend/development of democracy like it is currently enjoying under the chairmanship of Prince Usman Akanbi Hazmat who took over the leadership of the LG from Apostle Toba Oke two or so years ago. Even the street where Oke leaves has long been touch with the Midas touch of Hazmat; it was the first to experience the development strides of Hazmat who is the younger brother of the deputy governor of Lagos State, Dr. Femi Hazmat. Oke was the booth of the joke in Obawole area when he could not compete the Akonte Street where he was living until his tenure ran out.
Well let’s leave that since it is not the crux of this story; the essence of this story is that Hazmat, is doing what Oke could not do in his two terms tenure as the chairman of the LG . He started with the remodeling of the popular Ishaga Market, which was inaugurated last week. The market, until last year was made up of block of lock up shops (storey building) that the traders were reluctant to occupy because ‘customers’ will rather patronise stores downstairs especially if what they want is downstairs instead of taking the trouble to go up.
What Hazmat did was to flatten the market in a twinkle of an eye, erected over 20 block of bungalows as shops that eliminated the idea of down and up stair stores. Good thinking, you might say. And the market men and women were beside themselves with joy when the chairman personally inaugurated the shops last week.
Next was the James Street, which he rehabilitated to arrest the flooding the residence of the street experiences during wet season. Though, it took longer time than necessary because of litigations by landlords whose fences gave way for the rehabilitation, everything is now okay and everyone is enjoying the new look James Street while landlords who initially kicked, now using the beautifully laid street as an allibi to jack up their rent.
And if you think James Street is alone, wait until you have seen the UNA Road. It has also wear a new look as it has also been reconstructed and the pupil of UNA Primary School can testify to this.
He has also completed the Akande Street almost at the boundary of Lagos and Ogun state; this, he did with interlocking stones.
… Street, Oke Ayo, is another street he has embarked upon. The street has been widen and is currently been sand filled with red earth as at the time of filing this report and the residents are upbeat with excitement about the development while others are apprehensive that it will come with a cost – increased rent!
However, there are still some streets in the vicinty like Dada Arejogon and Osun/Osogbon streets among others that are still waiting for Hamzat’s touch; until the bulldozer comes roaring, Hamzat has do well for the people of Iju and deserves ‘le ekansi, ‘ a second term this year!
Adonte, oh my Adonte
Like some parts of Iju Community in Lagos State that is have it good like never before under the Ifako/Ijaiye LG chairman… Hazmat, Adonte that agarian settlement in Aniocha South Local Government in the big heart (Delta State), is equally have it nice like never before under the governorship of RT. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
First, the a year plus governor has started answering the prayers of the community by making sure that it is blessed with a road. The community has been earmarked to benefit from the rural road that will connect Nsukwa, and other neighbouring towns – this ending the suffering of the towns folks due to bad road; though, not the real road the indigenes of the town desired and because it is a longer route from Ogwashi Uku, the HQ of Aniocha South LG, like they say, ‘ the desirable is not available, the available becomes desirable.
Next is the local government elective positions, two daughters of the town, …. Has been elected into at the recently concluded local government election held in the state last July.
LAMATA, Policemen and Mile12 Bridge
Woa! I have a story to tell about the above in subsequent editions. I will not open my mouth wide today like ‘apere’ like Fela Anikulapo-Kuti will say, beyond the fact LAMATA officials aided by some policemen have turned foot of the Ojota Bridge as one descend from the bridge onward Ikorodu into a spot where they milk motorists that mistakenly drive on BRT lane. Mistakenly? Yes, because there is no clear at the spot to warn motorists who are descending from the bridge from Mile12 even the sign post that is supposed to warn them, the LAMATA officials have skillfully slanted it so that it is visible to on coming vehicles and the money they collect from the unsuspecting motorists end in their private pocket, not that of LAMATA or police.
Watch out next week for how they fleece the motorists!
When ‘Understanding Celestial Church’
The event was the launching of a book ‘ Understanding Celestial Church’ written by …. that was launched by … Oshoffa, the spiritual head of the church. The two saxophonists contracted to entertain the quality guests made up mainly of ‘cele’ members in Lagos State, stole the show with their agility on the wind pipe.
They were . .. and … plus the church choisters that gave them back up
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