By Joy Salami
In a bid to strengthen legal and administrative efficiency at the grassroots, Kogi State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), in collaboration with Equity Draftsmen Law Office, has trained 42 senior local government officials on the newly amended Kogi State Local Government Service Commission Law, 2024.
The one-day workshop, held in Lokoja, brought together 21 Heads of Department (Works) and 21 Directors of Primary Health Care (DPHC), from the state’s 21 local government areas.
The focus was to deepen participants’ understanding of statutory laws governing local government operations, with a strong emphasis on transparency, accountability, and due process.
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In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Adams Adabenege, appreciated Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his unwavering support in repositioning the local government system.
He described the training as “a routine but strategic exercise aimed at equipping directors to deliver better governance and service to the people.”
“This event marks another milestone in our collective commitment to building a well-informed, competent, and legally compliant local government workforce,” Hon. Adams noted.
The amended law provides a legal and institutional framework to guide employment, disengagement, retirement, and overall staff conduct within the local government system. Understanding and applying these provisions, the chairman stressed, will help prevent administrative pitfalls and strengthen governance at the grassroots level.
He encouraged participants to ask questions, seek clarity, and actively engage with the training content, emphasising that compliance with the law was vital to public trust and effective leadership.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission Elder Sunday Odeh underscored the importance of continuous training in keeping local government officials up to date with legal and administrative developments. He commended the partnership with legal experts in delivering the session.
Lead facilitator, Barr. Bamidele Suru, a legal consultant from Equity Draftsmen Law Office, guided participants through key provisions of the amended Law No. 02 of 2024, which updates and replaces Law No. 02 of 2014.
He noted that the new law aligns with Governor Ododo’s vision for a reformed, efficient, and transparent local government system.
“This law was signed during Governor Ododo’s first year in office. It’s no longer business as usual. Directors must rise to the challenge and operate strictly within the new legal framework,” Barr. Suru emphasised.
Participants described the training as timely, practical, and impactful. Mr. Oluboye Olurufemi, HOD Works from Yagba West and Secretary of the HOD Works Forum, said, “We learnt a lot about procurement processes and due diligence. This will help us better advise our political office holders and avoid costly mistakes.”
Mrs. Ayodele Marelyn Fumilayo, DPHC from Yagba East LGA, added, “The session was enlightening. I now better understand the importance of documentation, financial management, and staff conduct. I’ll ensure my team complies with proper procedures going forward.”
Beyond legal knowledge, the workshop also offered a platform for open discussion, allowing officers to raise concerns and receive expert guidance. The training is expected to significantly enhance local government operations and improve service delivery across Kogi State.
