Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has inaugurated the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the state’s 21 local government areas, urging them to demonstrate dedication in their service to the people.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Lokoja, began promptly at 8 a.m., with the governor and the newly elected officials present to mark the official start of their tenure.
During his address, Governor Ododo emphasized the importance of maintaining progress at the grassroots level, encouraging the council leaders to initiate programs and projects aimed at improving the quality of life for residents.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah, on Monday, quoted Governor Ododo as saying : “The local government administration must actively impact the people in line with our policy of bringing governance closer to them,” he said, emphasizing the role of grassroots leadership in his administration’s development agenda.
Ododo further charged the new chairmen to prioritize the security of lives and property and align with the state government’s initiatives in health, agriculture, social welfare, and empowerment. He underscored the need for inclusiveness in governance, urging the chairmen to engage all stakeholders in their decision-making processes.
Highlighting the local government’s significance as the closest tier to the people, the governor called for transparency and accountability. He urged the new leaders to use their positions to demonstrate that local government autonomy can drive impactful governance by focusing on projects with direct benefits for grassroots communities.
In his response, Honourable Tosin Olokun, chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, who spoke on behalf of all the local government leaders, pledged their commitment to supporting the state government’s efforts. He assured the audience that the chairmen would initiate projects that uplift the people and foster unity across political divides.
“Our focus will be on promoting development and unity, as championed by Governor Ododo’s administration,” Olokun stated.
