LG Chairman Should Be Someone Who Can Articulate And Implement Policies Leading To Growth And Development – Soyemi Balogun Whiterose

Mr. Ba’tunde Olukayode Soyemi, Chairman/Chief Executive of Whiterose, a leading logistics firm, shared his views on the recent Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to the 774 local councils in Nigeria during an interview with Abu-Satar Hamed of StarTrend Int’l magazine & online.

Soyemi, a Human Resource Practitioner with experience in the Petroleum Products Marketing and Banking/Finance industries, provided his perspective on this significant development. Excerpts:

What’s your take on the recent judgment of the Supreme Court in Nigeria giving total autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country?

The recent Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to local government councils is a crucial and celebratory milestone. This development holds promise for witnessing responsible governance at the local level and is expected to enhance accountability and transparency within this tier of government. Local governments are the closest to the majority of citizens, so their effective functioning is essential.

Do you foresee governors fighting back on this judgment?

It would not be surprising if governors showed some resistance to this verdict. However, if governors are genuinely committed to the advancement of our democracy, they should support and encourage this change.

Currently, we have achieved financial autonomy, but governors still control staffing resources at local governments through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. True democratic benefits require full autonomy over both financial and staffing resources.

What’s your suggestion on the quality of people that electorates should elect as their LG Chairman?

With this new development, the expectations for prospective LG Chairmen should shift significantly. Candidates should have a proven track record of resource management capabilities. They should be able to articulate and implement policies that drive growth and development effectively.

Do you agree with the view that the Federal Government should monitor local chairmen to prevent any misuse of their newly granted autonomy?

Nooo! The Federal Government should limit its involvement with LGAs to ensuring that funds and allocations are released directly by the Accountant General of the Federation. Those running our LGAs are elected by the people, just like those in the Federal Government. All levels of government should be responsible and accountable to the citizens who elected them.

Who’s Balogun Soyemi?

Balogun T. Soyemi is a dedicated Yewaman from both his father’s (Ilaro) and mother’s (Oke-Odan) sides, located in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

I received my early primary education in Ibadan, had brief high school education at Egbado (Yewa) College, Ilaro, and completed it at Baptist High School, Iwo.

With a scholarship from Ogun State, I pursued higher education in the United Kingdom, graduating in Human Resource Management. After completing my studies, I returned to Nigeria to fulfill my NYSC commitment, initially working with African Petroleum Company.

After my mandatory service, I was retained as a Trainee Personnel Officer and spent over twenty years as a Human Resource Practitioner in the Petroleum Products Marketing and Banking/Finance sectors.

Currently focused on advancing Whiterose, my background is in Human Resource Management. Before becoming an entrepreneur, I worked with reputable Petroleum Products Marketing companies and second-generation commercial and merchant Banks.

I remain committed to good governance, conservative values, and a believer in a small government and free enterprise environment that promotes transparency and accountability. From my early adult life, I have been active in participatory government, serving as an Officer of the Student Government Council in college and engaging in domestic democratic politics since the Third Republic.

I firmly believe that government’s role should be to create an enabling environment for citizens to thrive.

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