In a bid to promote good governance at the grassroots, Secretaries across the 20 Local Government Areas have been trained with up-to-date knowledge in best practices in Local governance particularly in community engagement that will ensure peaceful co -existence and socio-economic wellbeing of the people.
The two-day orientation programmes organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for the SLGs was held in Abeokuta.
Commissioner in the Ministry. Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, while speaking on the theme “Enhancing the Roles of Secretaries to the Local Government Councils for Efficient Grassroots Service Delivery”, said the work of the Secretaries were crucial to ensuring policies, programmes and services reach the grassroots level effectively.
He emphasised that the vital roles played by Secretaries in the growth and development of the community were invaluable as it brings about the realisation of the aspiration of the citizenry, noting that they serve as the wheel of governance to facilitate smooth running at the Local government level.
“I want you to approach your role with a sense of duty, integrity and commitment to service. The responsibility of being a Secretary to Local Government is not to be taken lightly. You are not just representatives, you are the voices of the people at the grassroots level,” he said.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi, disclosed that the programme was meticulously designed to equip Secretaries in the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively navigate their roles.
He noted that they hold a pivotal position at ensuring smooth operation of the Local government system, charging them to have a firm grasp of governance, administration and leadership with the ability to manage resources as well as facilitate effective communication between the Council and the people.
In his goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Hon. Razak Daddah opined that learning and relearning was a critical endeavor, admonishing Secretaries to have good strength of character with value by building strategic relationship with career officers, members of the public, party faithful and the chairman, so that conflict would be minimised.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser, Works and Infrastructure. Engr. Babatunde Adesina stated that Secretaries holds a high and sensitive position and are silent heroes, who were to be seen and not to be heard, noting that the success of any Local Government largely depends on the Secretaries which implies that, they must be loyal, industrious and well disciplined.
The resource persons, in their separate lectures, Dr. Adebimpe Alabi and Mr. Opeolu Aderinwale, underscores the roles of Secretaries in the various LGAs in the State as the administrative backbone and engine room, whose responsibilities were to translate government policies into tangible benefits to the grassroots, while charging all the Secretaries to be conversant with the Section 16 of the Obas and Chiefs law, to guide them in their service delivery.
Responding, two of the participants at the programme, the SLGs, Remo North and Abeokuta North Local Governments, Mr. Hakeem Asiru and Mrs. Mutiat Agbaje, appreciated the Ministry for organising the programme, promising that the knowledge garnered would help them in the effective service delivery.
