Lagos Deputy Governor and APC governorship candidate says sustainable charitable funding, youth participation and community resilience are key to the state’s development.
LAGOS — Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has commended the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Lagos Metropolitan Council, for establishing a N2 billion endowment fund to support vulnerable people and promote sustainable community development.
Hamzat gave the commendation while reacting to the unveiling of the N2 billion Endowment Fund and Charity Initiative, describing it as a practical approach to institutionalizing charity and ensuring that assistance to people in need continues beyond occasional donations.
The initiative is designed to provide long-term financial support for charitable interventions, including education, community development and assistance to vulnerable members of society.
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Speaking at the event, Hamzat said the endowment model would enable the organization to generate sustainable income and channel the proceeds into programmes that improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities.
“We build communities as people. We lift each other up. So, this is what it is all about,” he said.
He explained that setting aside funds in an investment structure capable of generating income would help the organization maintain its charitable activities over time, rather than depending exclusively on periodic contributions.
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“What the Knights of St. Mulumba is doing is to say: how do we sustain helping other people? Putting money into a system that generates income and therefore you can help the vulnerable, do boreholes and send people to school,” Hamzat said.
The deputy governor noted that the initiative demonstrated the importance of building institutions and financial mechanisms capable of responding to social needs, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty.
Calls for stronger government-faith partnerships
Hamzat also called for stronger collaboration between government and religious institutions, stressing that both sectors have important roles to play in addressing social challenges and building resilient communities.
He said such partnerships were particularly important in preparing communities to withstand economic disruptions and other shocks that could affect livelihoods and access to essential services.
“We must create a system whereby we can absorb shocks because there will be shocks around the world. What happens in other countries will affect us. How do we make sure we protect ourselves?” he asked.
According to him, partnerships between government and faith-based organizations should be driven by shared development objectives rather than political considerations.
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“That’s why we are encouraging partnership between religious institutions and government. It’s not about just politics. It’s about building our state. It’s about building our nation,” he said.
The deputy governor urged individuals, organizations and other stakeholders to support initiatives that promote education, empowerment and improved living standards, noting that sustainable community development requires collective responsibility.
Hamzat urges greater youth participation in governance
The APC governorship candidate also emphasized the need for greater participation by young people in governance and public affairs, saying they should be given opportunities to contribute to decision-making processes in the present rather than being continually described as leaders of tomorrow.
He pointed to his running mate, Princess Damilola Sonayon James, as an example of the importance of creating opportunities for young people to participate actively in the political system.
“She’s there to tell our young people that you are on the system. You are not outside it,” he said.
Hamzat argued that the traditional expression describing young people as “leaders of tomorrow” should give way to greater recognition of their capacity to contribute to society today.
“We keep saying they are leaders of tomorrow. I’m sure they are tired of that. They are leaders of today,” he said.
He encouraged young people to become more involved in political and civic activities, stressing that active participation would give them opportunities to shape policies and contribute to the development of the state.
Promises and integrity
Speaking on his political campaign, Hamzat said integrity and the fulfilment of commitments would remain central to his approach as he seeks the support of Lagos voters ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He maintained that individuals seeking public office must be prepared to deliver on the promises they make to the electorate.
“With God on our side, everything that we promise, we do. You know, it’s about integrity,” he said.
He added that seeking the mandate of the people comes with the responsibility of fulfilling commitments made during the campaign.
“We are asking for this job. We are going to our people to talk to them about what we are going to do. So, we have no excuse,” he said.
Hamzat also urged voters and supporters to participate in the political process, expressing hope that his team would fulfil its commitments if given the opportunity to govern.
His remarks come as political parties in Lagos intensify preparations for the 2027 governorship election, with issues including education, social welfare, youth participation and economic resilience featuring in discussions about the state’s future development.
The Knights of St. Mulumba’s endowment initiative, meanwhile, places renewed attention on the role of faith-based organizations in providing long-term support for vulnerable communities through structured charitable funding.
