Today, 24th of July 2021 witnessed Local Government elections in both Lagos and Ogun States respectively. And if it weren’t for the election posters that littered the streets in the last few weeks, an average citizen like myself would not have been bothered.
Oh!! Maybe for the seven hour movement restrictions anyway, let’s just pretend this election was a great deal.
No gainsaying, in the last 1-2 decade, Local Government reign in Lagos State especially has totally lost its relevance. Not only am I unaware of who governs as the Councilor how much more the LG Chairman too. Their presence on the local scenery has never for once been felt past the four walls of the Secretariat.
Notwithstanding, I understand the fact that they are underfunded, what happens to at least staging a good presence in the lives of the people that voted them in?
Meanwhile, I remember mid 90s as a growing up child, the name ‘brother Muta’ (real names not remembered) reigned supreme. He was the councilor and it was common place to see him walk past most streets exchanging pleasantries with people and getting himself involved in their daily lives and general activity.
He once organized a joint effort towards creating drainage path in every household (this was without the intervention of a higher government even as at that time), the complaints from the people to the LG was through him and I know he’d efficiently get feedbacks to his people. He’d monitor and check up with ongoing projects, organizing Inter School debate and then sourcing for sponsors to reward best students. He many times hold meetings with Landlords on how not to make life unbearable for their tenants and endlessly, he’d settle community disputes over a round table talk and everyone would often leave his office smiling.
My point is, he was well known to the people and then I ask again, was that not supposed to be the essence of a Councilor?
However, he was the last Community Councilor I ever laid my eyes on. And despite being educated (or is that not the criteria for staying abreast of information?) I cannot remember the last time I kept track of who the councilor let alone the LG Chairman of places that I have inhabited.
And as the new set of Councilors and Local Government Chairmen gets elected today, I besiege all of them to have the interest of the people they represent at heart. And in as much as I know that an average political office holder in Nigeria wants the seat for his or her own selfish interest, empowering the masses and taking charge of the local community that they represent is not too much to ask. There are great things that could be done even though the allocations are not trickling in as expected, can we at the minimum know you all once sworn in please?.
Happy elections though.
#I-rant.
Born as Titilayo Oladimeji, I have been known by the nickname Titipetral for nearly two decades. I am a Financial Advisor at a reputable financial institution in Lagos, Nigeria, with over 10 years of experience in Financial Advisory and Credit Analysis. I am also an author and the founder of Titipetral Publishers, a duly registered publishing company.
In addition, I lead the Titipetral Empowerment and Development Network (TEDN), a duly registered philanthropic initiative dedicated to supporting underprivileged girls, boys, women, and men in the Alimosho area, Nigeria’s most populated local government, focusing on serving the underserved.
For inquiries or collaboration, you can reach me at Titilayooladimeji@titipetral.com or titipetral@gmail.com.