Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD), has appealed to residents to support the council’s drive to strengthen security, maintain a cleaner environment and address youth restiveness and drug abuse, saying the challenges require collective action rather than government efforts alone.
Dauda made the appeal on Monday while hosting members of the League of Imams during their monthly prayer meeting at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, where special prayers were offered for peace, security, stability and the continued development of Ikeja and its neighbouring communities.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Adeola Ogunlade, Dauda said his administration had prioritised initiatives aimed at improving public safety, environmental sanitation and youth development, stressing that the success of such programmes depends on the cooperation of residents.
Describing Ikeja as one of Lagos State’s most strategic local government areas, the chairman noted that it hosts the Lagos State Government House, Computer Village, the domestic and international terminals of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, as well as several critical public and private institutions.
According to him, the concentration of these strategic assets makes it imperative for residents to remain vigilant and work closely with security agencies to safeguard lives and property.
“Security is everyone’s responsibility. Government alone cannot achieve the level of safety we all desire without the cooperation and vigilance of residents. Ikeja occupies a strategic position in Lagos State, and we must all play our part in protecting our communities,” he said.
The chairman also expressed concern over indiscriminate waste disposal in parts of the council area, describing environmental cleanliness as a shared civic responsibility rather than the sole responsibility of government.
He said the local government’s environmental task force would continue enforcing environmental regulations against offenders while complementing the Lagos State Government’s efforts to improve waste management.
“We must all cultivate the habit of proper waste disposal. Environmental sanitation is a collective responsibility, and we will continue to enforce our environmental laws until sanity is restored. At the same time, government is working tirelessly to address the waste management challenges affecting parts of the state,” Dauda said.
He further called on parents, community leaders and religious institutions to join the campaign against youth restiveness and substance abuse, warning that the growing menace poses a threat to the future of young people and the security of the community.
Responding on behalf of the League of Imams, the Chief Imam of Ikeja Central Mosque, Alhaji Kamorudeen Adeola Ilo, commended the chairman for his commitment to improving the welfare and living conditions of residents through initiatives focused on security, environmental sustainability and youth development.
He assured the council of the clerics’ continued support, pledging to use mosques and other community platforms to sensitise young people against drug abuse, criminality and other social vices.
“We appreciate the efforts of the chairman in promoting peace and development in Ikeja. As religious leaders, we will continue to preach against drug abuse and other social vices while encouraging our youths to embrace good values and become responsible members of society. We will also continue to pray for the success of this administration,” Ilo said.
Special prayers were offered during the meeting for sustained peace, security and socio-economic development in Ikeja, with participants expressing optimism that stronger collaboration between the government, religious leaders and residents would contribute to a safer and cleaner local government area.
