A group of Ikorodu Division key stakeholders, under the aegis of Eminent Persons of Ikorodu Division (EPID) have made a case for the enactment of a corporate social responsibility bill that would compel corporate bodies operating within the Division to contribute a certain percentage or their annual income towards the development ot the Division.
This position was canvassed for, on behalf of the EPID by the Chairman of the group’s Liaison Council, Sir Engr R.O Shoderu at the 2024 Ikorodu Division General Assembly held last Thursday at Ikorodu Town Hall.
Addressing the august gathering, Shoderu said,
‘Let me seize the opportunity of the presence of the Honourable Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly in our midst to inform him and this august gathering that local content bill will be generated from the communiqué drawn at the end of today’s General Assembly to legislate on the need for corporate bodies to commit a certain percentage of their income to the development of their host communities’.
‘The bill will be passed through the two (2) State House of Assembly members from the Division for admission into the bill for Lagos State. I therefore on behalf of EPID crave your indulgence for an expeditious passage of the bill whenever it arrives at your chamber’, he added.
Giving further insights into the workings of the group, the octogenarian elder statesman noted that, ‘The Liaison Council also arranged periodic meetings with those who represent the Division at the three (3) tiers of Government Local, State and Federal levels of Government to discuss the needs of the people.
‘Towards the end of the year 2023 and early 2024, the two (2) representatives of the Division in the State House of Assembly and Chairmen of the six (6) LCDA’s of the Division were invited for discussion on the impending disorganized system in Ikorodu roundabout and other areas along the various road rehabilitation sites in Ikorodu Division viz-a-viz provision of social amenities like motor parks and markets’, he said.
Speaking further, he explained that, ‘All the LCDA Chairmen sent representatives. In the course of the interaction, some of the observed problems highlighted were: How to ensure that when the roads currently on rehabilitation is completed it will not be taken over by traders and transport park operators as it is now.
The epoch-making bi-ennial assembly was a gathering of key Ikorodu Division stakeholders, comprising of representatives from critical sectors like Government Institutions, Corporate Bodies, Public Office Holders and Private Individuals.
The General Assembly themed, Ikorodu Division: The Challenges of Emerging Cities and the imperatives of synergy between Government, Corporate Bodies and Residents for all-round development, was addressed by the 5th Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof Abisogun Leigh.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of Award of Excellence and Special Recognition Awards on notable Ikorodu Division personalities who have contributed immensely to the development of the area.
Shoderu concluded by appreciating both the moral and financial support of members to date and looking forward to more vibrant collaboration and selfless contribution to enable EPID achieve overall progress and development in the Division.
