Grassroots Revolution:Gov.Oyebanji Declares Open 3-Day Workshop For Local Government Officials

Poised to usher in a new era of efficient and synergistic local government administration in the state,the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, in partnership with Tima Integrated Business Limited, on Wednesday officially launched a transformative three-day capacity-building workshop for vice-chairmen, supervisors, and advisors across the state.

The event, which held at the Bishop Adetiloye Hall Ado Ekiti promises to redefine support structures at the grassroots level, was declared open with an address from the State Governor,Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro.

In his keynote speech, Governor Oyebanji emphasized that the workshop is a core part of his administration’s commitment to deepening good governance.

“This workshop is unique because it brings together different categories of leaders in the local government whose roles, though sometimes less fortified, are central to the success of local governance,” the Governor stated.

“You are the backbone. I dare to urge you to see your roles not as ceremonial but as strategic and essential. Leadership is not about occupying an office; it is about adding value to that office. The people of Ekiti expect competence, cooperation, and resolve, not excuses, rivalry, or disunity.”

He outlined the administration’s reforms in local government autonomy, accountability, and revenue generation, noting that “no reform, no matter how well defined, can succeed without committed implementers at all levels.”

Mrs. Mosunmola Adeyemo, the ALGON Treasurer and chairperson Ikole-west LG who represented the Chairman-Hon.Olusegun Ojo shed light on the program’s essence and the state government’s overwhelming support.

“The essence of this program is for the vice-chairmen, supervisors, and advisors to know their rights and what to do to support the government and the chairman in each local government for development,” Mrs. Adeyemo said.

She praised Governor Oyebanji’s impact, revealing, “The effort is much. Even works that are very hard for us to do as local government chairmen, the governor is doing it. He makes things easy for us at the local government level.”

Her advice to participants was direct: “My advice for them is to listen and gain more wisdom. So they will know more of what to do and how to carry out their performances. This will also boost their capacity.”

In his remarks,the technical Advisor Local Government Project Monitoring and Evaluation Engr.Olabode Adetunji, a former local government chairman himself, attributed the transformative shift in the local government administration to two key factors: the financial autonomy granted to LGAs by President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the empathetic, grassroots-focused leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

He detailed the financial turnaround, noting, “Before the autonomy was granted, the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) used to be like 590 billion Naira. But today, it’s over 2 trillion Naira—a massive increment across the nation.”

This federal policy, he explained, has been supercharged at the state level by Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to allowing these funds to flow directly to the councils.

Drawing a parallel with the Governor’s popular “listening” style, Adetunji advised chairmen to keep their “doors open to all,” whether to a professor, farmer, or mechanic. “You must listen to them, aggregate their needs, and give them what they desire. Once you give them what they requested, they will support the government.”

The Lead Consultant for the workshop, Mrs. Isinkalu Titilayo, explained that the initiative was born from on-ground research that identified critical gaps in local government administration.

“We found out that they compete with the chairman, and some of them don’t really know what to do, and that’s the essence of this workshop,” Mrs. Isinkalu stated.

She expressed gratitude for the partnership, affirming TIMA’s reputation for “building leaders.” She also commended the Governor, calling him “a people’s governor” who has “impacted positively on the lives of the grassroots people.”

Her counsel to attendees was to “put their all in it because it will help them a lot in their role.”

Earlier in his welcome address the parmanent Secretary ministry of local government affairs Mr.Babatunde Olaoye welcomed participants to the event and urged them to be ready for the series of transformative sessions poised at improving their efficiency.

The participants responded with palpable excitement and gratitude. Honourable Oluwagbohunmi kemi, a Supervisor from Ido-Osi Local Government, captured the general sentiment.

“In fact, we want to thank His Excellency for this generosity. It is very rare for a government to arrange all these seminars for us. Without him, the majority of us would not have known ourselves or had this opportunity to grow.”

The three-day program is now underway, with expectations high for a new wave of empowered and collaborative leadership that will drive development from the grassroots up.