Last Friday, the streets of Lagos Island pulsed with more than just the usual hustle and bustle. They pulsed with purpose.

As part of the 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) took its campaign straight to the heart of the community with a powerful Advocacy Walk. The message was simple, loud, and clear: Domestic and Sexual Violence has no place in our homes, our communities, or our state.

A United Front on Lagos Island

The walk was flagged off by a passionate advocate for the cause, Hon. (Dr.) Princess Lara Oyekan-Olumegbon, who represents Lagos Island Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly. She didn't just lead the walk; she reminded everyone why it matters.

"Tackling domestic and sexual violence is not a one-person job," she emphasized. "It requires sustained advocacy, community involvement, and a deep sense of collective responsibility." She was joined by Hon. Yunus Abiodun Nurudeen, the APC candidate for Lagos Island Constituency II, showing that protecting our communities is a bipartisan, unified effort.

The walk also highlighted the crucial intersection of health and safety. Dr. Abimbola Bowale, Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Health District IV, addressed the crowd, stressing the vital role healthcare workers play. "When a survivor comes forward, they need timely, compassionate, and appropriate care," he stated, underscoring the health sector's commitment to being a safe haven for those in need.

Taking the Message to the Streets

The Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, reaffirmed the agency's unwavering commitment to prevention.

"This Awareness Month is about deepening the conversation," she said. "It's about encouraging victims and survivors to speak up and reminding every resident that we all have a role to play in preventing violence and supporting those affected."

The energy was electric as government officials, stakeholders, advocates, and everyday community members marched together. The procession began at SURA Primary Health Centre and wound its way through the community, ending at the Lagos Island Local Government headquarters.

### A Warm Welcome and a Shared Commitment

The marchers were warmly received by the Executive Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, Hon. Prince Taiwo Ajibade Oyekan. His reception was more than a formality; it was a powerful symbol of the local government's partnership in this fight.

The community engagement provided a vital opportunity for residents to connect directly with the DSVA. It reinforced key messages:

Report early. Don't wait.

Stay vigilant. Look out for your neighbors.

Act collectively. We are stronger together.

The Work Continues

This Advocacy Walk was more than a single event. It was a testament to the Lagos State Government's sustained commitment to public awareness, prevention, survivor support, and coordinated action. It was a reminder that ending domestic and sexual violence is a marathon, not a sprint—and we are all in this race together.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or sexual violence, please do not suffer in silence. Reach out to the Lagos DSVA today.

Community welfare is often experienced through practical interventions—support with food, education, household expenses, skills or access to opportunities.

As the representative of Lagos Island Constituency I, Princess Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon has undertaken a number of initiatives directed at supporting residents and vulnerable groups.

Earlier food-support programmes included the subsidised food market organised at Oluwole Car Park in Idumota in March 2024. The initiative, carried out in collaboration with The Queen Mother Organisation, provided residents with access to staple food items at significantly reduced prices.

The welfare focus has also extended to direct support. In April 2026, The Guardian and Punch reported that Oyekan-Olumegbon distributed food items and cash gifts to constituents. According to the reports, the initiative was presented as a personal constituency-support effort intended to provide relief to residents.

Punch reported that the initiative included stipends, with the lawmaker explaining that the support began with amounts of ₦10,000 and ₦20,000 and that she hoped to increase the level of support over time.

Such interventions are particularly relevant during periods of economic difficulty, when households can face increased pressure from food, education, transportation and other basic expenses.

At the same time, welfare support needs to be considered alongside longer-term measures such as employment, skills development and economic empowerment. This is reflected in Oyekan-Olumegbon’s legislative portfolio, which combines women affairs, poverty alleviation and job creation.

Her role also intersects with broader state-level efforts to improve women’s economic participation. The Lagos State Women Economic Empowerment Policy Roadmap, launched in 2025, seeks to expand opportunities for women across different sectors and categories, with Oyekan-Olumegbon pledging legislative support for its implementation.

Community welfare therefore operates at two levels. Immediate interventions can provide relief to households facing urgent difficulties, while longer-term programmes can seek to improve people’s ability to earn, learn and participate in economic life.

For Lagos Island Constituency I, the combination of welfare support, education, women’s empowerment, youth development and food-security initiatives provides several avenues through which constituency needs can be addressed.

