JUNE 26, 2024.

ALGON MEDIA

...NATIONAL PRESIDENT HON. AMINU MU’AZU MAIFATA LEADS DELEGATION TO AWARENESS EVENT

In a bid to tackle drug and substance abuse, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to raise awareness and promote sensitization.

Led by National President Hon. Aminu Mu’azu Maifata, a high-powered ALGON delegation attended the event, which was also graced by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The event aimed to highlight the importance of local government involvement in combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking. ALGON emphasized the need for engagement, information, advocacy, and accelerated sensitization at the grassroots level to achieve maximum results.

The NDLEA Executive Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), led the event, which brought together Ministers, DGs of various departments and agencies, international partners, and multi-sectoral stakeholders.

With the theme “LOCAL GOVERNMENTS LEADING THE CHARGE AGAINST DRUG ABUSE,” ALGON reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts in tackling the menace of drug abuse and ensuring a safer Nigeria.

Hon. Aminu Mu’azu Maifata, the National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has issued a statement in celebration of Eid El Kabir, urging for unity and community development. “May the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which embody peace and love, inspire us to uphold righteousness,” said Hon. Maifata, emphasizing the need for sacrifices with compassion during these economically challenging times.

ALGON’s commitment to justice and improved living standards is at the forefront of their advocacy.

“We remain committed to advocating for justice and fairness in Local Government Administration,” Hon. Maifata stated, highlighting the association’s dedication to ensuring that constituents enjoy a sense of belonging in their local government.

The statement concludes with a hopeful Eid Mubarak, as ALGON continues to strive for economic development and social security that will lead to reduced costs and national prosperity.

Just In...

May 11, 2024.

The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Aminu Mu’azu Maifata, has on behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Association announced the appointment of Sir Itiako Ikpokpo (KSM) as the Director General of the Association.

His appointment was sequel to his nomination by the National President and subsequent ratification by the National Executive Council at the 47th National Executive Council of the association held on March 21, 2024 in Abuja.

Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, a serial entrepreneur brings to the ALGON stable a decade of remarkable experience, practical know-how and active involvement in local government governance as former two-term Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, two-term Chairman of ALGON in Delta State, one time Deputy National President of ALGON, and the Chief of Staff to the immediate past National President of ALGON, Hon. Kolade David Alabi.

Sir Ikpokpo was the President, Students’ Union, University of Port Harcourt and is a Graduate of History and Diplomatic Studies from same university.

The National leadership of ALGON anticipates that he will reposition the Association and drive critical synergy towards the improvement of local government governance in tune with emerging national and socio-political realities.

His appointment is with immediate effect.

He takes over from Hajiya Binta Bello whose tenure expired in November 2023.

He is married to Lady Peikumor Itiako-Ikpokpo and blessed with children.

Hon. Shehu Jega, a lawyer, has been appointed as the Chief of Staff to the National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon Aminu Mu’azu Maifata.

This is according to a letter issued from the ALGON Headquarters, Abuja.

In the letter, Hon. Jega was enjoined to bring his vast years of experience across multi-sectoral areas and shared diversity to bear in the daunting task of pivoting and invigorating the 25 year-old Association with uncommon innovation, managerial ability and profound administrative exposure for a more robust and prosperous Association.

He was a former Chairman of Jega Local Government Area of Kebbi State and one-time Sole Administrator in the same local council.

The office was instrumental to his elevation and election as the ALGON Deputy National President till the expiration of his tenure in 2022.

Hon Jega is a 2007 graduate of Bayero University Kano, with LLB (Hons), and having attended the Nigeria Law School Lagos in 2008.

He was a member of NBA and Aluminums IVLP Washington DC USA.

The new chief of staff to the ALGON National President has vast experience in several facet of legal profession as Adviser, Company Secretary, and Attorney in Chief, as well as Legal Consultant, Legal Assistant-High Court of Justice Kaduna State 2008, Tutor at Nigeria Police College, Oji River in Oji River Local government in Enugu State, South-East of Nigeria in 2009 and many other life development encounter where his ideas and ingenuity came alive with other evidences that dots the political and social space.

Hon. Jega resonates a true progressive disposition and an astute bureaucrat with bias for result. He is happily married.

