Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria have been awarded for good governance and judiciously using the resources at their disposal for the growth and development of their councils.
The Nigerian Local Government Excellence Award, LOGEXA 2022 conferment ceremony and launching of The Medals Magazine was held on Wednesday, at the National Merit Award Auditorium, Maitama, Abuja.
The Project Coordinator of the LOGEXA 2022, Mr. Olayoriju Ilesanmi said; “the Chairmen stand tall in terms of providing visionary and purposeful leadership to the people. Hence, the award is a symbol for responsible governance and encouragement to recipients to do more. The reward of hard work is more work.”
The Chairman of Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Sunny Tatabuzogwu told Voice of Nigeria that he was delighted to be among the awardees as this would spur him to do more.
Tatabuzogwu said; “I feel happy. That shows that people are appreciating what we are doing, that shows that local government is functioning, that shows that we are being watched not only from within the state but also outside the state. It will make me to do more; as I go back I will start thinking of another project to do. I want to be the best in the country.”
The selection process of the awardees was rigorous and thorough. There were publications in national dailies calling for nominations for the award which was followed by voting by members of the public.
With 774 Local Government Chairmen in the Nigeria, only 10 were selected. Among the 10 Tatabuzogwu bagged the overall best Local Government Chairman award in South-South geopolitical Zone because of his performance.
He said; “It is all about performance. I thought it was all about being the best chairman in the state but I was surprised it became the best chairman in south-south. I did not know them (the organizers) before now. They said they were from Abuja and I thought they were sent from the presidency to see what I am doing in my local government. We took them round to see what we have done so far then they left. We didn’t even give them anything. Then I saw those shortlisted in the newspaper. They said we were four and they were going further to other states in the South-south to select the best, that’s how I found myself here.”
“We have done well. We showed them physical projects which are important to the people not white elephant projects. Opening of market, edifying the town, opening of skill acquisition centre, constructing roads so that we can get goods to the city and markets easily, these projects are beneficial to the grassroots.
“You must plan with the people, you don’t plan for them, and your door must be open to the people. All these have helped in eradicating kidnapping and other vices in my local government. A lot is being done and we are going to do more. When we finish people will know that local government is functional,” Tatabuzogwu explained.
Despite the dwindling economic situation and insecurity in the country, he was able to weather the storm with the allocation given.
Tatabuzogwu said; “Financially, our local government is not too buoyant. Secondly, the financial problem is affecting both the Nigeria and state which means it must affect the local government. But the question is what you do with the one given to you. I like it when people ask me ‘where is their money so that I can show them where it is. You don’t even need to ask me because you will see it. We don’t start what we cannot finish. What they are saying in the local government is ‘do more. People are not asking where you got the money. They are asking how you got the money. I live in my local government, I live in my village, I live with my people.”
2023 elections
On the 2023 General election, Tatabuzogwu said; “what you do will speak for you. The people will choose if they want you back or not. For instance, we have a performing Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa who has done so well. He is the chairman of south-south Governors. He is one of the best in the country and he is going for the Vice President position under PDP with the Presidential candidate Atiku Abubarkar. By the grace of God PDP is going to win and when PDP wins you will see the talent he has. We know he is going to do beyond our expectations.”
To commemorate the award ceremony, a special edition of ‘The Medals’ magazine was packaged to permanently record and showcase the lives and achievements of the Distinguished Awardees.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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