A former LG Chairman in Ondo State, Surv. Niran Akinniyi, has implored the newly sworn-in Chairmen of the eighteen local governments in the state to render creditable service to the masses in a bid to renew their hopes in democracy that is currently faced with very intimidating challenges of development.
Surv. Akinniyi, popularly known as Sogbodilu, since his days as helmsman at Ile-Oluji Okeigbo Local Government years back, urged the new Chairmen to move forward armed with the fear of God to dispense justice, unite the people and bring rapid development to their respective jurisdictions.
According to Surv. Akinniyi, the new council Chairmen have a lot to do to make the people smile through Good Governance. Asserting that the business of politics can be likened to a chain which has Elections and Governance, as two component links, he urged them to sustain the chain for Governor Aiyedatiwa and the APC in Ondo State and make the present administration the best ever in Ondo’s first 50 years as a State by delivering excellent dividends of democracy to the rural populace of the State who he said constitute a preponderant majority.
Surv. Niran Akinniyi, who is also a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, urged the new Council helmsmen to be humble but courageous, strong but selfless and clear headed about their mission and carry a positive mindset to achieve best results. He said: “If you fail to deliver on changing the lives of the people and impact remarkably in their environment, all of your party membership, electoral victories, political activities and infact your purported loyalty to Mr Governor and the APC would amount to nothing. The best way to show loyalty to the APC and Gov Aiyedatiwa is through faithfulness and excellent service to the people.
Surv. Akinniyi stated that with the increasing financial resources at the direct disposal of the councils, the new Council helmsmen have no excuse on earth not to perform creditably. Instead, they have a divine obligation to put smiles on the faces of the people through accessible, responsible and accountable leadership that will give the people value for their money. He reminded them that public office holding is indeed a Test and a Covenant with God. He urged them to use the opportunity to demonstrate their wealth of faith, generosity of love and activeness in charity as expected by God of every leader.
Sogbodilu reminded them that though Local Government Chairmanship is the most difficult seat to occupy in politics, it can also be very fulfilling. If you serve well, you’ll become a hero among the people but if you fail to impact their lives in any significant ways, you may become a pariah! The joy of rendering selfless service to ones people is limitless just as, for any politician who shortchanges the people through poor performance, the regret is also endless.
Reiterating that as the closest government to the people, their actions or inactions will impact the people faster and more directly than any other level or MDA of government. If you do well, meeting the aspirations of your people, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa gets a good name. If you malfunction, God forbid, you create more challenges for the Governor, the party and the people.
Surv. Niran Akinniyi was Chairman, IleOluji Okeigbo Local Government Area 2009-2011 and immediate past Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ondo State on Monitoring and Performance.
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