By ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ฃ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐, Lagos
Leadership is about determination to confront the challenges facing the people and focusing on solutions. It also entails improving security, laying a good foundation and engendering a more prosperous community.
It would be an understatement to postulate that the executive chairman of Apapa Iganmu LCDA Hon. Jimoh Olawale Saliu has steadily focus on the improvement of lives of residents of the LCDA, bringing an even development across board since assumption of office.
As the administration marks its one year in office and celebrate its landmark achievement, Hon. Jimoh’s accomplishments, which have become an exemplar to others, have undoubtedly won him accolade within and outside the local government.
Undoubtedly, Apapa Iganmu has experienced some challenges in the area of flood, which has brought pains to our people. The recurring flooding has continued to disrupt economic and social activities across the council area.
Without embarking on blame game, it is important to note that Hon. Jimoh did not inherit a council in perfect shape. The Obaale bridge canal, the Gaskiya canal, the Lambert Metal Company, now operating as Sifax, which occupies a major drainage channel leading to the Lagos Lagoon amongst others have remained blocked before the advent of this administration.
Contrary to wide held opinion by someย ignorant residents, the on going construction of the Pharmaceutical Village at Whitesand Iganmu, predates this administration, without any input into its existence.
Similarly, it will not be out of place to note that the heap of refuse at the end of Ireti -Owoseni in Badia, ditto the fruit market at Sari off Adeleye junction and the erection of structures along canals and drainage corridors, which obstruct the free flow of water are handiworks of residents. The menace of indiscriminate dumping of refuse and blockage of canal is long-standing and deeply rooted.
Less we forget, the issue of flooding is a global phenomenon, not peculiar to Nigeria, Lagos and by extension Apapa Iganmu LCDA. It will interest you to know that what we witnessed in the community is a child play to that of areas such as Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Ibeju-Lekki, Eti-osa, Ajeromi Ifelodun,Ojo amongst other blighted areas in the state.
However, as people centric leader, committed to the well being of the residents, Hon. Jimoh has made significant andย measurable progress contrary to theย assertion of some pockets of critics, the natural pull him down (PhD) holders.
For the critics, it’s instructive to state that governance is a shared responsibility. While it is the responsibility of the government to engender good governance, the residents also have a critical role to play by maintaining a good environment worth livable.
As a saying in Yoruba tribe that ” Ariwo oja, koni kama sowo”, meaning market noise doesn’t stop the trader from trading, the criticism only reinforced the Hon. Jimoh’s determination and commitment towards meeting the yearnings of the good people of Apapa Iganmu.
When Hon. Jimoh came on board, he launched the ” Operation Clean -Up Initiative”, in conjunction with the Councillors across the seven Wards, where blocked gutters were desilted and evacuated. This has become a routine exercise on weekly basis. In addition, the “Waste -To- Wealth” initiative organised in partnership with 7UP Bottling Company Plc is a top notch programme that has not only reduced waste products, but put money in the pockets of participants.
On the much talked about flooding of the community, the “Olugbani magic wand”, which made the flood to disappear within few hours on the third day has continued to generate applause from the good people of Apapa Iganmu LCDA. Unknown to many, it caused Hon. Jimoh a sleepless night and officials of the ministry of the environment to clear the blockage at Liverpool axis of the canal for easy passage of the flood to Tincan Island, creating relief for residents of Apapa Iganmu, Ajeromi and neighbouring communities affected by the flood. He capped the efforts with the hiring of Swamp Buggy tractor for three weeks continuous work, clearing silt, debris on system five canal to halt excessive flooding, overflow of floodwaters onto roadsย and surrounding properties beyond Apapa Iganmu LCDA.These efforts demonstrate commitment, not failure.
Hon. Jimoh has also set records in infrastructure delivery, with the construction and commissioning of Akinola Street road, Sari, rehabilitation and commissioning of Amusu street, Badia, completion and commissioning of Makanjuola street road,phase 1, with the phase 2 to be commissioned soon andย refurbishment of Magistrate Court at Sari Area office, Oko-efo.
Interestingly, construction work has commenced simultaneously at Kadri street road, ward “E”, Makanjuola street road, ward ” A” and Ireti- Owoseni street road, ward “C”, with the a slab – covered gutter completed.
In the education sector, the third term long holiday between August and September, 2025, witnessed the launching of the “Olugbani Summer Classes” for Primary 4-6 and SSS 1-3, emphasising academic, moral leadership standard. He also provided 3, Free Exercise Books, 1,000 T- shirts to all participants, provided free GCE forms to 100 top performing students via mock exams, organised preparatory classes for them,including stipends for transportation to their respective examination centres.
In an effort to justify the removal of the fuel subsidy by the federal government, Hon. Jimoh is about to display the gain in Apapa Iganmu LCDA, with the branding of free school uniforms to primary school pupils
Further more, he provided 250 forms to students along free JAMB tutorial, established four centres for Mass Adult Education & Skill Acquisition in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Tertiary Education, Agency for Mass Education, facilitated admission for prospective applicants of Apapa Iganmu LCDA into Lagos State University of Education ( LASUED) and Yaba College of Technology.
Unprecedentedly, no fewer than 25 students of higher institutions from the council have been singing the praises of the council helmsman for facilitating the APM Terminal Scholarship for them.
