Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia inaugurated the 23 newly elected local government chairmen on Monday, urging them to lead with integrity and inclusivity.
News About Nigeria gathered that the swearing-in ceremony took place at the New Banquet Hall, Government House in Makurdi.
In his address, Governor Alia called on the chairmen to extend an olive branch to opposition members, welcoming constructive criticism and diverse ideas to strengthen democracy and enhance governance.
“To the newly elected chairmen, I charge you to take on a mission of utmost importance,” Governor Alia stated. “Your roles require diligence, strategic leadership, and the highest standards of governance without fear or favour.”
He said that accountability, transparency, and fairness are important, urging the chairmen to prioritise their communities’ needs over personal gains.
“Leadership is about service and sacrifice, not personal glory. I urge you to focus on delivering democratic benefits to the people,” Alia said.
Alia called for collaboration between local and state governments, especially in light of newly granted local government autonomy.
He urged the chairmen to work closely with the state to implement programmes that uplift rural communities, aligning with a shared vision for a prosperous Benue.
“I urge you to de-emphasise personal gains in leadership, and rather focus on bringing democratic deliverables closer to the people. Be reminded that leadership is about service and sacrifice and not personal glory.
“I must stress that no tier of government operates in isolation. Therefore, in light of the newly granted local government autonomy, I urge you to always collaborate with us at the state level in order to implement policies and programmes that benefit our rural communities.
“This is especially that we all share in the same vision of rewriting the narrative of our beloved state and country in general.”
