Going by what Chairman Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD) has done in just three weeks since assuming office, it is safe to say that Ikeja is in for an era of purposeful and people-centered leadership. His trajectories within this short period point to a leader who is not only prepared for the task but is also intentional about delivering on the I.K.E.J.A Agenda.
From day one, AKOD has hit the ground running. The Holiday Job Programme engaged over 200 young people during the school break, offering them hands-on work experience, stipends to support their families, and a renewed drive to pursue greater aspirations.
His plan to link the Onilekere and Onipetesi communities is already drawing attention. The project is expected to enhance unity, ease movement, and create fresh business prospects for residents; a development many describe as a lasting legacy in the making.
Education and youth empowerment remain at the heart of his plans. The forthcoming 200 free GCE forms initiative is a direct investment in our young people’s future. It will remove a major financial barrier for many families and give students a fair chance to excel academically.
In an unprecedented move, AKOD recently held a direct interactive session with Ikeja youths. The meeting provided a platform for young people to question their Chairman, share ideas, and contribute to governance in a way that many residents have never experienced.
Equally groundbreaking is his plan to decentralise INEC e-registration by establishing at least one registration centre in each ward of Ikeja. This unprecedented move will make voter registration more accessible, reduce stress for residents, and boost civic participation ahead of future elections.
These are not empty promises. They are tangible actions within weeks of his assumption of office; actions that speak louder than any campaign speech. If AKOD can achieve all this in under a month, it is only a glimpse of what is to come for Ikeja in the months and years ahead.
The signs are clear: Ikeja has a Chairman who is committed, visionary, and deeply invested in the people. Indeed, better days are here.
God bless Ikeja.
Written by Olalekan Oni, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Ikeja Local Government