In the Health sector, he sponsored payment of eye surgery for 10 patients and two others with serious health challenges, secured a parcel of land in Ward “C” Badia for a world class PHC, with construction set to begin soon, facilitation of NYSC serving Doctors across the PHCs, renovated Ojora Olugbode PHC at Amusu street in collaboration with Port Terminal and Management Limited (PTML), restocked Olojowon, Oko-Efo, Amusu PHCs pharmacies with essential drugs.
In the same vein, theโฃ council in partnership with 7Up Bottling Company Plc, recently renovated and commissioned the Sari Primary Health Centre, with features such as solar inverter system, a fully equipped laboratory, an improved waiting area, pharmaceutical services, HIV counselling and testing, Antenatal, Postnatal clinic, tuberculosis DOTs clinic, Child welfare & immunization clinic amongst others.
Moving forward, 1000 residents offered free medical care during his first medical outreach held at Apapa Iganmu LCDA Secretariat and Onakoya Hall, Apapa Elemu simultaneously and the second medical outreach in collaboration with Students Union of the Lagos State University College of Medicine, held at open space at Baale Bus stop, along Sari Iganmu road.
It is instructive to emphasis that Hon. Jimoh has proven not only to be a reform- minded and courageous leader but also an innovator, for instance, craving a professionally led security architecture, achieving relative peace across the length and breathe of the LCDA. It is important to note that, prior to Hon. Jimoh’s assumption of office, Apapa Iganmu hitherto was a beehive of cultists, engrossed in routine bloody clashes, disrupting the peace of the communities.
The relative peace is achieved through regular security meetings with heads of the security formations which include the Nigeria Army, Navy, Police, NDLEA, NSCDC, LNSC, paramilitary agency and the Apapa Iganmu LCDA Security Network, including zero tolerance for illicit drugs, cultism, unnecessary gathering and night party.
Other achievements in this sector include procurement of three Hilux vehicles for the Security Team, construction of a new Guard Post at the Orile Police Station in partnership with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), sponsorship of 10 security personnel for Drone & Intelligent Training at the Police College, Ikeja.
Undoubtedly, Hon. Jimoh has etched his name in the hearts of the staff by prioritising their welfare and training. Unprecedentedly, he purchased a 32-seater coaster staff bus, 18 seaters Hummer bus for the revenue unit, a pick up Hummer Van for the engineering department, sponsorship of staff on different seminars & training on capacity building, both locally and abroad to gain advance insights on more better service delivery. Office equipment of different types were also provided for all the departments.
Similarly, Hon. Jimoh celebrated 32 retirees of the LCDA from January 2022 to December 2025, as part of activities marking his 100 days in office, gifting the retirees N250,000 each. This gesture remains unprecedented in the history of the council created in 2003 .
In the area of digital empowerment and ICT, the Apapa Iganmu Wealth Creation and Employment Centre was established, with the ICT Hub at the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Public Library operationalised as a 24/7 centre for employability training and soft skill acquisition, job placement support. In addition, it serves as workstation for remote workers, powered by uninterrupted solar energy and free high speed internet, bridging the divide and enabling the youth to compete in the global economy.
Hon. Jimoh also facilitated the Lagos State Employability Trust Fund (LSETF) Loan for 500 residents made up of trader, small business owners and artisans across the LCDA in order to boost their businesses.
Sport Development also received its own share of the Hon. Jimoh’s strides, with the sponsorship of four youths for advanced coaching course at the National Institute for Sports. He also sponsored the male and female football teams tagged “Olugbani Boys & Girls” with moral and financial support to win laurels at various football tournaments within and outside the state.
* Winner of the Orumogege Female Football Tournament in Ogbomosho, Oyo state on 18th December, 2025.
* Winner of Asisat Ishola Football for Girls at Arena stadium, Lagos on 26th, December 2025.
* 2nd position & Silver Medal winner of the 10th edition of the Ayishat Yusuf Aromire Foundation Football Tournament on 3rd January, 2026.
* 2nd position & winner of Silver Trophy at the 5th edition of Afusat Olabimpe Football Championship, Ikorodu Lagos state on 15th February, 2026.
Stomach infrastructure is another area that gained the attention of the Hon. Jimoh’s administration. A total of 13, 000 households were offered “Ounje Olugbani” during the commemoration of 100 days in office, regular food palliative at Ramadan, Easter and Christmas festivities.
Legislative welfare was not left out as each of the Councillors were bought exotic cars to enhance performance and efficient discharge of legislative duties.
In order to ensure the councillors discharge theirย legislative function in an ambient of comfort, Hon. Jimoh has procured a parcel of land for the construction of a befitting legislative chamber, with work to commence in earnest.
Human capital development is another area given special attention. At least 100 members of the community, drawn across tribes were appointed as Senior Special Assistant (SSA), with a mouth watering monthly salary.
Though we are not there yet, as no government can address the plethora needs of the citizens, but Hon. Jimoh’s impact and inclusiveness is being felt by the less privileged, physically challenged people, the CDAs & CDC members, grassroot politicians, non – politicians, technocrats, the Islamic groups, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), traditionalists, market men and women across board.
Leadership is about determination to confront the challenges facing residents and their well being. Hon. Jimohย is steadily staying the course, focusing on solutions, not rhetoricโinvesting in reforms, upscaling growth of businesses, improving security, and laying the groundwork for a more prosperous Apapa Iganmu.