The Governor of Nigeria’s Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has stressed that local government autonomy must align with legal frameworks and responsible governance to effectively serve communities. Speaking at the launch of a four-day training program in Akure, Aiyedatiwa emphasized that decentralized authority carries significant obligations for transparency and accountability. The workshop, titled “Economic and Financial Administration of Local Councils in Nigeria,” was organized by the state’s Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in collaboration with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes, and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC).
Aiyedatiwa described the event as a strategic effort to rebuild public trust in local governance, which he said has been hampered by inefficiencies and mismanagement. “Political office is not a platform for personal gain but a duty to uplift citizens,” he stated, pledging his administration’s commitment to fostering accountability and efficiency across all levels of government. The training, he noted, would equip local officials and civil servants with modern governance tools, strengthen collaboration between elected leaders and bureaucrats, and reinforce fiscal discipline.
Amidu Takuro, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, echoed the governor’s sentiments, highlighting local governments’ critical role in delivering basic services and driving grassroots development. He said the workshop would focus on modernizing administrative practices while reinforcing principles of transparency and financial prudence.
Anti-corruption agencies lauded Ondo State’s proactive approach to combating graft. EFCC’s Benin Zonal Director, Effa Okim, praised the collaboration as vital for equitable resource distribution and public service delivery. He criticized individuals amassing wealth through illegitimate means, stressing that governments must “lead by example in accountability.” ICPC’s representative, Tiku Menge-Andrew, similarly commended the state’s initiatives, while SPFCC Secretary Adewole Adeyeye pledged to support capacity-building efforts for local officials.
The event underscores growing efforts across Nigerian states to address systemic challenges in local governance, particularly amid calls for decentralization. By partnering with federal anti-corruption bodies, Ondo aims to curb financial misconduct and restore faith in institutions tasked with improving livelihoods in underserved communities.
