Mr. Abdul Hamed Salawu a.k.a. Dullar, Ex-Chairman Somolu LGA
The Congress of the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (CHRMA) has formally recommended former Chairman of Somolu Local Government Area, Lagos State, Abdul-Hamed Salawu, popularly called Dullar, for consideration for a non-political, non-operational and honorary United Nations Development Ambassadorial designation.
The group in a letter esigned by Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, Executive Director of the Congress of the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda, which was copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, (GCFR),
and addressed to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (OFR), urged the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs) to adopt, endorse and provide strategic intervention for the nomination.
According to the group, the proposed ambassadorial role is intended to be purely symbolic and honourary, without any executive, statutory, representational or remunerative authority on behalf of the United Nations or its agencies. The designation, the group noted, would serve solely as a goodwill and advocacy platform to recognise Salawu’s contributions to human rights, inclusive governance and grassroots development, while encouraging voluntary promotion of UN values and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
CHRMA also highlighted that Salawu’s eight-year tenure as Somolu Local Government Chairman (2017–2025) was characterised by accountability, transparency and a strong human rights-based approach to governance. His administration, the group said, prioritised equity, participation and non-discrimination in line with global development principles.
The organisation cited several social protection and poverty-alleviation initiatives implemented during his tenure, including monthly welfare support for elderly residents, cash palliatives for over 3,000 vulnerable persons, and a ₦160 million cash intervention programme that benefited more than 5,000 residents across the local government.
In the areas of youth and women empowerment, Salawu’s administration reportedly invested in ICT and vocational skills training, mentorship programmes and targeted economic inclusion initiatives aimed at improving opportunities for historically underserved groups.
The group also commended his contributions to healthcare, including the reconstruction of the Wright Primary Health Centre, expansion of immunisation and public health outreach, capacity building for healthcare workers and community-based COVID-19 response measures. These efforts, the group said, strengthened access to healthcare and promoted public wellbeing.
“His record in education was also highlighted, with initiatives such as the provision of learning materials, school buses, scholarships for indigent and indigenous students, free UTME and GCE forms, adult education programmes and sustained support for children with special needs, all aimed at promoting inclusive and equitable access to quality education.”
Beyond social services, the group in the letter noted Salawu’s achievements in infrastructure development, environmental sustainability and community safety, including road and drainage rehabilitation, waste management initiatives, installation of solar-powered streetlights, market redevelopment, construction of police and fire stations, provision of patrol vehicles and electricity transformers. He was also credited with promoting religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence through balanced engagement with Christian and Muslim communities.
“In the view of the Congress and its Board of Directors, Salawu’s leadership record reflects “principled governance, measurable grassroots impact and sustained commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.”
The group expressed confidence that with the support of OSSAP-SDGs, the nomination could be effectively positioned for international consideration and showcase Nigeria’s commitment to the SDGs at the global level.
