DAY 1
Historic launch brings together political stakeholders and Nigerians in the United Kingdom to strengthen grassroots engagement and Diaspora participation
MILTON KEYNES, UNITED KINGDOM | SATURDAY, 24 OCTOBER 2026
The Lagos Grassroots Alliance (LGA) has officially launched its Diaspora Chapter in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, with the inauguration of its Executive Council, marking a significant milestone in the Alliance’s organisational expansion and its commitment to strengthening connections between Lagos and Nigerians living abroad.
The event brought together political leaders, party stakeholders, campaign representatives and members of the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom. The programme featured goodwill messages, a presentation on stakeholder mapping, the presentation of LGA’s vision and mission, the inauguration of the Diaspora Executive Council, and discussions on Diaspora engagement and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among the distinguished personalities present were Hon. Tunde Doherty, Chairman of APC UK; Asipa Doyin Banjo, Financial Secretary, APC Lagos State; Hon. Kappo Samuel, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Education and Member of the LGA Board of Trustees; Mr. Duro Adeboye, Member of the Education Directorate, PBAT/KOH Campaign Council; and Hon. Owolabi Jamiu Falana, Convener of Lagos Grassroots Alliance.
FALANA HIGHLIGHTS STAKEHOLDER MAPPING AND LAGOS ELECTORAL TRENDS
In his address, the LGA Convener, Hon. Owolabi Jamiu Falana delivered a presentation on Stakeholder Mapping, highlighting the importance of identifying critical stakeholders, understanding electoral trends and strengthening political engagement at the grassroots.
Drawing attention to electoral developments in Lagos State across successive election cycles since 2003, Falana examined changes in the party’s electoral performance and the lessons these trends offer for future political organisation.
He emphasised the importance of strategic planning, effective coordination, stakeholder relationships and sustained engagement with communities. His presentation underscored the need to understand local dynamics, maintain meaningful connections with stakeholders and translate strategic analysis into practical grassroots engagement.
POLITICAL AND CAMPAIGN STAKEHOLDERS DELIVER GOODWILL MESSAGES
The inauguration featured goodwill messages from prominent political and campaign stakeholders.
Hon. Tunde Doherty, Chairman of APC UK, delivered a goodwill message, while Asipa Doyin Banjo, Financial Secretary of APC Lagos State, also addressed the gathering.
Similarly, Mr. Duro Adeboye, a member of the Education Directorate of the PBAT/KOH Campaign Council, delivered a goodwill message in recognition of the occasion and its objectives.
Their participation reflected the importance of engagement among party structures, campaign stakeholders and Diaspora communities in sustaining communication and collaboration across geographical boundaries.
Hon. Kappo Samuel, who serves as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Education and as a member of the LGA Board of Trustees, encouraged Diaspora members to maintain strong connections with their communities at home and contribute to grassroots development.
Drawing on the Yoruba expression “Àjò ò lè dàbí ilé”— meaning that no foreign place can truly be like home— he emphasised the importance of collective effort and shared responsibility, encouraging Nigerians abroad to support their communities through investment, mentorship, knowledge-sharing, enterprise development and other practical contributions.
SIX EXECUTIVES INAUGURATED TO LEAD THE DIASPORA CHAPTER
A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Executive Council of the LGA Diaspora Chapter. The newly inaugurated officers and their portfolios are:
- Hon. Adedamola Rotimi Oladini-Cole — Diaspora Coordinator.
- Hon. Sunkanmi Onafowokan — Diaspora Deputy Coordinator.
- Hon. Olarewaju Toheeb Lawal — UK Coordinator.
- Oluwaseyi Jonathan Arewa — Diaspora Secretary.
- Hon. Omolola Atilola Okuyiga — Publicity Secretary and Spokesperson.
- Olanrewaju Lukman Akanbi — Diaspora Technology, Infrastructure and Security Lead.
The inauguration establishes a formal leadership structure to coordinate the chapter’s activities, strengthen communication among members and advance the Alliance’s objectives within the Diaspora community.
The newly inaugurated executives are expected to support the organisation of programmes, stakeholder engagement, communication, technology and infrastructure coordination, and grassroots mobilisation initiatives.
SUPPORT FOR TINUBU AND HAMZAT AHEAD OF 2007
The programme also featured a declaration of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and for Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as the party’s governorship candidate for Lagos State in the 2027 elections.
Participants expressed their support for these political aspirations and discussed the importance of sustained engagement with communities and stakeholders across Lagos State.
The gathering also reflected participants’ hope that Nigerians in the Diaspora would eventually be able to vote in Nigerian elections from their countries of residence. This was expressed as an aspiration for future democratic participation.
The discussion highlighted the interest of Nigerians abroad in maintaining a meaningful connection with Nigeria’s democratic process and contributing to conversations about national and state development.
ADVANCING DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT AND GRASSROOTS MOBILISATION
Another key component of the programme was the presentation of the 2027 Diaspora Engagement and Grassroots Mobilisation initiative.
The initiative reflects LGA’s interest in connecting Diaspora participation with grassroots engagement at home. It provides a framework for encouraging continued communication, community involvement and collaboration between Nigerians abroad and stakeholders in Lagos State.
The event concluded with solidarity messages, membership remarks, votes of thanks and group photographs, marking the official launch of the Diaspora Chapter and the inauguration of its executive leadership.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR LAGOS GRASSROOTS ALLIANCE
The Milton Keynes inauguration represents an important milestone in the development of Lagos Grassroots Alliance. By establishing a formal Diaspora structure, the Alliance has extended its organisational network beyond Nigeria and created an additional platform for engagement with Nigerians living abroad.
The occasion brought together political stakeholders and members of the Diaspora community around discussions on leadership, political participation, grassroots development and the future of Lagos State.
As the Alliance continues to expand its structures, the launch of the Diaspora Chapter signals its commitment to sustaining connections across borders and encouraging constructive participation in the affairs of communities at home.
Lagos Grassroots Alliance (LGA)
One Lagos!
Many Voices!!
Sustaining Stronger Communities… Together.