(http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/thumbnail.php?file=bola_tinubu_737652675.jpg&size=article_medium) Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday revisited the flawed federal system and urged the Federal Government to decentralise powers to the state and local governments in the true spirit of federalism.
He called for the repositioning of the local government system to enable the third tier of government discharge its constitutional responsibilities well at the grassroots.
The former Lagos State governor spoke at the presentation of a book: Local Government Administration: My Reflections, written by former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Rotimi Agunsoye. It was chaired by the Lisa Jigan of Ondo Kingdom, Chief Bayo Akinnola.
The highlights of the event included a lecture entitled: Trends In Federalism and Place of Local Government,” delivered by a university don, Dr. Olu Aransi, and the cutting of the 50th anniversary cake by Prince Agunsoye. The celebrator was accompanied by his wife, Olayinka, and children: Ademide, Oluwaromade and Adebade.
The book reviewer was Prof. Zaccause Ogundare of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
Dr Aransi called for the establishment of more local governments to bring governance to the doorsteps of the people.
He said: “The best form of government that guarantees good governance, democracy and development is local government. Decentralisation of power to the local government will enable it to play the role of a catalyst of development at the grassroots and bring development to the local areas.”
The university don noted that the people should be the focus of any developmental agenda, urging federal and state governments to deploy more resources to the councils.
Tinubu, who was represented by a former Health Commissioner Dr. Leke Pitan, described local government as the closest to the people. He said it should be repositioned for efficient service delivery.
He added: “Development can be felt by the people, if they are allowed to take their place in true federalism. People who serve at the council level should serve with diligence. The book written by Agunsoye has put local government on the front burner. Rather than concentrate power at the centre, resources should be deployed to the states and councils for proper development.”
TheNation