.as ex-council bosses declare Lagos gov best in Nigeria 

By Olasunkanmi Akoni 

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the state has been operating Local Government autonomy before the recent Supreme Court, saying, the practice would further enhance development of the state.

Sanwo-Olu, made the remark on Friday, while receiving the representatives of the Association of Ex-Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria, led by its, President, Albert Ashipa, during a courtesy call to seek support for the forthcoming Retreat of the association with the theme: ‘Local Government Autonomy, Bringing Government and Economic Development Closer to the People: Lagos State As a Case Study,” held at Lagos House, Marina.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and members of the state Executive Council, were also in attendance.

In his brief address, the governor noted that, “Local Governments in Lagos State have been enjoying autonomy status even before the recent Supreme Court verdict on Local Government.

‘According to Sanwo-Olu, “Our various  council chairmen can attest to the facof non interference by tge executive in their affairs.They have always enjoyed absolute autonomy with no executive interference because we believe LG administration is key to development of any state.

“We are confident that the pronouncement by the Supreme Court on council autonomy will further enhance development across the states of the federation.”

Sanwo-Olu, who expressed his government’s support for local government autonomy, said his administration would continue to partner the Association of Ex-Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria to achieve its aim of fostering development as well as deepening democracy and knowledge.

Sanwo-Olu, who acknowledged the 5,000 members of the association from the 774 councils in Nigeria as critical stakeholders, urged them to continue to use their wealth of experience and skills in supporting serving Chairmen in Nigeria.

The Governor said the theme “is a testament to the Lagos State Government’s proactiveness in supporting development at the grassroots.”

Sanwo-Olu, who thanked the association for the visit, described the theme of the Retreat as “apt” urging them to use their wealth of experience and knowledge to chart the way forward for the development of governance at the grassroots and the nation in general.

Sanwo-Olu, urged the former council bosses to use their wealth of experience and knowledge to chart the way forward for the development of governance at the grassroots, the state, and the nation in general.

He said the association, which he described as stakeholders, “is relevant to building democracy in Nigeria, especially at the grassroots level. “

Earlier, the President, praised Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration for setting the pace in Nigeria by making Lagos State a good example of how local government autonomy should work.

Ashipa, who acknowledged the giant strides of Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, especially in delivering critical infrastructure projects across the nook and crannies of Lagos State, also commended the Governor for ensuring the promotion of the local government autonomy and embarking on developmental projects, making Lagos the best.

He also congratulated Governor Sanwo-Olu for leading the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to victory in the last Saturday governorship election in Ondo State as the Chairman of the party’s National Campaign Council and Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum. 

Ashipa said Governor Sanwo-Olu has performed very well by delivering the dividends of democracy and contributing positively to development at the grassroots level, noting that the Governor’s performance made the Association of Ex-Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria award him the Best Governor in Nigeria.

He however, solicited the Governors’ support towards a successful  hosting of the event.