Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade I, has called on politicians to eschew primordial sentiments and be more pragmatic in finding solutions to the myriad of problems confronting the country.

The monarch said national growth and development depend largely on justice, moral worth, responsibility, conscientiousness, devotion to duty, selflessness, probity and honesty exhibited by both leaders and the led.

Oba Owoade gave the charge in a statement to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, released by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, on Tuesday.

According to the monarch, a nation’s value system is sacred and extends beyond its boundaries, noting that all nations are proud of their value systems just as individuals are proud of their upbringing and character.

‘It is assumed that a nation’s value system is sacred and could extend beyond that nation’s boundaries. All nations are supposed to be proud of their value systems, just as a person is proud of his or her upbringing and character and would try to impress that behaviour and beliefs on others. Basic values are traditional and historic, reflecting aspects of the experience that each nation went through since its inception as a national unity,’ he said.

The first-class monarch stressed that politicians must close ranks and logically brainstorm to arrive at an in-depth and coherent understanding of the contending state-building issues in the country.

Tracing Nigeria’s history, Oba Owoade noted that the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorates in 1914 brought together peoples of diverse historical and cultural backgrounds into one political space to chart a new future.

‘Despite this obvious challenge of diversity, the commitment of the colonial government towards ensuring the unity was demonstrated in a number of policies aimed at fostering cultural, political, social and economic ties among the various groups in the new nation.

‘Thus, from the time of amalgamation of the two protectorates with the colony of Lagos, till the period of regional administrations, Nigeria became committed to a united federation. Its commitment arose from its acceptance of federalism as a particular kind of functional arrangement between diverse communities for living together and working together nationally whilst preserving a measure of separate entity.’

He added that the quantum of unification and quality of unity achieved in the First Republic were evident in the provision of education, solid infrastructure, gainful employment, social welfare programmes and sound healthcare delivery by nationalists such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and the Sardauna of Sokoto.

Alaafin further argued that traditional institutions must be preserved and constitutionally recognised, saying that if Britain, which colonised Nigeria and introduced liberal democracy, still preserves its traditional institution by making the King the ceremonial head of state with powers over the British Armed Forces, there is no justifiable reason to throw traditional rulers in Nigeria into the dustbin of modern politics and governance.

According to him, since citizens, who are the major determiners of the success or otherwise of democratic and development programmes, are under the traditional influence of Obas, the position of traditional rulers as potent mobilisers, advisers, mediators, facilitators, adjudicators and nominators should be greatly harnessed.

‘It is, therefore, suggested that the traditional institutions which are the only remnants of our pre-colonial political system must be preserved, promoted and strengthened through official constitutional recognition and acknowledgement,’ he said.

Oba Owoade lamented that traditional institutions have gone through thick and thin, noting that they have been strengthened and weakened, elevated and humiliated, empowered and disempowered by the emergent political class from the pre-colonial era through colonialism to the post-colonial period.

‘Before the coming of the Europeans, traditional rulers held sway not only as the recognised political rulers of the states and kingdoms in Nigeria but also as custodians of the people’s history, culture, religion and economy,’ he stated.

‘The traditional institutions in the pre-colonial Yorubaland had all elements of modern governmental systems and they perfectly suited the social, political and economic situations of the era with the overall goal of the welfare of the generality of the people.

‘The advent of colonial rule and the imposition of Western styles of government not only reduced the powers and relevance of the traditional rulers but also made them subservient to their subjects, the educated elite. Since independence in 1960, the political status of traditional rulers has gone from bad to worse with far-reaching consequences for governance and administration in the country.’

The monarch also lauded President Bola Tinubu’s administration for focusing on rebuilding and laying the foundations for a sustainable country, noting that though Nigeria has undergone avoidable levels of deprivation, it can be surmounted if all work together.

The House of Representatives has unveiled plans to investigate alleged job racketeering in Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS).

The resolution was passed during plenary, which was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

In his lead debate on the motion of urgent national importance, Hon. Abdullahi Halims expressed grave concern over the allegation leveled against Federal Government Agency created by the Act of Parliament to serve, meet the needs and aspirations of greater majority of the Nigerian people including job opportunities for qualified Nigerians.

He specifically expressed grief over the crisis bedeviling the ‘current recruitment exercise which is ongoing in the Agency is allegedly shrouded in secrecy and racketeering with the highest bidders clinching job slots.

