By Ameachi Prosper
Abuja: The Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Council, Hon Emmanuel Egbabor has amongst 15 other chairmen in Nigeria been honoured with a merit award of excellence “as the Best Performing Local Government chairmen in Nigeria for the year 2016” by the Nigeria Local Government Chairmen Merit Award. The award which was given by The Nigeria Local Government Chairmen Merit Award, (LOGMA) was powered by Mentors Communications Ltd and chaired by the former Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland, His Excellency, Ambassador Joseph Ayalogu, held at the National Merit House, Maitama, Abuja.
In a speech by the National Coordinator of LOGMA and CEO of Mentors communications, Prince Bayode Ojo, “the noble idea of rewarding exemplary leadership at the grassroots was to emulate fair competition for service delivery at the local government level.”
He said “while some local government chairmen merely fold their arms complaining about poor funding and economic crunch, others made the best use of whatever situation they find themselves,” saying that “this is the line between the idler and the achiever.”
HE further admonished the recipients not to see this as a mere gift for celebration, but a call to greater service. A reminder that they must continue to do their best at every given time to the benefit of their people.
Speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, His Excellency, Ambassador Joseph Ayalogu emphasized the importance of the local government and enjoined them to give the best to the benefit of their people at the grassroots. While congratulating the recipients, the former Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland, reminded the chairmen that the award is to appreciate them for the verifiable good works they have done in their various local government and challenge those sleeping to wake up to their responsibility.
Hon Egbabor in a brief remark after receiving the award in Abuja thanked the organisers for finding him worthy of the honour, saying that “I take this honour as a challenge and I will ensure that I do my best for my people wherever I find myself. “It is heartwarming to know that the little one I am doing is being noticed by the public.”
Egbabor, who dedicated the award to the good people of Isoko North Local Government, praised them for their continuous support and prayers which has culminated to the achievements for which he was being honoured.
The chairman, who also declared his support for Local Government autonomy, thanked the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for carrying the local government councils in the state along, encouraging them and giving necessary support for the overall interest of the people.
