By Lukman Olabiyi

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged the newly elected chairmen and vice-chairmen of the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to work in unity and avoid becoming weak links in the governance structure.

The governor gave the charge during a three-day retreat held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, organized by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development.

The theme of the retreat was “Driving Grassroots Development through Strategic Governance.”

Sanwo-Olu reminded the local government officials that their mandate comes with great responsibility, urging them to prioritize good governance, transparency, and inclusive leadership that truly reflects the needs of their communities.

Represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu emphasized the need for synergy among council officials, urging them to share knowledge and learn from each other in order to deliver good governance at the grassroots level.

“We believe local government is the bedrock of our development. You asked for this job, you made promises to the people, and now the work has begins. The challenges facing our communities are real and urgent. We must demonstrate strong performance to win back trust and support,”the governor said

He emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration among council leadership, warning against internal divisions and power tussles.

“Don’t treat your vice chairmen as spare tyres. “You must work as a team. The success or failure of your administration will depend on how well you cooperate and lead together,”he cautioned.

Sanwo-Olu also linked the officials’ performance to the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, stating that delivering at the grassroots level would reinforce the APC’s credibility and governance narrative.

Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, urged the council leaders to be proactive and solution-driven. “Leadership is not a title; it is a trust you must earn,” he stated.

Also present was the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Kamal Bayeiwu, represented by Commissioner Ahmed Seriki. He called for improved relations between council chairmen and local government staff to promote efficiency and eliminate past conflicts. “Let’s synergize with the workers and foster a customer-service approach to governance,” he said.

In a vote of assurance, the Chairman of Conference 57, Hon. Sesan Olowa, thanked the governor for the retreat, promising that the knowledge gained would be used to improve governance across the councils.

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