The Executive Chairman of Epe Local Government Area-Honourable (Princess) Surah Olayemi Animashaun has again demonstrated what it takes to be a leader at the grassroots level.
She brought this to the fore during her celebration of another one hundred (100) days in office of unmatched leadership and impactful service delivery, held on the 17th of November, 2025 at the Secrtariat Complex; where she engaged the youth of Epe as well as empowered one hundred (100) young girls with financial support to pursue their goals in life.
The stage was charged when the first ever female Executive Chairman in Epe Division, was welcomed to the conference hall of the Secretariat, by the representatives of Epe Youth, who were drawn from different secondary schools in Epe and major state-owned tertiary institutions in Lagos state.
In her opening remarks, The Executive Chairman re-assured the young Epe Citizens that they are the hallmark of her leadership, while lauding their sterling leadership qualities.
According to Princess Animashaun, “celebrating 100 days in office with the youth as the Executive Chairman of Epe Local Government in my second term was birthed on the conviction that the young ones are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the architects of today”, she said.
“In Epe, we don’t wait for opportunities but create them, we don’t just talk about change, we make it happen. We are here to ignite conversations that matter, to build bridges between the leadership and the youth, to create more new pathways for development and innovation,” she added.
She further explained that from the moment she took the oath of office, she had promised that she would not allow any Epe Youth to be left behind; as every policy she made or programme implemented, partnership pursued, had the one goal of equipping the youth to rise, lead and strive for excellence.
In her words: “ Today, that promise keeps blossoming through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship support and educational development because, the creativity and brilliancy of Epe Youth is inspiring. This is based on the fact that they have proven themselves the generation that is ready to build, lead and make Epe a beacon of progress in Lagos State”, she enthused.
Animashaun who initiated a digital revolution for the youth through partnership with Hauthub, revealed that she chose to mark her 100 days in office by empowering 100 girls with cash support; for them to pursue their dreams because, she can not underestimate the power of the girl child in the local community, the nation and the world at large.
“Let me speak on something very dear to my heart, we are empowering 100 young girls, our sisters, our daughters and future mothers with financial support and mentorship that would help them chase their dreams and change their stories. The initiative is not just about giving but about lightening the fire of pursuit of purpose, it is about saying to every girl in Epe, you are enough, you are capable and your dreams are valued”, the chairman encouraged.
She went further to urge the youth to take active part in governance through constructive criticism rather than toe the line of destructive actions, since that is the only way to make Epe great.
She said: “Let us make impactful contributions to make Epe a community of vision, inclusion and unstoppable progress. Let that vision live in each of you because you are the future. The future is not coming, the future is here, the future is you”, she noted.
The Executive Chairman-Honourable Animashaun concluded, by highlighting the hallmark of her administration which bordered on infrastructural development (museum and library center, ultramodern multi purpose hall, lofty apartment, doctors’ lodge, constructed and completed roads with some roads still under construction), education and youth development, health and humanitarian support, light up Epe and tourism, among others
She also gave awards of recognition to some outstanding youth from the locality, who have proven themselves worthy of recognition.
Similarly, the Guest Speaker and APC Youth Leader in Lagos-Dr. Muritala Seriki in his speech urged the youth to take part in the ongoing voters registration for them to have a say in the governance of the country.
He also canvassed the chairman to make the bursary given to the youth a continual event, to give the youth the ability to collate data quarterly or bi-annually in order to identify the individuals fit for specific skills acquisition.
There was also a panel discussion with the theme: “ Epe Youth In Focus, Building A Sustainable Future Together”, where the young people were encouraged to use their voices for dialogue, innovation and solution which is driven by “capability, character, competency and capacity”, a cultural display as well as an interactive session with The Executive Chairman which was moderated by Ambassador Rahman Saheed.
Some personalities that attended the programme included: The Vice Chairman of Epe Local Government- Honourable Sikiru Owolomase, SSA to Mr. Governor on Vocational and Technical Education, Comrade Muritala Ginda Moore, SSA to Mr. Governor on Youth Matters-Honourable Alabi Opeyemi, APC Youth Leader in Lagos who was also the keynote speaker-Dr. Muritala Seriki, SSA to Mr. Governor on Special Duties-Honourable Tobi Oladapo, APC Party Chairman Epe Local Government-.Alhaji Toyin Gbadamosi, Leader and Deputy Leader of the House, Councillors, Chief of Staff to The Chairman, Special Guest of Honour / President Epe Youth Renaissance Project-Comrade Tobun Riliwan, Youth Coach and Mentor-Mr. Yusuf Kassim.
Others were: Students of Alaro Community High School, Epe Girls, Ogunmodede College, Odo Obara Senior High School, Vivid Mind School, LASUED International School, Chalcedony Ideal Secondary School, Students of LASU and LASUED -Epe Campuses as well as students of LASUSTECH.
High point of the event was the cash support given to 100 girls in the local government to help them chase their dreams.