‘The House is worried that his alleged dubious practice is against the spirit of our federal character principle and portends the danger of depriving and denying qualified Nigerians of getting employed into the Agency to contribute their quota to national development.’

While noting that the Parliament is the only constitutional safeguard to checkmate such unwholesome practice and an act of deprivation, Hon. Halims solicited for the House intervention with a view to being the alleged dubious process to a halt.

To this end, the House resolved to setup an Ad-hoc Committee that will investigate the alleged job racketeering with a view to prescribe appropriate sanctions to the culprits.

Hence, the House resolved to summon NAQS management to appear before the House Committee on Federal Character chaired by Hon. Ahmed Wase for a review of the staff disposition list.

Similarly, Hon. Kalu mandated the House Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure adherence.

The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has approved an N1 billion solar mini-grid project for the Federal University Dutse (FUD), Jigawa State, to improve electricity supply on the university campus.

The project, approved under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Solarization Agenda for Alternative Energy, will involve the installation of a 0.5-megawatt (500-kilowatt) solar mini-grid.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Acting Director of Public Affairs of the university, Mr Abdullahi Yahaya Bello, and made available to Online Tribune in Dutse, the state capital.

According to the statement, work on the project is expected to commence soon and be completed within three months.

It said the solar mini-grid would provide additional electricity to the university and improve power supply for teaching, learning, research, and other activities on campus.

The statement also disclosed that the Energy Commission had approved 100 solar-powered streetlights for the university, with 50 already ready for installation.

Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor of FUD, Professor Ahmad Mohammed Gumel, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Director-General of the Energy Commission, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, for the initiative.

Gumel also said the commission was prepared to partner with the university on renewable energy research.

He said the partnership would enable the institution to strengthen research and innovation in renewable energy while contributing to efforts to promote sustainable power solutions.

Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has commenced a free shuttle bus service in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, aimed at reducing the transportation burden on residents.

The initiative, known as Karimi Cares Free Shuttle Bus Service, commenced on Wednesday, with the initial route covering the Army Barracks-Lokoja New Market/Nataco Junction corridor.

The service is expected to benefit commuters, civil servants, students, traders and other residents who travel along the route daily.

The initiative comes amid rising transportation costs, which have increased the financial burden on households and individuals who depend on public transportation.

According to the organisers, the intervention is designed to provide immediate relief to residents by helping them save money on daily transportation expenses.

A statement by the Chief Musa Bakare described the initiative as an example of people-oriented representation, stressing that the impact of political representation should be felt in the everyday lives of citizens.

Bakare said the free shuttle service would provide practical assistance to workers travelling to their places of work, students going to school and traders heading to markets, among others.

He noted that for low-income families struggling with food, education, healthcare and transportation expenses, any reduction in daily transport costs could provide meaningful relief.

The media strategist said the initiative was not only about providing transportation but also about bringing constituency representation closer to the people.

He added that the commencement of the service in Lokoja could stimulate further discussions about Senator Karimi’s programmes and interventions in Kogi West.

The shuttle service, according to the statement, is expected to operate along the designated corridor as part of the broader Karimi Cares initiative.

Bakare said the intervention reflected the principle that public service should respond to the immediate needs of citizens, particularly during periods of economic pressure.

He added that the free transportation service would provide residents with an opportunity to experience a direct intervention targeted at one of their daily challenges.

The initiative is part of the activities associated with Senator Karimi’s representation of Kogi West in the National Assembly. Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has commenced a free shuttle bus service in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, aimed at reducing the transportation burden on residents.

The initiative, known as Karimi Cares Free Shuttle Bus Service, commenced on Wednesday, with the initial route covering the Army Barracks-Lokoja New Market/Nataco Junction corridor.

The service is expected to benefit commuters, civil servants, students, traders and other residents who travel along the route daily.

The initiative comes amid rising transportation costs, which have increased the financial burden on households and individuals who depend on public transportation.

According to the organisers, the intervention is designed to provide immediate relief to residents by helping them save money on daily transportation expenses.

A statement by the Chief Musa Bakare described the initiative as an example of people-oriented representation, stressing that the impact of political representation should be felt in the everyday lives of citizens.

Bakare said the free shuttle service would provide practical assistance to workers travelling to their places of work, students going to school and traders heading to markets, among others.