The continuing challenge is ensuring that such efforts remain connected to sustainable opportunities and measurable improvements in residents’ lives.

Young people represent a significant part of Lagos’ population, making youth development an important component of community and economic development.

For Lagos Island Constituency I, youth-focused initiatives associated with Princess Lara Oyekan-Olumegbon have included education support, technology and skills development.

During a 2023 back-to-school outreach, the News Agency of Nigeria reported that Oyekan-Olumegbon distributed educational materials to pupils and students across 17 schools. During the same event, she discussed plans for agricultural programmes and a technology hub equipped with computers and internet facilities for young people.

The emphasis on technology is particularly relevant in a rapidly changing economy. Digital skills increasingly affect access to employment, entrepreneurship, education and communication.

Youth development, however, cannot be reduced to technology alone. Education, vocational skills, entrepreneurship and opportunities for participation in community life all contribute to preparing young people for the future.

In October 2024, Oyekan-Olumegbon participated as a guest speaker in a World Habitat Day discussion in Lagos centred on youth engagement and the creation of an enabling environment for young people. Vanguard reported that participants emphasised the importance of actively engaging youth and creating opportunities that allow them to reach their potential.

This wider approach to youth development is important because young people need both skills and opportunities to apply those skills.

A technology hub, for example, can provide access to computers and internet resources, but its long-term value is strengthened when young people can use those resources for education, digital skills, entrepreneurship and employment.

Likewise, agricultural programmes can introduce young people to opportunities outside traditional employment pathways, particularly when combined with training and innovation.

The broader goal is therefore to create pathways through which young residents can acquire knowledge, develop skills and participate in the economic and social life of Lagos Island.

Supporting young people is an investment in the future of the constituency. When education, technology, skills and opportunity are brought together, young residents are better positioned to contribute to their communities and pursue sustainable livelihoods.

Sources: News Agency of Nigeria reporting reproduced by Pulse Nigeria and Vanguard reporting on youth engagement.

Hon. Dr. Princess Omolara Omotade Oyekan-Olumegbon’s journey into public service has developed across education, private-sector experience, public administration and legislative representation. Today, she serves as the member representing Lagos Island Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly and is the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation.

Princess Lara was born into the Lagos royal family and is the daughter of the late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II, who served as the 19th Oba of Lagos. Her maternal family also has roots in Lagos through the Obanikoro family. Her upbringing therefore placed her within a longstanding Lagos social and cultural environment from an early age. Her published biographical profile states that she received her early education at Crescent International School in Kano before attending Supreme Education Foundation in Magodo, Lagos.

Her academic background subsequently took her beyond Lagos. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Bowen University and later earned a Master’s degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Lagos State University. These areas of study provided a foundation spanning social development, human relationships, international affairs and public policy.

Before entering elective politics, Oyekan-Olumegbon gained experience in both the private and public sectors. Her published profile records her work as a Compliance Officer with International and General Insurance, as well as her subsequent role as Special Assistant to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau of Public Enterprises in Abuja. She also gained experience in local government administration, including service within the Eti-Osa local government structure.

Her transition into legislative politics brought this combination of professional and administrative experience into constituency representation. She was elected in the 2023 general elections to represent Lagos Island Constituency I and became a member of the 10th Lagos State House of Assembly. The Assembly subsequently assigned her to chair the House Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation.

Her legislative responsibilities place women’s welfare, poverty alleviation and job creation among the areas within her committee portfolio. Her public activities have also included community-based interventions involving food support, education, youth development, women’s empowerment and food security.

The significance of her journey therefore lies not simply in her transition from one position to another, but in the range of environments through which she has passed—from education and professional employment to public administration and legislative representation.

For a representative of Lagos Island Constituency I, that experience provides a foundation for engaging with the practical concerns of residents while participating in the wider legislative responsibilities of Lagos State.

Sources: Lagos State House/legislative records and profiles, candidate biographical material, and Ikeja Record.

For many families, the beginning of a new school year comes with significant financial responsibilities. School bags, books, stationery, uniforms and other educational materials can create additional pressure, particularly for households already dealing with rising living costs.

Against this background, education-related constituency interventions have formed part of Princess Lara Oyekan-Olumegbon’s activities as the representative of Lagos Island Constituency I.

