Dipo Olowookere
By Dipo Olowookere
No fewer than 321 indigent residents of Lagos State have been given the sum of N52.7 million to assist them in handling health challenges, multiple births and other unforeseen situations including road accidents and fire disasters.
The money was released by the Lagos State government, through the Office of Civic Engagement.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Mr Benjamin Adeyemi Olabinjo announced this during the week at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja during the Year 2018 Ministerial Press Briefing of the Lagos State government in commemoration of the third anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration in the State.
He explained that the process of disbursement of the financial assistance was meticulously handled by a committee which comprises of government and non-government members who process, make findings and recommend to the government on genuineness or otherwise of application for assistance.
Mr Olabinjo emphasized that in line with the present administration’s inclusive governance policy, the Office has met with various groups and non- governmental organizations to promote activities related to volunteerism, community building and participation in the political process.
According to him, “This is to directly address requests emanating from the communities concerning infrastructure such as road and drainage, electricity transformer, flood control, schools and health facilities”.
“It is also to sensitize the groups on their roles in a democratic dispensation and the need for them to be actively involved in moving the State forward through effective mobilization of the people for participation in political processes”, he added.
Speaking further, Olabinjo disclosed that the Office has identified 10 volunteer groups that were working to alleviate some social issues in the state. Among those listed were the Women of Hope Initiative (a group working for the empowerment of widows), Laudable Support – working on empowerment projects, Team A+ Volunteers, who are providing potable water in the rural communities, and Drug Foundation among others.
The Special Adviser maintained that the Office of Civic Engagement has been educating the populace particularly those who have attained the voting age and others who have lost their voters cards to seize the opportunity of the ongoing continuous voters’ registration to obtain their PVC.
He added that it is important for all adults of voting age to participate in the political process that would produce those that would be at the helm of affairs in the polity.
On Lagos having the highest number of uncollected PVC, the Governor’s aide assured that efforts in the area of advocacy and sensitization would be intensified to see to it that prospective voters yet to collect their PVC do so especially those requiring transfer having moved from their original residences to new ones.
