The NAF Conference Center Kado Abuja hosted a high-level workshop, led by ALGON National President Bello Lawal, to enhance the role of Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Legal Identity and Birth Registration.

This initiative brings together critical stakeholders, including the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), UNICEF, National Population Commission (NPC), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and BARNKSFORTE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

In attendance were top ALGON executives, including Hon. Shehu Marshal, Hon. Zakari Ilyiasu ALGON Niger, Hon. Hanani Hamisu Mohammed ALGON Plateau, Hon. Lelei Tariyie Isaac, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa ALGON Delta, Hon. Inyang Yibala Igri, Hon. Prof Abdurrahman Salim Lawal ALGON Jigawa, Jamilau Abubakar Dambatta ALGON Kano, Jamilau Abubakar Albani ALGON Kaduna, Hon. Dr Uwemedimo Udo ALGON Akwa Ibom, Hon. (Engr) Adikibe Ikenna Anthony ALGON Imo, ALGON Kwara, Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi, Hon. Ojo Oluwasegun ALGON Ekiti, Hon. Chinedu Ekeke ALGON Abia, Hon. Maurice Orwough ALGON Benue, Hon. Mohammad Dahiru ALGON Kebbi, Hon. Samaila Husani ALGON Zamfara, Hon. Safiyanu Isa ALGON Nasarawa, Hon Barr. Uburu Chinedu ALGON Ebonyi, Barr. (Mrs) Evan Enekwe Ag. Director General ALGON, Mallam Nuhu Ozigi FCA DFA ALGON, Chief Dimeji Lamuren DP&R ALGON amongst others.

Notable stakeholders from partner organizations include Dr. Ibrahim Sesay, UNICEF representative, Dr. Ojogun Osifo, Director General National Population Commission, represented by Moses Agada Emmanuel, and Chidera Ike-Okonkwo, Chief Legal Officer Barnksforte Technologies Ltd., Pharm. Mohammed Mohammed Deputy Director NPHCDA among others.

The workshop aimed to promote good governance, transparency, and accountability in local governments by enhancing the capacity of LGA officers to deliver excellent services, particularly in legal identity and birth registration. Key objectives include capacity building, transparency, and accountability, as well as improved service delivery.

Expected outcomes include strengthened institutional frameworks for legal identity and birth registration in LGAs, enhanced collaboration among LGAs, national institutions, and international organizations, and improved service delivery leading to better outcomes for citizens.

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting good governance in local government areas (LGAs) through its partnership with the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) organization. This collaboration aims to enhance the capacity of the 774 LGAs officers and Area Councils in Nigeria.

In a closed-door meeting held in Abuja, ALGON National President, Hon. (Engr.) Bello Lawal, emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and sustainable fiscal quality in local governments. He commended PACE for initiating the programme, particularly in the area of budgeting, which has been a source of concern at the local government level.

The meeting focused on institutional assessment and local governance toolkit, championed by PACE, a governance programme funded by the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (UKFCDO). Hon. Lawal noted that ALGON has extensive partnerships with organizations providing assistance in enhancing the capacity of LGA leaders through training programmes, budgeting, and auditing.

Hon. Lawal, in his goodwill message, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting local governments by revitalizing their administrative systems alongside the NGF’s, represented by Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab. He also appreciated Mr. Tanimu Yakubu, the DG Budget Office, represented by Dr. Ado Mohammed, and the Judiciary during the strategic event.

The ALGON National President stated that the meeting’s framework and budgeting process aim to provide clear guidance on avoiding pitfalls and ensuring transparent administration by the LGA officers to deliver excellent services. He emphasized the essence of the programme, which is to ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainable fiscal quality assurance in local governments administration moving forward.

The meeting was attended by top local government leaders, EXCO members, and representatives from the Nigeria Governors Forum, PACE, and the Budget Office. The attendees included Hon. Moses Nomeh (Ebonyi), Shehu Jega Marshall (Kebbi), Dr. Aminu Jauro Hassan (Taraba), Ilyiasu Zakari (Niger), Isaiah Onoriode Esiovwa (Delta), Bukar Adamu (Yobe), Mahmoud Bamaji (Bauchi), Abubakar Abdullahi (Kwara), Abba Shehu Tambawal (Sokoto), Anani Hamisu (Plateau), Maurice Orwough (Benue), Ahmed Gangkuba (Adamawa), Akala Samuel (Nasarawa), and others.

ALGON’s management team, led by Barr. (Mrs.) Evan Enekwe, Ag. DG, Nuhu Salawu Ozigi, FCA, Lawal Ibrahim, Chief Venatus Okafor, and others, also attended the meeting. All parties agreed on the importance of domesticating the programme to ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainable fiscal quality assurance in local governments administration moving forward.

