LGSC COMMISSIONER, ADISA BAMGBOLA CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY IN PHILANTHROPIC STYLE; EXTOLS RT. HON. GBAJABIAMILA FOR IMPACTING BEYOND IMMEDIATE CONSTITUENCY
springnews
5 min read
L-R: Hon. Olutemi Bamidele; a Guest; Onikate of Ikate, Oba Lateef Atanda Abiodun Adams; Celebrant, Hon. Hakeem Adisa Bamgbola; his Wife, Alhaja Morenike Apeke Bamgbola. ; CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Razak Balogun; Chief D. O. Adenekan; Hon. Kamal Baniru; Hon. and Hon Dayo Israel
Now in its second year of existence, the HAB Foundation founded by member of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Hakeem Adisa Babalola Bamgbola has extended its philanthropic prowess into the educational sector by donating materials that could enhance the health safety and academic excellence of the pupils in the primary schools in Itire/Ikate Local Council Development Area, Surulere, Lagos on Thursday 4th March, 2021. The two-time Chairman of same Itire/Ikate LCDA made this gesture as part of activities marking his birthday today 6th March, 2021.
The astute administrator in local government affairs who clearly stated that he doesn’t prefer the lavish spending which accompany birthday celebrations noted that he would rather put his money in the empowerment of society. This is the rationale behind the establishment of his foundation and his birthday celebration with his community.
At a well attended event of 4th March, Hon. Hakeem Bamgbola started: ‘The economic capacity of many households prompted my resolve to support especially our dear children. Yes, it is on my birthday celebration but this is not a time to throw meaningless parties. It should be a moment to stand with our people. This is the reason I am offering assistance to our pupils by providing them with educational materials. We are also giving bursary to indigent students spread across the 14 wards in Itire/Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs so as to reduce the financial burden on their parents and guardians. Children will also be provided with face masks to prevent the effect of the ravaging pandemic among our children.’
L-R: Celebrant, Hon. Hakeem Adisa Bamgbola and his wife, Alhaja Morenike Apeke Bamgbola
The items distributed include N20,000 bursary for 50 students; 3,000 writing materials consisting pen, pencil and Mathematical set; 3,000 hand sanitizers for children; 1,000 hand sanitizers for teachers; 30 buckets for handwash; 3,000 nose masks for children; and 1,000 nose masks for adults. ‘I have also decided to empower our women through skill acquisition program where they will learn a trade and be financially empowered to forge ahead in life’, Hon. Adisa Bamgbola added.
He said about the establishment of the foundation, ‘The foundation that was launched last year, Hon. Razaq Balogun gave us N1 million. Hon. Sangodara, the Council Chairman and Hon. Caesar also contributed. A friend from Badagry has also supported the foundation and many other leaders in Surulere. In our first year, we did medical outreach. This year we are focusing on education. By next year, I know we will be better.’
He used the opportunity to reel out his achievements in the local government system, ‘May I state that I have always made the provision of qualitative education a priority during my years of service as LCDA Chairman. Let’s put this on record that the old schools built by our late father, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, we rebuilt it and it was during my tenure. During the period, I also made it a point of duty to donate school bags, uniforms, writing materials annually to primary schools. To cap it up, I also set up a computer training centre in the primary school at Ijeshatedo.’
The member of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission asked for the continuous support of the people. ‘We will continue to give our support to the government at the LCDA and the state level but I must tell us that the government cannot do it alone. We all must come together especially those of us that have benefitted one way or another in this government. Today, a lot is going on and I must commend the council chairman for what he is doing. I will encourage him to do more for the benefit of our people.’
Commissioner Hakeem Adisa Bamgbola then used the opportunity to heap praises on the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for going beyond the norm to extend development to Federal Constituency II which is not his immediate constituency. He said: ‘The Speaker, Hon. Gbajabiamila, in his goodwill has added us in this Constituency II. He facilitated the construction of the Asimahu Bakare road which has been completed, Osogbo road which is ongoing, and Sanya street in Baruwa, Coker-Aguda LCDA. He has said he will do more. May God help him and give him more wisdom.’
Dignitaries at the event took turns to eulogize Hon. Bamgbola for his impactful initiative. Hon. Tunde Balogun, the Chairman of Lagos APC represented by Hon. Bamidele Olutemi said: ‘I thank Hon. Hakeem Bamgbola for these educational materials to the primary school pupils through HAB Foundation. I implore the pupils to see it as a gesture that will enhance their learning capability. Once again, I wish Hon. Hakeem Bamgbola more years in good health and service to humanity.’
The Onikate of Ikate, Oba Lateef Adams speaking in Yoruba remarked: ‘Hakeem is a respectful person and a lover of people. Whoever doesn’t love people, I will not love him too. I thank God that He blessed me with wealth and people even before I became king so I don’t pander. I say it as it is and everyone in my community knows. So it is the good character that Hakeem demonstrates that brought me here. And I can say that for others too because there is no one that is dying of starvation in his house. It was love that brought us all out. I appeal to you to continue and may God spare your life to do more.’
‘Since I became the king of Ikate, we have noticed great improvement. I was not a politician before coming king. But I joined politics only because of Asiwaju when Surulere was just one local government area. I was one of those who coordinated the 2003 elections. Hon. Gbajabiamila himself can testify to it in his emergence at the elections then. That is why I personally took it up to tell him that he cannot just focus on Constituency I which is his base but has to do something for us in Constituency II also. This is because it is a PDP member that is there and he has not done anything for us.’
Another respected political figure in Surulere politics, Chief D. O. Adenekan stated: ‘I was there on the day that this foundation was established. And I have followed the success it has achieved. Your progress as a person has also been enumerated. From Supervisor (Health) to Vice Chairman to Acting Chairman to two-term Chairman to Secretary of the APC in Lagos Central Senatorial District, then Vice Chairman of the party, and today Honorable Member of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission. I am so confident that you will continue to move higher. What you have achieved is not by your power but by the Will of God. I also congratulate those that have supported you all through.’
