By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
In a grand ceremony held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Lokoja today 21-10-2024, the newly elected Local Government Chairmen were sworn into office. This followed the All Progressives Congress's (APC) historic sweep in the October 19, 2024, Local Government polls, where the party won all 21 Local Government Areas.
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo presided over the swearing-in ceremony.
In his address, Governor Ododo congratulated the chairmen on their victory and charged them to prioritize the welfare and development of their respective local governments. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and effective governance in driving progress and prosperity in Kogi State.
In his words "Don't underate the DLG, Treasurer, HOD, Cashier and Civil Servants in your various Local Government Areas. They are our landlords. See them as leaders of this project. See yourselves as their servants and be always close to them.
"Always stay in your Local Government Areas to serve your people, to listen to them so that you can get the right feelings to look at how best you can serve your people.
"God has used former Governor Yahaya Bello to lay this template by bringing this team for the good people of Kogi State. This foundation is what we will continue to build upon.
"We should see ourselves as one family. I don't want to know what tribe you are from. We should see ourselves as one. We should forget about personal and ethnic interests. Let's be ready to give back to our people. Do not turn your back against your people. Be fair enough to deliver the dividends of democracy to them.
"We will continue to work as family and will allow the party and assembly to take care of their own affairs and respect them. If we work together as a united family, Kogi State will have no business with poverty. Let's make Kogi State an industrial hub where investors will want to come and invest in.
"You have been called to serve, it is now left for you to grab and have a legacy where your children will come to as a place of reference", the Governor said.
The Governor assured them that they would have the autonomy to manage their councils, but emphasized that they would be closely monitored to ensure their actions align with the broader goals and aspirations of his administration, particularly regarding good governance.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership in positively influencing the country, stating, "We are smiling today because of his support and his renewed hope agenda."
He finally called on the newly appointed LG Chairmen to ensure proper security for their people.
The Kogi State Attorney General, Muiz Yinus Abdullahi, SAN, administered the oath of office to the 21 newly sworn-in Local Government Chairmen.
The newly sworn-in chairmen vowed to tirelessly implement the APC's campaign promises, prioritizing the well-being and development of their citizens, ensuring that the party's vision for progress and prosperity becomes a reality.
With the APC's overwhelming victory and the successful swearing-in ceremony, Kogi State is poised for continued growth and development under the leadership of Governor Ododo and the newly elected Local Government Chairmen.
