The Executive Chairman of Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Ishola Jimoh Abiodun, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, welcomed community leaders and grassroots stakeholders to an interactive meeting aimed at fostering stronger collaboration between community development practitioners and newly elected council chairmen across Lagos State.
The high-level engagement, held at Magrettas Events Hall, Ekoro Road, Abule-Egba, Agbado/Oke-Odo was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development.
It brought together community practitioners, Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Committees (CDCs), and local government executives to discuss ways of deepening synergy in grassroots governance.
Hon. Abiodun was ably represented by the Vice Chairman of Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA, Hon. Kehinde Shobayo, who delivered the chairman’s keynote address and extended a warm welcome to all participants.
Describing the meeting as a “watershed moment” for grassroots administration, Hon. Abiodun—through his representative—commended the Ministry for initiating what he termed “a right step in the right direction.”
He stressed that the forum would give newly elected council chairmen and community leaders the chance to exchange firsthand knowledge on issues affecting local governance and the administration of CDAs across Lagos State.
“As the number one citizen of Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA and the host council for this event, I warmly welcome all participants to this important interactive session on building synergy and promoting a harmonious working relationship between community practitioners and our local government leaders,” the chairman stated in the address delivered by Hon. Shobayo.
The chairman revealed that Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA boasts 320 registered Community Development Associations, underscoring the administration’s readiness to partner with them in achieving rapid infrastructural and social development.
“Our programmes and policies will be tailored towards meeting the social and infrastructural needs of our communities. I want to state unequivocally that our administration will carry along our CDC and CDAs in policy formulation and implementation,” he assured.
Hon. Abiodun further commended Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Rural Development, who graced the event, for his pivotal role in fostering synergy across grassroots structures in Lagos State.
He praised Dr. Agbaje’s consistent efforts in bridging the gap between government and community-based organisations, noting that his presence underscored the importance of partnership in sustainable rural development.
The council boss also urged participants to make the most of the opportunity provided by the supervising ministry to enrich their understanding of the CDA/CDC constitution, noting that effective grassroots administration depends on a clear interpretation of the guiding framework.
The interactive stakeholders meeting for community practitioners was attended by the special adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Rural Development,Dr. Nurudeen Agbaje, senior special assistant to the governor on Rural Development,Hon. Babatunde Durojaiye and Director for community in the ministry of local government,chieftaincy affairs and rural development,Mrs Oluwatoyin Adeniji.
Others in attendance included the Head of Administration in Agbado Oke-Odo lcda,Mrs Fregene Gbemisola, the council treasurer, Mrs Abdussalam Faoziat,Heads of Agriculture and Rural Development,executives of community development committee (CDCs) and community development associations (CDAs) from eleven local governments in Ikeja division of Lagos State.
Public Affairs Unit
