Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on September 4, 2023, swore in Mr. Tajudeen Alade Suleman and 17 others as chairpersons of the 18 Edo State local government councils, following the outcome of local government elections which took place throughout the state on September 2, 2023.

At the swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital, Governor Obaseki expressed his confidence in their capacity to deliver on their assignment.

The governor said, “I have worked with every one of them here and know their capacity because I have had assignments for them and know how they delivered on it. I have no doubt in my mind that they have the capacity and what it takes to take the State to where it should be.

“You will all agree with me that local government is perhaps one of the foundations on which our democracy rests. You all saw on Saturday that every polling unit where people voted were residents, so local government is the foundation where our democracy rests, and therefore this very tier of government must be strengthened.

“Gone are the days where we just elect people who can barely read or write to become local government chairmen. I am glad we have amongst you people who have PhDs, and Medical Doctors, among others. So, you possess the requisite backgrounds and experiences you have gathered in the course of life. I believe we have the core of men and women who are properly prepared to manage our local government going forward.”

Reminding them that their mandates require that they throw in everything that they have and that is required to make a difference, the governor said that they have the qualifications, experience, and know-how to run the local government councils. He added that they must now show innovation because the Edo State government is moving the state into the Fourth Industrial era.

He stated that the government is connecting all the local government areas in the state with fibre optics connections and moving the government to a digital platform and urged them to be creative and to focus on the key policies and programmes of the government to drive all-around development at the grassroots.

Saying that education is a key priority, the governor urged them to help strengthen the achievement of this administration in the education sector.

The governor said “A lot of innovation has taken place in education in the local government areas as we expect you to support our system.

“We are redesigning our secondary education system and have selected a pilot of about 54 schools to start the digital secondary education from next quarter where our students are going to use computers alone at the secondary level. We need your support as council chairmen as it’s without Federal Government support.”

Responding on behalf of the other Chairpersons who were sworn in, Mr. Tajudeen Alade Suleman, the Chairperson of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, expressed gratitude to the governor and people of Edo State for the opportunity given them to serve the people of the State.

He gave assurance that they will not fail the people of Edo State, promising that they will immediately hit the ground running.

He said, “We reassure you that we will not fail you and the people of Edo State. We would work round the clock to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people as we hit the ground running, taking advantage of the platform created for us. We will collaborate with you to make Edo the pride of the nation. You have done everything possible for the party to be sustained in Edo State, come 2024 you will produce your successor, and your successor will continue from where you stopped.”