Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA), the umbrella body of residents of the Lekki axis of Lagos, has sworn in members of its new executive council to pilot the affairs of the association.
At the swearing-in ceremony, which was held on Monday, Mr. Sulyman Kolawole Bello, was inaugurated as LERSA’s president to replace Mr. James Emadoye, while Mrs. Aderonke Oyetunji was sworn in as general secretary.
Also, in the new LERSA executive officers are Mr. Gihan Mbelu, vice president; Mr. Emeka Theophil Offiah, assistant general secretary; Mr. Jenkins Alumona, publicity secretary; Mrs. Ronke Banjo, treasurer; Mr. Kuti Afolabi Fatai (SAN), legal adviser and Mrs. Rekia Eletu, financial secretary.
Speaking at the ceremony, Emadoye thanked members of the association for the support granted his team during his tenure. He also highlighted some of the achievements of LERSA under his presidency.
He said: “Over the last few years, we protested and presented a memorandum on the arbitrary increase in Land Use Charge to the Lagos State House of Assembly six-man ad-hoc committee on Land Use Charge Law 2018.
“We provided a platform for over 200 SMEs and companies to showcase and expand the market for their product and services at the LERSA Trade Fair.
“The association sustained a campaign and intervention on behalf of members, on the plan by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to wrongly evict some of our members from their properties.
“The association donated a Toyota Hilux as a patrol vehicle, food, temporary shelter, a generator, and other essential items to Ajiwe Police Station affected by the End SARS protest.
“We built an office block to house the police security and general operations department at Ajiwe Police Station and also commenced the provision of temporary accommodation for police and traffic officers working on the axis by raising funds for the ongoing construction of a sleepover bay at Ogombo Police Station.”
He appreciated the support provided by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for LERSA, and pleaded with the governor to complete the regional and coastal roads in the axis.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Senior Special Adviser on Housing, Mr. Ayodeji Amodu, advised the new LERSA executive to continue with the good works of the outgoing leadership, adding that the state government would continue to support the association.
Amodu said: “We have more coming for residents of this corridor. The governor will not abandon this corridor which is the fastest growing in the state. I urge the new exco to collaborate with the government.
“LERSA will benefit from the second term of our amiable governor. Lagos State will collaborate with you and the regional roads will be given adequate attention.”
In his inaugural message, the new LERSA’s president said that his administration would focus on improving social infrastructure in the area.
“The focus of this new LERSA regime will be on public infrastructure, health, education, and security. I am quite excited with the starling quality of the assemblage of men and women arrayed beside me in the new LERSA executive council. I am aware of the onerous responsibilities involved and pledge my dedication to the cause,” he said.
Founded in 2010, LERSA has acquired an impressive reputation over the years as the conscience and mouthpiece of Lekki residents and stakeholders on issues relating to their well-being and advocacy.
