The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ALGON

  • Assembly summons commissioner, ALGON chair over Fed Govt grant

    Assembly summons commissioner, ALGON chair over Fed Govt grant

    Controversies have trailed the Federal Government’s conditional grant for businesses in Akwa Ibom State.

    At the centre of the disagreement are Commissioner for Economic Development Emem Bob and the Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, Mr Iniobong Robson.

    The duo have been summoned by the House of Assembly to explain the modalities they adopted in arriving at the 1, 072 nominees for the Federal Government’s grant.

    This was sequel to a motion brought before the House at plenary yesterday by the member representing Eket, Dr Nsidibe Akata, who queried the criteria used in arriving at the 1, 072 beneficiaries.

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    They are expected to brief the lawmakers on the modalities employed in arriving at the 1, 072 nominees for the Federal Government’s conditional grant for businesses, being part of Federal Government’s scheme to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

    The duo are expected to appear before a Special Ad-hoc Committee of the House today.

    Recall that the Federal Government had disbursed N50 billion to 774 local governments in the country as part of its programmes aimed at alleviating the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

  • ALGON hosts African local council areas’ meeting in Lagos

    ALGON hosts African local council areas’ meeting in Lagos

    To ensure African countries continue to be united, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has hosted its executive committee and the Pan-African Council of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa).

    The meeting focused on the adoption of the UCLG Africa 2024 work plan and 2024 budget and also discussed the preparation of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), the annual summit of the UNFCCC’s decision-making body (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), scheduled between November 30 and December 12,in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that there is no other time than now when African countries need to come together to form a strong force to move the continent forward.

    Sanwo-Olu said: “With the coming together of the local government chairmen within and outside the country, it is a good idea and I believe as time goes on, we shall begin to see the results of this meeting. This is a great idea which we all buy into and the state government is ready to give all its support to make sure that this kind of meeting continues.”

    Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Kayode Robert, said the coming together of the local government chairman and chairpersons is a good development, an avenue to share ideas and to form common goals for the development of the grassroots, local government and the entire continent as a whole.

    The Pioneer President of the Forum of Regions of Africa and former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, expressed high hopes with good wishes to the organisers of the  30th Executive Committee Meeting and the 27th Pan African Council Meeting of the United Cities and Local Government of Africa (UCLGA).

    Read Also: 5000 retired primary school teachers kick against ALGON’s N20bn pension deduction

    Fayemi noted that strengthening the regional economic communities of Africa, as a prerequisite for building bridges and blocks continental integration, was a key value proposition well-structured and aimed at addressing concerns of geographical, political, economic and social heterogeneity of the continent of Africa.

    President of ALGON, Kolade Alabi, said, Lagos is delighted to host the gathering, as it embodies the dynamism of Africa’s urban landscapes and reflects the potential to drive growth and development.

    “Lagos resonates with diversity, energy, and innovation. On behalf of the over 774 Local Governments in Nigeria, the people of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole, I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to all the esteemed members of UCLGA gathered here in Lagos State,” he said.

     He said UCLGA is a beacon of collaboration and cooperation, and its efforts to promote sustainable urban development across the African continent are commendable.

    “We recognise the crucial role that local and regional governments play in advancing the prosperity and well-being of our citizens. As we convene here, we are not just representatives of our respective cities; we are the architects of Africa’s urban future,” he said.

    He said the gatherings offer a unique platform to foster collaboration, strengthen networks, and build partnerships that can drive progress, saying “the 30th Executive Committee Meeting and the 27th Pan African Council Meeting are a testament to our commitment to working together, sharing knowledge, and finding innovative solutions to the challenges that our cities face. Let us embrace diversity and unity in our discussions, for it is through our differences that we can find the most creative and effective solutions.”

    Alabi hailed the Lagos State Government, UCLGA and ALGON for their dedication and hard work in making this event possible.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, commended the governor and ALGON for the programme which has brought people of Africa together towards achieving a common goal.

    “The deliberation cut across all borders, regions and countries. It greatly benefits us, as this fosters relationships amongst local governments, states and countries. It is of great importance. We all know where we are moving to by 2060 in the area of carbon and green economy. Everybody should work towards improving the environment to reduce carbon emissions.”

  • ALGON wants civilian JTF armed to fight bandits in Zamfara

    The Zamfara chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has urged the Nigeria Police Force to permit the Civilian Joint Task (CJTF), to carry rifles to ease the fight against bandits in the north western state.

    Its chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Umar, made the appeal on Wednesday in Guau, during a Stakeholders Security Town Hall Meeting with the acting IGP, Mohammed Adamu.

    He said that members of the CJTF, who were recently recruited by the state government to complement the effort of security agents, were conversant with the terrain of their respective areas and could identify most of the criminals operating around them.

