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By Henry Uche
•Traditional leaders and their wives during the visit
Traditional leaders in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State have advised residents of the community to work together in fostering peaceful co-existence, while calling on the state government to rehabilitate dilapidated roads in the area.
The traditional leaders made the call during a courtesy visit by Igwe Prosper Chukwuka, leader of the Igbo community in FESTAC Town, to Bashorun Rafiu Balogun, the interim leader of Kuje Amuwo.
Chukwuka, who said the visit was to show his support in ensuring that residents lived harmoniously together, pledged support to work with all residents, irrespective of tribe for a peaceful community.
Earlier, the traditional leader told newsmen that in spite of the different tribes represented in the community, it had remained peaceful because of mutual tolerance for one another.
Chukwuka, who recently carried out an empowerment programme for People Living With Disabilities (PWDs) and a prison decongestion exercise, said the activities were aimed at promoting inclusivity.
He said the activities were part of efforts to support the state government, since the government couldn’t bear the burden alone.
“Some people’s businesses have collapsed for one reason or the other, so we had to give some money to get them back on their feet.
“The PWDs were given money, food items and connections that will help them live better. We already started decongestion of prisons because we realised that the money government spends in feeding inmates is much.
“We’ve also helped to bail many people from police custody; many of whom didn’t have serious criminal offences,” he said.
He urged the residents to avoid tribalism, foster love and obey the laws of the government to make Amuwo Odofin a peaceful and happy place to live.
Responding, Balogun said it was a welcome development that would help reinforce harmony in the community.
He cautioned the youth against social vices that could hamper love, harmony and peaceful co-existence in the community, and appealed to the state government to fix dilapidated roads in the area as a matter of necessity.
“I’m hoping and praying that the Yoruba people, the Hausa people and the Igbo people will move on together, join hands together with this government so that peace will reign.
“Our roads are very bad, the government should fix them, since we also voted for them, we deserve good governance which includes ensuring that our welfare and security are guaranteed as enshrined in chapter two of 1999 constitution of Nigeria (as amended),” he added.
