Banky Wellington’s Legislative Agenda and Manifesto The 7 E’s for Eti Osa Federal Constituency
My people,
It is my honour to fly the PDP’s flag in the 2023 House of Representatives election for the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency. I am grateful to have won the confidence of the party leadership and delegates in the primary contest, and am humbled by their confidence in me and the backing of my community.
We must embark on the journey of bringing our beloved country back from the brink, and we must begin here at home. We need reformers in government, not rent-seekers. We need servant leaders who truly value the opportunity to serve as one that should be earned, rather than those who view it as an inheritance that they are entitled to.
As a nation, innovation and reform will be the keys to pulling ourselves out of our current dire circumstances and propelling us on the path towards development and prosperity. Simply put, this means rethinking some of the ways we have always done things, and introducing new, innovative solutions to the challenges at hand.
Therefore, when elected as the Representative of Eti-Osa, the seven points outlined below will form the backbone of my legislative agenda. This agenda is not an exhaustive list of what will be achieved, it however serves as a guideline for our work while in office.
Hon. Banky Wellington’s “7 E’s FOR ETI-OSA” AGENDA
1) Educating our young people: I’m making it my priority to prepare our young people in Eti Osa for the world of tomorrow by giving them the tools of today. One way to achieve this is through technology. We will ensure that every child in the Eti-Osa public school system has the opportunity to interact with technology in an environment conducive for learning the same. We will achieve this by partnering with domestic and global tech companies to design a curriculum that prepares kids who attend for a career in tech. Furthermore, I will pursue a collaboration between the public and private sectors to make putting a computer lab/tech hub in every ward a reality for schools in our Eti-Osa community. We hope to begin this effort even during the campaign season (depending on the funds we are able to secure) by building an independent tech hub which will offer free courses in basic computing skills, desktop publishing, coding, web development and other technology disciplines to those who cannot afford it. This independent hub will serve as the prototype example from which we will pursue our technology agenda in our public schooling system while in office. It is clear that digital skills services would be a great source of employment for our youth and also a viable source of exporting an in-demand service to generate foreign exchange for the country. My goal, therefore, will be to make the Eti-Osa constituency a viable technology hub, and this is what will set us on the path to getting there. Also, we will champion legislation to amend the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act from being a counterpart funded programme to a programme for results. This will ensure States are rewarded for specific education outcomes, which encourage outcomes like enrollment, teacher coverage ratio, pass rate etc. It will also mean states that are struggling fiscally don’t get penalized for inability to find the counterpart funding to release the FG portion of UBE funding.
Furthermore, I will lobby to equip the schools in our constituency with better resourced teachers by partnering with organizations like “Teach-for-Nigeria”, who utilize revolutionary, innovative world-class methods to recruit, train and empower brilliant graduates with teaching fellowships, in order to teach and train our children much more effectively. I have worked with this organization as an ambassador, and we have seen fantastic results in the various locations where they are active – my goal will be to bring this solution to benefit the children and schools of Eti-Osa.
Another legislative priority in this area is to continue the push for reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme by excising it from the constitution. This will make future amendments to the programme easier to achieve, because currently, any changes will need to follow the constitutional amendment process. It means we can shape the programme to respond better to changing economic situations, improve its impact on corp members and make it more relevant to the needs of the nation and our young people. The fact that things have been done a certain way for decades does not mean that it should continue. We must always consider changing dynamics. The NYSC program, as it is currently set up, no longer accomplishes the goals for which it was originally designed.
