Group makes case for Lagoon State
By Wale Ajetunmobi 15/02/2012 00:00:00
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Chief Olusola Benson of the popular Benson family in Ikorodu, has reiterated his call for the creation of another state out of the present Lagos State. Chief Benson stated this at a Town Hall meeting held penultimate weekend at G & G Event Centre, Agbowa in Epe Local Government Area. He added that instead of calling for the creation of Lagoon and New Lagos states, it would be better demand the creation of Lagoon State. sThe meeting was chaired by Chief Babasola Thomas, a prince of Agbowa Kingdom.

The group is seeking for creation of new state that will comprise Kosofe, Ikorodu, Epe, Apapa, Eti-Osa, Ibeju Lekki and Somolu out of the present Lagos State.

It said Lagos was the only state in Nigeria that was not considered when new states were created by past military administrations. Citing old Kano State, which had same population as Lagos, the group said Jigawa State was carved out of Kano State.

Claiming that Lagoon State, if created, would be economically and educationally viable, the chairman of the movement, Chief Benson said the new state would have in its domain the Apapa port, the University of Lagos, Ikorodu campuses of Lagos State University and Polytechnic, and industries in Ikorodu.

Notable chiefs from the sleepy Agbowa town and other parts gathered at the meeting, which was the maiden assembly of the movement. The Yeye Oba of Agbowa, Chief Margret Adeyemo, who expressed personal opinion, said: "I was one of those contacted two years ago to measure the performance of Governor Babatunde Fashola. I scored him high because he performed creditably well."

She continued: "But I made a point that the local governments in Lagos are too large and I think this was why Tinubu administration created more local governments in the form of local council development areas (LCDA). But instead of creating more local governments or LCDAs, let the state be split into two so that development can reach the grassroots."

She further advised that the movement should not pursue the state creation agenda with force, saying the group should engage the authority especially the Lagos State Government in constructive discussion. The Chief Imam of Agbowa, Alhaji Bello, who commended the members of the movement, said the meeting was to sensitise the people of the seven cities on the need to join the call for the creation of Lagoon State.

Chief Benson said that Lagos State, due to its exploding population, is disadvantaged according to the present sharing formula.

He said: "When all the states were 12, they all had one-twelfth allocation; when the states were 19, they all had one-nineteenth and when we have 36 states, they all had 1/36. Lagos State has been shortchanged since 1976 and if, therefore, Lagos is divided into two, our Federal allocation will be doubled."

He said the matter had been taken to the National Assembly and Lagos House of Assembly, saying the group was awaiting formal invitation from the lawmakers. The Balogun of Agbowa, Chief Oludayo Adesanya, former chairman of Epe Local Government Area, Chief Arowojobe, Colonel A. Adenuga (rtd), and Lisa of Agbowa are some of the high chiefs present at the meeting.


http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/newsextra/36799-group-makes-case-for-lagoon-state.html

Una no want reservoir state?

@afam4eva
My your tongue oo. These are my people, and their demands are legitimate.