In a heart-warming display of inclusive governance, the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), in collaboration with the Seed Care & Support Foundation (SCSF), hosted the second edition of its Gift Presentation Ceremony on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The event, held at the LASRRA Board Room, celebrated children from low-fee private schools who won in a raffle draw, while also highlighting the importance of early resident registration.
This initiative forms part of LASRRA’s wider objective of increasing civic participation across all socio-economic groups, with a special focus on ensuring children in underserved communities are not left behind in the state’s registration drive. The program offers not only gifts but also hope, awareness, and the inclusion of children in developmental planning through access to identity and data systems.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, the General Manager of LASRRA, expressed her appreciation for the initiative’s growing reach. She explained that registering young residents is key to achieving accurate demographic data, which supports effective governance, particularly in essential services like the Mandatory Health Insurance Scheme.
According to her, the raffle draw serves as both a motivator and a public awareness strategy. She praised the commitment of the Seed Care & Support Foundation for collaborating with LASRRA to reach children in educationally vulnerable communities, stating, “This initiative is more than a gift presentation; it is a bridge that connects underserved communities to the broader benefits of government planning and support.”
In a speech delivered by Mrs. Evelyn Ibukun Pelemo on behalf of the acting Director-General, Mr. Aderemi Abdul, the partnership between LASRRA and the Foundation was described as visionary. She commended the program’s structure, which not only promotes civic responsibility but also drives innovation and synergy between public and private sectors to support education and identity management.
Mrs. Pelemo emphasized that this initiative provides both tangible and intangible benefits, ranging from school-level motivation and recognition to long-term access to government services. She called for more low-fee private schools to take part in this unique opportunity, describing the program as one that is aligned with Lagos State’s drive to “Leave No Child Behind.”
Also addressing the gathering, Mrs. Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Executive Director of SEED Care & Support Foundation, celebrated the success of the initiative, revealing that 7,699 residents comprising pupils, parents, and school staff had been captured during the two phases of the registration exercise. She pointed out that many more schools are still awaiting registration and urged wider participation.
She noted that the collaboration between the Foundation and LASRRA is based on strategic community engagement that prioritizes identity management and inclusion. According to her, “We are not just collecting numbers. We are strengthening identity, extending services, and building trust between the government and underserved communities.” She urged all low-fee private schools to take advantage of this initiative.
Mrs. Oniyitan reiterated the Foundation’s mission to continually support educational and welfare programs for disadvantaged children. She explained that the raffle draw and gift presentation were creative incentives to educate children and their parents about the long-term benefits of being included in the residents’ database.
At the event, students who emerged as winners were presented with a range of educational items including school bags, lunch boxes, and other supplies that would aid their academic journey. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as pupils, parents, and school representatives celebrated the recognition and rewards.
The significance of this initiative extends beyond the gifts distributed. It reflects a purposeful drive to ensure that every Lagos resident, regardless of social class, is captured in the state’s development plans. By targeting children, LASRRA and its partners are laying the groundwork for long-term policy effectiveness, health care planning, and educational development.
LASRRA reaffirmed its dedication to supporting inclusive governance through strategic partnerships and community-based initiatives. It restated its mission of ensuring that every resident, especially those in marginalized communities, is registered, recognised, and considered in state-wide policy decisions and services.