2) Empowering our small businesses: Small businesses are the lifeblood of my constituency and Nigeria at large. They are responsible for the livelihoods of many Nigerians currently in employment. When they thrive, the economy thrives. Currently, they struggle under the burden of multiple taxation and various other impediments to their business operations. I’ve personally felt the effects of these complex requirements first-hand in my experiences as a fast-food restaurant chain owner and marketing agency owner. When elected, I will be at the forefront of resolving these issues and eliminating complexities to enable business owners carry out their operations easily to serve their customers optimally. My pledge is to push for a national Business Environment Reform Law that will itemize and streamline these various fees, taxes and levies into a one-stop shop which will greatly improve the ease of doing business in every constituency. In office, I will push for the harmonizing of the various development finance activities into one institution for better and more effective oversight. Also, I will ensure Eti Osa, arguably the most vibrant commercial federal constituency, gets its fair share of funding that is reflective of the tax being paid by companies operating in the area. I will ensure Eti Osa serves as a pilot for a job centre where the unemployed in the constituency can register their willingness to work and be subsequently matched with gainful employment opportunities both within and outside the constituency.
3) Equipping of our healthcare system: A healthy population is a wealthy one. However, our primary healthcare facilities are nowhere near the standard required for a constituency of this strategic importance to our economy. The deplorable state of our healthcare centers in this community is a source of pain for our people and shame for our government. I’ve personally dealt with severe health challenges which I’m grateful to God that I overcame due to being blessed with the resources and access to excellent care. This is what has inspired my efforts over the years as an advocate and ambassador for healthcare initiatives such as the Pink Oak Cancer Trust Fund, which provided funding for cancer patients who were unable to afford their treatment. One of my priorities as a legislator will be to work with the local government to ensure that all primary healthcare centers in Eti-Osa are properly equipped to be able to attend to the health needs of the constituency. These PHCs form the backbone of our healthcare delivery and thousands of people in our grassroots communities depend on them to cope with their healthcare challenges. I will also join the fight to establish a General hospital within the constituency, as the closest one currently is all the way in Lagos Island, making it very difficult for our people to access and receive proper care in a timely fashion. I will also work with the private sector to provide and amplify awareness of affordable healthcare insurance options for small businesses, young people and the less fortunate in our constituency and nationwide.
4) Equipping and restructuring of our Security system: The security situation in Lagos – and Nigeria – remains a grave concern for all of us. It will be my priority to ensure that we conquer the challenges that threaten the peace and prosperity of our people. One way to achieve these would be to push for the restructuring of our current security system in Nigeria, by advocating for multi-level policing with clear jurisdiction on crimes to complement the current over-worked existing federal force. International best practices suggest that the best policed nations have a collaboration between a state police force protecting communities while the federal arm oversees the most crucial and complex investigations. With that being said, one thing we can immediately do in our constituency to improve security in our neighborhoods, is to ensure that we install solar-powered streetlights. This “low-hanging fruit” is a simple solution that is relatively inexpensive to install, easy to maintain, and would immediately impact the level of security that our people have by serving as an effective deterrent to many criminal elements. While we work on gaining the political consensus necessary achieve , #LightUpEtiOsa will ensure that the streets in the 10 wards of Eti-Osa local government will at the minimum have solar-powered streetlights. Finally, we will hold regular town hall meetings with the existing security agencies responsible for the constituency to ensure they receive resident feedback in a timely manner.
5) Embracing Gender-friendly legislation: Gender equity and gender-based violence remains a massive challenge for our Nation. This is why I’ve personally committed my time, energy, voice and resources in the fight against gender-based violence by partnering with and amplifying the efforts of organizations such as the European Union and the Mirabelle center. Improving the lot of women in every sphere of national life should be a priority for everyone in government; it will therefore be one of my priorities as a legislator. I will support all meaningful federal legislation to further gender equality, including but not limited to the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill, as well as voting for constitutional amendments that failed to pass the House and Senate in the 9th National Assembly. We have kept our women down for far too long. We must do better; we must BE better.
6) The Environment: The living environment in Eti-Osa continues to be a complete eye-sore and a source of disappointment for our people. Challenges with our poor drainage systems and bad roads persist, and electricity continues to be an amenity that is in short supply. While the legislative seat does not have direct control or budget to oversee these things, I intend to use my post to partner, work with and aid the relevant state and local government authorities to help solve these issues. I will persist in engaging the Governor, LGA Chairman, and relevant stakeholders at the NTDA to prioritize the repair of the bad roads within our constituency. I will also help table innovative solutions to the drainage challenge like the utilization of SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage systems) and institutionalizing the frequent clearing of gutters and channels to reduce the persistent flooding disasters we encounter every raining season. I will also use the powers of the seat to draw attention to these issues and attract funding to resolve them.
