Sanwo-Olu Charges Newly Elected Council Chairmen to Strengthen Grassroots Governance

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on the state’s newly elected 57 local council chairmen and their deputies to ensure they are not the “weakest link” in the chain of governance.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, made the charge during a three-day retreat at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development.

With the theme “Driving Grassroots Development through Strategic Governance”, the programme aimed to equip the council leaders with vital knowledge on the intricacies of local government administration, public sector ethics, and procurement processes.

“Your victory at the polls is not just a political win; it is a mandate from the people,” Sanwo-Olu said. “Nobody should be the weakest link. The only way forward is to learn from each other.

Governance is more than rocket science—the work ahead is urgent and the expectations of the people are high.”

The governor stressed the importance of transparent procurement, noting that corruption in governance often begins and ends with the procurement process. He urged council leaders to confront challenges directly and focus efforts at the grassroots, particularly in physical planning and resource management.

Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Robert, said the retreat was designed to help the chairmen settle quickly into governance and deliver on critical infrastructure and people-focused services.

“The expectations of the people are high,” he noted. “They await the visible dividends of democracy that will improve their socio-economic lives.”

Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sanni Okanlawon, advised the council bosses to be problem solvers and to see leadership as a trust to be earned rather than a title.

On behalf of the council leaders, Ibeju-Lekki LCDA Chairman, Sesan Olowa, thanked the governor for supporting the retreat, pledging that the chairmen were prepared to deliver on their mandates. “Our role is crucial to the survival of democracy at the grassroots, and we are ready to deliver,” he assured.