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.

The 30th session of the Executive Committee meeting of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) has ended in Lagos, Nigeria.

The UCLA is an amalgam of duly constituted leaders of African local governments with a pledge to overcome barriers inherited from colonization and work towards the continental unification of member local governments.

In his welcome address to August presence of the 45 active members elected by the General Assembly with 9 persons drawn from each of the five sub-regions of Africa and other guests, the ALGON National President welcomed participants on behalf of the over 774 Local Governments in Nigeria, the people of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. Said he "Lagos as a city that resonates with diversity, energy, and innovation, embodies the kind of dynamism of Africa's urban landscapes and reflects the potential of its entire cities to drive growth and development which the gathering is identified with".

He went further to remark that the United Cities of Local Governments of Africa is a beacon of collaboration and cooperation, and its efforts to promote sustainable urban development across the African continent have been truly commendable.

Hon. Kolade maintained that the crucial role that local and regional governments play in advancing the prosperity and well-being of our citizens cannot be underestimated hence the import of convening the meeting with optimum support of all our respective cities who are the architects of Africa's urban future.

He said that the Meetings are a testament to the collective commitment to working together, sharing knowledge, and finding innovative solutions to the challenges that the cities face, as they also offer a unique platform to foster collaboration, strengthen our networks, and build partnerships that can drive progress.

ALGON National President extended his gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Babajide Sanwolu the host Governor, the Government and good people of Lagos State, the United Cities of Local Governments of Africa, and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) for their dedication and hard work in making the event possible and a huge success. He specifically mentioned the UCLGA (Africa) President Mrs. Fatimetou Abel Malick, the Secretary-General Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi and others.

Highlights of the meeting were the adoption of the UCLGA Africa 2024 work plan and its Budget component alongside the discussion of its high-level Conference of Parties tagged (COP 28), the annual summit of UNFCCC's decision-making body (United Nations 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Dignitaries who attended the meeting include former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Seun Osiyemi, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Bolaji Dada, and Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Bolaji Kayode Robert.

Others were Deputy National President of ALGON Hon. Aminu Muazu Maifata, Chairman Board of Trustees of ALGON, Chief Odunayo Ategbero, Mallam Muhammed Bubu the YELO President, Hon. Mohammed Bappa ALGON National Treasurer, Barr. Mrs. Evan Enekwe the Ag. Director General ALGON, and others.

Happening now...

Details coming shortly.

…ALGON President denies receiving update from NSIA, makes case for inclusion of LGAs/Councils

The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee Investigating Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Sovereign Wealth Fund & Other Managed Funds on Tuesday grilled the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA over alleged of establishment Act.

The Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Hon. (Barr) Ademorin Kuye during the probe panel investigative hearing on Tuesday said his committee was inaugurated following a motion during the plenary session which expressed concern over the activities of NSIA.

The committee is investigating the NSIA from 2013 to date.

During the hearing, the President, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Hon. Alabi Kolade David said NSIA has not been carrying the local government councils along in respect of its Act.

Hon. Kolade who is also the Chairman, Somolu Bariga Local Government Area of Lagos State said instead of NSIA updating them and forward the certificates of ownership directly to them, it did not.

He said the certificates were rather sent through the state government but they did not get to the local government councils which are also shareholders of NSIA.

The Managing Director of NSIA, Aminu Umar Sadiq who promised to furnish the committee with relevant details also stated that henceforth, his agency will send the certificate directly to the local government councils.

The representative of the Director General of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, Director of Strategy, NGF said the total share of both the state and local governments in NSIA is 54 percent.

The Chairman of the probe panel, Hon. Kuye said the Director General of Nigerian Governor’s Forum, Accountant General of the Federation, Auditor General of the Federation and acting Governor of Central Bank should be available during the committee’s next sitting.

Recall that the House of Representatives last month unveiled plans to investigate the activities of Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) from inception to date.The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Yusuf Ahmed Doro, who underscored the need to assess the funds accrued into the agency’s coffers.

In his motion, Hon. Doro observed that the agency was empowered to receive, manage and invest the initial and future contribution on behalf of Nigeria in each of the future Generation Fund, the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund and Stabilization Fund pursuant to the allocation of contributions of the Federal Government, State Governments, Federal Capital Territory, and Local Government Area councils to prepare for the eventual depletion of Nigerians Hydrocarbon Resources for developing critical infrastructure in Nigeria.

“The House also notes that in compliance with the provision of the NSIA Act 2011signed in May, 2011 the fund was allocated an initial US$1 billion (Naira equivalent) in seed capital and other subsequent allocations to the funds by the federation.

“The House is aware that the NSIA Funds is composed of three distinct funds, (the Stabilization, future Generation and Nigeria Infrastructure funds respectively), each with specific investment and development objectives.

“The House is also aware that some of the managed funds by the Authority includes the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) where US$1 billion was injected for the construction of Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway and Lagos Ibadan Expressway,” he said.

To this end, the House set up an Ad-hoc Committee to assess the agency in compliance with the Establishment Act of 2011.

The committee adjourned to Thursday 24th August, 2023.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION: Signing of MOU by ALGON with Boost Communications to chart a new course on rural penetration took place on Wednesday 16th June 2021. Leading the august delegation is the National President of ALGON Hon Alabi Kolade David ably represented by Hon. Shehu Marshal Jega the Deputy National President. Others Include: The COS Hon Constantine Itiako Ikpokpo, D-G ALGON, Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello, Chairman BOT, Chief Odunayo Ategbero, ALGON National Treasurer Hon Maifata Muazu, Hon Ishola BOT Member, Hon Ozigi Director Finance and Accounts, Director Legal Services Barr. Mrs. Evan Enekwe, SNR Special Adviser to the N/P Chief Dimeji Lamu. The BOOST Communication MD and CEO ClearView TV Mr. Odion Bello and his Crew. D

ALGON AND FEDERAL MINISTRY OF MINES AND STEEL DEVELOPMENT MEETS @ ALGON NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AHEAD OF ITS PLANNED VIRTUAL CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY JULY 1ST 2021. In attendance are : The National President Hon. Alabi Kolade David ably represented by the Chief of Staff Hon. Itiako Ikpokpo, the DG ALGON Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello and the Hon Minister (state) Dr. Uche Ogah represented by the Chief of Staff Ekugi Kelechi, Ogunsakin Chinyere SA HMS and Anekwe Patrick Chinweuba TA HMS

The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Hon Alabi Kolade David has said that development of Nigeria’s solid minerals must be pursued vigorously to generate adequate resources to satisfy the huge economic needs of the country.

CORONATION: ALGON HARPS ON THE NEED TO RESPECT TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION AS KEY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS FOR RURAL GROWTH, FELICITATE'S EMIR OF KANO ALHAJI AMINU ADO BAYERO AS THE 15TH EMIR OF KANO