In September 2023, the News Agency of Nigeria reported that Oyekan-Olumegbon distributed 170 back-to-school bags to pupils and students from 17 schools within Lagos Island Constituency I. The bags contained notebooks and other stationery intended to assist students as they resumed school.

According to the report, the initiative was intended to reduce some of the financial burden on parents while supporting children from low-income families with basic learning materials. During the programme, Oyekan-Olumegbon also stated that she intended to continue supporting the constituency and undertake additional community-development initiatives.

The same report is particularly useful because it provides an early indication of some of the areas she identified as priorities. She spoke about support for elderly residents, young people and children, while also identifying agricultural programmes, food banks and technology infrastructure as areas she wanted to pursue.

The education focus continued beyond the initial back-to-school outreach. In September 2025, The Guardian reported on the third edition of her “Back to School for All” programme, which was aimed at supporting underprivileged students. The reported programme sought to provide school supplies to more than 5,000 students and included items such as school bags, shoes, socks and exercise books.

Education support at the constituency level can have an impact beyond the immediate distribution of materials. When students have access to basic learning resources, parents may face less pressure at the beginning of the academic year, while students can begin their studies with materials necessary for classroom participation.

For Lagos Island, where community needs vary across different groups and neighbourhoods, education-focused interventions represent one avenue through which constituency representation can connect with everyday household concerns.

The broader objective is not simply to provide school materials. It is to contribute to an environment in which children and young people are able to remain engaged with education and develop the knowledge and skills necessary for their future.

Sources: News Agency of Nigeria reporting reproduced by Pulse Nigeria and The Guardian.

Access to affordable food is one of the most immediate concerns facing households during periods of rising living costs. For many families, support that reduces the cost of staple food items can provide short-term relief while broader economic solutions continue to develop.

In Lagos Island Constituency I, Princess Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon has been associated with food-support initiatives aimed at providing residents with access to food items at substantially reduced prices.

On March 31, 2024, a subsidised food market was organised at Oluwole Car Park in Idumota in collaboration with The Queen Mother Organisation. The initiative was tagged the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Food Bank. The Guardian, citing the News Agency of Nigeria, reported that the market offered residents food items at discounts of up to 75 percent.

Items available included rice, beans, bread, eggs, chicken, palm oil, noodles, vegetables, yam and spaghetti. Residents gathered at the location to purchase the items at reduced prices.

The Nation also reported that the initiative was organised by Oyekan-Olumegbon, who represented Lagos Island Constituency I, and that the food items were sold at discounts ranging from approximately 50 to 70 percent according to the report. The differing reports on the exact discount are worth noting, which is why the safer wording for the website is “subsidised food items at significant discounts” rather than claiming one fixed percentage.

The initiative was presented as a response to the economic pressure facing households and as a way of making basic food items more accessible to residents.

The food-support effort has also continued in subsequent years. In April 2026, The Guardian and Punch reported that Oyekan-Olumegbon distributed food items and cash support to constituents as part of a grassroots welfare initiative. The reports said the initiative included stipends and food support and was presented as an effort to improve the welfare of residents.

These interventions illustrate one dimension of constituency representation: responding directly to immediate welfare concerns while also connecting community needs to broader government programmes.

Food support does not replace long-term economic development, employment creation or social policy. However, targeted assistance can provide immediate relief to households facing difficult economic conditions.

For Lagos Island residents, such programmes form part of a wider approach to constituency engagement that combines welfare support with initiatives relating to education, skills, employment, women’s empowerment and community development.

Sources: The Guardian, The Nation, Punch and News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Women’s economic empowerment is closely connected to household welfare, employment, entrepreneurship and participation in decision-making. In Lagos State, these issues have increasingly been addressed through policies and programmes aimed at improving women’s access to economic opportunities.

Princess Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon occupies a legislative role directly connected to these issues as Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation.

In July 2025, the Lagos State Government launched its Women Economic Empowerment Policy Roadmap following a 12-month development process that included stakeholder consultations. The policy was designed to address the needs of different categories of women across the state, including market women, professionals and women living with disabilities.

At the launch, Oyekan-Olumegbon stated that members of the Lagos State House of Assembly would support implementation of the policy roadmap for women’s growth and development. Her participation placed her within a broader state-level conversation about economic opportunities, inclusion and social protection for women.

