The Body of Computer Cadres in the Unified Local Governments of Lagos State (BCLG) is set to open up the opportunities in Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) around Lagos State to the public, through a Public Discourse scheduled for later in March, 2023.

BCLG, a set-up of Lagos State public servants in Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state, who handles duties and responsibilities that are Information Technology related. Members of BCLG are the officers of the ICT Unit, newly created in every LGs and LCDAs around the state by the State government in 2022.

The President of BCLG, Ahmed ‘Bola TIJANI, a former Secretary of Nigeria Computer Society, Lagos State Chapter (NCSLAGOS) said that the theme of the Public Discourse is important as it is targeted at exposing members of the public to the new development and possible opportunities at the grassroots government in the state. The theme *”Local Digital Governance for Sustainable Development – Opportunities & Challenges”* will table the opportunities and challenges that can also be converted to more opportunities, especially for those in the tech industry and those willing to invest in Local Governments in the nation’s economic capital.

The BCLG President also informed our correspondent that the push to have this webinar came from the noticed digital inclusivity plan of the Lagos state government. He explained that it was the current Deputy Governor back then as the Commissioner of Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Femi Hamzat that came up with the idea of establishing ICT Unit in some MDAs of the state, and it was approved by the then governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, with the plan to gradually extend to every MDAs of the state and the third tier of government, the Local Governments. Dr. Femi Hamzat, a fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society, now the Deputy Governor was much instrumental in the Unit establishment in the Local Councils, as it has been planned earlier, and also important in the realization of the current Smart City project of the state.

So, this is a working agenda taking shape step by step. BCLG is taking the opportunity to encourage most especially the young tech CEOs in Lagos to not just focus on Lagos State, but have interest in the working Local Governments systems in the state too. And with this plan of the governor, it is believed that the second term in office of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Femi Hamzat, FNCS more opportunities around the deployment of IT/ICT will be in the forefront, carrying the Local Governments along.

Details of the webinar is as follows;

*Theme:* “Local Digital Governance for Sustainable Development – Opportunities & Challenges”

*Date:* Thursday 30th March, 2023

*Time:* 3:00 PM (Lagos, Nigeria Time)

*Keynote Speaker:*
Rogba Adeoye, FNCS
The Executive Secretary of Information Technology Systems and Security Professionals (ITSSP) and Former Chairman of Nigeria Computer Society, Lagos State Chapter (NCSLAGOS)

*Guest Speaker:*
Prof. Adegboyega Ojo
Canada Research Chair in Governance and Artificial Intelligence, School of Public Policy and Administration, Faculty of Public Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada

*The Webinar Link* (Google Meet)
https://sng.ng/1VYRo35

*YouTube Live Streaming Link*
https://www.youtube.com/@bclglagos

*Register here:* https://bclg.org.ng/local-digital-governance-webinar-registration/

For more info and enquiry
bclg@bclg.org.ng
+234 8059134911

More opportunities can be seen at the Grassroots Government in Lagos State through the established Tourism Unit in the LGs and LCDAs by the Babajid Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration also in 2022. This shows the readiness of the government to engage people in the tourism and hospitality field in their coming administration.