Paragraph 1: The Imperative of Local Government Autonomy for Grassroots Development
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has emphasized the crucial role of local governments in driving grassroots development and achieving sustainable development goals. Recognizing the local government as the closest tier of government to the people, Governor Oyebanji underscored the importance of financial autonomy in empowering local councils to effectively address the unique needs of their communities. He highlighted the significance of local governments as the engine of grassroots development, responsible for delivering essential services such as healthcare, education, sanitation, and infrastructure directly impacting the lives of the people. The governor asserted that true financial autonomy allows local governments to prioritize expenditures based on local needs, fostering accountability and building institutional resilience.
Paragraph 2: Empowering Local Governments through Financial Autonomy
Governor Oyebanji stressed that financial autonomy for local governments is not merely a legal or constitutional formality but the foundation of effective local governance. He emphasized that financial independence empowers local councils to control their resources, make informed decisions based on local priorities, and respond swiftly to community needs. The governor highlighted the interconnectedness of financial autonomy, effective service delivery, and sustainable development at the grassroots level. He argued that local governments, being the closest to the people, are best positioned to understand and address the unique needs of their communities. This proximity, combined with financial autonomy, enables them to tailor interventions and services to specific local contexts.
Paragraph 3: Capacity Building and Best Practices for Local Government Officials
To enhance the effectiveness of local governments under the new era of financial autonomy, a three-day seminar was organized for local council executives, legislators, and top management staff. The seminar, themed "LG autonomy: Repositioning the local government for effective service delivery," aimed to equip participants with best practices in regulatory frameworks, strategic financial management, and practical strategies for navigating the challenges and opportunities of autonomous local governance. The governor’s Chief of Staff, Oyeniyi Adebayo, representing the governor at the seminar, emphasized the importance of the workshop in exposing participants to critical knowledge and skills required for effective and accountable local governance.
Paragraph 4: Collaborative Efforts and Transparent Fiscal Policies
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Folorunso Olabode, reiterated the timeliness and importance of the workshop’s theme. He emphasized the critical role of local government leaders in promoting sustainable development and delivering essential services to the people at the grassroots level. Olabode noted that local governments serve as the primary point of contact between the government and the citizenry, making their effectiveness paramount in meeting the daily needs of the people. He commended the Oyebanji administration’s commitment to grassroots-driven development and highlighted the implementation of transparent fiscal policies, including transparent budgeting, expenditure tracking, and performance-based reporting, across all local councils.
Paragraph 5: Fiscal Responsibility, Accountability, and Institutional Resilience
Ekiti State Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, underscored the importance of the workshop as a catalyst for policy shifts, institutional reforms, and measurable improvements in local council performance. She stressed that effective local governance hinges on fiscal responsibility, accountable public financial management, and independent resource mobilization and allocation. Dr. Olomojobi emphasized that genuine financial autonomy entails building resilient institutions capable of prudent resource management, enforcing fiscal discipline, deploying innovative revenue generation mechanisms, and delivering high-quality services aligned with local priorities. She highlighted the workshop’s focus on key aspects of local governance, including accountability, empowerment, capacity building, systems development, leadership, and integrity.
Paragraph 6: Supporting Local Government Aspirations and Capacity Development
The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Ekiti State, Oluwasegun Ojo, expressed gratitude to Governor Oyebanji and the Ministry of Local Government Affairs for their unwavering support of local councils’ aspirations. Ojo emphasized the crucial role of training and capacity building in bridging governance gaps and ensuring competence and proper understanding among local government officials. Furthermore, he applauded the governor’s commitment to respecting local government funds, even before the Supreme Court’s judgment on financial autonomy for councils, demonstrating a strong commitment to local autonomy and development. This commitment signals a positive step toward empowering local governments to effectively deliver essential services and drive grassroots development in Ekiti State.
