The governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun has urged the newly elected 20 local government chairmen in the state to see their success at the polls on Saturday as opportunity to selflessly serve the people and advance good governance at the grassroots.
Gov Abiodun said it would therefore not be out of place for the local government chairmen to take a cue from the favourable disposition of his government to implementing various developmental projects and therefore duplicate same at the grassroots.
The governor gave this charge on Monday during the swearing in of the 20 newly elected local government chairmen in the state held at The Arcade Ground, Governor's Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
Congratulating the local government chairmen for their victory at the polls, Abiodun said it was important they appreciate the enormity of the responsibility their victory places on their shoulders saying that "the Local Government as enshrined in the constitution is the closest to the people and so much is expected from you. Therefore, your assumption of office must bring a new vista of development to our people at the grassroots".
The governor stated that "in doing this, you must be inclusive; you must be transparent; you must be accountable; you must be fair; you must be just; you must be equitable; you must obey the rule of law; you must provide good governance; you must be judicious.
"Above all you cannot afford to turn yourselves to “Mr or Mrs I know it all.” A wise man once said, “Even though a ruler may be wise as a sage, he must humble himself and yield to others. Then the intelligent will offer him their counsel and the brave will exert themselves to the fullest for him”
Abiodun urged the council chairmen not to rely exclusively on allocations from the Federal Government but to rather be creative in generating funds to advance course of development at their respective local governments, though, this he cautioned must not be burdensome to the people who voted them into office.
While assuring that he would always ensure that the local governments were adequately funded, the governor counselled the chairmen to take a cue from his approach at the State level to issue of finance by being cerebral, methodical, systemic and strategic in allocation of funds.
Abiodun said "our administration will continue to formulate policies and implement programmes that are people-friendly. We expect you to replicate same at your level. All these will further bring to fruition the successful implementation of the “Building our Future Together” Agenda. I expect that you will take a cue from us and implement your own Local Government brand of I.S.E.Y.A.
The governor revealed further that to ensure a shared vision for development of the State and increase prosperity for all its residents, his government would soon organise a retreat for the newly elected Chairmen as a way of aquainting them with the opportunities and challenges associated with their newly found roles as local government chairmen.
Thanking the residents of the State for choosing APC during Saturday local government elections, the governor equally said that he had heard the people loud and clear as regarding their various requests during the local government elections campaign adding that "Let me assure you that we will never take you for granted. We have taken your entire requests on board and we will attend to them in an equally methodical manner like in all our previously delivered projects. As you know, we are a promise keeping government".
Speaking at the event, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewa land while congratulating the newly sworn in Chairmen urged them to also use their tenure to make life more bearable for the rural dwellers.
Other dignitaries at occasion were the Deputy Governor, Engr Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Olakunle Oluomo, Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Ogun APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi among other party faithfuls.
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