OWODE – The Obafemi Owode Zonal Community Development Committee (ZCDC) has announced plans for a one-day human capacity development seminar targeting officers of Community Development Associations (CDAs) across the zone.
The initiative was disclosed by the Zonal CDC Chairman, Engr. Adegboyega Adeleke, during a separate seminar held for principal officers of Area Community Development Committees (ACDCs) at the Owode City Hall.
According to Engr. Adeleke, the forthcoming training is designed to empower community leaders, enhancing their administrative efficiency and leadership capabilities. He described the seminar as a first-of-its-kind, noble initiative of his administration aimed at equipping officers with greater knowledge and sharper skills for improved community service.
In his address, Adeleke prepared leaders for potential challenges, stating, “You will face distractions from a few misguided members who do not mean well for the community. Expect such but cautiously accept such people in your communities without offending their ego.”
The Chairman, known for his advocacy for values-driven leadership, confirmed that a schedule for hosting the CDA seminars in the different ACDCs will be finalised shortly. He revealed that the curriculum will heavily focus on practical topics such as revenue generation, project execution, conflict management, and resolution.
While charging the officers to prioritize attendance, Adeleke emphasized community self-reliance, noting, “ACDCs/CDAs do not need to solely wait for the government to achieve some community projects. There are legitimate ways to raise funds for project execution.”
He also expressed optimism about hosting future annual seminars at the new ZCDC Secretariat, a legacy project currently at the roofing stage, funded through contributions from ACDCs and well-meaning individuals.
The seminar featured multiple presentations. Engr. Adeleke delivered a paper titled “Pre-Requisite for Leadership and Project Execution As A Catalyst for Community Development,” drawing from his experience as a former CDA Chairman. He urged leaders to “think out of the box” and adopt innovative methods to achieve success.
Other sessions included a lecture on “Conflict Management in Community Development Organisations” by the Zonal Officer, Mr Babatunde Odukoya, and an insurance enlightenment talk by Mr Akinlowo Moses Adewole, who detailed provisions of the newly-signed Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025.
A representative from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Kayode Okegbenro, also sensitised attendees on various government policies, national security, flooding mitigation, and the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
The event, which had 200 participants in attendance, was widely commended by community leaders, who called for the initiative to be sustained as a key part of the ZCDC’s annual action plan.
