The Executive Chairman of the Ikorodu Local Government, Hon Wasiu Adeshina, has bagged the National Integrity lcon Award.
The award was presented to the council boss during his Annual Ramadan Lecture programme, organised in conjunction with IRADAT Family, led by Al-Imam Shakirudeen Akanni.
The lecture, which was the third in the series, serves as a platform through which Hon. Adesina identifies with the Muslim community in Ikorodu during the annual Ramadan fasting.
The event was held at the local government’s open space at Ita Elewa and was attended by notable Islamic clerics, members of the executive and legislative arms of the local government and top officials of the council, led by the Council Manager, Engr. Martins Odupitan.
The Vice Chairman of the council, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, was also presented with the National Integrity Icon award.
The awards was presented by the Nigeria’s Centre for Ethics and Self-Value Orientation (CESVO).
The body, which works with about 1,500 whistleblowers in all local governments in the country, annually engages in the conduct of independent assessment of the activities of public officials, individuals and corporate organizations and honour those found to be above board in the discharge of their official duties as a way of commending and encouraging them.
Speaking briefly before presenting the award, the Executive Director of the body, Prince Salih Musa, said that the body conducted its assessment through questionnaires, opinion polls, interviews, informants, budget tracking and project site visitation, without the consent of the council boss.
In his brief response, Hon. Adeshina thanked God for the award and dedicated it to the collaboration between himself, the legislative arm and the hardworking staff of the local government.
He concluded by pledging to be more trustworthy and transparent in the discharge of his duties while promising to perform better.
Meanwhile, delivering the Ramadan lecture, Imam Akanni charged political office holders to be selfless and God-fearing in their dealings while in public office.
He urged them to remember that political office is a temporary position and that they would all face God on the day of reckoning for their actions while in office.
The cleric also commended Hon. Adesina for hosting the annual event, while encouraging him to draw closer to God in prayers and in the observation of the five pillars of Islam.
A major highlight of the event was the distribution of packaged iftar meal to all attendees, courtesy of the council chairman.