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LG Autonomy Key To Curbing Rural-Urban Drift In Nigeria – University Don
A university don, Professor Edward Adiele has said granting autonomy to local government councils is key to solving rural-urban drift in Nigeria. He also stated that local government autonomy, if well harnessed can lead to economic development in the country.
The Professor of Educational Planning at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, attributed most of the political crisis in the various states across Nigeria to struggle for local government control.
Adiele spoke yesterday while delivering a keynote address titled: “Local Government Autonomy: The Bedrock for Rural Communities Development,” at the grand finale of the first edition of Chief Tony Okocha Academic Excellence Challenge Quiz and Essay Writing contest in Port Harcourt.
He described the topic as apt, noting that it is coming at the heels of heightened agitation and calls for full autonomy of local governments in Nigeria.
The university don defined local government as a political entity and authority which is purposely created by law or constitution for local communities by which they manage their local public affairs within the law and constitution.
While dedcribing autonomy as the ability to make your own decision about what to do, rather than being influenced by someone else, the right to self government and independence, he posited that the conceptual interpretation of local government autonomy is perceived as local self government or grassroots democracy aimed at giving the people at the grassroots the fullest opportunity in determining their own destiny.
He said: “Each tier of government must exist not as an appendage of another, but as being able to exercise its own will in thr conduct of its own affairs, free from the directive of another level of government.
“Local government autonomy will only be meaningful in a situation where each level of government is not constitutionally bound to accept dictates or directives from the other level of government.”
He also described local governments as a veritable agent of development and grassroots participation in the democratic process.
“The local governments are therefore the closest to the people and therefore in a better position to appreciate the real problems of the people and serve as the most democratic agent for mobilizing the people for positive socio-economic and grassroots development.
“Growth point must emerge from the local government areas in Nigeria and provide the much-needed push to agitate and energies productive activities in rural communities to reverse the phenomenon of rural-urban drift.
“It is because the flashpoint for growth is moved to the state or federal that is why rural dwellers migrate to the state and when rural dwellers migrate to the state, leaving their local environment, they constitute nuisance. Of course that is the cause of the social vices we are having at the state level.”
According to him, some of the ways local governments can use to achieve rural community development to drive national economic development include; agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, sensitisation and mobilisation, educational services in communities, training ground for political participation.
“Local governments in Nigeria must be granted full autonomy by making them have legal powers to achieve specific goals, most importantly, they must enjoy substantial autonomy in financial matters without excessive but complementary control by higher authority. This is so because fiscal autonomy in local government administration is generally believed to be the best tool efficient service delivery in rural communities development,” he added.
Meanwhile, Blessed Child Academy scored 270 points to emerged overall winners of the quiz competition, going home with cash award of N200,000.00. Praise EL school emerged second position with 255 points, going home with N150,000.00 while Domino Pizza Memorial School came third with 253 points, going home with N100,000.00.
Also, Praise Ogbowoma Okiri emerged winner of the Essay Writing Category, scoring 98%, going home with N200,000 and a laptop. The first runner up, Nwosu Testimony Chukwurah scored 95% going home with N100,000 and a phone, while the second runner up,Nwanfor Desmond Chukwuka, who scored 90% went home with N100,000.00 cash awards.
In his speech, Chief Tony Okocha thanked the participating schools and the organizers for making the event a success. He stressed confidence in the transparency of the panel of judges that brought about the winners.
He also promised to make the competition an annual event and thanked the facilitator, Comrade End well Otonnah, whom he said is the brain behind the competition.
Okocha, who is the acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, however, criticized the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for fixing a timetable for local government elections in the state without inviting both the APC and the PDP to the meeting.
In an interview with Leadership the winner of the essay writing and a student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Praise Ogbawoma Okiri said he didn’t expect to win as this is his first ever essay competition.
“This is actually a boost for me because I have never ever contested for something like this before. I want to tell my mother I made her proud, I want to tell my father I made him proud. At least this will spur me to greater exploits,” he stated.
By Amina Anebi, Kaduna
Over two hundred worshippers gathered at Our Lady’s Parish Independence in Kaduna to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, marking the end of the pre-Lenten season with traditional observances, including confessions, the burning of Holy Week palms, and acts of charity.
Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, precedes Ash Wednesday and signals the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and spiritual reflection observed by many Christian denominations. The term “Shrove” comes from the old English word “shrive,” meaning absolution following confession.
