The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has commended the unwavering efforts of the Association of Ex-Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ASELGON) towards strengthening the local government administration and empowering the communities to drive sustainable development in the country.
The Governor, represented by the state Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bolaji Robert, made the recommendation during 2024 ASELGON Annual Retreat/Award held yesterday at Golfview Suites & Conference Center, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
At the event, the Lagos State Governor bagged the award for the Best Supporter of Local Government Autonomy.
Also, former Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area and Chairman, Winners Golden Group, Honourable Idowu Osuolale Obasa, was named a patron of the organisation.
The Lagos State Governor noted that the theme of the retreat, “Local Government Autonomy, Bringing Government and Economic Development Close to the People: A case Study of Lagos State,” is particularly relevant to Lagos State administration’s vision for grassroots development.
“We believe that local government autonomy is essential for bringing government and economic development closer to the good people of our dear state. By devolving power and resources to the third-tier of government in Nigeria, we can unlock the potential of our various local governments and create opportunities for sustainable development,” he said.
He said that Lagos State, which is the case study, is a shining example of what can be achieved when local governments are empowered to take charge of their own development.
“From the innovative solutions we have provided to traffic management and waste disposal, to the investments in education and healthcare in tandem with the THEMES PLUS Agenda of the State Government, Lagos State has demonstrated the impact that effective local governance can have on the lives of citizens,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu urged the delegates to explore the lessons from Lagos State and other successful examples of local government autonomy by sharing their experiences and insights.
National President of ASELGON, Albert Asipa, commended the state governor for aligning with the association and Local Government autonomy, noting that the autonomy will drive grassroots development and curtail the insecurity bedeviling every state.
“The challenges of insecurity will be eradicated as every local government will have the financial capability to engage security personnel to fight the menace. The association has over 5,000 members across the 774 LG across Nigeria,” he said.
Vice President of ASELGON, Abiodun Mafe, reiterated the need to sensitise Nigerians about the autonomy of the local government, noting that Lagos State benefited immensely from council autonomy for the past 20 years.
“We are saying it boldly to states that are contesting the local government autonomy that, we have practiced it in Lagos State and we are successful. If you go around state, you will see numerous infrastructural developments achieves through local government autonomy.
He noted that the retreat is to educate other states on how to implement the autonomy to gain immensely from it.
“We invite all our contemporaries from other 36 states to come and learn what we have been able to exhibit. Local Government laws are well interpreted and whoever misinterpreted is doing that out of their own selfish interests.
“The Supreme Court’s judgment is very clear; those governors having issues of implementation are the ones who are dipping their hands into the local governments’ funds. There is no ambiguity about that judgment,” he said.
Chairman Organising Committee and Chairman of Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, Kamal Bayewu, said Lagos State is enjoying autonomy and that is why there is growth and development at the grassroots.
“The government of the grassroots is been felt in Lagos state and that is why we are imploring our colleagues in all other states to come around, make Lagos a case study, so that when they get back to their various states, they can let the people know what Lagos is enjoying.
“When people see development, economic growth, there will be fewer problems and the community will be secured. They will be the first line of security and guard their environment. That is the more reason we have brought members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to key into the programme,” he said.
