The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa yesterday declared that his boss, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu gave local government authorities in the state free hand to run their affairs.
Aiyedatiwa stated this in Akure during his induction and decoration as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria (CILGPAN).
A statement signed by Prince Sina Adeyeye, Deputy Director on Media, office of the Deputy Governor, Aiyedatiwa said the governor had gave support for local government administration and also create enabling environment for them to thrive.
“The funds for the local government are going directly to them as directed by Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, I can tell you that our governor has been given maximum support to local government administration.
“I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve by being a fellow of the institute. I want to give that recognition to my boss (the governor). I am benefitting from what our Governor is doing in the state,” he said.
Earlier, the Registrar of the Institution, Dr Uche Okereke said the award made the deputy governor a fellow of the institute which is the highest professional grade.
Okereke said President Muhammadu Buhari wanted the local government to be administered professionally for dividends of democracy to reach the grassroots level.
He added that the award was in recognition of the way local government administration, which is under the office of the Deputy Governor, was being run.
The registrar said the CILGPAN hierarchies were in Ondo State to attend a two-day workshop on performance improvement course for local government functionaries.
The event was organised by the Ondo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in collaboration with Code of Conduct Bureau and the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration, Abuja.