It was a rainy evening in September last year, and for the first time in many years, mothers on Dayo Ojutiku Street in Ramoni Ward did not have to lift their children above flood water to get home. As contractors moved out and the new asphalt settled, one elderly woman stood by her gate and said, “God has remembered us.” That single sentence captured what the last 12 months have been about in Itire–Ikate LCDA.
One year ago, our people gave their mandate to _Hon. Oluwafemi Daniel Odunayo_, a leader whose promise was simple: let the people feel government. Today, as we mark his first year in office, that promise has become tarred roads, bright streets, functional buildings, and renewed hope. It has become what residents now call, with pride, _“The Odunayo Miracle.”_
Leadership, for Chairman Odunayo, begins with the basics. And nothing touches daily life more than good roads. That is why his administration kicked off with one of the most ambitious grassroots road projects we have seen in recent times — _“Operation 7 Roads.”_ The vision was clear: touch all seven wards at once, and ensure that no community is left behind.
Today, Dayo Ojutiku Street in Ramoni Ward, Toussu Street in Karounwi/Ogunsami, Onadeko Street in Baruwa, Obajimi Street in Agunbiade, Olojudo Street in Airways, Ashabi Shonuyi Street in Sanusi, and Ajijedidun Street in Odo-Olowu are no longer stories of potholes and pain. They have been constructed with proper drainage and fitted with solar-powered streetlights that now keep our neighbourhoods safe well into the night. By the time the administration marked its 100 days in office, these seven roads had been completed and handed over to the people. It was a bold statement that this government is about speed, quality, and equity.
But the Odunayo miracle does not end on the roads. It is written in the walls we are rebuilding and the institutions we are strengthening. The Itire–Ikate Marriage Registry was remodeled and expanded likewise the Legislative chamber which now has all offices en-suite with a bigger chamber to meet modern standards and restore dignity to public service. In the same vein, the Office of the Executive Chairman has undergone a complete upgrade and renovation to align with the standard of modern governance. The new look reflects efficiency, transparency, and a work environment befitting the business of serving the people.
In his quest to enhance security output the Hon Odunayo led administration renovated the Itire police station which was long dilapidated.
Additionally, the long stretch of Akewukewe/Airways to Ijesha bus stop was patched with asphaltic concrete to ease vehicular movement; so also some parts of Omilani street that were unmotorable were fixed.
In the spirit of boosting institutional capacity, three brand new official buses were also presented to the Council Legislature, the Office of the Chairman, and NULGE to ease movement and improve service delivery to our people. These are not isolated gestures. They are deliberate steps to make Itire–Ikate a place where infrastructure supports business, security, and family life.
What makes this one year remarkable is the philosophy behind it. Chairman Odunayo believes that infrastructure must have a human face. Every road comes with drainage to prevent flooding. Every streetlight runs on solar to guarantee sustainability. Every project is monitored to ensure it lasts. This is governance that thinks about the next generation, not just the next election.
The Council Manager, Mrs. Esther Ajose, rightly noted that these projects build on other impactful programmes already rolled out — from skill acquisition to youth empowerment. But it is the visible transformation on our streets and in our public offices that has made residents believe again. At town halls and community meetings, the message from the Chairman has remained consistent: government must be measured by outcomes, and the people must see and feel the impact.
One year is not a destination. It is a foundation. Under the leadership of Hon. Oluwafemi Daniel Odunayo, Itire–Ikate LCDA is aligning fully with the THEMES+ Agenda of the Lagos State Government and the Sustainable Development Goals. We are building a council where movement is easy, where businesses thrive because roads are good, where children are safe. After all, streets are lit, and public buildings reflect the pride of our people.
The roads are open. The lights are on. The offices are working. The work continues.
This is the Odunayo miracle — one year of commitment, one year of performance, and the beginning of many more years of progress for Itire–Ikate.
PST LEO OFFOR
Chief Press Secretary to Hon. Oluwafemi Daniel Odunayo Executive Chairman, Itire–Ikate LCDA