The New ALGON National Executive Council members are as follows:

Honorable Aminu Mu’azu Maifata serves as the Chairman of ALGON in Nasarawa State and he hails from Lafia Local Government in Nasarawa State.

Honorable Chief Moses O. Nomeh serves as the Chairman of ALGON in Ebonyi State, he hails from Ezza North Local Government Area in Ebonyi State.

 Honorable Newman O. Ugiagbe serves as the Chairman of ALGON in Edo State and he hails from Orhionmwon Local Government Area in Edo State.

 Honorable Bala Usman Chamo serves as the Chairman of ALGON in Jigawa State and he hails from Dutse Local Government Area in Jigawa State.

 Honorable Emilola-Gazal Babatunde serves as the Chairman of ALGON in Ogun State and he hails from Ijebu Ode Local Government Area in Ogun State.

 Honorable (Dr.) Aminu Jauro Hassan serves as the Chairman of ALGON in Taraba State and he hails from Jalingo Local Government Area in Taraba State.

Honorable Bukar Adamu serves as the Chairman of ALGON Yobe State and he hails from Damaturu Local Government Area in Yobe State.

The Chairman of Lafia Local Government Council of Nasarawa State and Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Nasarawa State chapter, Hon. Maifata Aminu Mu'azu, has emerged as the National President of the association.


He takes over from Hon. Kolade Alabi, who presided over the affairs of the association from April 2019 to March 2024.

Until his election, Hon. Maifata Mu'azu served at the National Executive Council, (NEC) of ALGON as National Treasurer and National Deputy President respectively.

Hon. Mu'azu holds a Bachelor and Master's Degrees in Economics from the University of Jos and Nasarawa State University.

He was lecturer at the Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia between 2003 and 2018. Hon. Mu'azu served as Special Adviser on Solid Mineral Development to the Governor Umaru Tanko Al- Makura of Nasarawa State from 2017- 2018.

Hon. Maifata Mu'azu is expected to bring his tested intellect, proven and vast experience to bear in the acceleration of ALGON's vision of promoting efficient and grassroot driven local government governance and pursue effective partnerships with critical national, state and international stakeholders.

He is happily married, and the union is blessed with children.

....Pledges Support To National President

...Says IMC Is Dead And ALGON Now A One United Family

The 45th National Executive Council meeting of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has ended in Abuja the Nation’s capital.

The meeting venue was agog when one Abdullahi Shuaibu Maje, the former Chairman of Suleja Local Government and Chairman of the proscribed IMC made entry to the venue while meeting was in progress.

Members and other stakeholders at the venue were thrown into pandemonium for few minutes his presence was announce by the ALGON National President.

Hon. Kolade Alabi David noted that a guest in the person of Hon. Maje was in their midst.

It was a mix bag as sights were transfixed with reception and sounds dropped to slight-pin-drop-silence, during the pause for his introduction. The situation later gave way to maze and disquiet amongst members.

Hon. Maje was hailed and allowed to have the floor for few minutes.

He rose to greet the Association and praised them for the commitment in the drive for grassroots-centric governance noting through his brief remark that he was formerly championing the proscribed Interim Management Commitment (IMC) of ALGON in a misunderstood manner but said the idea is dead.

He said that having left office way back a year ago and having come to terms with realities on ground, it was incumbent on him to jettison the ill-conceived faction.

Hon. Maje described ALGON as one family and said that he was happy to reunite with them.

Rising to commend his strength of character and profound resolve to let go the past, the Algon State Chairman of Jigawa Local Government, Hon. Alhaji Bala Usman Chamo representing Dutse LGA said he was very happy to see his good friend Maje to have reunited to their fold. This according to him demonstrates love and strength of character by Maje to finally identify with the family, he pointed that ALGON is one.

Also, the outgoing NEC representative of Bauchi State, Hon. Yusuf Garba expressed happiness to have seen his personal friend Hon. Maje in their midst. He said that peace and togetherness was necessary to move the grassroots government forward in the interest of millions of people residing in the Councils.

The meeting which was the last in the year 2023 saw a huge attendance of both principal officers, NEC, BOT, Management with impressive size at Abuja Continental Hotel.

