HOLGA , EWEKORO LG, ADEYEMO DEMANDS PUNCTUALITY, EFFICIENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY FROM STAFF

 By Olopade Sakiru 

...Charges Workers to Sustain Council’s Best Local Government Award in Ogun

The new Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), Ewekoro Local Government, Mrs. Adeyemo Nurat Taiwo, has charged staff of the council to make punctuality, efficiency, accountability and dedication their watchwords in the discharge of their official responsibilities. 

Mrs. Adeyemo gave the charge during her maiden meeting with members of staff at the Ewekoro Local Government Secretariat, Itori, where she outlined her expectations and administrative priorities for the council.

The HOLGA urged workers to always report at their duty posts at the appropriate time and give their best towards accelerating development at the grassroots. 

She declared that she would not tolerate absenteeism or any attitude capable of undermining productivity, stressing that every member of staff had a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the progress and good image of the local government. “I have zero tolerance for absenteeism,” she stated.

Mrs. Adeyemo also cautioned subordinate officers against slandering or speaking ill of their senior officers, urging all workers to respect the established administrative structure and maintain mutual respect in the workplace. 

According to her, “What you cannot take, don't give to others; that is the law of life.” She emphasised that a harmonious working environment remained essential to effective service delivery and the achievement of the council’s objectives.

The astute administrator and environmental expert further reminded the workers that every staff member was, in one way or another, a revenue collector, describing revenue generation as a primary responsibility of local government workers. 

She, however, stressed the need for professionalism, courtesy and integrity whenever staff members go out to collect revenue, noting that unethical conduct by an individual could damage the reputation of the entire local government. 

She particularly charged officers responsible for revenue receipts to ensure that all receipts were properly worded and carried accurate specifications of the amounts collected.

She equally underscored the importance of the council’s in-house training programmes, urging staff to take them seriously. Mrs. Adeyemo explained that continuous training was not only important for improving competence and efficiency but could also contribute to the career progression of officers, particularly those seeking to climb the administrative ladder. 

She noted that the Local Government Service Commission would not insist on such training if it were not considered relevant to the development and future advancement of staff.

The HOLGA also reiterated the need for strict compliance with the bi-weekly environmental sanitation exercise scheduled for the second Wednesday and last Wednesday of every month. She warned that the sanitation days should not be regarded as palliative holidays to stay away from  their official duties, stressing that any directive from the employer superseded personal engagements. 

She also advised workers to pay serious attention to their health and safety, urging anyone who noticed even the slightest deviation from his or her normal body condition to seek prompt medical attention rather than neglecting it.

Speaking on preparations for the 2026 Ogun State Local Government Service Week, Mrs. Adeyemo passionately appealed to all workers to put their hands on deck to ensure the success of Ewekoro Local Government. 

She specifically urged officers responsible for monthly reports and payment of subventions to ensure that such responsibilities were carried out accurately and as and when due. 

She declared that Ewekoro could not afford to play second fiddle, charging staff to work collectively towards retaining the coveted Best Local Government Award in Ogun State, which she expressed determination to win again during her tenure.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of General Services and Administration, Mr. Afolabi Amusa, described Mrs. Adeyemo as a mother and a pleasant boss, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to finally hold the meeting with members of staff. 

He urged the workers to pay rapt attention to the new HOLGA’s directives, particularly the dos and don’ts of her administration, and encouraged them to seek clarification whenever necessary. 

In his vote of thanks, the Deputy President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ogun State Chapter, Comrade Fatai Akiode, on behalf of the workers of Ewekoro Local Government and NULGE, commended Mrs. Adeyemo’s administrative acumen and prayed that the Most Beneficent and Most Merciful God would bless her tenure with success and remarkable achievements.