Our Correspondent
The National Councilors Forum of Nigeria (NCF) has underscored the need for grassroots leaders to prioritise the Local Government autonomy policy to advance democratic dividends in Nigeria.
Local Government autonomy enables Local Governments make decisions and take actions without needing approval from State Governments, ensure they manage their finances, collect revenues and allocate resources without State Government interference.
The National President of the Forum, Yusuf Babawapa, Councilor representing Kano Municipal Local Government, Kano gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
He spoke on sideline of the National convention and election of new excos 2024 with the theme: “Consolidating constitutional local government financial autonomy; derivatives and internal outsourcing for sustainable growth and development” from Dec. 11 to 13.
Babawapa said, “As Councilors we need to make sure we explore the Local Government autonomy policy, to bring more dividends of democracy in governance.
“To also reach our people at the grassroots. By so doing, Nigeria will achieve more meaningful socio-economic transformative growth at the grassroot level.
“We started this convention in the past three years with the inception of my tenure as National President.
“Our goal is to sensitise and empower our people at the various Local Government Wards to the importance of good governance, particularly as Nigeria has lots of human and natural resources at the grassroots.”
He said not less than 2000 Councilors had so far registered for the convention, saying more were expected from across the 774 Local Governments in the country.
He reiterated that through their participation more people would be reached.
“We are here to educate the various councilors and ensure their effective implementation of the Local Government autonomy policy at the ward levels in Nigeria,” he added.
Highpoints of the event was remarks by Prof. Sheriff Ibrahim, Principal Consultant to the Forum, paper presentation by Dr Bibi Farouk and Prof. Tochukwu Okeke, as well as discussion and interventions.
