Meet the Mayor: Teddy's Vision for a Safer, Cleaner Abelemkpe

By Avik Grover | Humans of Abelemkpe Series

Video Interview

In this week’s episode of Humans of Abelemkpe, we had the privilege of sitting down with Teddy, the long-serving and deeply committed mayor of Abelemkpe. With over 12 years of experience under his belt—spanning two six-year terms—Teddy has become a central figure in shaping the community’s development, security, and spirit.

Born and raised in Abelemkpe, Teddy has spent his entire life working to uplift the area he calls home. "I've always been here," he shared, "just trying to get things done, bringing in donor support, and working with groups like Lincoln to help build libraries and ensure safety in our neighborhoods."

When asked about his favorite part of the job, Teddy lit up. "Meeting with the community youth, playing football, and socializing—that’s the best part. It brings people together."

But Teddy’s leadership extends beyond community bonding. Under his tenure, security in Abelemkpe has significantly improved. One of his proudest achievements is the recent construction of a local police station. “We’ve been facing issues like theft at night, and we wanted to make sure people feel safe walking around anytime. Security is key.”

Environmental cleanliness is also high on his list of priorities. Teddy is spearheading an initiative to install more waste bins throughout the town to combat littering and keep the streets clean. "We want our community to look good. Streetlights, sanitation, and a clean environment all contribute to that."

Becoming mayor in Abelemkpe isn’t a simple task. As Teddy explained, it’s a rigorous and highly personal process. “You need to be a role model, someone people can trust. You have to go house to house—over 6,000 people—telling them your intentions, your plans, your vision.” Teddy has done that twice, and each time, the people responded with overwhelming support.

Looking ahead, Teddy sees the mayoral role as a stepping stone. “It’s a system. After mayor, you can aim to be a minister, maybe even vice president or president. But first, you need to prove yourself locally.”

Despite his ambition, Teddy remains grounded in what makes Abelemkpe special: its peace and its people. "It's a quiet place, a little removed from the hustle and bustle. I love that. And now we want to work with Lincoln to bring more opportunities and brightness to our side of the community."

As our interview wrapped up, one thing was clear: Teddy is more than a mayor—he’s a visionary with his feet firmly planted in the heart of Abelemkpe. His dedication to security, cleanliness, youth engagement, and long-term growth is shaping a future that residents can be proud of.