Barely one year after assuming office as Executive Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Jimoh Olawale Saliu has continued to attract accolades for what many describe as an impactful and people-oriented style of governance.
The latest recognition came from the Ghana-based Trans-African Youth Development Initiative (TAYD), which honoured the council boss with the Kwame Nkrumah African Patriotic Leader Award for Excellence, an honour reserved for African leaders whose contributions have positively influenced governance, youth development and community transformation across the continent.
The award, presented by the pan-African organisation with membership spanning several African countries, is another milestone in Hon. Saliu’s growing reputation as a grassroots administrator committed to human capital development, education, security and infrastructural renewal.
Similarly, the Council was also bestowed with the Merit Award as Most Productive & Youth Friendly Local Government In Africa.
Presenting the award, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TAYD, Ambassador Bakare Luquman, MBA, described Hon. Saliu as a visionary leader whose dedication to public service has earned him admiration among African youths.
According to Luqman, the decision to confer the honour was unanimously endorsed during the organisation’s National Executive Meeting held alongside the United Nations Youth Assembly in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He noted that the Apapa-Iganmu chairman has distinguished himself through initiatives that have strengthened community security, expanded educational opportunities, empowered residents, promoted religious harmony and championed youth development.
Luqman further commended Hon. Saliu’s commitment to good governance, saying his leadership aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the developmental vision of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Renewed Hope Mandate National & Diaspora also presented the council chairman with a Certificate of Honour in recognition of his exemplary leadership and remarkable contributions to the development of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA.
Presenting the certificate, the group’s founder, Princess Dr. Omolabake Kosoko-King, praised Hon. Saliu’s integrity, dedication to service and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of residents.
Responding to the recognitions, Hon. Jimoh expressed gratitude to the organisations, describing the awards as motivation to redouble his efforts rather than a reason to celebrate past achievements.
Reflecting on his administration’s first year in office, the chairman maintained that Apapa-Iganmu LCDA has emerged as a pace-setter in grassroots governance, with several of its initiatives now being replicated by other councils.
He cited the council’s pioneering semester educational support programme, which, according to him, has now been adopted by about a dozen local governments across Lagos State.
Similarly, he highlighted the council’s proactive canal clearance and drainage maintenance initiative, noting that many councils have since embraced similar environmental interventions.
“We are pace-setters because we have foresight about governance,” he said, adding that the administration remains committed to delivering even greater results in education, healthcare, transportation, environmental sustainability and security.
Beyond physical infrastructure, Hon. Saliu emphasised that the cornerstone of his administration is human capital development.
According to him, meaningful development can only be achieved by investing in people, particularly young people.
He disclosed that the council has begun engaging tertiary institutions within Lagos to facilitate admission opportunities for qualified students from the community, while also working with corporate organisations to secure scholarships for indigent students.
The chairman appealed to residents to take advantage of available educational opportunities, lamenting the poor response to some scholarship offers already secured for students in the community.
Hon. Jimoh also celebrated the achievements of the council’s girls’ football team, which has recorded impressive victories at competitions across Lagos and other parts of South-West Nigeria.
He announced plans to organise a special ceremony to honour the young athletes, saying the celebration would showcase the abundance of sporting talent within Apapa-Iganmu.
The council boss also pledged support for African youth participation at an upcoming summit scheduled for August 10 to 13 in Kigali, Rwanda, assuring organisers that youths from the community would receive sponsorship to attend.
The event also featured goodwill messages from the Vice Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Chief Mrs. Fadekemi Otitonaye; the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Adigun Abdullahi; the Council Manager, Mr. Lateef Omokayode Badmus; and community stakeholder, Alhaji Mohammed Ikeola.
They unanimously described Hon. Saliu as a people-centred leader whose administration has prioritised the welfare of residents through responsive governance and inclusive development.
The ceremony attracted heads of departments, political appointees, community leaders and other stakeholders, underscoring the growing support for an administration that continues to position Apapa-Iganmu LCDA as a model for grassroots governance.
With continental recognition now accompanying local commendation, Hon. Jimoh Olawale Saliu’s first year in office appears to be laying the foundation for an administration determined to leave a lasting legacy through innovation, human capital development and community-focused leadership.
