Ogun charges community leaders to champion development

Community leaders in Ogun State have been urged to serve as champions of development, peace ambassadors and exemplary citizens capable of driving positive change in their communities.

Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Ademola Balogun, made the call at the closing ceremony of a four-day Basic Citizenship and Leadership Training (BCLT), held at the Social Development Institute (SDI), Shasha, Iperu.

Balogun said sustainable community growth could only be achieved when leaders demonstrated vision, integrity and accountability.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration to improving the welfare of residents at the grassroots through infrastructure development and socio-economic programmes.

The commissioner encouraged the graduands to put into practice the knowledge acquired in conflict resolution, resource mobilisation, accountability and civic responsibility to transform their communities.

On the achievements of the ministry, Balogun listed the provision of a brand-new bus for state community leaders and improved welfare packages for staff of the ministry and the SDI.

He assured participants that the institute will be fully upgraded before the end of the current administration.

In his remarks, chairman of Ijebu North-East Local Government Area, Folusho Badejo, commended the state government for sustaining capacity-building programmes aimed at strengthening grassroots development.

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He said the training exposed participants to global best practices in community management, and urged Community Development Associations (CDA) to embrace strategic leadership that will positively impact residents.

The state chairman of the Community Development Council, Chief Adefemi Adetayo, applauded the government for promoting community development and creating an enabling environment for participants to acquire new knowledge.

Earlier, the Course Coordinator and Ado-Odo/Ota Zonal Community Development Officer, Mr. Jimoh Jamiu, explained that the training was designed to strengthen the leadership capacity of community leaders through modern approaches to community management, conflict resolution and project implementation.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mrs. Adeola Iyabode and Alhaji Abiodun AbdulAzeez, thanked the government for prioritising the capacity development of community leaders and pledged to apply the knowledge gained during the training to promote cooperation, strengthen leadership and improve development in their respective communities