Alhaji Kolawole Alabi is a visionary activist committed to improving lives, protecting the environment, and advancing the emancipation of humanity from all forms of servitude.
Through a distinguished career in community development, he has actively engaged at every level to turn these humanitarian aspirations into tangible progress.
In this interview with Toye Faleye, he reflects on his accomplishments as the outgoing Chairman of the Ifesowapo/Odubaale/Onibudo Area Community Development Committee (ACDC), highlighting the critical role of collaboration between government authorities and community committees in fostering mutually beneficial and sustainable development.
As an astute community development practitioner, he also shares insightful solutions to grassroots insecurity, upbeat that the reform agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will lay a strong and lasting foundation for Nigeria’s economic growth. Excerpt:
Let’s take a look at your profile, sir, your education, and where you have worked
My name is Suleiman Kolawole Alabi. I had my Primary, Secondary, and tertiary education in Kwara State with a career in Banking and Finance. I worked briefly in Public Service and later at the Premier Financial Institution in this Country – First Bank of Nigeria Plc.
What influenced your passion for community development practice?
I was a passionate union activist during my employment days, which further fueled my love for Community Development Practice.
In what ways do community development associations and committees benefit the people and the government?
The Community Development Association Committee is a grassroots organisation formed by the people to improve their welfare in all aspects, including infrastructure, health, and other social engagements. The committee’s role is to support the government as partners.
As the outgoing Chairman of IFOON ACDC, what are your legacies and achievements?
As the outgoing Chairman of Ifesowapo/Odubaale/Onibudo (IFOON) Area Community Development Committee (ACDC), I give thanks to Almighty God for his mercy, protection, and guidance in the last Six Years (2019 – 2025) of the administration of this progressive ACDC.
By the Special Grace of God, under my leadership, we were able to achieve a cordial, peaceful, and proactive CDA administration through our mentorship.
In education, we organised a Community Leadership Seminar to equip the officers of CDAs with the necessary knowledge on community practice, enabling them to run their CDAs effectively.
We also encouraged the children of our members to pursue higher education through scholarship opportunities at “Owu Polytechnic, Owu College of Education, and Atiba University. Today, a good number of our youths have benefited from this.
In healthcare, we collaborated with health professionals to bring free medical outreach to our members in various areas, including free eye screenings, surgeries, and subsidised eyeglasses.
We organised free prostate screening and subsidised preventive treatments, free tests for blood pressure, blood sugars, and deworming for children from 0-5years.
In infrastructure, my leadership encouraged members to embark on palliative repairs of the worst portions of the Akute–Ijoko Road (Osaro–Lambe Junction) to ease our movement out via Akute to Lagos. We achieved this by opening up the drainage and levelling the road for smooth motoring.
The project cost us N11.5 million through communal efforts within the ACDC and beyond.
All these efforts were a mindset towards bringing succour to our members through community development Programmes.
How would you have done better?
Since governance is a continuum, it is evident that we cannot achieve all at a single point in time; however, other areas still need to be accomplished. However, the funding also hindered some aspects of the programme/projects in mind.
How can the government support community development practices at the association, zonal, senatorial, and state congress levels to enhance community development in their respective areas?
The government can better fund all arms of the Community Association to develop the community through a well-grounded Committee that understands how Community projects are being executed with religious passion and accountability.
How well can community secure their environments in the face of banditry, insecurity, and terrorism?
Community Security is paramount because it is essential for peace of mind, which in turn can lead to development. It can be achieved by engaging Local Security Personnel who are registered with the security agents (Nigeria Police). The “So–Safe,” “VON”, and currently the “AMOTEKUN” squad could be helpful as they are now being put in place in Ogun State. I believe that the Community members will fulfil their obligation in support of this outfit.
What should be the primary focus of community development?
The focus of Community Development should be centred towards bringing relief and succour to the members, considering all the areas stated above.
Is the Basic Citizenship and Leadership course being run effectively for the benefit of the government and community?
The Basic Citizenship and Leadership Course has been a commendable initiative by the government to enhance the performance of community leaders in their respective communities. However, the government is not serious about it; presently, it’s a jamboree for community members and a revenue-generating tactic by the government.
The leadership course is more comprehensive than the way the Ogun State Ministry of Community Development & Cooperatives currently runs it.
It can be widened to involve other critical areas of leadership training. It can be extended to about two weeks, of course, with a better learning environment.
As a finance expert, what will be your comment on the reform agenda embarked upon by President Tinubu?
The various reform agendas embarked upon by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are laudable and are to provide a sustainable foundation for Nigeria’s economy. We are currently experiencing the hardships of the reforms to enjoy the future sustainable benefits.
How do CDAs and CDCs complement the government’s efforts? Should they be scrapped?
CDA/CDC complements the efforts of governments in various ways, including local security, small infrastructure developments, and cooperation on tax payments and levies. It is evident that the government realises the support of CDA/CDCs and therefore scrapping cannot be envisaged.