Kunle Adelabu
-Dignitaries laud Japheth at 50
The Majority Leader of the Senate, Sen. (Dr.) Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele, CON, has emphasised the importance of granting of total administrative and financial autonomy to the local government administration in the country.
He stated that achieving this requires collective advocacy and constitutional review to good governance and improved service delivery at the grassroots level.
Sen. Bamidele who was the guest speaker spoke at the birthday lecture in commemoration of Comrade Japheth Odesanya’s 50th birthday held at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu, at the weekend.
The lecture was themed, “Local Government Administration in Nigeria: Challenges, Perspectives and the Way Forward”
“The clamour for local government autonomy in Nigeria has essentially turned out to be a critical step towards enhancing democratic governance and improving service delivery at the grassroots level.
“By empowering local governments, we can ensure that they are better equipped to meet the needs of their communities, promote accountability, and foster citizen engagement. Achieving this autonomy requires collective advocacy, public awareness institutional reforms.
“You will agree with me that the most decisive step taken so far towards the attainment of local government autonomy was the bold initiative by the Federal Government under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in obtaining a landmark judgment at the Supreme Court, which ordered the immediate implementation of fiscal and administrative autonomy at the local government level
“However, this declaration by the nation’s apex court has been trailed by a wide applause much as it has also attracted criticism, especially from the academic environment”, he said.
While stating divergent views that have been trailing the apex court ruling that ranted the council’s full autonomy, the Senate Leader also charged Nigerians to partake in the zonal public hearing aimed at reviewing the constitution to canvass their positions n the LG reform.
“I am persuaded that by early next year when we shall be having the zonal public hearings at the six geo-political zones across the nation, Nigerian people would seize the opportunity to express their genuine wishes on this issue, which shall be collated to form the basis of our decisions, without prejudice to the subsisting judgment of the Supreme Court.
“However, it is instructive to note that the nationwide applause that greeted the apex court pronouncement early this year, is of course, a strong indication of the popular aspiration of the people in preference for the total administrative and financial autonomy of local governments in Nigeria.
While listing some of the problems relating to local government administration to include corruption and mismanagement, lack of adequate manpower, lack of autonomy, inadequate planning, inadequate revenue, poor implementation of policies, lack of participation by the people and intergovernmental conflict, Sen. Bamidele strongly stated that expansion of the LG democratic system and effective implementation of the fiscal would address the challenges.
“Since the problems of local government in developing countries are basically hinged on the critical need for adequate democratic reforms, the highlighted problems can be tackled by the expansion of democratic space, the entrenchment of democratic culture, the implementation of fiscal autonomy at the local government level and the promotion of good governance, transparency and accountability.
“Without these solutions, development at the grassroots will be a mirage.
“Local government administration in Nigeria is a vital component of our democratic fabric. By addressing the challenges and embracing innovative solutions, we can enhance the effectiveness of local governance, promote accountability, and ensure that the voices of our citizens are heard.
“This underscores the critical urgent need for all stakeholders to work together – Government, civil society, and citizens to build a local government system that truly reflects the aspirations and needs of our communities.
“Together, we can create a Nigeria where local governance is a catalyst for development, empowerment and lasting change. With our collective determination and decisive actions, we can build a more equitable and responsive local governance system in Nigeria, paving the way for sustainable development and social progress”, the guest speaker said.
While congratulating the celebrant who is a leading Chairmanship aspirant for Ikorodu LG, Sen. Bamidele also wished him a fulfilling golden age.
“I felicitate with the birthday boy for his landmark achievements, even as I sincerely wish him a refreshing golden jubilee and more prosperous, rewarding and fulfilled years ahead”, he said.
Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, the distinguished guest of honour speaking at the event congratulated the celebrant and commended him for organizing a lecture to commemorate his birthday, especially choosing a topic that is germane to the development of Nigeria.
He said that the lecture is part of Odesanya’s contributions to the community and the nation at large in the past years.
In his own remarks, Mr Fola Tinubu, the Managing Director, Primero, who chaired the occasion described Japheth Odesanya as a pride of Ikorodu, adding that the celebrant emerging as the Chairman of Ikorodu LG, will be great blessings to the town.
Among eminent dignitaries at the birthday lecture were His Royal Majesties, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangure of Ikorodu; Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo; Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, Oba AbdulAkeem Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin, Oba Bashir Sotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo, Representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson, His Excellency, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Hon. (Dr.) Abike Dabiri – Erewa, Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, former Special Adviser on Education, Dr, Nurudeen Agbaje, Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Hon. Gbolahan Ogunleye, representative Ikorodu Constituency I, Hon. Sunmi Odesanya, Special Adviser to the Governor on DAWN & Southwest Integration.
