" Redouble Your Efforts For Efficient Service Delivery"---Dr. Olanrewaju Charges Staffers Of LG

By Kola Sodeinde and Kayode Ibikunle.

 Members of Staff of the Local Government within the ambit of Ogun State have been advised to crave for efficient service delivery.

The advice was given by Dr. Bashir Abiodun Olanrewaju, the resource person of the  public lecture, tagged, "Repositioning Local Government Service To A Point Of Reference In The Public Service ,"  organised by the Ogun State Local Government Service Commission as part of the activities to mark  the 2024 LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE WEEK, held on Wednesday, 2nd October, 2024  at the Obas Complex, Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. 

The guest speaker,  Dr. Olanrewaju, further stated that ensuring this would provide the frame of reference and philosophical support for the public to enjoy expected dividends of democracy in all the Local Government Areas. 

He affirmed that the statutory establishment of the Local Government describes the Council workers as stakeholders and must collaborate to revitalize the LG service for the sustainable development in the third tier of government, stressing  that the only avenue to ensure this  is the enhancement of staff capacity, promoting citizen-centric service delivery, foster collaboration and teamwork (Building positive relationships between elected officials and staff) and develop strategic leadership.

According to Dr. Olanrewaju, "By implementing the comprehensive strategies outlined, the LG service can be repositioned as a model for exceptional public service delivery and a vital tool in Nigeria’s journey toward sustainable development, while the so much desired repositioning of Local Government workers to achieve optimal impact in the Local Government Service will be greatly enhanced.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Chairman, Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, Ms. Olivia Olubunkola Onabanjo, thanked the Ogun State Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, for the support given to the Commission since the inception of the Local Government Service Week in the year 2023.

She, however, enjoined the members of staff to make good use of the lecture by allowing it to reflect on their performance in the various area of duties.

In his own remarks, the Ogun State Head Of Service, Mr. Kehinde Olufemi Onasanya , MNIPR, emphasized the importance of Local Government, while  maintaining that LG is a catalyst for development at the grassroots level and must be able to Cascade the various developmental efforts at the State level. 

The HOS stressed that the recently granted constitutional autonomy to the third tier of Government comes with great responsibilities for the workers to ensure concerted efforts in the area of Internally Generated Revenues which without doubt, have been the impetus for development and must be used as means to propel developmental objectives to meet grassroots needs.

Permanent Secretary LGSC, Engr. Olanike Ogunbona, extended gratitude to the guests who graced the occasion while appreciating the resource person for the wonderful and inspiring  lecture presentation.

The event had in attendance, the Ogun State Head Of Service,  Mr. Kehinde Olufemi Onasanya, Full Time Commissioners and Directors from the Local Government Service Commission, retired and serving Permanent Secretaries as well as Heads Of Local Government Administration from various Local Government Areas. Others include the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, ably represented by the Osuponri Of Owu Kingdom, Chief Olusola Adeoye, Directors and Heads of Departments in the twenty Local Government Areas of the State, top government functionaries amongst many others.