Nigerian Concord Newspaper
Ado Descendants Union, Abuja Branch has applauded the executive chairman of Ado Local Government, Engineer Oche Sunday over the recent flag off of the construction of a five-kilometre asphalt township road across the local government area.
The group which comprises of wealthy and influential sons and daughters of Ado local government based in Abuja and other locations across Nigeria also lauded the chairman for deeming it fit to present motorcycles to members of the local government legislative arm and also to Supervisory Councillors.
According to the group in a press statement signed by its National President, Comrade (Mrs) Ogenyi Lazarus, the township road, if completed will be a major infrastructure intervention that will improve transportation, boost economic activities and enhance the quality of life of residents.
It added that the project will also provide a durable road network linking key parts of the town and ease movement of people and goods.
The group also noted that the brand new motorcycles which Oche presented to his cabinet members and the members of the legislative arm in the local government will enhance mobility, strengthen grassroots engagement and facilitate the effective discharge of their official responsibilities across the various wards.
Recall that Engineer Sunny Oche last week did the flag-off ceremony which attracted traditional rulers, community leaders, political stakeholders, youth and women groups as well as residents of Igumale, marking another milestone in the council administration’s efforts to address critical infrastructure deficits across Ado LGA.
Speaking at the ceremony held at camp in Igumale, Oche said the project was conceived as part of his administration’s commitment to delivering people-oriented development and responding to the infrastructure needs of communities under his leadership in line with governor Alia administration’s development agenda.
He stressed that the road would contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the area by improving accessibility to markets, schools, health facilities and other essential services.
The council boss noted that quality infrastructure remained central to his administration’s development agenda, assuring the people of Igumale that the project would be executed to standard and called on residents and other stakeholders to support and protect the project, stressing that government alone could not sustain development without the cooperation of the benefiting communities.
The flag-off of the 5km Igumale township road adds to ongoing efforts by the Ado Local Government administration to expand infrastructure and create an enabling environment for economic growth across the local government. Residents and community leaders at the event expressed optimism that the project, upon completion, would transform movement within Igumale and further strengthen the town’s position as an important commercial and administrative centre in Ado LGA.
The chairman further expressed profound appreciation to the governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia for prioritizing infrastructure development in the council area and enjoined the people of Ado to continue supporting Alia.
Oche charged the community to corporate with the contractor for smooth and timely delivery of the work. He however, said his doors are open to receive complaints as construction commences.
Earlier, the contractor, Engr. Gabriel promised quality and timely delivery of the project while the leader of the Ado legislative arm, Hon. Agni Adadu make it clear that as legislature vested with oversight powers, they will oversight every aspect of the work to ensure quality and adherence to the contractual term.
Also, Oche distributed brand-new motorcycles to members of the Ado Local Government Legislative House and Supervisory Councillors to enhance mobility, strengthen grassroots engagement and facilitate the effective discharge of their official responsibilities across the various wards.
The motorcycles, which arrived in their original boxes and were assembled on site before being handed over to the beneficiaries, represent a practical intervention to address transportation challenges confronting Councillors, particularly during the rainy season. With the difficult terrain and limited availability of commercial transportation in some parts of the Local Government, the intervention is expected to improve access to communities and enable the Councillors to respond more promptly to matters requiring their attention.
Commissioning the motorcycles to the glory of God, the Council Boss described them as important working tools and urged the beneficiaries to maintain and manage them responsibly. He stressed that the motorcycles would enable the Councillors to expand their reach within their respective wards and respond more effectively to the needs of their constituents. He also noted that the provision would reduce the recurrent cost of commercial transportation associated with official engagements.
The Council Chairman commended the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, PhD, for his continued support for the Local Government system and for the various interventions being extended to the grassroots. According to him, the timely provision of the motorcycles, alongside other ongoing development initiatives, demonstrates the administration’s commitment to strengthening Local Government institutions and improving service delivery to the people.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Leader of the Ado Local Government Legislative House, Hon. Agbo Adadu, expressed appreciation to Governor Alia and the Chairman for the gesture. He described the intervention as timely, particularly at the peak of the rainy season, when movement across several communities becomes more difficult. He said the motorcycles would ease transportation challenges, reduce the financial burden associated with official movements and enable the Councillors to devote greater attention to their legislative, supervisory and representative duties.
The Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Sunday Otse Ogenyi, also joined in commending the intervention, while the leadership of the Legislative House emphasised the importance of continued cooperation among elected officials and other stakeholders in advancing the development objectives of the Local Government. The leadership further urged all officials to uphold the dignity of their respective offices and ensure that differences, where they arise, are handled through appropriate institutional channels.
The distribution exercise formed part of a broader sequence of activities marking the Council’s ongoing interventions in infrastructure and grassroots development, including the flag-off of the construction of five kilometres of internal roads within Ado Local Government Area. The Chairman reaffirmed that his administration would continue to prioritise practical interventions that improve working conditions for public officials, strengthen grassroots governance and deliver tangible benefits to communities across the Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Ufia Students (NAUS) has honoured the Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, Engr. Sunny Oche, with an Award of Excellence in recognition of his leadership and contributions to grassroots development. The award, presented as a glass plaque, was delivered by the National President of NAUS, Comrade Ugbudu Isaac Udonu, during a courtesy visit to the Chairman at his country home in Ikpomolokpo.
Speaking during the presentation, Comrade Udonu commended the Chairman’s support for students through scholarship interventions, his efforts to promote youth participation, and his accessibility to community members. He also cited the Chairman’s involvement in security matters, including his participation in preventive security operations, as evidence of his commitment to the safety of residents. He stated that, based on the assessment of the student body, Engr. Oche’s performance qualifies him for recognition as the best-performing Local Government Chairman in Benue State. He also congratulated the Chairman on his emergence as Treasurer of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Benue State Chapter.
The students who attended the event were Comr. Ugbudu Isaac Ugbudu of Unique Open University; Comr. Ilof Cletus and Comr. Edeh Joseph of Benue State University; Comr. Agbo Sunday of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa; and Uche Maria of Elengalf College of Health Science, Akeh, Edumoga, Benue State.
Responding, Engr. Sunny Oche thanked the leadership of NAUS for the recognition and recalled his experience as a student unionist at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. He encouraged the students to maintain unity, mutual respect and a strong sense of responsibility while pursuing their education. He urged them to remain focused on their studies and strive for excellence in their various fields, reminding them that their achievements would determine the opportunities available to them in the future.
The Chairman described the award as an encouragement to continue serving the people and not as a reason to become complacent. He assured the students that his administration would continue to build on its achievements and support initiatives that promote education, youth development and the overall wellbeing of residents. He further encouraged the students to make education a priority, emphasising the importance of consistent study and personal discipline.
The presentation concluded with mutual appreciation between the NAUS delegation and the Chairman, highlighting the importance of constructive engagement between student organisations and local government leadership. The recognition serves as an encouragement for continued attention to education, youth development and responsive grassroots governance in Ado Local Government Area.