Ekiti: Oyebanji Calls for Replication of State’s Human Capital Development Model in Local Councils

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has called on local government and LCDA chairmen to replicate the state’s Human Capital Development (HCD) structure within their respective councils to fully harness the potentials in the three thematic areas: health nutrition, education and labour force participation.

He made this call during a capacity-building workshop for the Technical Working Group (TWG) and the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), organized by the Ekiti State Government in collaboration with the National Office of Human Capital Development, Abuja, held at the Sani Abacha Hall in the Old Governor’s Office, Ado Ekiti.

Represented by Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, who equally serves as the State Chairperson of HCD, was with the Special Adviser on HCD,Hon Olugbenga Agbeyo who is the State Focal Person of the program.

Oyebanji urged local governments to adopt a similar structure, where vice chairmen of LGAs/LCDAs would be appointed as HCD chairpersons, and focal persons be nominated by the council chairmen.

“It is essential that every local government adopts a functional and sustainable Human Capital Development structure, in line with national HCD policy. The HCD is the third actionable pillar of this administration, aimed at providing quality education and equipping children with the tools to build successful lives”. Oyebanji said.

He reminded participants that the HCD programme was introduced in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari as a proactive measure to address Nigeria’s poor global ranking in HCD.

Oyebanji added that the purpose of the workshop was to ensure that local governments domesticate the policies operating at the national and state levels, with the belief that investing in HCD would reduce youth unemployment and drive comprehensive growth.

The governor highlighted his administration’s achievements across various sectors and urged stakeholders to actively engage in the workshop to develop a sustainable HCD blueprint for the state.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Human Capital Development Office in Abuja for its support in advancing the state’s HCD efforts.

Ekiti State Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Folakemi Olomojobi, stressed the need to prioritize education, health, and labour force development, stating that these sectors are critical for national progress.

The Special Adviser/Director General of the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD), Dr. John Ekundayo, represented by the Technical Adviser to the Governor on OTSD, Pastor Kayode Odunayo, echoed the importance of capacity building for public workers, noting that it enhances productivity across all sectors.

Earlier in his opening remarks, HCD Focal Person in Ekiti State and Special Adviser to the Governor on Human Capital Development, Hon. Gbenga Agbeyo, commended Governor Oyebanji for his commitment to HCD and thanked the National HCD office for its support.

He explained that the three days workshop aimed to incorporate HCD at the local government level, particularly as the implementation of local government autonomy progresses.

Hon. Agbeyo emphasized that establishing a robust HCD structure at the council level is crucial for unlocking the potential of the people and driving sustainable growth, describing the three-day workshop as a key step in preparing all stakeholders for the effective implementation of HCD programmes at the local level.

The workshop was attended by local government and LCDA chairmen, including the ALGON chairman, Chief Segun Ojo, represented by his deputy, Hon. Segun Afolabi; Special Adviser on Project Monitoring, Hon. Femi Ajayi; and several commissioners from the Local Government Service Commission, among other dignitaries.