Top of it's resolution was hinged on Global acceptance in the decentralization of power to Local Governments which was a take home message from the ALGON National President who just returned from Brussels, Belgium meeting, captioned 'Cities and Regions for international partnerships 2023 Forum' with the theme: Localizing Global Gateway, Connecting Intermediary Cities And Investing Together For More Inclusive And Innovative Sustainable Cities And Regions.

The Association's decision-making body used the meeting to announce it's take off of advocacy for strengthening the Local Government through campaign for conduct of elections against the backdrop of use of caretakers to divert the Councils funds.

ALGON expressed its resolve to unite under one roof to fight for the democratization of Local Governance leveraging on the huge information and strategies for attracting direct investment to the Councils at the disposal of the National President having traversed continents of the Africa, Asia, Europe and America with issues of rural development taking the front stage as well as and devolution of power to the sub-nationals and amongst other key issues of national interests.

The meeting ended around 12:46am, Thursday morning.

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, and the Public Sector Leadership and Social Innovation Academy, PSLSIA, have forged a long-term strategy to boost local government competitiveness.

According to the partners, the collaboration will also coincide with the formal launch of PSLSIA which will be held in Abuja.

Founder of PSLSIA, Dr. Noel Akpata, while speaking on this shed light on the academy’s mission, emphasizing the critical role it will play in fostering innovation and cultivating effective leadership within the public sector.

Akpata said, “Our goal is to empower leaders with the skills and insights necessary to navigate the evolving landscape of governance and social innovation.”

Chairman PSLSIA, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, former Minister of Finance, former Minister of National Planning, and Chairman of CitiBank Nigeria, underscored the imperative for local government autonomy.

Usman further stressed the vital need for enhanced innovation and deepened leadership acumen to propel Nigeria towards sustained growth and development.

Also, the President of ALGON, Mr. Kolade Alabi, while endorsing the strategic initiative pledged unwavering long-term support.

Alabi said: “This partnership signifies a crucial step towards fostering synergy between the public sector and local governance. ALGON is committed to working hand in hand with PSLSIA to drive positive change and elevate the competitiveness of our local governments.”

The collaboration between ALGON and PSLSIA marks a pivotal moment in the quest for effective governance, innovation, and leadership excellence.

Both parties are poised to combine their expertise and resources to address the challenges faced by local governments and propel them toward a future of increased competitiveness and sustainable development

The Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration has remained consistent with strategic partnerships and policies that will greatly affect the development of the state and the country at large.

This was further reinforced by the Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments Affairs Hon. Kayode Bolaji Roberts who shared his perspectives with newsmen at Radisson Blu, Ikeja Lagos during the meeting. 

Hon Roberts was among the special guests invited to the 2 Day meeting of the Executive Committee and Pan-African Council of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA Africa).

He narrated how the City of Lagos and Nigeria at large can attract Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) using the platform and the demographic advantage of the organization.

He said that Lagos was ready to leverage the abundant opportunities to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as well as increase access to grassroots participation corroborating the gains listed, the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon Bolaji Dada stated that with heterogenous outlook of Lagos, it’s rich economic viability with shared diversity, it was ready to stimulate growth and ensure zero tolerance to poverty.

She advocated for Gender mainstreaming and inclusion which in her view has become best practices the world over as such will shore up the nation’s GDP through stronger involvement of women in the political space.

Earlier the Hon Commissioner for Transportation Lagos state, Seun Osiyemi took a different dimension with insights on the huge benefits that the UCLGA can facilitate like bringing to operation, the Continental Free Trade Agreement (cFTA) viz a viz other strategic importance of its deep-sea value chain like the Blue Economy in line with the Renewed Hope mantra of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which according to him has the support of Mr. Governor in maximizing the Deep Sea asset in the state as a gateway to Africa and the World. 

He noted that Transportation is the linchpin to drive the African and UCLGA Agenda for United development, Osiyemi said that the government’s political will in Lagos state has made the state exemplary and an epicentre of ideas for emerging African and local leaders to harvest.

The three Commissioners thanked Hon. Alabi Kolade David the ALGON National President for making Lagos proud and described him as a bridge builder, and development expert having traversed numerous breakthroughs in diverse government programmes, politics, social life and industry which are all evidenced.