By Victor Lewis
As the management and staff of Warri North Local Government Council in Delta State proceed on the short break for the yuletide on Friday December 22nd, 2023, they have every reason to shower enconmions on the chairman, Hon. Smart Yomi Asekutu, for magnanimously dishing out N25,000 ( Twenty Five Thousand naira) to each of them for their celebration.
It was no mean jubilation at the Council headquarters, Koko as excited workers who have been paid their December salaries, got additional credit alerts for the sum of N25,000 each, to enable them have a fulfilled celebration.
A cross section of the workers who spoke with our correspondent in Koko, headquarters of the Council Area on Friday, expressed profound appreciation to the Council chairman, Hon. Asekutu whom they aptly described as a true leader who has the fear of God and a feeling of the workers at heart.
A staff of the Works department, Mr. Jeremiah Johnbull told our correspondent the he was not in any way surprised with what the chairman has done, saying that since he became the Council boss almost three years ago, he has always demonstrated his love and care for the welfare of the Council workers.
“I’m not too surprised at the Chairman’s payment of N25,000 to each worker apart from our salary. He has the fear of God and he is full of human kindness and this, he has demonstrated since he came to office.
“The chairman’s performance in the past three years for the welfare of the workers, infrastructural development, peace and unity among the people of Warri North has been very tremendous.
“I say I’m not surprised because his overall performance as a unique Local Government chairman has also attracted the attention of the federal government when in 2021 the Ministry of Inter-governmental Affairs under Senator George Akume, (now the Secretary to the Government of the Federation), awarded Hon. Asekutu as the best performing Council chairman in the State. This was after the minister had toured the 774 Council Areas in the country and assessed their overall performance.
“His good works in the Council was also recognized by no less a prominent Royal Father from Warri kingdom, HRM Atuwatse Ogiawe III, Olu of Warri kingdom.
“Indeed Hon. Asekutu is not only God-sent in his humanitarian disposition, but we would like to have him back for another tenure so that we can benefit more from his magnanimity”, he said.
Also speaking to our correspondent, a Councillor from one of the Itsekiri wards recalled several occasions when Hon. Asekutu will go out of his way and release to the lawmakers funds for Constituency project far and above the amount approved by the State government, just to make the Councilors feel more dedicated to their oversight functions.
Fielding questions from newsmen in Koko on Friday shortly after a meeting with the management and staff, on why he chose to dole out N25,000 to each Council worker for their Xmas celebration, Hon. Asekutu reiterated his commitment to the welfare of the workers, adding that he always want them to maintain a good living standard.
“One of my cardinal responsibility is to put smiles on the faces of Warri North workers and ensure that their welfare continue to be my concern.
“Since my assumption of duty, I have always placed high premium on the welfare of staffers of the Council and I want us to maintain that standard of making life worth living for our people”, the Council chairman said.
Appreciating the cooperation and support of the Council staff for his administration since he came into office, Asekutu said “the effort and support you gave to me over the past nearly three years has been enormous.
“Whatever achievement that has been ascribed to me today is because of your collective commitment and dedication to your duties to ensure we succeed as a Council. I remain eternally grateful to you all.
“I urge you all to continue in this spirit of commitment as we move into the new year, 2024. I wish you all a fruitful and peaceful celebration”, he added
Asekutu also used the occasion to wish the good people of Warri North Local Government Area a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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