The Niger Delta Advancement Award 8.0, a premier platform celebrating excellence, innovation, and grassroots leadership across Nigeria's oil-rich region, has unveiled its highly competitive list of nominees for the LGA Chairman of the Year category. This award recognizes outstanding local government leaders who have excelled in infrastructure development, community empowerment, security, education, health, and economic revitalization in their respective areas during 2025.
Spanning the nine states of the Niger Delta—Ondo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Imo, Cross River, Edo, Bayelsa, and Rivers—these 15 nominees embody the spirit of dedicated service at the grassroots level. Their achievements highlight how effective local governance can drive tangible progress, improve livelihoods, and foster peace amid regional challenges.
The complete list of nominees for LGA Chairman of the Year includes:
Hon. (Dr.) Gbenga Timothy Fasua – Akure South L.G.A. (Ondo State)
Hon. Emmanuel Bazim Chinye – Aniocha North L.G.A. (Delta State)
Hon. Uko Friday Umoh – Etinan L.G.A. (Akwa Ibom State)
Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke – Aba North L.G.A. (Abia State)
Hon. (Chief) Mrs. Chika Ibekwe – Ngor-Okpala L.G.A. (Imo State)
Hon. Chief (Dr.) Sunny Ebebe Ayang – Obanliku L.G.A. (Cross River State)
Olorogun (Hon.) Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode – Udu L.G.A. (Delta State)
Hon. (Mrs.) Alice Tangi Allen – Sagbama L.G.A. (Bayelsa State)
Hon. (Amb.) Collins Aigbogun – Esan West L.G.A. (Edo State)
Rt. Hon. Edidiong Inyang – Ibesikpo Asutan L.G.A. (Akwa Ibom State)
Hon. Victor Osigwe (Ikeoha) – Owerri West L.G.A. (Imo State)
Olorogun (Barr.) Jaro Omovudu Egbo – Ughelli North L.G.A. (Delta State)
Hon. Bulodisiye Ndiwari – Yenagoa L.G.A. (Bayelsa State)
Hon. Ifunanya Lactus Nwanegwo – Mbaitoli L.G.A. (Imo State)
Rt. Hon. Asuakak Umoh – Ibiono Ibom L.G.A. (Akwa Ibom State)
These visionary chairmen have transformed their local governments through people-centered policies, rapid project execution, and inclusive governance, earning widespread acclaim for bridging the gap between policy and impact at the community level.
Hon. (Dr.) Gbenga Timothy Fasua, Chairman of Akure South L.G.A. in Ondo State and ALGON Chairman for the state, has been hailed as a "New Hope" for grassroots development. Elected in January 2025, he swiftly initiated street grading in neglected areas, distributed over 10,000 books and 500 school bags to pupils, and pledged investments in school infrastructure, teacher training, and scholarships. He also renamed the local government secretariat in honor of a late public servant, demonstrating respect for legacy and accountability.
Hon. Emmanuel Bazim Chinye of Aniocha North L.G.A. in Delta State, known as "The Man We Know," has focused on rebuilding through his GAINS agenda (Good governance, Accessibility, Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Human capital development). Key highlights include the rapid completion and commissioning of the Issele-Uku Modern Market (with 141 lockup shops, stalls, abattoir, and more) and the Onicha-Uku Community Town Hall within months, earning praise from state leaders for fulfilling campaign promises and boosting economic activity.
Hon. Uko Friday Umoh, Chairman of Etinan L.G.A. in Akwa Ibom State, has been recognized as an exemplar by national media and the best-performing chairman in the state. His administration reactivated abandoned projects, restored electricity to communities in darkness for over a decade, revived rural water schemes in multiple areas, constructed an ultra-modern motor park projected to generate significant revenue, renovated health centers and legislative facilities, and supported education through uniforms and materials, all while promoting entertainment and humanitarian aid.
Hon. Chief (Dr.) Sunny Ebebe Ayang of Obanliku L.G.A. in Cross River State has prioritized tourism, agriculture, and peacebuilding. He hosted Ranch Resort management to enhance tourism collaborations, launched school farm initiatives with private partners to integrate agribusiness into education, inspected council facilities for better service delivery, and facilitated peace accords between communities, fostering stability in a scenic but challenging terrain.
Olorogun (Hon.) Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode of Udu L.G.A. in Delta State has demonstrated strong leadership in security and conflict resolution. He imposed curfews to curb violence, chaired peace committees to resolve intercommunal crises, arrested suspects in vigilante attacks, and engaged stakeholders for lasting harmony, while advocating for political unity and infrastructure improvements in a bustling industrial area.
Other nominees continue this legacy of impact: from empowering women and youth in Imo and Abia to driving revenue and development in Bayelsa and Edo, these leaders exemplify how local governance can uplift entire communities.
The Niger Delta Advancement Award 8.0, now in its eighth edition with 56 categories and 840 nominees overall, continues to inspire transformation across the region. The winner of the LGA Chairman of the Year, along with other categories, will be unveiled on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at The Arena Event Centre, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The glamorous ceremony begins with Red Carpet at 4:00 pm, followed by the Main Event at 5:00 pm.
Alexa News Network Limited (Alexa.ng), as an official media partner, will deliver in-depth coverage, nominee profiles, voting updates, and post-event insights to highlight the awards' role in promoting accountability, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
As the countdown to February 8, 2026, intensifies, these nominees stand as beacons of hope, proving that dedicated local leadership can ignite real change and prosperity for the people of the Niger Delta.
