4th June, 2013
The city of Lagos will on Tuesday, 11 June, 2013 host a national public discourse on the recurrent issue of Local Government Autonomy.
To examine the merit and demerits of this issue, the Public Affairs Directorate of CMC Connect Limited (Perception Managers), in association with O’Ken Ventures (Strategy and Reputation Consultants), will be convening key stakeholders at a public discourse to analyse the issue, under the theme: Local Government Authority: How Autonomous?
Constitutional lawyers, top academics, politicians and key players within the three tiers of government will discuss the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of granting autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.
The discourse, which is scheduled for 9am at MUSON Centre, Onikan Lagos, is expected to be chaired by the Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Keynote Speakers are Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Governor, State of Osun, and the National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Dr. Ozo Nwabueze Okafor.
Discussants will include: Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, the Governor of Imo State, Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, and Prof Francis Fagbohun, H.O.D, Department of Local Government Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Others are NULGE National President, Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel; Senator Kabir Gaya, Chairman Senate committee on States and Local Government Affairs; and Constitutional Lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay.
The Consul-General, Embassy of The Federal Republic of Ghana in Nigeria Alhaji Abdulai Amadu Abukari will provide Ghanaian perspective to local government administration.
Special Guests of Honour are: Erelu Olusola Obada, Minister of State for Defence; Mr. Femi Falana SAN; Bar. Monday Ubani, Nigerian Bar Association Chairman, Ikeja branch; Chief Alex Akinyele, former Minister of Information; Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Minister of Special Duties; Emeka Ihedioha, CON, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; and Mr. Mike Omeri, Director-General, National Orientation Agency.
One area that has continued to generate controversy and heated debate among the electorate and the three tiers of government in Nigeria is the issue of local government autonomy.
Since its reform in 1985, the roles of the local government have come to include bringing governance closer to the people, engendering administrative convenience, ensuring effective mobilisation of resources, creating avenues for preservation of cultural heritage and common interest, and the maintenance of law and order.
However, these responsibilities have been constantly underplayed due to several issues, which include the alleged overbearing influence of state governments and control of human and material resources available to the local government authorities.