Don seeks constitutional amendment on local council autonomy 

A professor of Private and Property Law at the University of Lagos, Oludayo Amokaye (SAN), has called for an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to strengthen local government autonomy.
 

“Local governments are engines for development, providing basic services and enabling public participation in governance. They bring government closer to the people and ensure equitable power distribution within Nigeria’s federation,” he stated.
 
Amokaye criticised the 1999 Constitution for failing to protect local governments from state interference. He noted that while Section 7(1) guarantees a democratically elected local government system, other provisions such as Sections 124(3,4) and 162(5), undermine their financial and operational independence, by placing significant control in the hands of state governors.

Permanent Secretary and Surveyor-General of Lagos State, Ayokunnu Adesina, lauded the lecture series for addressing national issues beyond surveying, fostering broader understanding and contributing to development.
 
President of NIS, Dr Matthew Olomolatan Ibitoye, represented by the Deputy President, Pius Eze Chukwuma, urged members to uphold professionalism and ethics. 
 
Similarly, NIS Lagos State Chairman, Olukolade Kasim, lauded Adekunle Kukoyi’s dedication to the surveying profession and public service, noting his indelible contributions to national development.