The Ifako-Ijaiye Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman Pastor Samuel Opajobi has said that the CDC is committed to representing the Ifako Harmony Community Development Association (IHCDA) at this year’s Lagos Community Recognition and Awards.
Opajobi stated this on Saturday, at the Thanksgiving Service organised by the CDA, where he was a Special Guest of Honour.
The CDC Chief, one of whose member CDAs – KayFarm CDA emerged the Best CDA in Lagos State at last year’s Community Day, beating over 4000 other CDAs in the state, to the coveted prize of a 18 seater Toyota Hiace Bus, said he is determined to work with Harmony Estate CDA to repeat the feat again this year.
Opajobi, a serial winner, who won awards at the Community Day in 2019, 2021 and 2022, regretted that Harmony Estate was unfairly beaten to the third place three years ago, noted that the estate has done so much and he would gladly be representing the CDA this year, and “hopefully, through Ifako Harmony CDA we would retain the award as the best CDA in Lagos State for this year.
“Three years ago, we do not know how the politics of who emerges the best CDAs is played, but now, having won consistently, and crowning it with the best CDA Award last year, we have come of age and now have a stake in what happens at that level and we shall bring the glory back to Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government,” he said.
Opajobi who also represented the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Chairman Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat, said the Chairman is impressed about the strides of the CDA and the harmonious relationship that is existing between it and the other two community CDAs of Karaole Estate CDA and Adeola Avenue.
He said the Chairman would have loved to grace the occasion but for other commitment which demanded his presence. He however gave a commitment that the Chairman would still come around to appreciate the honour done to him by presenting him an award.
He equally appreciated the estate for honouring the 84 year old Venerable Ogundele with an award. He said the retired cleric had been working tirelessly for the growth and development of CDAs in the local government and prayed to God to grant him long life.
IHERA-CDA Chairman Engr Isa Egbeyemi thanked God for preserving the lives of residents to see another new year. He said as customary, every year, Harmony Estate gather to give glory and honour to God who kept them all through the old year and kept them save to the end of the first month of the new one.
He commended the CDC Chairman for his commitment and support for the CDA and assured that the CDA would not rest on its oars.
Egbeyemi urged all elders and residents of the estate to eschew rancor, embrace peace and continue to support the estate as it continues to strive to push up the bar of development of the estate.
Earlier, the General Overseer of the Bible Pattern Church, Pastor Zacheaus Ogunsanya harped on the need for peace in Harmony Estate. He said without peace, there would not be growth and without growth there would not be development. He urged all residents, old and young to make peaceful co-existence with others their personal goal this year.
Also, Chief Imam Nasirudeen Yusuf, popularly known as Alfa Asisoloriiro cautioned against avarice, asking the elders to continue to support and pray for the youths to go higher and bigger than them in all respect.
He thanked Almighty Allah for blowing away the dark cloud that had hung around the Estate, asking God to continue to protect and provide for all residents irrespective of their stations in life.
The Zonal Pastor Victory Chapel, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Lagos Province 21, (Magodo) who took the message of his preaching from Galatians 6:7. Urged all residents irrespective of their faith to rely absolutely on God and watch what they do this year as every one would reap the fruit that he or she sow.
During the interfaith prayers, Alhaji Yusuf, led the Muslim prayers while Pastor Ogunsanya, led the Christian prayers for our nation Nigeria, for peaceful election, Lagos State, the local government, the families of IHERA Executive Council, all elders, women, youths and all residents of Ifako Harmony CDA.
While Imam Shamsulhuda Yusuf led the Muslim praise presentations, Oluwatobi Oladejo led the Christian worship and praise.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards, which Engr Egbeyemi noted was the highest in the history of presentations ever held by the estate.
Among dignitaries presented with award are the Chairman of Ifako Ijaiye Local Government, Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat, the CDC Chairman, Pastor Opajobi, the Chairman Ifako Ijaiye CDA Forum and Secretary of the CDC Ven. Lawrence Ogundele, the HOD Agric and Social Services Omolabake Oyafunke, and the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps.
Others are Barrister Abiola Duduyemi, Barister Babatunde Badejo, Mrs Cecelia Ogungbade, David Oyadele, Elder Adeleke Odunuga, Sir Paddie Okoh, Engr Kunle Fadipe, Prof. Olumide Adenuga, Mr Godswill Umunakwe, Mr Yinka Aderibigbe, Alhaji Nasirudeen Yusuf, Mr Wale Ayantoye, Mr. Jide Adeyemo, Alhaja Shittu, Alhaja Munirat Adeyanju, Alfred Akaaga, Bamidele Sanni, Dr Isa, Mr Abejide, and a host of others, who were all honoued for their dedicated service to Harmony Estate.
In attendance are the Chairman and Secretary of Adeola Avenue, Vice Chairman of Karaole Estate CDA, members of the CDC Executive Council, officers of the LSNC, and other distinguished guests.