Oluyole Local Government has announced a strengthened collaboration with the Oyo State Mobilization Agency for Socio-Economic Development to enhance grassroots socioeconomic engagement and development.
The Local Government also announced that the collaboration will encompass the recruitment and training of social mobilization officer who will be stationed in Oluyole for the day to day operation of OMASED at the grassroots.
The executive chairman of the council, Engr. Akeem Olatunji stated this earlier in the week while playing host to the Director General of OMASED, Dr Morounkola Thomas led delegation from the agency in his office at the LG Secretariat, Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan.
The collaboration, which is set to be unveiled over the next few months, would see the recruitment of qualified individuals who would play a crucial role in mobilizing communities, educating citizens on government policies, and ensuring active participation in local development initiatives.
These officers would work hand in hand with relevant LG departments including health, education, and social services, to ensure that local residents directly benefit from government programs.
Speaking, Olatunji, who expressed his delight over the collaboration, stressed that it would strengthen the local government’s capacity to implement policies that directly address the needs of the grassroots communities.
While commending Dr Morounkola for his achievements with the agency since it’s creation by Governor Seyi Makinde, Olatunji, who affirmed that the governor has provided everything required for the smooth running of government, reaffirmed that Oluyole LG is fully keyed into the vision for the entrenchment of sustainable development agenda at the grassroots under Omituntun 2.0.
While highlighting some of his achievements since assumption of office to include improved security, land disputes resolutions, expansion of markets, infrastructural development, provision of social amenities,among others, Olatunji added that Oluyole LG under his leadership has gone further to domesticate the four cardinal pillars of the governor’s blueprints at the grassroots to engender policy cohesion and programs synchronization.
“This collaboration will not only enhance our development efforts but will also empower our youth, create job opportunities, and improve the overall socio-economic conditions of our people.
“We are fully keyed into the vision of our father and leader, Governor Seyi Makinde on his sustainable development agenda under Omituntun 2.0 and that’s why we domesticated his administration’s four cardinal pillars at the grassroots because it is all encompassing and deepens inclusivity across all economic sectors, ensuring that no part of the state is left behind in the overall developmental strides.
“The tremendous work you’re doing at OMASED since coming on board as the pioneer DG is very commendable and that’s why we’re even inspired by your visit to our local government and I can assure you that we are already on the same page with you on your mission,” Olatunji said.
Speaking further, Olatunji said: “I strongly believe that apart from the recruitment, this partnership will also help us focus on establishing a continuous feedback mechanism that allows our people to voice their concerns and contribute to the decision-making process which will in turn deepen the culture of transparency as well as improve the efficiency of government programs at the grassroots level.”
Earlier, the OMASED DG; Dr Morounkola Thomas, disclosed that the initiative was a brainchild of governor Seyi Makinde who has directed that the agency collaborate with the local government service commission and by extension, the 33 local government areas of the state with the view to recruit and create an office for the operations of social mobilization officers in each LGA who would work directly with relevant departments of the councils.
According to the OMASED DG, the decision to deepen collaboration comes after the realization that effective mobilization was key to achieving sustainable development in rural and urban areas stressing that social mobilization officers would serve as the bridge between government policies and the people.
“We need to work together. The governor has asked us to work with the local government service commission to recruit social mobilization officers for each local government, and that each officer will be based in your council headquarters.
“Just find a place for for them to work. They will work hand in hand with your Directorate of Education and Social Services,” Dr Morounkola said.
Present at the meeting were the Oluyole HLGA, Alhaja Kudirat Noibi, Chief of Staff to the executive chairman; Hon. Azeez Babalola, and other top officials of the LG