7) The Extras: As a concerned citizen, I have used my personal finances, resources, energy, time and influence to help alleviate the hardship of the people living in my constituency. Through projects like the Lekki Food Bank, the feeding and clothing drives hosted by my foundation and my local church, I have served tens of thousands. I have provided hardship assistance, scholarships, and grants to my people. I have partnered with Teach-for-Nigeria, to raise our educational standards; I have represented the Pink Oak Cancer Trust Fund to battle the disease; I have worked with the European Union and the Mirabelle center to better the lot of women.
When elected, I will continue to scale up these efforts via my constituency office. We will continue to serve the less privileged members of our community via food banks, medical outreaches, clothing drives, street clean ups, and various charitable efforts aimed at immediately impacting their day-to-day survival. In addition, we will scale up efforts to provide hardship assistance, and small business grants/loans to aid the entrepreneurs in our neighborhoods succeed.
Last-but-certainly-not-least, we will maintain an easily accessible office located in the constituency, where residents will be able to lodge complaints, ask questions and provide feedback and suggestions. As I have done by showing up on the front lines during various incidents like the #ENDSARS protests, the Covid lockdown, and many more, I will do everything within my ability to provide the most responsive, interactive representation that our constituency has ever had at the federal level. I will also commit to hosting periodic townhall meetings that will be held in-person and broadcast online, to enable members of the community engage with their Representative on all issues affecting their way of life, while being transparent and accountable to them on our efforts in office, constituency projects and allowances, and all other aspects of our agenda. We will also engage social and traditional media avenues to give our constituents and the nation at large, an up close and personal view into the affairs of the National Assembly so that all citizens can be inspired to hold their own Reps and Senators accountable as well.
Banky Wellington’s Legislative Agenda and Manifesto The 7 E’s for Eti Osa Federal Constituency
My people,
It is my honour to fly the PDP’s flag in the 2023 House of Representatives election for the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency. I am grateful to have won the confidence of the party leadership and delegates in the primary contest, and am humbled by their confidence in me and the backing of my community.
We must embark on the journey of bringing our beloved country back from the brink, and we must begin here at home. We need reformers in government, not rent-seekers. We need servant leaders who truly value the opportunity to serve as one that should be earned, rather than those who view it as an inheritance that they are entitled to.
As a nation, innovation and reform will be the keys to pulling ourselves out of our current dire circumstances and propelling us on the path towards development and prosperity. Simply put, this means rethinking some of the ways we have always done things, and introducing new, innovative solutions to the challenges at hand.
Therefore, when elected as the Representative of Eti-Osa, the seven points outlined below will form the backbone of my legislative agenda. This agenda is not an exhaustive list of what will be achieved, it however serves as a guideline for our work while in office.
Hon. Banky Wellington’s “7 E’s FOR ETI-OSA” AGENDA
1) Educating our young people: I’m making it my priority to prepare our young people in Eti Osa for the world of tomorrow by giving them the tools of today. One way to achieve this is through technology. We will ensure that every child in the Eti-Osa public school system has the opportunity to interact with technology in an environment conducive for learning the same. We will achieve this by partnering with domestic and global tech companies to design a curriculum that prepares kids who attend for a career in tech. Furthermore, I will pursue a collaboration between the public and private sectors to make putting a computer lab/tech hub in every ward a reality for schools in our Eti-Osa community. We hope to begin this effort even during the campaign season (depending on the funds we are able to secure) by building an independent tech hub which will offer free courses in basic computing skills, desktop publishing, coding, web development and other technology disciplines to those who cannot afford it. This independent hub will serve as the prototype example from which we will pursue our technology agenda in our public schooling system while in office. It is clear that digital skills services would be a great source of employment for our youth and also a viable source of exporting an in-demand service to generate foreign exchange for the country. My goal, therefore, will be to make the Eti-Osa constituency a viable technology hub, and this is what will set us on the path to getting there. Also, we will champion legislation to amend the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act from being a counterpart funded programme to a programme for results. This will ensure States are rewarded for specific education outcomes, which encourage outcomes like enrollment, teacher coverage ratio, pass rate etc. It will also mean states that are struggling fiscally don’t get penalized for inability to find the counterpart funding to release the FG portion of UBE funding.
