The Root Gazette Africa
By Lola Niran | The Root Gazette Africa Magazine | Monday, May 12, 2025
EPE, LAGOS STATE Epe Local Government is undergoing a visible and deeply felt transformation under the leadership of Hon. Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun, the first female Executive Chairman in the history of the division.
In an exclusive interview held on Sunday, May 11, 2025, Hon. Animashaun detailed the strides her administration has made in infrastructure, education, healthcare, digital inclusion, and grassroots empowerment. Her tenure, widely regarded as a benchmark for inclusive and people first governance, has earned praise for its blend of strategic development and community-centered policies.
"When I assumed office, my vision was clear: to rebuild not just structures, but trust," Animashaun said. "We are not just changing the face of Epe we are changing the fate of its people."
Key Projects and Milestones
Among the notable achievements of her administration is the comprehensive renovation of government facilities, including the Epe Customary Court, Legislative and Council Chambers, and the Staff Clinic. The Local Government Secretariat has also undergone a complete facelift, improving service delivery and working conditions for staff.
A major focus of her leadership has been road rehabilitation, with key streets such as Salaibu Lamidi, Otunba Layi Giwa, Shina Dipe, and a 475-meter stretch of Adewale-Logun Street now fully constructed and equipped with solar-powered streetlights. These projects have reconnected neighborhoods and boosted local economic activity.
In the area of commerce, the construction of the Ayetoro Market comprising 100 shops and 175 key clamp stalls.has provided a secure and modern space for local traders. Additionally, a block of seven classrooms was built at Army Barracks Primary School to improve educational infrastructure.
Digital empowerment has also taken center stage with the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Vocational and ICT Center, aimed at equipping youth with technological and entrepreneurial skills.
Riverine communities were not left behind. New wooden jetties were built in Ebute Araromi (Ladaba Village), Igbo-Apawa, and Take Nla, easing water transport for residents, particularly fishermen and traders. Healthcare delivery received a boost with the construction of ten doctors' lodges on Olatunji Ojikutu Street and new boreholes in rural areas such as Erepoto and Saga Village.
Ongoing projects include the development of a Museum and Library Center, a new Health Center, and additional Staff Quarters all part of a long-term plan to elevate the quality of life across Epe.
Social Programs and Human Development
The administration has also prioritized social impact through several key initiatives. The “Iya Epe Goes to School” campaign has distributed educational materials, school kits, and free JAMB and GCE forms to underprivileged students. Annual bursary awards further support undergraduates in tertiary institutions.
The Itoju Àwọn Àgbà program offers medical outreach and monthly welfare support to the elderly, while indigent residents benefit from random free medical assistance. Widows and vulnerable women have been empowered with tools and training to promote economic self-sufficiency. Youths have been engaged through initiatives like Waste to Wealth, which transforms environmental waste into sustainable income.
"What we’ve achieved is not just development it is transformation," Animashaun emphasized. "In all these, I don’t see projects I see people. I see the market woman who now trades in dignity. The child who dreams again."
A Legacy of Purposeful Leadership
When asked about her legacy, Hon. Animashaun spoke of a leadership defined by impact, not position. "I want the story of my tenure to reflect the birth of new possibilities for women, for youth, and for every underserved voice in our communities."
To young women aspiring to lead, her message was clear: "Let your courage be greater than your fear. Develop the 'I can' spirit. Leadership is not a title it is a responsibility."
As Epe rises on a foundation of innovation, empathy, and resilience, Hon. Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun’s administration stands as a powerful light to what focused, inclusive governance can achieve in the heart of grassroots Nigeria.
Hon. Surah Animashaun’s Groundbreaking Achievements:
A Milestone of Victory
Hon. Princess Surah Olayemi Animashaun continues to blaze the trail with transformative projects that mark a new era for Epe Local Government. Her administration has achieved remarkable milestones, including the construction of a modern Museum and Library Center to preserve Epe’s heritage and promote learning. Key administrative blocks have been renovated to enhance public service delivery, while first aid boxes have been distributed to all schools in both upland and riverine areas boosting emergency preparedness in education.
In a major stride toward youth empowerment, a state-of-the-art multipurpose hall and vocational center now serve as hubs for skill acquisition and innovation. Healthcare delivery has been significantly improved through the construction of well equipped doctors’ quarters and an upcoming health center, ensuring better medical access for residents. These initiatives reflect Hon. Animashaun’s vision of inclusive governance and her unwavering commitment to the development and well-being of her people.
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