BY SUNDAY EGEDE
In recognition of his remarkable achievements in less than one year in office, Ika South Local Government Council Chairman, Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior has been honoured by Rootwatch Magazine during its 23rd Distinguished Local Government Chairmen Merit Award.
Engr. Ehiwarior was honoured alongside some of his counterparts from different parts of Nigeria during the event ,which took place at the National Merit House, Abuja.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Editor-In-Chief of Rootwatch Magazine and National Coordinator of Rootwatch Distinguished Local Government Chairmen Merit Award, Chief Bayo Ojo, said the award was initiated at the inception of the present democratic dispensation to identify and encourage local government chairmen who had distinguished themselves in grassroots development.
“The Rootwatch Dintinguished Local Government Chairmen Merit Award was instituted about 23 years ago to stimulate fair competition for service delivery among the local government chairmen nationwide, to honour the outstanding ones, and offer a platform for exchange of ideas on how best to attract development to the grassroots,” he explained.
He disclosed that the selection process was tedious, but thorough and transparent to ensure that the right and deserving council chairmen were identified and rewarded accordingly.
“The selection process of winners was quite tedious but thorough and transparent, from the first stage of call for nomination on radio and television stations, to publication in national newspapers for opinion polls. Members of the public were involved to ensure fairness and sustain the credibility of the award.
“Therefore, the winners being paraded here today could be said to have passed the litmus test. They are, therefore, worthy of being celebrated as performing local government chairmen who could serve as national brands in service delivery and good governance,” he stated.
Chief Ojo assured that Rootwatch Magazine was deeply committed to identifying and showcasing hardworking and result-focused council chairmen, who impact their various local government areas, even as he reminded recipients that they owe it as a duty to sustain and improve on the values that won them the honours.
While applauding the Supreme Court for the boldness exhibited in granting financial autonomy to the local government councils in Nigeria, he however, called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, state governments, Houses of Assembly, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support the constitution amendment, where necessary, to ensure full implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment.
In his remarks, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Issa Lanre Onilu, who presided over the ceremony, noted that his agency was deeply committed to collaborating with local governments to ensure that citizens benefit from the government’s policies and programmes.
He hailed the awardees for their hard work and uncommon dedication to the good of their people, just as he described them as heroes of democracy and good governance.
According to him, it is only when local government administration becomes fully functional that Nigeria would attain her full potentials, adding that Nigerians should always support grassroots governance in order to move the country forward.
Receiving the award, which was in the category of ‘Roads/Rural Integration,’ Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, who dedicated the award to the people of Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, said it would spur him to do more for the people.
Engr. Ehiwarior , who commended the people of Ika South Local Government Area for standing with his administration since its inception, promised to continue to deliver projects that would impact positively on the socio-economic lives of people in the area.
