Kogi Governor Ododo Swears In 21 Local Government Chairmen, Urges Grassroots Development

Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo on Monday sworn in the 21 newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen of the local government areas in the state, urging them to be dedicated to serving the people they represent.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the government house in Lokoja, where the governor encouraged the new chairmen to continue the momentum of development at the grassroots level by starting projects and programs that will improve the lives of the people.

"There is a need for you to be transparent and accountable in running the affairs of the local government," Ododo said, Punch reported. "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."

He urged the new local government chairmen to prioritize the security of lives and property, while asking them to also support the administration's key programs in health, agriculture, social welfare and empowerment initiatives to improve the lives of people in their local areas.

The governor described local government as the most important level and the closest to the people. He encouraged the new council chairmen to involve the community in all their activities and to include all stakeholders in the decision-making process.

He emphasized that local government should not just be visible, but should also have a real impact on the people's lives, aligned with his administration's goal of bringing governance closer to the community.

In response, the chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area Tosin Olokun spoke on behalf of the 21 local government chairmen.

He assured the governor of their commitment to support the state government by starting projects and programs that will improve the lives of people at the grassroots level. He also promised to unite the people, regardless of political differences, aligned with Governor Ododo's agenda to foster unity and focus on development in the state.

In August, President Bola Tinubu held a Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, where he swore in Esther Didi Walson-Jack as the new head of the Civil Service of the Federation.