A frontline aspirant for the Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) chairman’s seat, Derin Phillips, has unveiled a comprehensive plan designed to restore confidence in the council’s leadership and solve its challenges if elected chairman.
The aspirant, running on the political platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), promised to grant vulnerable residents access to social welfare, innovate in education, and structure the LCDA under the five-pillar agenda that would make the council the pride of Lagos.
The five-point agenda (FAITH) offers solutions for Financing and innovation and technology, Access to social welfare, innovation in education, Transparency in governance, and Health and the environment.
Addressing residents and party members during a massive rally under the Obalende Bridge yesterday, Phillips disclosed that the plan was designed after a holistic review of the residents’ needs, his observations as a council resident, and his understanding of the LCDA’s geographical and economic relevance in Lagos.
Phillip said that the plan, when implemented, would ensure everyone within the Ikoyi-Obalende council benefits from the dividends of democracy from their government.
“I am doing this because this is my home, I was born and bred here. Our LCDA deserves the best candidates to lift the council to greater heights. And I believe I am the most prepared and equipped to serve our people and run for this seat.”
The aspirant added that, over the years, he had acquired leadership skills necessary for political office through service to the state.
He is also an astute businessman interested in entertainment, agriculture, and real estate, which gives him insight into how best to lead the council.
Giving a further breakdown of the FAITH agenda, which he described as a creative strategy for solving complex problems, the expert explained that petty traders and young entrepreneurs would have access to grants that could boost their businesses under his watch.
He added that the residents, especially the vulnerable within the council, would have access to social welfare, saying this was one of the dividends of democracy.
On Innovation in education and technology, Phillips said: “I believe we should be doing things now in compliance with global standards, so under this, we will focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI). I believe there is an emerging potential that we must tap into as Africans, Nigerians, and Lagosians”.