The importance of women’s economic empowerment extends beyond individual income. Women who have access to skills, finance, employment opportunities and entrepreneurial support can contribute more strongly to household stability and community development.

This connection between empowerment and practical opportunity also appears in the wider activities associated with Oyekan-Olumegbon’s committee portfolio. The committee combines three areas—women affairs, poverty alleviation and job creation—that intersect in the daily economic realities faced by many residents.

In 2026, during International Women’s Day activities in Lagos, Oyekan-Olumegbon encouraged women to support one another while advocating policies and initiatives aimed at improving their welfare and advancement. Reporting from the event also highlighted the importance of collaboration among government institutions, community leaders and development partners in creating safer and more enabling environments for women and girls.

Women’s empowerment therefore remains broader than a single programme. It includes access to education, vocational training, employment, entrepreneurship, technology, leadership and protection from violence and discrimination.

For a representative whose legislative responsibilities include women affairs and poverty alleviation, these issues provide an important link between constituency concerns and policy at the state level.

The continuing challenge is to translate policy commitments into opportunities that women can access in their everyday lives. Legislative participation, community engagement and collaboration with government agencies and development partners can all contribute to that process.

Representation in a legislative constituency involves more than participation in debates within the House of Assembly. It also requires understanding the everyday issues affecting residents and creating opportunities for communities to communicate those concerns.

For Lagos Island Constituency I, community engagement has provided a platform for discussions around issues affecting residents and for conversations about how government and communities can work together.

In October 2024, The Guardian reported on a community engagement involving Oyekan-Olumegbon, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies and UN Women. The engagement focused on challenges affecting Lagos Island, including inadequate water supply, housing and employment.

The event also focused on advancing women’s political participation and representation in Lagos Island. Oyekan-Olumegbon encouraged collaboration between the community and international organisations and highlighted access to clean water as an issue connected to the Sustainable Development Goals.

The significance of such engagements lies in their ability to connect broad policy discussions with local realities.

Water supply, housing and employment may appear to be separate issues, but they are closely connected to the quality of life within urban communities. Access to reliable water affects households and businesses. Housing affects security and living conditions. Employment affects household income and economic stability.

Community engagement also provides an avenue for residents to raise issues that may not always be visible from the legislative chamber.

For women, participation in these conversations is particularly important. Representation is not only about having women occupy public offices; it is also about ensuring that women’s concerns are included in discussions about infrastructure, economic opportunities, social protection and community development.

Oyekan-Olumegbon’s role as Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation provides an additional connection between these grassroots concerns and wider legislative responsibilities.

The approach of engaging residents can therefore be understood as part of constituency representation: identifying concerns, creating platforms for dialogue and connecting community issues to relevant institutions.

For Lagos Island, continued engagement can help ensure that issues affecting residents remain part of the conversation around public policy and development.

Effective representation ultimately depends not only on speaking for a community, but also on creating opportunities to listen to it.

Sources: The Guardian and Ikeja Record.

For Princess Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon, public service and political engagement have continued to be closely connected to her relationship with the people of Lagos Island Constituency I. As she continues her legislative responsibilities and prepares for the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly election, her recent activities have included constituency outreach, welfare initiatives, empowerment programmes, political engagement and advocacy on issues affecting women, young people and families.

These activities provide an insight into the areas that continue to shape her engagement with residents and the wider Lagos community.

Strengthening Grassroots Engagement

Grassroots engagement remains an important part of constituency representation. For Princess Lara, this has involved initiatives designed to respond directly to the needs of residents while creating opportunities for interaction between communities and their representatives.

In April 2026, she organised a constituency support initiative involving the distribution of food items and cash gifts to residents of Lagos Island Constituency I. Reports by The Guardian, Punch and Vanguard stated that the initiative was intended to provide practical support to constituents and improve their welfare.

According to reports from the event, Oyekan-Olumegbon explained that the initiative was a personal effort supported by friends and was designed to bring aspects of wider government support programmes closer to residents at the constituency level. She said similar interventions had also taken place in previous years.

The 2026 initiative was part of a wider series of activities that she said had included New Year palliatives, support for widows, free JAMB and WASSCE forms, back-to-school programmes, women empowerment initiatives, community development schemes and food distribution across the constituency.