Furthermore, I will lobby to equip the schools in our constituency with better resourced teachers by partnering with organizations like “Teach-for-Nigeria”, who utilize revolutionary, innovative world-class methods to recruit, train and empower brilliant graduates with teaching fellowships, in order to teach and train our children much more effectively. I have worked with this organization as an ambassador, and we have seen fantastic results in the various locations where they are active – my goal will be to bring this solution to benefit the children and schools of Eti-Osa.
Another legislative priority in this area is to continue the push for reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme by excising it from the constitution. This will make future amendments to the programme easier to achieve, because currently, any changes will need to follow the constitutional amendment process. It means we can shape the programme to respond better to changing economic situations, improve its impact on corp members and make it more relevant to the needs of the nation and our young people. The fact that things have been done a certain way for decades does not mean that it should continue. We must always consider changing dynamics. The NYSC program, as it is currently set up, no longer accomplishes the goals for which it was originally designed.
2) Empowering our small businesses: Small businesses are the lifeblood of my constituency and Nigeria at large. They are responsible for the livelihoods of many Nigerians currently in employment. When they thrive, the economy thrives. Currently, they struggle under the burden of multiple taxation and various other impediments to their business operations. I’ve personally felt the effects of these complex requirements first-hand in my experiences as a fast-food restaurant chain owner and marketing agency owner. When elected, I will be at the forefront of resolving these issues and eliminating complexities to enable business owners carry out their operations easily to serve their customers optimally. My pledge is to push for a national Business Environment Reform Law that will itemize and streamline these various fees, taxes and levies into a one-stop shop which will greatly improve the ease of doing business in every constituency. In office, I will push for the harmonizing of the various development finance activities into one institution for better and more effective oversight. Also, I will ensure Eti Osa, arguably the most vibrant commercial federal constituency, gets its fair share of funding that is reflective of the tax being paid by companies operating in the area. I will ensure Eti Osa serves as a pilot for a job centre where the unemployed in the constituency can register their willingness to work and be subsequently matched with gainful employment opportunities both within and outside the constituency.
3) Equipping of our healthcare system: A healthy population is a wealthy one. However, our primary healthcare facilities are nowhere near the standard required for a constituency of this strategic importance to our economy. The deplorable state of our healthcare centers in this community is a source of pain for our people and shame for our government. I’ve personally dealt with severe health challenges which I’m grateful to God that I overcame due to being blessed with the resources and access to excellent care. This is what has inspired my efforts over the years as an advocate and ambassador for healthcare initiatives such as the Pink Oak Cancer Trust Fund, which provided funding for cancer patients who were unable to afford their treatment. One of my priorities as a legislator will be to work with the local government to ensure that all primary healthcare centers in Eti-Osa are properly equipped to be able to attend to the health needs of the constituency. These PHCs form the backbone of our healthcare delivery and thousands of people in our grassroots communities depend on them to cope with their healthcare challenges. I will also join the fight to establish a General hospital within the constituency, as the closest one currently is all the way in Lagos Island, making it very difficult for our people to access and receive proper care in a timely fashion. I will also work with the private sector to provide and amplify awareness of affordable healthcare insurance options for small businesses, young people and the less fortunate in our constituency and nationwide.
