By: Prince Bola Adeniyi
Thursday, 11th July, 2024 will forever be a day to remember in the annals of Local Governance in Nigeria with the Supreme Court granting full financial and administrative Autonomy to the 774 Local Governments in the Country.
As expected, the verdict of the Apex Court immediately become the hottest news on all media platforms across the Country with the wave of the news reverberating to the morning of Friday 12th July, 2024 still as fresh as it just broke.
The importance of the Local Government being the closest to the people at the grassroots can never be overemphasized thus making this News one of the best achievements of the Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidency.
The President through Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice deserves a high level of commendation for this great feat. The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) headed by courageous Comrade Akeem Ambali, being the umbrella association of Local Government Workers in Nigeria must be greatly commended for its steadfastness in the struggle for the emancipation of the soul of the Local Government system.
For the people at the grassroots who are the direct beneficiaries of this judgment, their expectation now is enjoying the much desired dividend of democracy at that level of our political ecosystem.
It is imperative for our Politicians in the Local Government settings to be above board and more strategic in the course of governing over this important tier of Government.
The Executive, headed by the Chairman of the Council should identify areas of important needs of his people and be above board in providing same to the people. Effective and efficient management of the financial resources available to the council that is devoid of fleece and corruption should be given adequate attention.
The Legislative Council must be diligent in scrutinizing the yearly budget before its eventual passage, while also making sure it doesn’t go below the line in this oversight functions.
Workers and staff of the Local Government Councils must see this new dawn as a challenge on them to be more diligent, dutiful and professional in the discharge of their duties for optimum service delivery.
Ultimately, our fledging democracy and the people in the grassroots are the winners in this commendable and courageous declaration by the Apex Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
PRINCE BOLA ADENIYI,
Elefire’s Palace, Efire
Ogun Waterside Local Government,
Ogun State.