He noted that for low-income families struggling with food, education, healthcare and transportation expenses, any reduction in daily transport costs could provide meaningful relief.

The media strategist said the initiative was not only about providing transportation but also about bringing constituency representation closer to the people.

He added that the commencement of the service in Lokoja could stimulate further discussions about Senator Karimi’s programmes and interventions in Kogi West.

The shuttle service, according to the statement, is expected to operate along the designated corridor as part of the broader Karimi Cares initiative.

Bakare said the intervention reflected the principle that public service should respond to the immediate needs of citizens, particularly during periods of economic pressure.

He added that the free transportation service would provide residents with an opportunity to experience a direct intervention targeted at one of their daily challenges.

The initiative is part of the activities associated with Senator Karimi’s representation of Kogi West in the National Assembly.

Billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has explained why his first grandson is not ready to join the family business, saying the young electrical engineer wants to gain work experience elsewhere before joining the Dangote Group.

Dangote disclosed this on Tuesday, September 29, while speaking at an investor engagement in Nairobi, Kenya.

The event brought together institutional investors from Kenya and other parts of East Africa as part of engagements around the planned initial public offering of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Speaking about the future of his businesses and the involvement of his family, Dangote said his grandson was not interested in working directly with him for now.

‘And my first grandson, he’s not finding it interesting to work with me for now. He wants to go and get experience with KPMG or PWC. Then after he’ll come and join us. He’s an electrical engineer, but he wants to go and learn about money first,’ Dangote said.

The businessman also spoke about other members of his family who are already involved in the conglomerate.

His eldest daughter, Mariya, and her husband, Alassane, were present at the Nairobi event, where Dangote introduced them to the audience.

Mariya is one of Dangote’s three daughters, alongside Halima and Fatima, who have responsibilities within the family’s business interests.

Dangote also spoke about the group’s plans for the future, saying the company works with five-year targets rather than a 10-year vision.

According to him, setting goals too far into the future could encourage complacency. He said senior officials across the group are involved in developing and implementing the company’s shorter-term plans.

The Dangote Group has interests in sectors including cement, sugar, fertiliser, petroleum refining and manufacturing.

Dangote has previously said the future of the business does not depend on having a male heir, expressing confidence in his daughters’ ability to take leadership responsibilities within the conglomerate.

The senatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Ondo Central District, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, on Wednesday, dismissed speculation that his recent political moves were the product of an alliance with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Akinyelure, who stated this in Akure during a media parley, explained that he had no political understanding with Governor Aiyedatiwa or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), maintaining that his decision to leave the party followed its refusal to give him the ticket to contest the 2027 senatorial election.

Akinyelure, who represented Ondo Central in the 7th and 8th National Assemblies, said his recent meeting with Aiyedatiwa was neither a political negotiation nor an attempt to secure the governor’s backing, stressing that the meeting was unrelated to any political alliance between them.

The Senator, who has since joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the clarification became necessary following speculations that his recent meeting with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was an indication of a political alliance between them.

Akinyelure said Aiyedatiwa had been direct with him that the APC had already settled on its preferred candidate for the Ondo Central senatorial ticket and that he would not be given the opportunity to contest the primary.

He said rather than make false promises, the governor told him the situation as it was, a development he said he appreciated.

‘The only thing I needed was to know whether the party would give me the ticket back to the Senate because I believe I am the most qualified person to represent Ondo Central.

‘The governor told me they had already considered who they wanted to give the ticket to and that I could not get it.

‘I thanked him for telling me the truth. If he wanted to deceive me, he would have promised support during the primary. At least, he was honest with me, so no political pact.’

The former lawmaker said the development left him with the choice of either abandoning his political ambition or seeking another platform, adding that his decision to join the ADC was driven by his desire to remain politically relevant and continue representing the interests of his constituents.

According to him, political relevance was necessary for him to continue attracting opportunities and contributing to the development of Ondo Central.

‘It’s only when you stay there for long that you become very relevant to your constituents. I want to remain relevant and continue to serve my people.

‘If a political party refuses to give you a ticket, you look for where your interest and the interest of your people will be protected.’

Akinyelure also sought to draw a distinction between his present political movement and his previous experience in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressing that he remained with the party even after losing its primary election.

He said he rejected pressure from political associates to immediately defect after losing the primary, arguing that his decision was guided by what he described as political integrity.

