Democracy Newsline Honours Yagba East Chairman for Security Leadership as Monday Dedicates Award to Ododo
Yagba East Chairman Joshua Dare Monday has received a security leadership award from Democracy Newsline Newspaper, dedicating the honour to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and promising stronger efforts to protect lives and property.
By Our Correspondent
ABUJA — The Executive Chairman of Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, Hon. Joshua Dare Monday, has pledged to intensify efforts to protect lives and property across the council after receiving an award recognising his leadership in grassroots security.
Monday received the Best Performing Executive Chairman on Security in Kogi State award on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the 16th Public Lecture and Induction into the Good Governance Hall of Fame organised by Democracy Newsline Newspaper at the Banquet Hall, National Merit House, Maitama, Abuja.
The chairman dedicated the award to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, saying the governor’s commitment to security and support for local government administration had provided the necessary backing for grassroots efforts against insecurity.
“I dedicate this prestigious award to my Governor and leader, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA. His zero tolerance for crime and his support for community policing have given us the courage to act at the grassroots,” Monday said.
He described the recognition as an honour for the people of Yagba East and said it would serve as additional motivation for his administration to strengthen security measures across the local government.
“This honour belongs to the good people of Yagba East and to a Governor who believes that no development can take place without peace. We will not relent. We will do more to keep our communities safe,” he added.
Monday said the council had, under the Ododo administration, strengthened cooperation among traditional rulers, vigilante groups, hunters and conventional security agencies to improve intelligence gathering and prevent criminal activities.
He disclosed that the local government had also invested in patrol logistics, intelligence gathering and youth engagement programmes as part of efforts to prevent crime and address security challenges, including farmers-herders clashes.
According to him, the council’s security strategy is anchored on the protection of residents and the creation of a safe environment for economic and social activities.
“Our approach is simple: secure the people first. When our markets are safe, our farms are safe, and our children can go to school without fear, then we can talk about development,” he said.
The chairman also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting state and local governments in the fight against insecurity.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Publisher of Democracy Newsline Newspaper, Chief Olugbemi Femi, said Monday was recognised for what he described as proactive leadership in maintaining peace in Yagba East, particularly given the local government’s strategic position as one of Kogi West’s border councils.
The event, themed “Economic Reforms and Sustainable Development in a Democracy: The Nigerian Experience,” featured a keynote address by the Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Idris Asiru.
The occasion also brought together political leaders, public officials, professionals and other stakeholders, with several distinguished Nigerians inducted into the Good Governance Hall of Fame.
Among those inducted were the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Senator Sunday Karimi, Professor Olanrewaju Sulaiman Abubakar and other leaders across the federal, state and local government levels.
Monday, while expressing appreciation for the recognition, assured residents of Yagba East that his administration would not rest on the award but would use it as motivation to do more.
He said the council would continue to prioritise security, infrastructure and youth empowerment while working in line with the development agenda of Governor Ododo.