Mr. Ayo Akinuli, a distinguished advocate and thought leader has advocated for local government autonomy as a sure way to get the nation out of the woods.
” By empowering communities, addressing insecurity, and fostering economic growth at the grassroots level, development and progress would spring forth and a nation where local solutions shall lead to national prosperity”, Mr. Akinuli stressed.
In a paper titled :”A Call for Local Government Autonomy ” Mr. Akinuli passionately underscores the pivotal role of local government autonomy in addressing Nigeria’s persistent challenges of insecurity and economic instability.
Mr. Akinuli asserted that the grant of autonomy to local governments acts as a catalyst for change at the grassroots level.
He advocated for a decentralized approach to governance, emphasizing that empowering communities is essential for tailoring solutions to their unique challenges.
Highlighting the potential of local government autonomy, Mr. Akinuli focused on reshaping security strategies.
He argued that communities are better equipped to address their specific security concerns, fostering closer collaboration between law enforcement and citizens adding that community policing initiatives and security strategies crafted by local authorities who intimately understand the nuances of their regions.
Mr. Akinuli envisions community-driven initiatives utilizing local intelligence networks to proactively combat threats, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure nation.
According to Mr. Akinuli, economic stability is intricately linked to local empowerment.
He said local governments as engines of economic growth, capable of formulating policies that directly address the financial challenges faced by their communities.
Mr. Akinuli emphasized job creation, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure development as key pillars for sustainable economic growth.
He stresses the importance of granting local governments control over resources, enabling them to prioritize infrastructure projects and economic initiatives based on local needs.
Mr. Akinuli’s vision includes empowering local governments to implement policies that stimulate job creation and entrepreneurship, addressing the root causes of economic instability.
He recognised potential challenges and calls for concerted capacity-building efforts for local officials and exploring innovative revenue sources.
Mr. Akinuli argued that overcoming these obstacles is fundamental to ensuring the success and sustainability of local government autonomy.