‘In my training, integrity is the highest calling. PDP gave me a mandate, and I completed that mandate before leaving,’ he said.

Akinyelure said he resigned his PDP membership on May 30, 2023, with the resignation taking effect on June 12, after completing his four-year mandate.

He said the ADC subsequently approached him with an offer to join the party and contribute to its development, adding that his movement to the opposition platform became necessary after his exit from the APC.

‘Before then, ADC came to me and said there was a seat for me and that they needed my political value to help build the party. Since APC gave me a red card, I had to move to where my interest and the interest of my people would be protected,’ he said.

The former senator also rejected suggestions that his defection was necessarily tied to any emerging opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said his immediate concern was securing a platform through which he could seek another mandate and provide what he described as effective representation to the people of Ondo Central.

According to him, voters should judge candidates based on their records and capacity to represent them rather than solely on party affiliation.

‘Anybody in Ondo Central who believes I represented them well can vote for me irrespective of their political party. Whether APC, ADC, Labour Party or SDP, what matters is good representation,’ he said.

Akinyelure also explained his meeting with Aiyedatiwa at the Government House Chapel, saying he used the occasion to urge the governor to protect the integrity of the electoral process in the state.

He said his message to the governor was that, as the state’s chief security officer, he should ensure that voters were allowed to freely determine who represented them at the federal and state levels.

‘I told the governor, as the chief security officer of the state, to ensure that the votes of the people count in the North, Central and South Senatorial Districts. That was my message. I was not invited for any political arrangement,’ he said.

The former senator further said he remained more interested in elective office than political appointments, arguing that elected officials were directly accountable to the electorate and enjoyed constitutionally defined tenure.

‘If you are given a federal appointment today, you can be removed tomorrow. But when you are democratically elected, it is only death or constitutional processes that can remove you before the end of your tenure. That is why I prefer elective office,’ he said.

Akinyelure said his ambition to return to the Senate was also motivated by what he described as unfinished legislative business from his previous tenure.

He said some bills and initiatives he started while in the National Assembly remained incomplete and that he hoped to revisit them if given another opportunity to serve.

‘There are bills that I am supposed to conclude. That will be one of my priorities when I return to the Senate. I have unfinished work in the National Assembly and many things on my mind for the development of Ondo Central,’ he said.

On the 2027 political contest, Akinyelure said his priority would remain the development of Ondo Central irrespective of the individual who eventually emerges as Nigeria’s president.

He maintained that his experience in government and political relationships at the national level would enable him to pursue federal projects and opportunities for the senatorial district.

‘Whoever becomes president, I know how to navigate and get what belongs to Ondo Central. My concern is the welfare and development of my people,’ Akinyelure said.

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of 431 mobile phones to the Federal Government after the devices were linked to a cyber-fraud operation involving foreign nationals and local recruits.

Justice Deinde Dipeolu granted the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which established that the phones were acquired with proceeds of crime and used to carry out internet fraud.

The application was brought as a civil forfeiture action in rem under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.

According to an affidavit filed by EFCC investigator Christopher Augustine, the devices were recovered as part of a probe into an organised crime hub known as ‘HK,’ situated in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The facility-allegedly established by foreign nationals from China, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Kyrgyzstan-housed hundreds of laptops and mobile phones used to execute romance, cryptocurrency, and fake investment scams targeting victims across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

A major crackdown on December 10, 2024, led to the arrest of over 700 suspects, including 148 Chinese nationals and around 500 Nigerian youths who were allegedly recruited online and trained to execute phishing schemes.

Investigations revealed that a registered firm, Genting International Company Limited (GICL), controlled by Chinese national Huang Haoyu (alias Ken), managed the recruitment and operations.

Recruits were assigned foreign WhatsApp accounts and instructed to direct victims to a fraudulent online platform, with accounts linked to Huang receiving over ?3.4 billion in illicit funds.

Huang and GICL were charged on March 7, 2025, with cyber terrorism, money laundering, and illegal foreign exchange transactions. Both pleaded guilty and were convicted.

Following the discovery of the additional 431 mobile phones purchased for the operation, the EFCC obtained an interim forfeiture order on July 8, 2026.

Some members of the Congress of Jigawa Academics (COJA), popularly known as the Jigawa intellectual group, have dissociated themselves from the purported endorsement of President Bola Ah med Tinubu and Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, for second terms.

