THE NEW CHAIRMEN IN A GROUP PHOYOGRAPH WITH THE GOVERNOR
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sworn in the newly-elected 57 local government chairmen and vice chairmen
He urged them to put first the people they have been elected to serve.
According to him, the chairmen must reciprocate the trust reposed in them by giving their best and prioritising welfare and wellbeing of the people.
“Today, we are witnessing the dawn of a new era in Local Government administration in Lagos State. A resounding statement has been made, once again, that Lagos is APC, and that the people of Lagos continue to regard our party as the most viable and most credible political choice for the most populous State and biggest subnational economy in the country. We consider this overwhelming support as a vote of confidence in our administration and our great party, and it will never be taken for granted.
“I congratulate the newly elected chairmen and vice chairmen across all the LGAs and LCDAs. Your victory is an affirmation of trust in your competence, capacity and capability to discharge the responsibility of the Office you are stepping into. Being the closest tier of Government to the people, any gap or shortcoming in administration will be keenly felt by the people. As a result, your policies and programmes must be people-oriented, focusing on how to improve the lives and livelihood of the people at the grassroots.”
The Governor said: “Right from your first day in office, I implore you to start thinking about the kind of legacy you would leave behind because your tenure will surely end one day. Public office is a position of trust that no one holds forever – we hold it for a time and then we pass the baton to others.
“Let me use this opportunity to emphasise the need for continuity and progress in governance. I urge you all to ensure that you build on the good legacies laid by your predecessors. Also ensure you surpass the legacies and the expectations of the people who have very enthusiastically elected you.
”It is our responsibility and burden, as the leaders they have elected, to live up to their expectations. I therefore say to you that they are expecting much from you.
”More than ever before, achieving this requires cooperation among all levels and arms of government. It is expected that you will work in unity with other tiers of government to bring to bear the dividend of democracy on the lives of people, in all the relevant areas, such as construction and maintenance of inner roads, waste management, primary education, healthcare, security, welfare programmes that touch the lives of people, among others.
”At the state level, we will continue to provide you with the much-needed support to discharge your responsibilities,.”
Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs Wale Ahmed said the victory was a testimony to the solidity, strength, internal democracy and unity of APC.
Chairman of Igbogbo-Bayeiku LCDA Sesan Daini, who moved the vote of assurance on behalf of his colleagues, said: “We will not disappoint you and I promise again that we will key into the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda of Mr Governor.’’
At the event were the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hamzat, Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Commissioners, Special Advisers, members of Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), body of traditional rulers, led by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, and party members.