Lagos Council Equips Councillors With Required knowledge, Skills For Impactful Service Delivery
The Councillors of Badagry Local Government have ended a three-day capacity-building retreat convened by the Council Chairman, Babatunde Hunpe.
Themed “Legislative Process and Procedures: Giving the Best to the Grassroots,” the retreat was conceived as part of ongoing efforts to equip councillors with the knowledge, skills, and strategies required for impactful service delivery across their wards. It was also to deepen grassroots governance and enhance the effectiveness of the Council’s legislative arm.
Declaring the retreat open, Hunpe underscored the central purpose of governance as service to the people, stressing that such service cannot be achieved without deliberate investment in knowledge and capacity building.
The opening lecture, delivered by Dr. Dare Akinlaja and titled “Leadership in an Ever-Changing World,” examined the shifting expectations of public office holders in a rapidly evolving governance landscape. He urged councillors to embrace adaptability and innovation in responding to the demands of leadership.
This was followed by a presentation from communication expert, Dr. Akin Lewis, on “Effective Communication and Its Impact on Legislative Function.” His lecture highlighted the importance of engagement, feedback, and transparency in strengthening the bond between elected officials and their constituents.
On the second day, Dr. Akinlaja returned with a paper on “Building a Transformative Leadership Mindset and Culture,” where he charged councillors to cultivate innovation, proactiveness, and responsiveness in order to deliver on their mandate.
The final lecture, delivered by governance consultant Mr. Bakare Ayilola, focused on “Enhancing Understanding of the Roles and Responsibilities of Councillors, Effective Communication and Representation.” He stressed the importance of accountability and inclusivity in bridging the gap between government and the people.
The Vice Chairman, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, who also attended the retreat, commended the initiative. He charged councillors to leverage the knowledge acquired during the sessions in the discharge of their duties, and underscored the need for synergy between the executive and legislative arms as the bedrock of effective governance and sustainable development in Badagry.
Speaking on behalf of the councillors, the Leader of the Legislative House, Hon. Bankole Mautin Asokere, thanked the Chairman for providing the platform to broaden their horizons and expand their knowledge. He described the sessions as highly engaging and assured that the lessons learnt would strengthen their capacity to deliver quality representation to the people of Badagry.
