The 48th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has commenced in Lafia, Nasarawa State, with the national president, Hon Aminu Mu’azu Maifata, presiding over the gathering.

The meeting, which has drawn a large attendance of stakeholders, is expected to tackle pressing national issues, including the recent Supreme Court judgement that affirmed the autonomy of local governments in Nigeria.

The meeting follows a successful transition on March 21 this year, during the 47th NEC meeting in Abuja, where the immediate past national president, Hon Alabi Kolade David, handed over to the new national president, Hon Aminu Mu’azu Maifata.

The new president, who is also the Executive Chairman of Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, has made significant progress, including the appointment of Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, KSM, as the Director General of ALGON.

The Director General, along with the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Odunayo Ategbero, and other executive members representing their respective states, are in attendance at the meeting.

The leadership of ALGON paid a scheduled courtesy call to the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe, at the Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftancy Affairs.

The meeting is expected to issue a communique on Friday, addressing the key issues discussed during the gathering.

- As Marwa charges council chairmen on grassroots advocacy, drug test, others.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, have agreed to work together to curb the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in communities across the country.

This was one of the agreements reached at a meeting when the National President of ALGON, Hon. Aminu Mu’azu Maifata led other leaders of the umbrella body for all local government chairmen in the country on a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Addressing the ALGON leaders, Marwa expressed the preparedness of NDLEA to work with the council chairmen to ensure that people at the grassroots are well sensitized about the dangers of abusing illicit drugs and also provide help for those already indulging in the unhealthy habit.

According to the NDLEA boss, were particularly happy that you’re here to identify with our work and partner with us because you are the closest tier of government to the people especially the grassroots and our communities where majority of Nigerians reside. This is more so because the drug scourge is in virtually all our communities, no community across the country is spared and as such, we need your partnership to cascade all our efforts in terms of drug demand reduction and even the supply reduction, down to the remote communities.

This partnership is also important coming at a time when were deploying our personnel to the local government areas to establish our physical presence in the rural communities so that we can support you to curb the scourge of drug abuse and illicit drug dealing, which fuel crimes and criminalities in those areas.”

He encouraged the ALGON leaders to mobilize their members nationwide to set up local government drug control committees and War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), committees comprising traditional rulers, community gatekeepers, opinion and religious leaders as well as market and women groups, among others at the community level. These committees similar to what obtains at the national and state levels, he said, will work with NDLEA commands to coordinate the fight against the drug menace in the communities.

He encouraged them to also take advocacy and drug test as major components of their efforts when they return to their local governments to begin implementation of the various strategies discussed at the meeting. He added that to make drug test easier, the Agency has mass produced quality test kits easy to use at home, offices and others with the aim of early detection and providing treatment for those who test positive as well as engendering deterrence. 

In his remark, the ALGON National President, Hon. Aminu Maitafa lamented the negative impact of drug abuse on the health, businesses and security of lives and property at the grassroots while expressing the commitment of the body to work with NDLEA to ensure that the ugly development is urgently reversed. 

As the body of local governments in Nigeria, we appreciate the enormous work this Agency is doing under your leadership and that is why we have come to partner with you so that we can collectively stamp out the drug abuse problem from our communities. He assured that they will emplace necessary structures that will facilitate the deployment of NDLEA personnel to their council areas.

Other ALGON leaders at the meeting include: Sir Itiako  Ikpokpo KSM, Director General; Hon. Bala Chamo, National Publicity Secretary; Hon. Aminu Jairo Hassan, National Welfare Officer; Hon. Adamu Bukar, National Auditor; and Hon. Shehu Jega, Chief of Staff to the National President.

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.