The celebration in Kaduna was led by the Kaduna North Dean and Parish Priest, Very Reverend Father Anthony Okelue, who urged the faithful to embrace the spirit of repentance and charity.
“I urge you all to come closer to God as we embark on 40 days of prayer and fasting. By reflecting on our wrongdoings, we should celebrate with those who have less. That is the essence of this day—giving to the less privileged,” Father Okelue said.
Shrove Tuesday is widely observed by Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Western-Rite Orthodox Christians, and Roman Catholics. The day is traditionally marked by self-examination, repentance, and preparation for the solemn season of Lent.
One of the most recognisable customs associated with Shrove Tuesday is the eating of pancakes, a practice rooted in the need to use up rich ingredients such as eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting period begins. Church bells are also rung to remind people to repent before Lent.
In many Christian traditions, churches burn the palms distributed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday to prepare the ashes used for Ash Wednesday services. Elsewhere, in countries where Shrove Tuesday is known as Mardi Gras, the day is celebrated with carnivals and feasts before the fasting period begins.
The Roman Catholic Church also marks Shrove Tuesday with the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus, a devotion reflecting on the suffering of Christ.
Father Okelue encouraged worshippers to see Lent as an opportunity for spiritual renewal. “This is a time for reflection, prayer, and giving. Let us approach it with sincerity and a heart for others,” he said.
As the faithful in Kaduna observed this centuries-old tradition, the emphasis remained on confession, repentance, and charity—values that define the essence of Shrove Tuesday.
By Amina Samuel,Kaduna
The Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, has introduced a range of policies aimed at improving education access and creating a conducive learning environment, leading to notable advancements in the sector.
During a quarterly ministerial press briefing on Tuesday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Commissioner for Education, Professor Muhammad Sani Bello, highlighted that these initiatives align with the governor’s campaign promises.
He detailed the significant infrastructure improvements, including the construction of new schools and classrooms, since the governor took office.
“Since the beginning of this administration, more than 600 classrooms have been constructed, with many others undergoing renovations.
The era of students studying in non-conducive environments is now over,” Professor Bello stated.
Under the AGILE project, 62 new secondary schools have been established, with an additional 50 planned for construction ahead of the administration’s second anniversary.
Moreover, the commissioner announced the launch of six science secondary schools funded by the Islamic Development Bank, a project that had been dormant for 16 years.
“More than 2,000 students are now enrolled in these specialised schools,” he said.
Professor Bello also reported improvements in examination outcomes, noting a rise in the percentage of students achieving five credits in national examinations such as WAEC and NECO from 54% to 67% since the current administration began.
Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to education was further demonstrated through his first Executive Order, which reduced tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions by 40%.
This decision has led to an increase in student enrollment across institutions such as Kaduna State University and Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, according to Professor Bello.
“Previously, many students left for institutions in neighbouring states due to high tuition fees,” he added.
In addition to fee reductions, the government has introduced new courses across various state-owned tertiary institutions, now accredited by relevant education authorities.
The administration is also focused on tackling the issue of out-of-school children through the construction of new schools, with support from five key development partners, including the Islamic Development Bank and UNICEF.
Prof Bello disclosed that a statistical mapping of Kaduna State has identified communities lacking school facilities.
As part of this initiative, 102 new schools will be built, while over 200 existing schools will be renovated with the aim of ensuring no child travels more than one kilometre to access an educational facility.
In another significant development, he mentioned that the Special School for Gifted Children at Millennium City is currently 90% complete, and the Tsangaya Bilingual Schools Project has also seen substantial expansion with support from UBEC and the Islamic Development Bank.
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Adeladan Olarinre and Mukhtar Muhammed as permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.
The Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Eno Olotu, announced the appointments in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Olarinre will represent Oyo State, while Muhammed will serve as the North-West geopolitical zone representative.
Olotu noted that the selection process was rigorous and transparent, aligning with the administration’s commitment to merit, excellence, and competence.
She urged the new appointees to leverage their experience to enhance public service delivery and contribute to the government’s development agenda.
In December 2024, the federal government appointed eight permanent secretaries from various states to address vacancies, following a similar selection in June 2024.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, commended Tinubu’s dedication to professionalism and transparency in the civil service, emphasising that the appointments reinforce efforts to build an efficient and results-driven public sector.