Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, officially inaugurated the newly elected chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the state’s 16 Local Government Areas on Monday.
In his address, the governor urged them to exercise prudence in their leadership roles and to prioritize working closely with the people for the common good.
The chairpersons, who emerged victorious in the local government elections held on Saturday by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission, were sworn in during a ceremony at the Government House in Ilorin.
In his remarks following the oath-taking, Governor Abdulrazaq congratulated the new council leaders, their families, political parties, and community stakeholders. He stressed the importance of setting achievable goals and maintaining integrity in office.
“Set realistic goals for yourself. Be conscious of your legacies. Be fair to everyone and yourself. Attend to the needs of the people, and be open to positive engagements across the board,” the governor stated.
Addressing the broader economic challenges facing the nation, Governor Abdulrazaq cautioned the newly sworn-in leaders to remain sensitive to the current economic realities and avoid excesses.
“Our country is in a transitional phase as our economy undergoes reforms. This has brought some inconveniences for the people. Please be sensitive to the realities of the time. Don’t indulge yourselves while the people struggle to meet basic needs,” he advised.
He also encouraged the council leaders to foster collaboration and innovation within and across local government boundaries.
“As local government areas and the first layer of government, be creative, explore areas of cooperation, and complement one another for bigger accomplishments,” he said. “Importantly, please prove to the people that you truly deserve to occupy this esteemed office.”
The governor concluded by wishing the new officials success in their respective roles.
Echoing the governor’s sentiments, Kwara State APC Chairman, Sunday Fagbemi, expressed gratitude to the people of Kwara for their support.
“This is a great moment. We have just cemented the foundation laid for the good of Kwara. We are thankful to the Kwarans for their support. The agenda is to develop Kwara and take the state to the next level,” Fagbemi remarked.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow chairpersons, Majeed Podo, the chairman of the Ilorin South Local Government Council, affirmed their commitment to working diligently for the benefit of their communities across the state.
