Bassa Chairman Riti Bags Most Outstanding Council Chairman Award
The Executive Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Hon. Dr. Joshua Sunday Riti, has been honoured with the Most Outstanding Local Government Chairman of the Year 2025/2026 award by the Forum of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) to the Chairman.
The award was presented on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Plateau State Inspectors’ Mess, Jos, as part of activities marking the chairman's second anniversary in office.
Presenting the award, Organising Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Danjuma Abere, said Riti emerged from a research and assessment process which considered leadership performance, developmental projects, grassroots impact, transparency and commitment to effective governance.
According to Abere, the recognition was informed largely by the administration's reported interventions in grassroots infrastructure and other sectors across Bassa Local Government Area.
He said the award was intended to recognise the administration's efforts while encouraging the chairman to sustain its focus on people-oriented development.
The award presentation also provided an opportunity for the administration to present its two-year record under the “Rebuild Bassa Now” agenda.
Since assuming office, the administration has reported interventions across education, healthcare, water supply, roads, bridges, electricity, agriculture, workers' welfare and community security.
In education, the council highlighted the construction of a new primary school at Zirshe Community in Kimakpa Ward, the renovation of three classrooms and an office block at LEA Maiyanga, also in Kimakpa Ward, and the rehabilitation of the NYSC Secretariat in Jebbu Bassa.
The administration also reported assistance to students from less-privileged backgrounds with WAEC and JAMB registration, alongside youth employment and engagement initiatives and programmes aimed at supporting women's economic participation.
Healthcare has also featured prominently in the administration's reported interventions.
Among the projects highlighted are the construction of a Primary Health Clinic at Chinye in Miango, Tahu Ward, renovation of the PHC in Zabolo Ward, renovation of staff quarters at the PHC in Amo Katako, Kadamo Ward, and renovation of the PHC at Oureedam in Danmangu/Zodu Ward.
The council also reported the provision and rehabilitation of boreholes in communities where access to reliable water remains a challenge.
On infrastructure, the administration highlighted the ongoing construction of Kwall Road and a bridge at Jimpi, Chokobo Community, in Rimi Ward, as well as rural electrification projects in Zanwra Community in Zobwo Ward, Zikke Community in Kimakpa Ward and Kishika Community in Kishika Ward.
A transformer was also provided to Kihang Community in Kakek Ward, according to the anniversary report.
Agriculture, which remains central to the rural economy of Bassa, also formed part of the administration's development programme, with the council reporting the distribution of fertilisers and agricultural inputs to farmers.
The administration also reported the construction of a perimeter fence at Saya Market in Zabolo Ward and the commissioning of a new market in Jebbu Bassa, interventions it said were intended to support local commerce and economic activity.
Attention has also been given to the physical environment of the Local Government Secretariat, where the administration reported the reconstruction of the entrance gate and construction of a new administrative complex aimed at improving the working environment and public service delivery.
Workers' welfare was similarly highlighted during the anniversary review.
The administration described a motivated workforce as essential to effective Local Government administration, while noting that the Bassa chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) had earlier honoured Riti on May 1, 2026, with an award recognising him as the outstanding chairman in the Local Government.
Security support has also featured prominently in the council's interventions.
According to the anniversary report, more than 50 motorcycles were procured and distributed to security outfits operating within Bassa to improve mobility and support community-level security operations.
The administration said the intervention was aimed at strengthening the capacity of security personnel to protect lives and property and support peace across the Local Government.
Receiving the latest award, Chairman Riti expressed appreciation to the Forum and acknowledged the support of the Plateau State Government.
He specifically credited Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, saying the Governor's approach to decentralised governance had created an enabling environment for Local Government chairmen to pursue development closer to the people.
Riti also thanked the people of Bassa for their support, cooperation and confidence in his administration, promising to sustain efforts aimed at addressing their needs and consolidating projects already initiated.
The Forum, in its anniversary proceedings, also passed a vote of confidence in Riti's leadership, citing what it described as his resilience and performance despite security challenges affecting parts of Plateau State.
The organisers further expressed political support for Governor Mutfwang's continuation in office in 2027, a position expressed at the event and reported as part of the proceedings.
The second anniversary, held under the theme “Two Years of Rebuilding. Two Years of Impact. Two Years of Service,” was therefore presented as both a review of the administration's record and a statement of its plans for the next phase.
The administration said it would focus on consolidating existing interventions, addressing emerging challenges and working with communities and other stakeholders to improve development outcomes across Bassa.
The anniversary activities, which attracted senior special assistants, political appointees, party leaders and other dignitaries, were followed by a press conference at Jos Hotel, where the administration's two-year record was further presented to journalists.
For the Riti administration, the award has become another recognition of its reported grassroots interventions.
