Ikeja, Lagos — August 9, 2025 — The Lagos State Government has officially ushered in a new crop of grassroots leaders with a three-day onboarding program for newly elected Local Government (LG) and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, blending capacity-building lectures with direct political advice from the state’s top leadership.
Held from August 7 to 9, 2025, at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, the program — themed “Driving Grassroots Development Through Strategic Governance” — was organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Office of Rural Development to smooth the transition into office and sharpen the leadership skills of the council bosses.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, appearing on the opening day, wasted no time setting the tone: “This is your government in your local government and LCDA — without interference,” he told the incoming leaders, urging them to take charge but tread carefully before making appointments.
Sanwo-Olu advised them to visit every ward in their jurisdictions, identify pressing community needs, and use those findings to draft a developmental master plan.
“Be up and doing, humble, and close to the people — you are the closest tier of governance.”
“Set a standard because you are the determinants of the 2027 elections,” he said, framing their tenure as both a political and historical test.
On day two, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat stepped in with his own charge: keep relationships alive, ask questions, and document everything.
“Data will guide your success,” he stressed, noting that governance without record-keeping is governance without accountability.
Beyond the speeches, the onboarding featured sessions on public sector ethics, budgeting, emotional intelligence, ethical decision-making, revenue harmonisation, procurement, and due process — the technical backbone for running councils.
INN-HOUSE☆ 