4) Equipping and restructuring of our Security system: The security situation in Lagos – and Nigeria – remains a grave concern for all of us. It will be my priority to ensure that we conquer the challenges that threaten the peace and prosperity of our people. One way to achieve these would be to push for the restructuring of our current security system in Nigeria, by advocating for multi-level policing with clear jurisdiction on crimes to complement the current over-worked existing federal force. International best practices suggest that the best policed nations have a collaboration between a state police force protecting communities while the federal arm oversees the most crucial and complex investigations. With that being said, one thing we can immediately do in our constituency to improve security in our neighborhoods, is to ensure that we install solar-powered streetlights. This “low-hanging fruit” is a simple solution that is relatively inexpensive to install, easy to maintain, and would immediately impact the level of security that our people have by serving as an effective deterrent to many criminal elements. While we work on gaining the political consensus necessary achieve , #LightUpEtiOsa will ensure that the streets in the 10 wards of Eti-Osa local government will at the minimum have solar-powered streetlights. Finally, we will hold regular town hall meetings with the existing security agencies responsible for the constituency to ensure they receive resident feedback in a timely manner.
5) Embracing Gender-friendly legislation: Gender equity and gender-based violence remains a massive challenge for our Nation. This is why I’ve personally committed my time, energy, voice and resources in the fight against gender-based violence by partnering with and amplifying the efforts of organizations such as the European Union and the Mirabelle center. Improving the lot of women in every sphere of national life should be a priority for everyone in government; it will therefore be one of my priorities as a legislator. I will support all meaningful federal legislation to further gender equality, including but not limited to the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill, as well as voting for constitutional amendments that failed to pass the House and Senate in the 9th National Assembly. We have kept our women down for far too long. We must do better; we must BE better.
6) The Environment: The living environment in Eti-Osa continues to be a complete eye-sore and a source of disappointment for our people. Challenges with our poor drainage systems and bad roads persist, and electricity continues to be an amenity that is in short supply. While the legislative seat does not have direct control or budget to oversee these things, I intend to use my post to partner, work with and aid the relevant state and local government authorities to help solve these issues. I will persist in engaging the Governor, LGA Chairman, and relevant stakeholders at the NTDA to prioritize the repair of the bad roads within our constituency. I will also help table innovative solutions to the drainage challenge like the utilization of SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage systems) and institutionalizing the frequent clearing of gutters and channels to reduce the persistent flooding disasters we encounter every raining season. I will also use the powers of the seat to draw attention to these issues and attract funding to resolve them.
7) The Extras: As a concerned citizen, I have used my personal finances, resources, energy, time and influence to help alleviate the hardship of the people living in my constituency. Through projects like the Lekki Food Bank, the feeding and clothing drives hosted by my foundation and my local church, I have served tens of thousands. I have provided hardship assistance, scholarships, and grants to my people. I have partnered with Teach-for-Nigeria, to raise our educational standards; I have represented the Pink Oak Cancer Trust Fund to battle the disease; I have worked with the European Union and the Mirabelle center to better the lot of women.
When elected, I will continue to scale up these efforts via my constituency office. We will continue to serve the less privileged members of our community via food banks, medical outreaches, clothing drives, street clean ups, and various charitable efforts aimed at immediately impacting their day-to-day survival. In addition, we will scale up efforts to provide hardship assistance, and small business grants/loans to aid the entrepreneurs in our neighborhoods succeed.
Last-but-certainly-not-least, we will maintain an easily accessible office located in the constituency, where residents will be able to lodge complaints, ask questions and provide feedback and suggestions. As I have done by showing up on the front lines during various incidents like the #ENDSARS protests, the Covid lockdown, and many more, I will do everything within my ability to provide the most responsive, interactive representation that our constituency has ever had at the federal level. I will also commit to hosting periodic townhall meetings that will be held in-person and broadcast online, to enable members of the community engage with their Representative on all issues affecting their way of life, while being transparent and accountable to them on our efforts in office, constituency projects and allowances, and all other aspects of our agenda. We will also engage social and traditional media avenues to give our constituents and the nation at large, an up close and personal view into the affairs of the National Assembly so that all citizens can be inspired to hold their own Reps and Senators accountable as well.