As part of its effort to empower the electorate with their basic rights and responsibilities, the Lagos State Office of Political, Legislative, and Civic Engagement has held a one-day advocacy event on voter education.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative & Civic Engagement, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen, while welcoming the participants at the event held at the Palace of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, said the event, which was the first of its kind was part of the Office’s mandate to educate citizens on their rights and responsibilities as voters, as well as the Government’s role in serving its people.
“This is the first time we are holding such an event, and we chose Ikorodu to kick off the program. You need to know both your rights and responsibilities. This knowledge will help you understand Government policies and how you can benefit from them, we also have on ground other Government Agencies because we want you to know about other Lagos State Government policies and initiatives that can be of benefit to you” He added.
Afolabi further explained that the power attached to the fulfillment of civic responsibility is potent to the extent that it influences the decision-making process of a Government, noting that voter apathy during an election can negatively impact the electoral process and undermine the outcome of an election.
Highlighting other programmes carried out by the Office, the Special Adviser said it is putting plans in place to bring the Mother and Infant Child Health Development, MICHD programme, aimed at supporting vulnerable pregnant mothers with premium healthcare services that will ensure the well-being of both mother and child in the Public Health Centres into Ikorodu and other areas.
Underscoring the importance of registering with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA), Afolabi said registering as a resident of Lagos State plays a key role in facilitating access to various Government benefits, and residents might be unable to access certain state services without LASSRA registration.
Addressing the participants further, Afolabi noted that part of the Government initiative that is highly beneficial to the electorate is the Ilera-Eko health initiative, a programme designed to improve healthcare access for all residents of Lagos, saying that Ilera-Eko is a right of all Lagos residents, being one of the dividends of democracy promised by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Administration.
The Special Adviser pledged that the Office will continue reaching out to more communities across the State to ensure residents are better informed about their rights and responsibilities.
Appreciating participants, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Engr. Sholabomi Shasore said another area that needs focusing on is how to assist the elderly during the electoral process so that they can also exercise their civic rights.
On his part, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, expressed his gratitude to the Lagos State Government for the initiative. He highlighted that during the last state election, Ikorodu Local Government recorded the highest number of votes.
He added that the dedication and active participation of Ikorodu residents during the electoral process was not in vain, pointing out that this commitment is reflected in the ongoing infrastructural development happening in the area.
In his goodwill message, the President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Mr. Debo Adeniran congratulated the residents of Ikorodu for being the first to benefit from the laudable initiative, adding that the right to know form the basis for good governance, and that the benefit of good governance is being transmitted across Lagos State through this programme.
Appreciating the Lagos State Government for the laudable gesture, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi assured the State Government that the residents of Ikorodu will remain committed to fulfilling their civic right through voting, urging that more polling booths should be made to cater for the ever-increasing residents of the area.
In the highlight of the event, participants were exposed to various initiatives of the Government by other invited agencies such as; the Lagos State Health Scheme, LASHMA, Lagos State Residents Registration Agency, LASSRA as well as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
