The Chairman of Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), Mr. Kamal Bayewu, has assured Legal Officers across the 57 Unified Local Government Councils in Lagos State of regular training at Local and International Conferences, Seminars and Workshops.
Bayewu disclosed this during a one-day seminar organised by the Local Government Service Commission at the Ifako-IjaIye Local Council Development Area recently.
He said: “We are going to start training you both locally and internationally any moment from now, but funding has to also come from the Local Government and Local Council Development Areas. I want to assure you that somebody will be sponsored to next year’s International Bar Association (IBA) Conference”.
Emphasising the need for legal officers to take their schedules seriously, Bayewu noted that due to their important positions in the Local Councils, they are expected to advise various Chairmen of Local Councils on various issues, especially legal matters.
He averred that their deployment should not be perceived as punitive but rather capacity development and performance enhancement exercise, adding that employees of the Unified Local Government system can be assigned to work anywhere in Lagos State.
The Commissioner representing Ikorodu Division, Engr. Abiodun Orekoya, reiterated the urgent need for the Legal Officers to work closely with their various Chairmen to move the Local Councils forward and to increase their revenue base.
He enjoined the legal officers to resolve pending issues that may have negative effects, especially on ownership of property that should be a source of revenue to the concerned LGs/LCDAs.
The Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye, commended the participants for their past performances and advised them to always do their best to excel at their various duties, noting, however, that queries raised and forwarded to the Commission pertaining to their jobs should have been resolved at the Local Government level.
Bamgboye admonished the Officers to assert themselves and ensure they are always visible and relevant at their duty posts and in carrying out their job schedules and responsibilities.
Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), a former Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, who was the facilitator at the seminar, shared his experience in the legal profession and encouraged the Legal Officers to ensure all their convictions are well documented to guide their Chairmen appropriately.
He advised the Legal Officers to always seek continuous legal education and self-development, emphasising that “you either practise law or find something else to do. You need to read and learn daily because it is for your development. Over time, money will come but you must ensure you invest in buying books, reading them and storing them in your library, when you plant the seed and it germinates, people will praise you”.
The former Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary also recommended the need for a cordial relationship, good network structure and cooperation amongst all the Unified Local Councils Legal Officers.
Other dignitaries present at the event include Mr. Hakeem Bamgbola, Commissioner (Lagos Division); Mr. Ahmed Seriki, Commissioner (Epe Division); Mr. Taofeek Adaranijo (Ikeja Division); Director, Establishment (LGET&P), Mrs. Olawumi Dada; Director, Legal (LGSC), Mr. Babatunde Odutemowo and Assistant Director, Admin and Human Resource (LGSC) Mrs. Abosede Ilori.