The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. (Engr.) Bello Lawal has paid tribute to sacrifices and legacy of the Fallen Heroes on the sidelines of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration in Abuja.

In a press statement issued this afternoon from his Abuja Media Office, Engr. Bello reflected on the profound impact of the Fallen Heroes, remembering the brave men and women who gave their last breath for Nigeria’s freedom in several lines of duties.

“Their hearts, once beating with hope and dreams, now lie still, but their legacy resonates in our hearts. As we celebrate them every year, the rural populace remembers them with every passing second, minute, hour, day, and night. They were instrumental to the domestic peace we are enjoying despite obvious security challenges; it is important to honour them and ask Allah to accept their shortcomings”.

Engr. Bello emphasized that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes serve as a steady reminder of the price of peace and the value of courage. He prayed that their memory would inspire Nigerians to cherish the freedom they enjoy and honor their sacrifices, while also remembering in no small measure their families.

The ALGON National President commended the selflessness and devotion of the fallen heroes to the Nigerian project, praying that their legacy will continue to inspire greatness and uphold the values they fought for. He urged Nigerians at the rural areas to stand together in honoring the sacrifices of the fallen heroes, promoting a peaceful, indivisible, and prosperous Nigeria.

The Federal Government said it concluded arrangements for the implementation of the Local Governments Proof of Address (PoA) System across the nation’s 774 Local Government Areas in a bid to boost national security, economic planning and strengthen national identity management.

Director, Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation OSGF, Segun Imohiosen who disclosed this in a statement Wednesday in Abuja said the SGF, Sen. George Akume, made the disclosure at the stakeholder’s meeting for the Activation and Implementation of the Local Government Proof of Address System.

According to him, the meeting had in attendance some key stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and a representative from the German Embassy in Abuja.

The SGF, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, in the OSGF, Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri said “the PoA will provide Nigerians with a verifiable and secure address, which would form an integral part of all administrative processes in both the public and private sectors”.

According to Sen. Akume, when the initiative is fully implemented across the country, “law enforcement agencies will have a robust database of verifiable addresses of Nigerians to enable them to track and mitigate criminal activities and social vices”.

He added that it will also bring development to the LGAs in allocating resources and implementing policies, as well as reduce risk in lending, delivery services, and commerce.

Akume advised all MDAs to adopt the use of the Proof of Address certificate from the LGAs as a requirement to establish reliable and verifiable address, assuring that the Proof of Address System Initiative is an embodiment of hope, a symbol of progress, and a testament to the dedication of this administration to creating a better Nigeria for all.

Speaking earlier, the National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. (Engr.) Bello Lawal, represented by his Special Assistant and former Chairman, Karu LGA, Hon. Akala Samuel assured that the PoA will provide a verifiable address for Nigerians, which would lay a foundation for improved governance, planning, and service delivery, and will in turn contribute to greater security, economic prosperity, and social development across the nation.

He added that the employment of the initiative will equip agencies like the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Security Service, and other law enforcement agencies to gather accurate data for intelligence to stem insecurity at the grassroots.

In his goodwill message, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Gunther, represented by Police Liaison Officer (CID) German Embassy, Dominik Mueller said Nigeria is on course towards the implementation of the PoA initiatives which is the same system that has been functioning well in Germany with verifiable evidence.

ALGON PARTNERS UNICEF TO STRENGTHEN BIRTH REGISTRATION CAPACITY.

Monday, December 9 2024.

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other Development Partners to strengthen its birth registration capacity.

This initiative aims to promote grassroots service delivery in Local Governments and Area Councils, aligning with the capacity strengthening strategy of ALGON’s National President, Hon. (Engr.) Bello Lawal.

According to UNICEF Chief Child Protection Ibrahim Sesy, birth registration is crucial, with 22,977 live births occurring daily, and 957 to 1000 births every hour. This underscores the need for Local Governments to enforce the process of delivering such services strategically to the poorly informed rural population.

The forum agreed that birth registration records will help National Planning, Budgeting, Medical Science management and Disease control, economic forecasting, post-natal care, supply and drug administration.

The 2-day event will continue on tomorrow Tuesday 10th December, focusing on best practices for decentralization and localization of birth registration and legal identity.

Other ALGON delegations in attendance include the ALGON National Publicity Secretary, Hon Hamisu Anani, Hon. Aminu Jauro Hassan ALGON Taraba, Hon. Kayode Adegbayo SA Programmes and representatives from various state ALGON chapters.

This initiative is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of universal birth registration by 2030. By strengthening birth registration capacity, ALGON and its partners aim to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.

