It was an impressive display of collaboration and commitment to environmental cleanliness in the early hours of Saturday as the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, led six Permanent Secretaries and other government officials to Onipetesi area of Ikeja Local Government for the October 2026 Environmental Sanitation Monitoring Exercise.
The team arrived at about 6:45am and was received by the Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD), alongside the Vice Chairman, Mr. Abisola Omisore; the Council Secretary, Prince Adeyinka Illo; the Leader of the Legislative House, Hon. Ogunseye Adisa; members of the management team and other council officials.
The Permanent Secretaries accompanying the Head of Service were Engr. Adeyemi Adetunji Adesanya, Mrs Durodola Bukola Olusola, Mrs Oladeji Oluwatoyin Olubunmi, Dr Mrs Oluwo Adenike Oluwafunmilayo, Dr Adegbite Olawale Mahadiyu and Mr Adebayo Mubashiru.
Also participating in the exercise were officials of the Lagos State Government, including personnel of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), as well as students from Army Children Senior High School, Army Cantonmentr Senior High School, State Senior High School, Ikeja Senior High School, Ikeja Junior High School and Onilekere Junior High School were present at the exercise.
The monitoring team inspected several streets and drainage channels, moving from Seidu Street through Olumo, Onilekere, Ebun-Oluwa and Ijesha Close to Irepodun Street. Schools represented included Army Children Senior High School, Army Cantonment Senior High School, State Senior High School, Ikeja Senior High School, Ikeja Junior High School and Onilekere Junior High School.
Speaking after the exercise, Agoro expressed concern over the indiscriminate disposal of refuse into drainage channels, describing the practice as unacceptable and a threat to public safety.
He said the monitoring exercise was designed not only to assess environmental conditions but also to educate residents on their responsibility to maintain a clean and safe environment.
“We observed in some of the streets that people were throwing refuse into the drainage channels. This is totally unacceptable. We must reorient and educate residents on the need to keep the environment clean.”
“Our presence here is to encourage and educate them on the importance of a clean and safe environment. The government is making efforts to clear the waterways and drainage channels, but residents must also cooperate. Refuse does not get into the drainage channels by itself; people put it there. If we do not stop this practice, we will continue to experience flooding,” he said.
The Head of Service further explained that the government, through the relevant environmental authorities and Ikeja Local Government, are taking steps to improve drainage infrastructure, including ongoing efforts towards the construction of another drainage channel in the area.
He however, stressed that infrastructural interventions would achieve limited results without the cooperation of residents, urging community members to take ownership of their surroundings and dispose of waste through approved channels.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda, appreciated the Lagos State Governor for sustaining the monthly environmental sanitation initiative and commended the Head of Service for leading the delegation to the council.
Dauda described the visit as a morale booster for the council’s environmental team, noting that environmental cleanliness remained a major priority under the I.K.E.J.A Agenda, where the letter ‘E’ represents Environmental Cleanliness.
“We appreciate Mr. Governor for declaring the last Saturday of every month as Environmental Day. I am particularly delighted to have the Head of Service, a technocrat, here with six Permanent Secretaries to see firsthand what we are doing as a local government.”
“Under our I.K.E.J.A Agenda, environmental cleanliness is a key priority. We have continued to engage our residents because public enlightenment is essential. Many people are still unaware of the consequences of indiscriminate waste disposal and the importance of maintaining a clean environment,” he said.
The Chairman disclosed that the drainage construction project around Onilekere and Onipesi had been awarded to a contractor, expressing optimism that the intervention would significantly improve the area’s drainage system and general environmental outlook within the next six months.
He also called on residents to support the council’s efforts by properly bagging their refuse and disposing of it through approved waste management channels rather than dumping it in drains and waterways.
Dauda further disclosed that the Governor had approved the provision of two compactors for every local government in the state, adding that the equipment was expected to be delivered within two months to strengthen waste collection and management.
He assured residents that the council would continue to respond to their concerns and work towards improving environmental infrastructure, stressing that community needs and requests would continue to inform its budgetary priorities.
The October exercise reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between the state and local governments, community participation and sustained public enlightenment in tackling indiscriminate waste disposal, blocked drainage channels and the risk of flooding.