The academics, under the Concerned Members of the Jigawa Academic Forum (JAF), said the endorsement reportedly announced after their recent engagement with the state government did not represent their views or collective position.

They alleged that they were invited to the meeting under the impression that it would provide an opportunity for academics to discuss education and development in Jigawa State.

The position was contained in a statement signed by Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Magu and made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Dutse, titled: ‘How Jigawa Government Turned an Intellectual Forum Into a Political Circus.’

Magu alleged that members attended the meeting in good faith and out of respect for the office of the governor, with some coming with papers, data and proposals on how to address the state’s educational challenges.

According to him, the meeting was, however, allegedly turned into a political gathering.

‘The purported endorsement being circulated in the media does not represent us, our views, or our collective will. We were deceived and lured under false pretence,’ he said.

He added that the original agenda centred on education but was allegedly abandoned during the meeting.

‘The education discussion was discarded. The governor only read out educational expenditure and apparently failed to show any tangible achievements.

‘The meeting was converted into a political campaign, and regrettably, a vote of confidence and endorsement was staged for the sitting Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Umar Namadi Danmodi, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’ Magu alleged.

The concerned academics further alleged that cameras were brought into the venue and prepared statements were read, claiming that their attendance was subsequently used to create the impression that they supported the two politicians.

Magu said endorsement was neither contained in the invitation nor part of the agreed programme of the meeting.

He also questioned the presence of Ibrahim Masari, Special Assistant on Political Matters to President Tinubu, at the gathering, asking whether his participation was connected to educational development or political mobilisation.

The statement recalled the historical educational challenges facing Jigawa State, including out-of-school children, low girl-child enrolment, poor learning outcomes and weak transition rates.

Magu said COJA was established during the administration of former Governor Sule Lamido to provide an independent platform through which academics of Jigawa origin could contribute research, ideas and expert advice to the government on education and development.

‘COJA was never a political party, nor was it conceived as a tool for political campaigns. It was established as an independent, non-partisan intellectual think-tank, the conscience of the state,’ he said.

The academics alleged that the recent development represented an attempt to politicise the forum and undermine its independence.

They therefore disowned the purported endorsement of Tinubu and Namadi, insisting that political support was not part of their mandate.

‘As concerned academics, we disown the endorsement of Governor Danmodi and President Tinubu. Let their performances speak, not political deceit,’ the statement said.

The group reaffirmed that JAF remained non-partisan and would focus on policies, ideas and educational development rather than endorsing individual politicians.

‘JAF remains non-partisan. We will never endorse any politician. As academics, we will only endorse ideas. There shall be no political endorsement. Our credibility is our only capital,’ the statement added.

Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun targeting registered voters who are not active politicians as part of a grassroots mobilisation strategy ahead of the 2027 elections, Lagos State Women Leader, Iyabosola Abimbola Eletu, has disclosed.

Eletu said the party was moving beyond its existing membership structure to reach voters who possess Permanent Voter Cards but have not been actively participating in elections.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, she said party members had been tasked with reaching out to people within their communities as part of a new mobilisation structure at polling-unit level.

‘We don’t want to campaign only to party members this time around. We need those who have their PVCs but are not politicians. Those are the ones we want to reach now,’ Eletu said.

According to her, the strategy involves party members identifying 10 potential voters around each polling unit who have PVCs but have not previously participated actively in elections.

She said the initiative formed part of broader efforts by her office to strengthen grassroots engagement ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The Women Leader said her office had earlier embarked on PVC sensitisation across Lagos during the registration exercise, particularly targeting people who obtained their voter cards in locations different from where they currently reside.

‘Some people were living in Alimosho and Agege but had their PVCs in Idumota. I told them to either transfer it if they knew they would not be able to come down to the Island to use that PVC on election day,’ she said.

She added that women leaders at the local government level also produced online content to educate residents about registration and transfer procedures.

According to her, the initiative generated calls from residents seeking information about where to register, collect or transfer their PVCs.

The new mobilisation strategy comes as the APC has stepped up its preparations for the 2027 elections in Lagos. The party formally unveiled Hamzat and Damilola Sonayon-James as its governorship and deputy governorship candidates in June.

Eletu said the focus on non-politicians was necessary because electoral mobilisation should not be restricted to existing party members.

She said the party’s grassroots structure was being positioned to take political participation to individual communities and polling units.

