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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Oyo State Government has organised a three-day human capacity building training for all the 351 councillors in the state, with the objective of reducing overdependence on oil revenue.
Delivering his keynote address at opening session of the training, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Bayo Lawal, appreciated the state governor for making human capacity building for public officers and political office holders a priority.
He said the constant training and retraining is basically to deliver dividends of democracy to the grassroots effectively and efficiently.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Kazeem Adeniyi (Bibire), assured the participants of a robust and erudite treatment by the seasoned and cerebral resource persons selected for the job.
“There’s now the need to think outside the box, avoid every form of profligacy and prepare to finance projects that would have direct positive impact on the masses,” he said
In his remark, the workshop consultant Deacon Doyin Oyeniyi, stressed the need for a shift in public sector financing in Nigeria.
“For the most part, the operations of these public sector organisations were financed mainly through monthly allocations or subventions from the federation account, but now, we need to look inward,” he said.
Oyeniyi reaffirmed the need to determine how best to bridge the funding gaps and deploy available resources in most efficient manner to yield the highest benefit at the least cost.
Speaking on behalf of the councillors, the leader of Ibadan North West legislative council and Chairman, Councillors Forum in Oyo State, Hon. Kazeem Arowodana, appreciated the state government for ensuring a rapid development at the grassroots.
He assured that his colleagues would make judicious use of the capacity building, which would transform to better revenue drive and generation at the third tier of government.
The three-day capacity building for all the 351 councillors in the pacesetter state was organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy matters.