Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo has sworn in the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the 21 local government areas in the state, urging them to commit to serving the communities they represent.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismaila Isah, shared this information in a statement on Monday in Lokoja.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Government House in Lokoja.
Governor Ododo encouraged the new chairmen to maintain the momentum of development at the grassroots level by initiating projects and programs that enhance the lives of their constituents.
He also urged the new local government chairmen to prioritize the security of lives and property while engaging with the administration’s signature programs in health, agriculture, social welfare, and empowerment initiatives to improve the lives of people in their respective local government areas.
Ododo said, “There is a need for you to be transparent and accountable in running the affairs of the local government. You must see your election as an opportunity to justify the autonomy of the local government administration by according priorities to matters that have a direct positive impact on the lives of the people at the grassroots.”
The governor, who emphasized that local government is the most vital tier of government and the closest to the people, urged the new council chairmen to involve the community in all their activities and promote stakeholder inclusion in the decision-making process.
He stressed that local government administration should not only be visible but also impactful, aligning with his administration’s policy of bringing governance closer to the people.
In response, Tosin Olokun, the chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, spoke on behalf of the 21 local government chairmen, assuring their commitment to supporting the state government by initiating projects and programs that will enhance the lives of grassroots communities.
He also pledged to foster unity among the people, regardless of political differences, in line with Governor Ododo’s agenda to unite the state and focus on development.