Bayode Ojo received Associate Fellowship from the Institute of Security and Forensic Studies Nigeria.
Newsway Reports – Abuja, Nigeria | In a grand gathering of dignitaries, public servants, media practitioners, and community leaders, the 23rd Distinguished Local Government Area Chairmen Nigeria Merit Award ceremony and the unveiling of the RootsWatch Magazine Special Edition on the awardees were held on Thursday, May 15th, 2025, at the prestigious National Merit House, Maitama, Abuja.
The event, which celebrated excellence in grassroots governance, civic leadership, and public service, also featured the conferment of professional recognitions. One of the highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of the Associate Fellowship Membership of the Institute of Security and Forensic Studies Nigeria to Chief Bayode Ojo, the convener and visionary promoter of RootsWatch Magazine.
The fellowship was conferred by Dr. (Amb.) Okocha Morgan Meshack, the Director-General of the institute, in recognition of Chief Ojo’s outstanding efforts in promoting local government accountability, security awareness, and investigative journalism focused on the grassroots.
Dr. Meshack, during the conferment, described Chief Ojo as “a consistent voice for the people, a tireless advocate for transparency, and a bridge between the governed and the government.” He emphasized that the institute’s recognition of Chief Ojo was not only timely but well deserved, given his track record of using the media to spotlight achievements, expose challenges, and propose solutions in local governance.
Following the presentation, Dr. Morgan took time to interact and exchange pleasantries with several of the honoured LGA chairmen in attendance. Of particular note was his warm engagement with Hon. Engr. Ehiwarios Jerry, Chairman of Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State – his own local government chairman – who was also a recipient of the RootsWatch Distinguished LGA Chairmen Merit Award.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Bayode Ojo expressed profound gratitude to the Institute of Security and Forensic Studies Nigeria for the honour bestowed on him. He reiterated his unwavering commitment to grassroots development through ethical journalism and strategic partnerships. Chief Ojo called on all local government chairmen to integrate forensic investigation and security training programs into their developmental strategies, citing the increasing need for capacity-building in intelligence gathering, crisis response, and community safety.
He also made a passionate appeal to the institute to decentralize its training initiatives and make them accessible at the grassroots level. “Security begins with knowledge,” Chief Ojo said. “If our local administrators are empowered with modern forensic and investigative tools, the quality of governance and citizen protection at the grassroots will be significantly enhanced.”
Chief Bayode Ojo, the convener and promoter of RootsWatch Magazine, emphasized the critical need for enhancing grassroots security through institutional capacity-building. In his remarks, he urged all local government chairmen present to integrate forensic science and security training programs into their respective administrative frameworks.
He noted that the current security challenges facing communities across Nigeria demand a proactive, knowledge-driven approach that empowers local authorities with modern tools and techniques for crime prevention, intelligence gathering, and emergency response.
According to Chief Ojo, such training initiatives—when localized—would not only improve the efficiency of community policing but also help in bridging the gap between security agencies and the people at the grassroots level. He stressed that this kind of strategic investment in human capital is essential for the smooth running, safety, and sustainable development of local government areas.
In addition, Chief Ojo applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s efforts to ensure independent and uninterrupted allocation of resources to local governments, describing it as a bold step towards true federalism and effective community development. He emphasized the importance of financial autonomy in enabling LGAs to respond to the needs of their constituents without bureaucratic delays.
The ceremony was further dignified by the presence of Mallam Isa Lanre Onilu, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA). In his keynote address, Mallam Onilu congratulated all the awardees and encouraged them to be shining examples of patriotism, discipline, and national service. He noted that grassroots leadership remains a critical pillar in shaping the national consciousness and charged local government leaders to embrace innovation, transparency, and community engagement.
The event concluded with the formal unveiling of the RootsWatch Magazine Special Edition, which profiles all 23 honoured LGA chairmen and highlights their achievements, policies, and leadership footprints. The publication aims to serve as a reference point for best practices in local governance across Nigeria.
This year's edition of the Distinguished LGA Chairmen Nigeria Merit Award reaffirmed the importance of recognizing and encouraging visionary leadership at the grassroots, while also bridging the gap between security institutions and community development actors.
This landmark event not only celebrated leadership excellence at the grassroots but also highlighted the growing need for innovation in local governance and security. With voices like Chief Bayode Ojo advocating for capacity-building and institutional reforms, the future of grassroots development in Nigeria looks more promising, secure, and people-centered.
