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In its effort at increasing awareness and understanding of civic rights and responsibilities amongst the residents of Lagos, the Lagos State Government, through the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement (OPL&CE), has organised a three-day Legislative sensitisation programme across the three Lagos State Senatorial Districts.
The sensitisation focused on three recently passed laws by the Lagos State Government, namely: the Human Organ Harvesting and Tissue Transplant Law 2024, the Victims Assistance and Witness Protection Law 2024, and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law 2024.
The programme, which took place recently was held at Igbogbo-Bayeku Local Council Development Area, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, under the Lagos East Senatorial District, while the second edition was held at Red Cross Hall, Makoko Road, Adekunle, Yaba, Lagos, under the Lagos Central Senatorial District.
Delivering her welcome address at the third edition of the sensitisation, which was held at Isolo Local Council Development Area, off Osolo Way, under the Lagos West Senatorial District, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Engr. Sholabomi Shasore, said that the purpose of the event was to sensitise members of the public on the recently enacted laws in Lagos State, explaining that one of the core responsibilities of the Office is promote legislative education amongst residents of the State and to ensure residents understand the provisions and implications of new laws.
Conveying the goodwill and greetings of the Special Adviser on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen, to all participants, she emphasised that the vision of the Office is to ensure that every resident of Lagos State is actively engaged, fulfilled, and able to live together in harmony.
According to her, the Office regularly visits communities to interact directly with residents, keep them informed about government activities, and ensure that citizens are aware of opportunities and services available to them.
She stressed that feedback received from such engagements is critical, as it is relayed to the State Government to guide future actions and policy decisions.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Executive Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area, Hon. Adebayo Olasoju, represented by the Special Adviser, Chairman’s Office, Hon. Abiola Ayinde Marshal, commended the Lagos State Government and the Office for initiating the sensitisation programme.
He described the platform as an effective bridge between the government and the people, noting that it helps residents understand their rights and the appropriate channels to seek redress when those rights are breached, adding that the information shared would be cascaded to other residents who could not attend the programme.
The Chairman highlighted several developmental programmes implemented by the Isolo LCDA Administration over the past five years, including healthcare support for the elderly, back-to-school initiatives for pupils, construction of standard roads, and periodic financial assistance to residents.
During her presentation, the representative of the Citizens’ Mediation Bureau, Barrister Gbemisola Cole Abdul-Azeez, explained that the Bureau provides free, impartial mediation services for civil disputes as an alternative to litigation.
She outlined areas handled by the Bureau, including landlord-tenant disputes, employment matters, family disputes, land and inheritance issues, commercial disputes, and community conflicts.
She also informed participants that tenancy matters would soon be regulated under a new tenancy law currently before the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The representative of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), Mrs. Folashade Ashaye, educated participants on consumer rights and the agency’s mandate to protect and promote consumers in Lagos State.
She emphasised the rights of consumers and value for money and explained the complaint resolution process, including mediation and the operations of the Consumer Court and advised residents to patronise identifiable sellers and artisans, retain receipts, and exercise caution when purchasing goods from roadside vendors.
Representing the Law Reform Commission, the Deputy Director, Mr. Kehinde David, provided insights into three newly enacted laws, explaining the objectives, key provisions, offences, and penalties under each law, noting that the laws were enacted to protect residents, curb illegal practices, and strengthen justice delivery in Lagos State.
The highlight of the programme was the interactive session where residents raised concerns relating to financial assistance, electricity supply, billing without power supply, road infrastructure, erosion and flooding, activities of scavengers and area boys, consumer protection in land transactions, and paid blood donation and organ harvesting.
The Permanent Secretary (OPL&CE) provided clarifications and assured participants that all feedback received would be conveyed to the State Government and escalated to appropriate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies for necessary action.
Participants at the event included market women, artisans, Community Development Committees (CDCs), Community Development Associations (CDAs), youth representatives, Community Champions as well as other residents of the Isolo Local Council Development Area community.
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