The governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has charged political office holders to see public service as a sacred duty, reminding them that they were elected or appointed to serve the people.
He called on top local government officials to demonstrate professionalism, adhere to due process, and view themselves as essential partners in governance rather than mere bureaucrats.
Aiyedatiwa said that his administration is committed to strengthening grassroots governance through accountability, capacity building, and a culture of transparency.
The Governor made these assertions on Monday, at the opening ceremony of a four-day sensitisation training for political office holders and top management staff of local governments in the state.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in collaboration with the Local Government Service Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Aiyedatiwa emphasized that the workshop was not just a formal gathering, but a deliberate intervention by his administration to reposition the local government system for quality service delivery.
He described the local government as the closest tier of government to the people, and one whose effectiveness greatly determines the development of any democratic society.
He expressed gratitude to the EFCC and other partner institutions, including the ICPC and the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Commission (OSPFACC), for supporting the workshop, urging participants to take the lessons from the sessions seriously and apply them in their respective local governments.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, described the workshop as a strategic move to rebuild the integrity of the local government system, saying the training is part of broader efforts to address loopholes in public financial management and to enhance service delivery at the grassroots.
In his remark, the Acting Zonal Director of the Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Effa Okim, commended Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in governance.
