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| Otunba Olumide Sunday Olatunji, ACDC chairman of Atan-Ota standing |
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| Cross section of the CDAs leaders in Atan |
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| Pastor Omolomo, Immediate past chairman Atan ACDC standing |
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| Ecobank officials at the community AGM |
By Oladipo Oluwatosin
The Atan Community Development Council (ACDC) has renewed calls for stronger grassroots participation, improved security collaboration, payment of statutory community levies, and urgent infrastructural interventions across Atan communities in Ogun State.
The meeting, hosted at Royal City CDA, Kooko Atan, under the chairmanship of Pastor David Awo, brought together community executives, residents, LCDA representatives, security stakeholders, and development partners.
Speaking during the gathering, the Chairman of ACDC, Otunba Sunday Olatunji Olumide, announced that a one-day capacity training programme for executives would hold in the third week of June at a registration fee of ₦5,000 per participant, while the Sha Sha meeting is scheduled for July 2026 in Ijebu.
Otunba Olatunji emphasized the importance of identity cards for all CDA members, noting that proper identification would strengthen accountability, organization, and recognition within communities.
He also disclosed that local government social registration would soon commence to improve residents’ data documentation and planning for development projects.
According to him, payment of tenement rates has become compulsory, with ₦4,000 fixed for storey buildings and ₦2,000 for normal buildings.
“These levies are necessary for community growth, infrastructure and state development,” he stated.
Security and Community Peace Top Discussions
Security discussions dominated a major part of the meeting as Comrade Olamilekan Abatan, former ACDC Chairman and Chairman of Atan PCRC, called for sustained patrol operations and stronger collaboration among residents and security agencies.
Comrade Abatan warned parents against allowing their children to be used by land grabbers and criminal elements.
“Land grabbers do not use their own children for dangerous activities. They recruit other people’s children who have turned themselves into vagabonds,” he warned.
He urged residents to prioritize community peace and support local security structures.
The former chairman also revealed that the area Divisional Police Officer (DPO) CSP Oniyinku would retire in June 2026 and appealed to communities to honour the officer for his service to security and peace in the area.
Comrade Abatan further praised the Chairman of Atiraje CDA for consistently publicising community development projects through ACDC platforms for wider visibility.
Concerns Over So-Safe Corps Operations
The meeting also highlighted growing concerns over security challenges in Ologede, Agbedi and Dominion axis.
According to Comrade Abatan, some unscrupulous elements reportedly invade homes and intimidate residents despite the presence of So-Safe Corps personnel within the communities.
He criticized what he described as excessive focus on monthly financial collections rather than practical service delivery and effective community protection.
The stakeholders therefore called on the So-Safe Corps headquarters to intensify intervention efforts, strengthen operational effectiveness, and improve conflict resolution mechanisms within affected communities.
Road Construction, Drainage and Marginalisation Issues Raised
Community leaders also expressed concerns over the effects of ongoing road construction without adequate drainage systems, warning that many houses close to the roads are now vulnerable to flooding and erosion.
The ACDC disclosed that discussions had already been held with Hi-Tech representatives regarding drainage-related issues affecting some areas and called for urgent intervention to prevent further damage.
Leaders equally raised concerns over alleged marginalisation in Atan, Ogun State, blaming poor documentation and refusal of some residents to provide accurate community data for developmental setbacks.
They maintained that refusal to pay tenement rates and land use charges would continue to hinder infrastructural growth and access to government intervention projects.
Comrade Abatan openly declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing the ongoing Atan Coastal Road project as evidence of government intervention in the area.
According to him, although he once had reasons to question the President’s performance because he voted for him, the implementation of the road project personally restored his confidence in the administration and convinced him to support continuity.
He also commended his brother, Hon. Ojugbele, for donating about ₦500,000 towards the police station project during his tenure as ACDC Chairman.
The meeting concluded with renewed appeals for unity, accountability, effective women participation in leadership, and increased attendance at future ACDC meetings by all community representatives.
