Govs promise better deal for Nigerians 2024

Governors across the country have promised residents of their respective states better deals and more dividends of democracy in the new year 2024.

The governors, in their various New Year messages, assured residents of their states of their commitment to work harder than the past years and make life more comfortable for the citizens.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while thanking residents of the state for re-electing him for a second term in office, vowed that he would not disappoint them, adding that his government would deliver more on good governance.

He said, “I wish every Lagosian a happy and prosperous New Year. We are thankful to God for the grace to see the New Year and we welcome 2024 with hope and faith.

“2023 was a year of great strides for us in Lagos. It was indeed a significant year for our administration. We are happy and grateful to Lagos residents for coming out in large numbers to re-elect us for another four years. We will not disappoint you.

“I want to assure millions of Lagos residents that 2024 is the year we will act with speed to deliver more good governance and dividends of democracy that you voted us in for. As your governor, I promise to continue to provide leadership that will usher in greater opportunities and a more prosperous life for Lagosians.”

In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun expressed his commitment to the welfare of the people of the state, adding that the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport initiated about two years ago would commence passenger operations in the first quarter of the year.

“As we navigate the New Year, having signed the 2024 budget named ‘Budget of Sustained Growth and Development’ into law, our commitment to your well-being, welfare, development, and prosperity remains unwavering. We will continue to build on the foundation established in the last four years,” Abiodun said.

The Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, assured residents of the state of adequate security in the new year while stressing that 2024 would be a greater year for the state.

“Be assured that we will continue, as always, to ensure that Delta remains secured just as social services, including the provision of infrastructure, will be given adequate attention in the new year.

“So, let us look up to the new year with the same zeal of a people with the capacity to excel even in difficult situations,” he said.

The Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, preached hope to residents of his state while charging them to remain prayerful for the administration of President Bola Tinubu for the country to experience its required change.

“I want to encourage Nigerians to be hopeful and remain prayerful for Mr President to actualise his Renewed Hope Agenda dream. This, I believe, will change the country for the better,” he said.

Also, the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, called on residents of his state to “embrace the New Year with great hope, optimism and confidence,” while promising to increase workers’ salaries in the new year.

“We shall review the salaries of all the employees upwards to reflect the economic realities of the time. Work on it is in the final stages,” he added.

In his New Year message to residents of Kano State, Governor Abba Yusuf promised that the state would “witness massive physical and human development projects in the year 2024 which will have a direct bearing on the lives of the citizens of the state.”

Similarly, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, while pledging his commitment to carrying out more developmental projects in the state, said he would engage everyone in the state regardless of party affiliations.

“We will actively engage our communities, irrespective of our political choices or party divide, listening to their needs and aspirations and working together to address challenges and create a brighter future.”

In Sokoto State, Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who expressed his resolve to end the activities of bandits in parts of the state, said collective action and support to the nation’s security operatives was one of the best ways to end insecurity in the country.

“We have recently procured and distributed over 70 patrol vehicles to our security personnel with a view to making them adequately equipped to discharge their constitutional duty.

“I have also signed the bill for the establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps in order to complement the efforts of our conventional security outfits in ridding the state of banditry and other forms of criminalities.

“I also reaffirm my administration’s resolve to end banditry, while appealing for support from the well-meaning citizens in the state,” Aliyu said.

Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, also charged residents of his state not to lose hope but to pray for a better tomorrow.

While highlighting the achievements of his seven-month-old administration, Eno assured residents that, “We are paying deep attention to developing and improving the quality of life of residents in both our urban and rural areas as well as the maintenance and expansion of infrastructure in the state.”

In his New Year message, Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, pledged his commitment to the welfare of workers and pensioners and to infrastructure development in the new year.

He said, “The welfare of our workers serving and retired remains a top priority. We recognise that a happy workforce is the backbone of a thriving society, and we are committed to ensuring that your hard work is rewarded.

“Furthermore, I wish to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the advancement of our infrastructural development.”

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Anambra House of Assembly, Dr Somtochukwu Udeze, has assured that the legislature would continue to enact laws and resolutions to uplift the standard of living of residents in the state.

Udeze, in his New Year message on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Emma Madu, said, “The legislative agenda of the 8th Assembly coincided with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s agenda which revolves around infrastructure development, economic transformation, security, and human capital development, among others.

“As we march into the New Year, we will continue to enact laws that will drive development and impact on the lives of residents.”

In Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, in his New Year broadcast, urged Ekiti people to be optimistic for a better and more prosperous year, assuring that he would consolidate on the gains of his first year in office and expand the scope of development for the benefit of the Ekiti people.

He said, “In line with my promise to workers and pensioners, we remain committed to the prompt payment of salaries and pensions. By God’s grace, in the new year, we will work harder to double up on the liquidation of the outstanding gratuity obligation to our senior citizens.

“Ekiti kete, while we are thankful to God for the modest achievements we have recorded in the year 2023, I want to assure you that we will consolidate on the current achievements and set higher bars in the current year.”

The Peoples Democratic Party in Nasarawa State called on residents of the state to remain steadfast and committed to the unity and peace of the state in the new year while they await the Supreme Court’s judgment on the state’s governorship election.

The state party chairman in a statement on Monday said, “As we have moved into the new year 2024, and awaiting the Supreme Court’s governorship election judgment, we must put behind us any action capable of breaching the unity and peace of the state.

“God Almighty is always ahead of every principality. The will of God shall prevail and put to shame those insisting on taking the people’s freedom and joy in Nasarawa State.

“So, residents should refrain from encouraging the ember of disunity and religious sentiments so that the state will remain peaceful for every one of us.”