By Habiba Onakpa
A two-day capacity-building workshop for Directors of Education, Social Development,Information, sports, and Culture as well as director Agriculture and Natural Resources from the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State was held in Lokoja, focusing on the theme “Understanding Statutory Legislations Affecting Kogi State Local Government Staff.”
The training, organized by the Kogi State Local Government Service Commission (KGLGSC), in Collaboration with Equity Draftmen Law Office, aims at deepening participants’ knowledge of the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern local government administration and the conditions of service of council employees.
Declaring the workshop open, the Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Adams Adabenege, Represented by the Commissioner of Establishment, Administration and public Services, Hon Elisha Peter Foluronsho, said the program was part of the Commission’s broader mandate to enhance efficiency, accountability, and professionalism across the local government system.
He explained that the training is aimed at removing gaps in understanding key Statutory frameworks such as The Kogi State Local Government Service Commission Law, The Public Service Rules, Financial Regulations and Others.
“Every local government officer must operate within the confines of the law.
These laws are not mere documents;they are the bedrock upon which accountability and efficiency are built.
As directors and administrators, you are custodians of government regulations at the grassroots. It is therefore imperative that you understand the statutory instruments that guide your operations,” Hon. Adabenege stated.
According to him, ignorance of these laws often leads to administrative lapses, inefficiencies and even legal challenges.
“When officers understand the laws guiding their service, they perform better, make informed decisions, and reduce avoidable errors that can lead to sanctions or litigations,” he added.
In his opening Remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Eld. Sunday Odeh, noted that reforms in the local government sector could only succeed when officers are well-grounded in the legal provisions governing their functions as ignorance of the law is never an excuse.
He also assured participants that the Commission, under the leadership of Hon. Adabenege, remains committed to continuous training, staff welfare and the general efficacy of staff.
In His vote of thanks, the director of Training urged the participants to be good ambasadors and always ensure to abide by stipulated rules and regulations so as not to fall into trouble.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mrs Safiya O. Abubakar, Director of Education from Ajaokuta Local Government, thanked the Commission for the opportunity, describing the workshop as enlightening and impactful. She said the sessions clarified grey areas on staff discipline, and their roles as touch bearers in their various departments.
The Resource person, Barrister Bamidele Suru, delivered presentations on topics such as:
Overview of Statutory Laws Regulating Local Government Service in Kogi State
Local Government Service Commission Law as Repealed.
Understanding the public Service Law etc.
Participants pledged to cascade the knowledge gained to other staff in their respective local governments to ensure wider compliance with statutory provisions.
The training forms part of His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, ensure transparency, and align local government administration with best practices.
