At the 10th Constituency Stakeholders Meeting of the Lagos State House of Assembly held yesterday, kakalistiq.com reports that Rep. Bayo Balogun, who represents the Ibeju-Lekki Federal Constituency, delivered a compelling address where he hailed Hon. Oladele Ajayi’s grassroots-focused leadership as a shining example of how the Renewed Hope Agenda is translating into real impact on the ground.
The event, which took place at Hon. Ajayi’s constituency office along the Oshoroko-Lekki road, was part of the ongoing efforts to connect with the people and showcase governance in action. This year’s meeting, themed “Governance in Action: The Gains of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” was more than a policy conversation, it was a celebration of community development, empowerment, and government synergy.
In his address, Rep. Balogun did not hold back in praising Hon. Ajayi for staying committed to empowering the people, a tradition he noted began during Ajayi’s tenure as Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“This is not far-fetched from the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President,” Balogun said. “He believes that since the subsidy removal has been enforced, there must be ways of cushioning the effects in all federal and state constituencies, even at our local government level.”
Rep. Balogun explained that while fuel subsidy removal came with economic discomfort, strategic empowerment initiatives like those rolled out by Hon. Ajayi are precisely what national leaders envisioned when speaking of “renewed hope.”
“Today, this is part of removing the pains of the petroleum subsidy removal,” he continued. “By empowering our people, we believe the monies saved from this removal are actually trickling down to every nook and cranny of the country.”
Highlighting the importance of grassroots implementation, Rep. Balogun stressed that managing subsidy benefits can’t be done solely at the federal level. “There’s no way you can manage subsidy at the federal level,” he noted. “Subsidy can only be managed at the local level. So, when more money goes to the federal, state, and local governments, there are more opportunities for the people.”
He gave credit to Hon. Ajayi for making this vision a reality within Ibeju-Lekki, commending his consistent commitment to people-centered projects.
“That’s why we have to thank our brother here for ensuring that the Renewed Hope Agenda is rekindled in his constituency,” Balogun stated. “There’s no way Mr. President will come to every local government, just as the Governor can’t be everywhere. It is through our own actions and inactions that people will feel the presence of government.”
He went on to emphasize the sense of satisfaction among residents of Ibeju-Lekki, attributing it to the collective efforts of both elected and appointed leaders at all levels.
“In Ibeju-Lekki today, the people are happy with every appointed and elected officer, and that’s only because everybody is trying their best to give back to the people that elected or appointed them,” he said.
Rep. Balogun also spotlighted the various ongoing developmental efforts across the constituency, from road construction and hospital renovations to school upgrades and economic empowerment initiatives. He recalled his recent rent-free market initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda, where shops were given to indigent traders free of charge.
“If you go through the federal constituency, you’ll see a lot of empowerment projects that we’re doing,” he said. “Just a few weeks ago, we had the free market initiative where we gave out various shops to people, especially indigent traders, within our local government, free of charge.”
Wrapping up his remarks, Balogun extended a heartfelt appreciation to Hon. Ajayi. “Once again, I thank my brother, Hon. Oladele Ajayi, for his good works in this constituency,” he concluded. “This is the kind of leadership our people deserve.”
The event was not just a platform for speeches but also a real-time display of empowerment, with hundreds of constituents receiving financial support and tools to boost their livelihoods. It was a reaffirmation that, indeed, the Renewed Hope Agenda is not only alive but thriving in Ibeju-Lekki.