The Women Leader also disclosed that her office had been working to improve relations between local government women leaders and council chairpersons.

She said she brought the groups together after receiving complaints that some women leaders were not working closely with their respective council chairpersons.

According to her, the intervention has improved interaction between the two groups, with some local governments reporting better cooperation after meetings facilitated by her office.

‘We married them together that day. They were so happy. Since then, they’ve been interacting, promoting our party and making things work as expected,’ she said.

Eletu said the mobilisation programme would continue at the grassroots as the party prepares for the 2027 electoral cycle.

Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, has charged the newly sworn-in chairmen of the 17 local government areas in the state to immediately commence work, stressing that the local government system is not a passive arm of government in the state, but an active partner in the development agenda of the state government.

Mbah gave the charge following the swearing-in of the newly elected local government chairmen and vice chairmen at Government House, Enugu.

The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) had on Sunday declared candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winners of the 17 chairmanship and 260 councillorship seats in the council election conducted across the state on Saturday.

The chairmen and their council areas are John Ogbodo, Nkanu West; Mike Ogbuekwe, Nkanu East; Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, Aninri; Jude Chinedu Asogwa, Nsukka; Caleb Ani, Enugu South; Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, Igboeze South; Brendan Emeka Ani, Isi-Uzo; Ibenaku Onoh, Enugu North; Martin Amadieze, Igbo-Etiti; and Innocent Ezeoha, Udenu.

Others are Chris Onyekachi Simon, Igboeze North; Chijioke Ezeugwu, Uzo Uwani; Hyginus Agu, Udi; Uche Okolo, Awgu; Beloved Dan Anike, Enugu East; Greg Anyaegbudike, Oji River; and Vitals Ndu, Ezeagu.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the governor reminded the chairmen that the promises they made during the electioneering period had now become obligations to the electorate, describing the relationship between elected officials and the people as a social contract.

‘In the last few weeks, you went around the communities, meeting our people, soliciting their votes. They have done you that honour of giving you their mandates to serve them and it is now your turn to discharge those commitments.

‘So, what you have just done here today is beyond symbolism. It is quite significant because it means that you have just sealed the social contract you have with the people.

‘I would, therefore, imagine that you are going to hit the ground running because there is really no honeymoon when we have quite a whole number of tasks ahead of us at this point,’ he asserted.

Mbah stressed the strategic importance of the local government system, describing it as the tier of government closest to the people and a critical partner in the state’s development agenda.

He said the government’s objective to eradicate poverty could not be achieved without addressing poverty in rural communities where there is a prevalence of poverty.

He, therefore, urged them to align their programmes and priorities with the broader development agenda of his administration, particularly in education, healthcare, sanitation, agriculture and poverty reduction.

Mbah further charged them to make themselves accessible and accountable to the people.

‘You must be accessible to the people that elected you. You must be accountable to them. And you must spend their resources responsibly,’ Mbah stressed.

On education, the governor urged the chairmen to go beyond physical infrastructure and focus on measurable outcomes, including literacy, numeracy and school enrolment.

‘It should equally interest you to have the statistics of those kids that are of school age that are not in school in your local government and to be actively working to ensure that you have zero – and I mean zero – not even one child who is of school age should be out of school,’ he said.

He urged the chairmen to make the welfare of poor and vulnerable residents a priority, saying poverty eradication would require deliberate measurement of progress rather than mere political declarations.

Responding on behalf of the chairmen, the re-elected Chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area and Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Enugu State, Barr. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, expressed appreciation to the people of the state and Mbah for giving them the privilege to serve.

He said some of them, who had previously served under Mbah, had acquired valuable experience during the period and pledged the commitment of the chairmen to good governance and expressed confidence that, at the end of their tenure, they would be proud of their contributions to the development of Enugu State.

‘For those of us that were privileged to serve under your leadership in the past two years, I can tell you that the knowledge gained, experience acquired cannot be measured in words.

‘We want to sincerely commit and recommit ourselves to the course of your good governance so that at the end of our tenure, we will be proud that Enugu State gave you the opportunity to groom us to what we are actually becoming,’ he said.

The event was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; members representing Nkanu East and West, as well as Igboeze North and South Federal Constituencies, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji and Hon. Dennis Agbo, respectively; Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Ben Nwoye; State APC Chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Chief of Staff, Barr. Victor Udeh, among several other dignitaries and senior government officials.