*Benefits of Birth Registration*

– Helps National Planning, Budgeting, and Medical Science management

– Enables access to essential services such as education and healthcare

– Provides legal identity and protects children’s rights

– Facilitates economic forecasting and post natal care

ALGON and its partners are committed to strengthening birth registration capacity and promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.

My team and I recently held a vital meeting with top representatives of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). This collaborative meeting was convened with one clear purpose: to explore transformative strategies for reactivating the economic potential of our local governments and communities, positioning households as centers of prosperity.

A critical enabler of this vision is ensuring energy security, an essential foundation for driving sustainable growth. ALGON presented the Sustainable Energy Access Project (SEAP), a groundbreaking initiative designed to tackle energy poverty head-on.

This initiative, a collaboration between ALGON and Data Analytics and Solutions Ltd, proposes scalable technologies and innovative financing models to deliver affordable and clean energy to every local government area in Nigeria. I am particularly inspired by the potential of SEAP to directly align with our ministry’s mandate to drive innovation, foster technological advancements, and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7: affordable and clean energy for all.

As we all know, Nigeria faces a profound energy crisis, particularly in rural areas, where the lack of reliable energy hampers development and devastates livelihoods. Energy access is not just an infrastructure issue; it is a social justice imperative. Through the SEAP initiative, it creates a possibility to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions for cooking, transportation, and other essential needs, unlocking the economic potential of our rural communities.

The Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is deeply committed to this mission. The ministry’s role in SEAP will include offering technical and policy expertise, fostering partnerships, and crafting a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable energy access. This aligns seamlessly with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of strengthening local government councils as drivers of grassroots development and socio-economic growth.

The SEAP initiative represents an unparalleled opportunity to liberate millions of Nigerians from the grip of energy poverty. It will require significant investments, robust stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building efforts, but the potential rewards are immense. By integrating energy solutions into rural development plans, we can uplift communities, improve livelihoods, and create a platform for shared prosperity across Nigeria.

The discussion included (Hon.) Engr. Bello Lawal, National President of ALGON; Chief Moses Nomeh, Deputy National President of ALGON; Andy Ibekaku, Director of Data Analytics and Solutions Ltd; Elder Okoronkwo Chudu, BOT Treasurer of IPMAN and Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, DG/CEO of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.

With a renewed sense of optimism, the potential of the SEAP initiative will be enormous. The discussion included representatives of ALGON, Data Analytics and Solutions Ltd, IPMAN and the DG/CEO Energy Commission, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, all of whom are key stakeholders in advancing energy security and science and technology backed transformative energy solutions for Nigerians.

HM Uche Geoffrey Nnaji

@ChiefUcheNnaji

In a landmark move aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, the chairmen of 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have pledged to provide 25 per cent counterpart funding for the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).                                                                                                                                                                                                                

This commitment is part of the ALGON Primary Healthcare Revitalization and Operationalization Programme (APH-ROP), which seeks to improve healthcare delivery nationwide.

Speaking in Abuja, the National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. (Engr.) Bello Lawal emphasized that the initiative aligns with ALGON’s vision of using primary healthcare as a cornerstone for improved health outcomes and local government autonomy. “The APH-ROP mobilises resources and establishes partnerships to create a digitalized healthcare system linked to the National Health Data System,” Lawal explained.

The programme aims to address resource mobilisation, digital transformation, supply chain optimization, and emergency response services. It incorporates innovative approaches to track health trends, improve accountability and enhance the availability of essential medical supplies.

According to Lawal, this initiative is a step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and aligns with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He highlighted ALGON’s plans to strengthen governance frameworks, build human resource capacity, and enhance community-based advocacy efforts.

Dr. Bolanle Olusola-Faleye of the USAID-funded Local Health System Sustainability Project hailed the programme’s potential, particularly its focus on reducing maternal and child mortality. She, however, underscored the importance of sustainability and equity to ensure no community is left behind.

With implementation expected to begin next year, ALGON’s commitment signifies a renewed push to transform healthcare across Nigeria, fostering collaboration among stakeholders for a more resilient system.

The ALGON National President presentation at the 65th NCH was in compliance with the National Health Act 2014 Section 11 Subsection 5(b).

The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon.(Engr.) Bello Lawal, has congratulated the Country Director, Management, and staff of Society for Family Health (SFH) on their 40th anniversary.

In a message delivered during the anniversary celebration and book launch in Abuja, Dr. Ben Nkechika, ALGON Consultant on Health, who represented the ALGON National President, thanked Mr. Omokhudu Idogho, the Managing Director of Society for Family Health Nigeria, for the privilege of working together.

This partnership has led to several transformative health programs that have positively impacted communities across the country.