By Abdulkareem Haruna

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Senator Kaka Malam-Yale, Chairman of the Borno State Local Government Service Board, underscored vital developments and achievements within the state’s local government services during an official gathering with Borno State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Wednesday.

The Chairman received the NUJ officials, led by state chairman Comrade Dauda Iliya, at the Board’s ancient secretariat complex in Maiduguri. During the meeting, he highlighted the progress made in the local government system since the reforms of 1976, emphasizing the commission’s role in staff appointments, transfers, disciplinary measures, and training.

“The local government service commission has diligently carried out its responsibilities,” Senator Malam-Yale said.

“In terms of training, we have done very well. Our staff can compete favorably with their counterparts in other states of the federation and even at the state and federal civil services.”

Reflecting on the past, the Chairman noted that Borno local authority was once one of the best and largest local governments regarding geographical size, population, efficiency, and financial resources but lacked university graduates. However, the reformation has brought significant change.

“Now, we have over 1,000 university graduates in the local government system in fields of medicine, law, engineering, and in all other humanities fields. We have university degree holders, masters, and even PhDs in the local government system,” he added. 

Officials of Borno LGS Commission in a family photo with NUJ Excos (Photo credit: Audu Kurama)

In addition to formal university training, the Chairman said the Board organizes workshops to keep staff updated and broaden their knowledge in line with changing trends and developments. The Chairman affirmed the local government’s commitment to continuous learning and development.

To further scale up the informational infrastructure of the local government, Comrade Iliya had, on behalf of the NUJ, requested a partnership with the Commission to train local government Information Officers on new information-gathering skills and proper dissemination. This partnership aims to align the local government with the Borno State Government’s 25-year Development Plan and Ten-year Strategic Action Plans.

Senator Malam-Yale approved the request in principle, marking a significant move towards enhancing the capacity of local government officers and ensuring the effective implementation of the state’s developmental plans.

With this, the State Local Government Service Commission and the NUJ set a promising tone for the future of local governance in the state. The planned partnership underscores a mutual commitment to enhance the skills of local government Information Officers, fostering a culture of continuous professional development.

“The partnership will bolster our efforts to keep our officers updated and well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of our community,” Senator Malam-Yale stated. “It is a strategic move that will ensure the effective implementation of the state’s long-term developmental plans.”

The Board Chairman further elaborated that the initiative will help bridge gaps in the local government’s information dissemination process, ensuring that key messages and developmental policies reach the grassroots effectively.