The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, has commended the Oyo State Government for its administrative reforms, including the decentralised appointment of Permanent Secretaries across the seven local government zones and the digitisation of processes within the Local Government Service.
The commendation was made by the leader of the NIPSS delegation, Prof. I.D. Choji, mni, during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) to assess administrative policies and strategic developments.
In a statement issued by the Director of Education and Social Services of the Commission, Mrs. Funke Foluso Lala, Choji said the reforms would enhance service delivery and improve the welfare of workers across the local government system.
He also commended the Commission for its human-capacity development initiatives, particularly the regular training workshops organised for personnel across various cadres.
“We have noted some of what Oyo State is doing better than others. The structures at this Local Government House are massive and hardly seen in other states. This is a sign that things are working in Oyo State,” Choji said, according to Lala.
The NIPSS team also assessed the Commission’s administrative structures and ongoing efforts to strengthen the local government system through digitalisation, training and institutional reforms.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission, Bashorun Akinwale Solomon Akinwole, popularly known as Wolekanle, briefed the delegation on the activities and achievements of the Commission.
According to Lala, Akinwole attributed the Commission’s progress to the leadership style of Governor Seyi Makinde, which he said had encouraged creativity and transformation across various sectors of the state.
The LGSC chairman said the governor’s leadership was evident in infrastructure, education, healthcare and other areas, describing what he referred to as the governor’s “midas touch” as massive and commendable.
Lala further quoted Akinwole as saying that the Commission would soon commence decentralised human-capacity development workshops across all local government zones.
He said the initiative would strengthen the capacity of personnel while helping to check administrative risks and other avoidable challenges within the local government system.
Those who received the NIPSS delegation alongside the LGSC chairman included board members Alhaji Yusuf Ali Akinkunmi (Supreme) and Hon. Christianah Nike Arewa, as well as members of the Commission’s management team.
The management team included the Permanent Secretary, Pastor Adeola Omoyeni Oduola; Acting Head of Local Government Administration, Mr. Adedayo Faith Solaja; Director of Finance and Supplies, Alhaji Gbola Badiru Adedokun; Director of Budget, Planning, Research and Statistics, Prince Rasheed Olabiyi; and Lala, Director of Education and Social Services.
Others were the Internal Auditor, Alhaja Modinat Adeleke, and Deputy Director of Administration and General Services, Alhaji Olalekan Jelili Alade.
The NIPSS delegation comprised Prof. Choji, Dr. Yomi Charles, Mr. Rotimi Mustapha, Hajia Hadiza Ibrahim and Mrs. Ademola Adenike.
