Lagos Capital “Ikeja Solidarity Forum” Speaks…

We the Ikeja solidarity forum for better government write in respect of the above subject (Our Rep in lower house) matter and humbly give you notice of our intention and desire to present Toke Benson for Ikeja Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives with effect from the commencement of the Assembly starting in June 2019 on the platform of our great Party the APC, All the people in Ikeja feels this is the right time to take the bull by the horn. It is therefore our wish for our sister under our great party to contest for the post in general elections come 2019._ As a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria called to the Bar in 1990, Business Owner, Mother and Executive of the Party at the State level, we consider her very fortunate to have worked and associated closely with a broad spectrum of Nigerians, Lagosians and stakeholders in our Constituency, in Lagos, pan Nigeria and Internationally. We the Ikeja Solidarity forum are dismayed and saddened at the poor level of representation of the people of Ikeja Federal Constituency resulting in Political and Economic neglect of the Constituency as a result of an absentee Representative afflicted with the most glaring of conflict, divided attention and unashamed abdication of responsibility to the constituents of Ikeja Fderal Constituency. We note his service to our people as Council Chairman for two consecutive terms of 6 (six) years, a single term of 3(three) years as Executive Secretary in Ojodu LCDA, and another 2 terms of 8(eight) years representing Ikeja at the Federal House of representatives. The time has now come to bring in a new blood, new ideas, fresh representation, a new face, progressive thinking, and most importantly, progressive action and our sister in Ikeja to represent us. Ikeja Federal Constituency being home to the State Capital is not only strategic but also sensitive as the pacesetter for others in terms of legislation that drives development, education, vocation, enterprises and promotes development yet it remains under-developed as our current representative is grossly distracted. For our constituency’s growth, we must adopt someone who is focused and minded with progressive policy agenda if we are to avoid moral decadence, high rate of unemployment, reduced crime and the monetary expenditures associated with all. For over 15 years, there has been no real push to increase productivity among our constituents, encourage vocation and enterprises as education should be the only thing considered as a means to an end. It’s time for our constituency to actively pursue and entice corporations and businesses that offer higher paying jobs to train some of our teaming youth on vocations that can enhance productivity. There has been no follow through on handling the increased rate of unemployment among our youth and no real direction in creating new opportunities, yet youth and young graduate are vitally important to our constituency. As the Federal Constituency that harbors the capital of Lagos which is considered to be the commercial nerve center of the country, we are grossly under represented at the moment. We should lead in the call to have a ‘Special Status’ conferred on Lagos to assist in alleviating the pressure of population explosion and the adverse effect on the State resources. We should lead in landmark legislation on the protection of the Girl child, domestic violence and abuse. We should lead in legislating on the recognition of the Supreme Court judgement on the administration of the 20 Local Governments and the 37 LCDAs in the State. Our elected Officials’ jobs should be to ensure our Constituency’s development, promote a positive environment for Vocation to thrive in, Students to learn and benefit from, and businesses to grow in. Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.” We live in a remarkable community, filled with talented and educated people who share a deep appreciation for our beautiful constituency. We have what it takes to make this a thriving, economically viable, sustainable environment for our families, students, seasonal residents and tourists.

Hon. Toke Benson IT IS TIME………. Ikeja Solidarity Forum (ISF)