PRINCE BALOGUN PRAISES SANWO-OLU FOR PROMOTING PEACE THROUGH CULTURE, SPEAKS ON WORLD INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY

SAYS ALIMOSHO WILL MAKE A STATEMENT IN NEXT YEAR EVENT

Story by Toyo C. Ngem

The Crown Prince of Isheri Olofin, Prince Idris Balogun, has commended the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, for promoting peace in Lagos through development of culture and tourism, especially among the indigenous people of the state. He said this while speaking on this year's event of International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples (IDWIP) marked globally on Friday, August 9, 2024. He added that the theme of this year's event, which borders on "the role of women" for the survival of peoples' culture was particularly informing about what could make the origin of peace in any society.

He said his commendations for the "working Governor" could as well pass for "congratulating him for the mark of excellence the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) equally awarded him same Friday. The exclusive elite body of the Lagos progressives reportedly showered encomium on him for his timely proactive actions that warded off the 'Hunger Protest' believed to be politically motivated from holding in Lagos.

It may be recalled that Prince Balogun had also advised Nigerians, particularly Lagos residents to shun the planned protest because it was "God at Work on a reconstruction surgery" to heal Nigeria from ills of the past. He said Tinubu only happened to be the surgeon God was using to do the surgery. The meeting of Governor Sanwo-Olu with the GAC members happened to centre around how Lagos prevented the protest from escalating in the state.

In a release via his X handle, the Governor said: "Today, I met with the GAC and we engaged in discussions regarding the management of security and other critical affairs of the State during the recent protests. I was pleased to receive commendations for our proactive approach and level of engagement with stakeholders across the state".

He pointed out that the elite body believed that he achieved the peace through his people-oriented policies he had been undertaking. He said furthe: "The GAC acknowledged the effectiveness of the people-centric policies we have implemented, such as the ‘Ounje Eko’ Scheme, which aims to enhance food security for our citizens, and the transport palliative measures designed to alleviate the burden of transportation costs... This meeting not only reinforces our commitment to transparency and accountability but also serves as a vital opportunity to reflect on our achievements and strategize further improvements for the welfare of our citizens".

Speaking along this "people-centric policies" that earned the Governor his award of excellence, the former Aspirant for the House of Representatives seat of Alimosho Federal Constituency, said he particularly took note of how the Governor's promotion of tourism and culture had contributed to building peace, especially as a bridge building across generations. He said he could observe this connection of peace with promotion of culture when the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon Idris Aregbe said: "By celebrating the rich cultural heritage of indigenous peoples, the event aims to foster unity and respect for cultural diversity".

Fundly called Oluomo Kaafata by his admirals, Prince Balogun said: "Just this same Friday the Governor was with the GAC members, he had put in place the mechanism for the state to celebrate this year's IDWIP.

While congratulating the Awori people, home and abroad, over this year's event, he promised that he would be ready to rally Alimosho people for participation in the next year's events of IDWI, when he thoughtfully believe his administration of Egbe-Idimu LCDA would have commenced.

He said: "I have personally understood Culture as a strong language people could use to express their existentialism. To this end, I congratulate the Awori people, home and abroad, for having an international day like this to rally ourselves together in the spirit of survival across generations. There should be no controversy over Alimosho being a predominantly the land of Indigenous People of Awori. And I know for fact that across the Federal Constituency from IJegun and Akesan in the southern extremity to Ajasa in the Northern end, Alimosho is blessed with both historical monuments and rich cultural events to participate in external programmes such as this IDWIP being celebrated at Freedom Park Onikan. "To this end, I want to assure Alimosho people that under a new crop of local government executive chairmen under the leadership of Her Excellency, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefuire (OFR), we will rally our people to participate in the IDWIP event to hold next year".