Supporting Families Through Food Assistance

Food affordability has remained an important concern for households across Nigeria, particularly during periods of increased living costs.

Oyekan-Olumegbon has previously participated in food-support initiatives targeted at residents of Lagos Island. In March 2024, she organised a subsidised food market at Oluwole Market in Lagos Island in conjunction with the Queen Mother Organisation.

The initiative, tagged the “Senator Oluremi Tinubu Food Bank,” offered residents staple food items at substantially reduced prices. Items reported to have been available included rice, garri, bread, eggs, spaghetti, palm oil, yam, noodles, chicken and beans.

The Nation reported that the initiative was designed to help residents access essential food items at discounted prices, while Oyekan-Olumegbon explained that the food-bank concept had been part of the ideas she had discussed during her political primary campaign.

The food-support activities continued into 2026. During the April 2026 constituency empowerment programme, she said her office had also implemented subsidised food initiatives across the constituency, with one previous exercise benefiting approximately 10,000 people according to her statement reported by Punch and The Guardian.

Creating Opportunities for Young People

Youth development is another area reflected in Oyekan-Olumegbon's public activities.

Her constituency initiatives have included education-related support and programmes aimed at expanding opportunities for young people. Earlier activities included back-to-school support and plans around technology and skills development.

More recently, in July 2026, Oyekan-Olumegbon attended a programme in which eight Lagos Island residents were empowered with LagRide vehicles and professional training. The programme was designed to provide beneficiaries with an income-generating opportunity while participating in Lagos' e-mobility system.

Speaking at the event, Oyekan-Olumegbon described the initiative as an opportunity to give young people an asset that could help them support themselves and their families. She also emphasised the importance of creating employment and economic opportunities for young people in Lagos Island.

The initiative illustrates a broader approach to empowerment in which support is connected to skills, employment and the opportunity to generate sustainable income.

Women's welfare and participation in public life also remain central to Oyekan-Olumegbon's legislative responsibilities.

As Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation, she has participated in discussions concerning women's welfare, economic empowerment and representation.

During the 2026 International Women's Day activities in Lagos, Oyekan-Olumegbon encouraged women to support one another and advocated continued policies and initiatives that promote their welfare and advancement.

She also emphasised the importance of collaboration between government institutions, community leaders and development partners in creating an environment in which women and girls can thrive safely and participate meaningfully in society.

Her legislative role places these issues within a wider policy framework, linking women's affairs with poverty alleviation and job creation.

Political Engagement Ahead of 2027

The political landscape is also becoming increasingly important as Lagos moves toward the 2027 general elections.

In May 2026, Princess Omolara Oyekan-Olumegbon emerged as one of the All Progressives Congress candidates for the Lagos State House of Assembly following the party's primary elections. She was listed as the APC candidate for Lagos Island Constituency I.

The emergence of four female APC candidates for Lagos Assembly seats was described by the Lagos APC Women Leader as a significant development for women's participation in politics and governance in the state.

Following the primaries, Oyekan-Olumegbon's political activities have continued alongside her constituency engagements. In reporting on her April 2026 constituency programme, she also spoke about efforts to mobilise party members through e-registration drives and voter education campaigns conducted in English, Yoruba and Hausa.

These activities reflect the connection between political participation and civic awareness, particularly as residents prepare for another election cycle.

Looking Ahead

The months ahead will bring increased political activity as candidates, political parties and residents prepare for the 2027 elections.

For Princess Lara Oyekan-Olumegbon, her recent activities combine two aspects of public life: legislative responsibility and grassroots engagement. Her programmes have included welfare support, food assistance, education, youth empowerment, women's advocacy and community development, while her political activities continue to build toward the next electoral cycle.

The emphasis on direct community engagement provides opportunities for residents to interact with their representative, communicate their concerns and participate in initiatives taking place within the constituency.

As the campaign period develops, this section of the website will continue to highlight significant activities, community engagements, public events and milestones involving Princess Lara and Lagos Island Constituency I.

Stay Connected

This campaign and community activities section will be updated as new engagements take place.

Visitors can follow Princess Lara's official channels and this website for updates on upcoming events, constituency programmes, community initiatives and other activities.