By Kayode Olopade
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's policy granting full financial autonomy to local governments is already accelerating grassroots development, with increased allocations translating into landmark projects that are improving the lives of Nigerians across communities.
Hamzat maintained that effective and autonomous local government administration remains the bedrock of sustainable national development, stressing that Nigeria's quest for inclusive growth can only be realised when governance is strengthened at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual Public Lecture and Awards organised by The Gazelle News at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, the Deputy Governor, who was represented by the Director-General of the Bola Tinubu/Kadri Hamzat Campaign Organisation, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, commended President Tinubu for implementing the landmark reform, describing it as a bold step towards deepening democracy and improving service delivery.
According to him, local governments are more than administrative structures responsible for providing basic services. He said they are strategic institutions for promoting accountability, transparency, citizens' participation and inclusive socio-economic development through well-structured public-private partnerships.
Hamzat, however, observed that poor policy implementation, corruption and policy inconsistency have continued to undermine the capacity of local governments to discharge their constitutional responsibilities effectively. He called on governments at all levels and other critical stakeholders to address these challenges in order to unlock the full developmental potential of grassroots governance.
He also praised The Gazelle News for consistently promoting issues affecting local communities, noting that the media organisation has created an important platform for constructive engagement among government, the private sector and citizens on national development.
Special Guest of Honour and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Senator Oluranti Adebule, described The Gazelle News as a credible media platform that has consistently amplified grassroots voices and strengthened democratic participation through responsible journalism.
She noted that the annual lecture had become an important platform for policy engagement and intellectual discourse on governance, while pledging continued support for initiatives that would strengthen local government administration and community development.
Delivering the keynote address on the theme, "Driving Grassroots Governance Through Public-Private Partnership: The Gains, the Pains and the Prospects," the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Hon. Sunday Dare, described the Tinubu administration's reforms as among the most far-reaching governance initiatives since Nigeria's return to democratic rule.
Dare argued that Nigeria's greatest development opportunities lie beyond Abuja and the state capitals, insisting that democracy would only be meaningful when its dividends are felt in wards, villages and communities where citizens interact directly with government.
Earlier, Publisher of The Gazelle News, Mr. Musbau Rasaq, said the annual lecture was designed to stimulate meaningful conversations on accelerating grassroots development through stronger collaboration between government and the private sector.
He stressed that government alone could not adequately address the growing developmental needs of citizens, adding that strategic private sector participation would complement public efforts and significantly improve service delivery at the grassroots.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Governance Advisory Council (GAC) member, Pa Reuben Olorunfunmi Basorun; Chief Waliu Olajide Ojuko; the Olota of Ota, Oba Prof. Adeyemi Obalanlege; veteran broadcaster Babajide Kolade Otitoju; and Nollywood actor Antar Babatunde Laniyan.
A panel session concluded the event with the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda; public policy strategist, Dr. Abdullah Adeyanju Binuyo; and the Executive Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government Area, Dr. Lanre Oyegbola Sodipo, examining practical strategies for strengthening grassroots governance through effective public-private partnerships.
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