Kogi Commences 3-Day Induction Course for Local Government Officials »

The Kogi State Government through the office of the Auditor General for Local Government has commenced a three-day induction course aimed at equipping elected local government officials and finance/administrative staff with the requisite knowledge for effective local governance. The training, themed “Emerging Challenges and Benefits of Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria,” began today in Lokoja.

Declaring the event open, the Auditor General for Local Government, Hon. Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, emphasized the importance of the induction, stating that it is designed to enhance the participants’ understanding of their roles and responsibilities, thereby promoting effective service delivery at the grassroots. He noted that the program will foster cordial and harmonious relationships among public officials, ensuring seamless operations across the board.

Hon. Adabenege expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing an enabling environment for good governance to thrive across the state, assuring that the training will further deepen know knowing of administrative and fiscal responsilities at the grassroots.

In separate remarks, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola, and the Chairman of local government service commission, Dr. Adams Adabenege, highlighted the significance of the program in deepening the understanding of local government autonomy. They stressed that strengthened local governance would improve coordination among all levels of government, benefiting the state and the nation at large.

They further urged participants to actively engage in the sessions to maximize the opportunities presented by the training.

Delivering goodwill messages, the Leader of the Local Government Legislative Forum, Rt. Hon. Comfort Obaranmi, lauded the state government and the Auditor General’s office for organizing the training, expressing optimism that local lawmakers would leverage the program to enhance their legislative effectiveness.

Also speaking, the Director of Local Government (DLG), Lokoja local government who doubles as the Chairman of the Forum of Directors of Local Government, Alh. Aliyu Musa Omuwa, thanked the Auditor General for the initiative, noting that the event would enable cross-fertilization of ideas among local government administrators.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government Officials of Nigeria (ALGON), Kogi State chapter, Hon. Tosin Olokun, praised Hon. Adabenege for fostering a seamless working relationship with local government officials.

In the first lecture of the program titled “The Roles of Political Office Holders in Local Government Administration,” delivered by the Benue State Commissioner for Power, Renewable Energy, and Transport, Hon. Omale Omale, participants were provided broad insights into policy formulation, fiscal responsibility, and the dynamics of political influence within local governance structures.