Plateau LG Chairman gets ‘uncomfortable’ award
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A local interest group, Young Youth Network Nigeria (YYNN), Friday conferred an award of excellence on the Chairman, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Barr. Ezekiel Mandyau.
The award as “Progressive, Prosperous Nigerian and an Icon of Youth Empowerment follows Mandyau’s “sterling” leadership qualities and “prudent” use of public funds for grassroots development, said leader of YYNN, Engr. Harmony Emmanuel.
“Under your leadership, Barkin Ladi Local Government has carried out all its activities professionally and has recorded great success.
“You are also reputed to have been engaging easy mechanisms that enhance peaceful coexistence among the people of Barkin Ladi and above all, discharging your duties without fear or favour,” Emmanuel told the Chairman while presenting the award in Barkin Ladi.
Excited but unpleased
Mr. Mandyau was pleased to receive the award but only as a challenge to work harder.
“This is not time to be awarded as there is still much to be done,” he said.
Mandyau wants to liberate the Local Government from poverty and illiteracy before he could be considered to have achieved.
He said, “We have assisted many women with grants to start businesses and cater for their families but cannot consider ourselves to have arrived.
“We should be able to cover a good majority, especially those affected by violent conflicts, providing welfare and education, economic and political empowerment before we can say we have reasonably achieved.”
At the moment, plans are underway to train 500 youths – male and female from the LGA in various trades, Mandyau said.
On Saturday, at least 1000 poor patients got free diagnosis through a collaboration between the LGA and a private firm.
Treatment and surgeries are expected to be offered for free in the second phase of the exercise coming in few weeks, said the Chairman.
This he believes will give the local people the health to strive and earn thus improving government revenue through taxation among others.
State authorities recently launched the distribution of waterpumps for dry season farming.
With this, Mandyau is optimistic that the local farmers will soon begin to revive economically, after being displaced by violent attacks in June 2018.
