OGUN LGSC VISIT: BARR ONABANJO CHARGES MEMBERS OF STAFF TO BE DEDICATED TO THEIR DUTIES

BY: LOLADE PECULIAR, IMEKO AFON LG

The Chariman, Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, Barr. Olivia Olubukola Onabanjo, visited Imeko Afon Local Government; charged the members of staff to be  diligently dedicated to their various duties statutorily assigned to them

The visit, which was splited into three phases, commenced with a closed door meeting with the Executive Chairman of Imeko Afon Local  Government  and members of his cabinet.

At the second phase, which was an exclusive meeting with the Imeko Afon Zonal Community Development  Committee Executives, Barr Onabanjo said, the Commission's visit to the Local Government  would have been incomplete without meeting with Community Development Associations, who are indeed the driving force, who makes grassroots governance easy. 

The Commission's Boss, however gave assurances on the fulfilment of the Executive Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun,' s promise to Community Development Associations, which includes making available Grant-in-aid, Community Buses and the setting aside of a date, later in November to celebrate Community Day.

The Zonal Chairman Imeko Afon CDC, Akogun Lucien Taiwo commended Barr Onabanjo for recognizing the impact and roles the CDC play in grassroots development. He also appreciated the Executive Governor, Prince Dapo Mfr, for so far fulfilling his promises by constructing a 2km road project in Oke Ola Community, amongst others.

Akogun Lucien added that there is no Government school except Community Based schools  in Imeko, stressing that as at the time of filing this report, there are schools that are yet to be taken over by the Government, hence teachers are being paid from the lean purse of CDCs. He also stressed that no indigene of Imeko is part of the Governor's cabinet and that Community Development Officers of the Local Government should be provided with motorcycles, to ease the stress of doimg their jobs.

In his own response, the Executive Chairman, Imeko Afon Local Government, Chief Yaya Fadipe commended the executive members of the Zonal Community Development Committee for the support given to him since assumption of office. Chief Fadipe further clarified that two Imeko Indigenes, that is, Mr. Wasiu Isiaka and Hon. Oladele, have been magnanimously considered as Senior Special Adviser and Honourable Commissioner of the Federal Caracter Commission, respectively. He also eulogized Prince Dapo Abiodun for the various road projects, Street Lights, and the only way the Governor would be appreciated is by canvassing votes to favour his second term bid.

Barr. Onabanjo added that the Governor  is in the know and has plans to execute some projects agitating the minds of the Communities but due to funding, such projects would have to be executed one after the other. She also said that Prince Dapo Abiodun has promised one Grader each for all the Local Government Councils in the State and that the proposal for recruitment of Health Attendants and other Cadres has been presented to the Governor.

Afterwards, Barr Onabanjo gave a cash donation to the Community Development Committee and was received  by its Zonal Chairman,  Akogun Lucien Taiwo.

In the third phase of the visit, which was the meeting with the members of Staff of Imeko Afon Local Government, the Ag. Head of Local Government Administration,  San. B. O. Okesanya appreciated  the Commission for the visit, describing it "as a welcome development,  as it will afford the Commission  to see how the Council is fairing and to afford staffs the opportunity to tell the Commission some of the problems it is facing." He also appealed to the Commission to recruit more junior staffs.

In his own response, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Adeolu Olufowobi urged the members of staff to give in their best and be resourceful, most especially, in the tapping of the council's IGR. Dr. Olufowobi also stated that being posted to Imeko Afon Local Government should not be seen as a form of punishment, as many consider it to be. 

Conclusively, Barr. Onabanjo counselled staffer to see their visit as a turning point for dedication and dutifulness and re-emphasized that posting people to Imeko Afon Local Government  is not a punishment, as all Local Government  has to be staffed. She also charged memebers of staff to be above board in their financial dealings with the Local Government, stressing the fact that the Executive Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun is keeping his end of his promise by propmt payment of salaries, promotions and conversions.

In the entourage of the Local Government Service Commission Chairman are, the Fulltime Commissioners I-IV, Hon. Olufemi Adiro, Otunba Koye Ijaduoye, Dr. Olusesan Fagbayi and Balogun Olatunde Rufai, respectively. Also, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Adeolu Olufowobi and the four Directors of the Commission: Mr. Olalekan Oderinde, Mr. Babatunde Owolabi, Mr. Segun Ogunjobi and Mrs. Taiwo Akintomide, Directors of Management Services, PP&T, MD&T and AD&P respectively.

In attendance at the meeting are the Executive Chairman, Imeko Afon Local Government, Chief Yaya Fadipe; the Vice Chairman, Alhaja Fasilat Adebayo; the  Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Olaleye Tajudeen; The Acting Head of Local Government Administration, Sanitarian B. O. Okesanya and all Heads of Various Departments of the Local Government and the Executive members of Imeko Afon Community Development Committee, led by its Zonal Chairman, Akogun Lucien Taiwo.