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Beyond The Awards: Ikuforiji Calls For Societal Reorientation And Re-engineering

Published

1 year ago

Dec 8, 2023.

Former Lagos Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, at the awards ceremony

By Babawale Solomon

Eko Hot Blog reports that the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has called for societal reorientation and re-engineering in Nigeria.

He made the appeal on Thursday on the sidelines of the Epe Division Community Annual Awards (EDCAA) organised by Concerned NationBuilders Initiative (CNI).

The former Lagos speaker won the Epe Division Man of the Year award at the ceremony.

Speaking with reporters, Ikuforiji said he was excited to be recognised and honoured in his hometown.

“I feel good and happy. We might have received awards all over the world, but the one received from home is probably the best one can think of. When you’re honoured in your hometown, it’s something to be happy about,” he said.

Former Lagos Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji (L) and other dignitaries, at the awards ceremony

The former lawmaker, however, called for local participation to enhance community development, noting that no central government in the world can bring development to the country alone.

“There’s no part of the world that gets fully developed without the local people coming together for the development of the community. The central government can’t do everything; it is the local people that should come together,” he said.

“It is when they do so that you can expect more from the government to push the community forward, so it’s important that people of a particular community come together for the upliftment of their own community.”

Ikuforiji reminisced on the past, noting that many good things in the past are lacking in the present day. Hence, he called for the re-engineering and reorientation of the entire society.

“I remember with nostalgia the good days when we started, four or five decades ago. What you have in Nigeria, we don’t have it anymore. The youth seem not to have their bearing, which can be blamed on the elders. The society needs social re-engineering. There’s no way we can get to a reorientation of the entire society,” he said.

Former Lagos Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, presenting the Best Performing LG award to Epe LG Chairman, Princess Surah O. Animashaun

The politician also expressed hope and belief in the current government’s determination to put the country on the right part again.

“Without being so political, I think leadership plays a major role in community development, and what we have seen so far from our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I think we’re on the right path. With all that he’s doing, he’ll also look into the issues re-engineering the society, and surely we will get to our destination,” Ikuforiji added.

In securing the Man of the Year award, the former speaker goes beyond celebration, issuing a resounding call for societal reorientation and re-engineering.

Recognizing the power of hometown honors, he advocates for collaborative community efforts and expresses hope in Tinubu’s leadership to guide the nation towards a brighter future.

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