The immediate past Chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Kolade Alabi David, has commended the organisers of the Bariga Legislative Summit 2.0, led by Oguns Suliyat, describing the initiative as a “wonderful movement” that should be sustained and expanded to empower young people and strengthen grassroots governance.

Speaking at the summit, Alabi, a House of Representatives Aspirant for Somolu Federal Constituency applauded the programme, noting that such platforms are essential for developing youth capacity and encouraging meaningful civic participation.

“I appreciate and give kudos to the organisers of the Bariga Legislative Summit 2.0. Honestly, this is what all our youth should incorporate. We need more summits that carry value and can also familiarise our youths,” he said.

He urged for more engagements of similar nature, stressing that structured summits could play a key role in shaping leadership and policy thinking among young people.

According to him, young people should no longer be viewed as leaders of the future alone but as active contributors to present-day governance.
“We always say you are the future of tomorrow, but to me, you are today’s future. Your time is now,” he said.

Alabi also emphasized the importance of “legislating for impact,” noting that lawmaking at the grassroots must reflect the real needs of the people.

He explained that effective legislation should be designed to address everyday challenges in communities, including education, sanitation, youth development, and healthcare.

“If we legislate for impact within the context of the grassroots, it means crafting solutions that speak directly to the realities of our people—our streets, our schools, and our youth,” he said.

He further noted that meaningful governance must be rooted in understanding local challenges and converting them into opportunities for development.

According to him, policies must be designed in collaboration with stakeholders and community leaders to ensure they are both relevant and sustainable.

Alabi also highlighted areas such as waste management, support for local traders, and improvements in primary healthcare as key sectors where grassroots legislation can deliver visible results.

“When our legislation reflects the true needs of the community, it builds trust and delivers visible results that residents can feel,” he added.

He concluded by urging continued collaboration among lawmakers, community leaders, and residents to ensure that policies are not only impactful but scalable across wards and communities.