    Represented by the Chairman of Zurmi Local Government Area, Dr Auwal Moriki, the ALGON boss regretted that the military had written to the state government requesting the withdrawal of the JTF.

    “We believe that withdrawing the CJTF is not advisable because we have seen how determined these youths are, in the fight against the bandits. We are confident that having received training from the armed forces, they can do the job.

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    “If they can be closely supervised by the Police while they handle the weapons, the challenges will certainly be surmounted and we are confident that this can be achieved,” he said.

    Also commenting on the matter, the representative of the CJTF, Mr. Ibrahim Muhammed, commended members of the CJTF for their bravery but acknowledged that there were some bad eggs among the security agents.

    “One of the major challenges we realised is that Police prosecutors often drop charges against hardened criminals that had confessed to committing atrocities when they get to the courts.

    “Ultimately, such criminals are set free and they return to threaten those they suspect reported them.

    “We are ever ready to do our best to curb the activities of these terror groups, but we need your support, prayers and the cooperation of the security agents we work with,” he said.

    Also contributing, the representative of the Council of Ulama in the state, Dr Aliyu Jangebe, called on leaders to be just and fair to all citizens, while citizens must pray for the leaders.

    “We may have individually or collectively offended God and we need to seek His forgiveness and help for us to see the end of this problem,” he advised.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the meeting was attended by traditional and community leaders, as well as herders and farmers.

  • History as Southwest produces first ALGON national president

    The representative of Lagos State in the All Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kolade Alabi, has been elected the National President of the association.

    The election was conducted by Odunayo Ategbero-led Board of Trustees (BoT) in conjunction with the members of the Transition Management Committee (TMC) in Abuja.

    Alabi emerged victorious after his challengers from Akwa Ibom and Delta states stepped down.

    He becomes the first person in the Southwest to emerged National President in the 20 years of the association.

    At the Chelsea Hotel in the Central Area of Abuja where he was sworn in last Thursday, Alabi thanked ALGON members for trusting him with the leadership of the association.

    He promised not to betray their trust by moving the association to the next level.

    He said: “The sustainable legacy that our out-going executives are leaving behind is well taken with “Applied Wisdom” in every sense of it and will serve as a lamp of experience for the next generation of leaders of ALGON.

    “In the light of the foregoing, it is with utmost temerity and joyful heart that I accept to serve as elected the President of the ALGON.

    “Within the political space of our dear nation and having given me the opportunity to steer the ship of ALGON, the kernel of advancing our cause towards an enviable trajectory is my vision and an unbiased or subjugated relationship is my mission.”

    He promised to liaise with the state governments to ensure a smooth transition of one council administration to another.

    “The panacea to the above challenge is to liaise with the State Governments continually so that we can transit effectively from the tenure of one administration to the next without acrimony. With this mindset and notwithstanding our diversity, we shall align, co-operate and collaborate with our respective state authorities for the general advancement of our people,” he said.

    To achieve this, he vowed to be guided by “our collective understanding that the following concepts regardless of our generational bracket ‘particularly as your President, I will always initiate, create opportunities to listen to divergent views, dynamic and adopt the principle of inclusion, representatives in action as well as decision-making committees.

    “Neither will I marginalise nor gag anyone for that matter. More importantly, l will be flexible with conventions and traditions.  The need, to move ALGON forward is key, instinctive and already placed in the front burner,” he said.

    Ategbero congratulated Alabi, who he described as a credible person capable of leading ALGON to the next level.

    He urged him not to disappoint the association.

    Other members of the executive include Mohammed Mahmoud Aliyu from Kaduna as the Deputy President, Ezekiel Pabuet (Plateau) – Auditor, Sani Hassan Dogarai (Gombe) – Treasurer, Toafik Isa (Kogi) – Legal Adviser, Frank Archibong (Akwa Ibom) – Financial Sec and Augustine Mbagwu (Imo) – Publicity Secretary.

  • ALGON gets interim committee to manage its affairs

    The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has announced the dissolution of its executives.

    A 23-member interim committee was put in place to run the affairs of the group for the next 60 days when a new leadership is expected emerged.

    Announcing the dissolution yesterday, Board of Trustees Chairman Odunayo Ategbero   said the dissolution followed the sacking of the incumbent chairman of the group, Tanko Gambo Kagara by Niger State government.

    He said: “This dissolution unfortunately affected  the immediate  past president  of the association of local government of Nigeria (ALGON) Tanks Gamboa Kamara, chairman of Rafi local government of Nigeria state, who forthwith ceased to be ALGON  president as a result of the dissolution. ALGON constitution states in section 17.2 that, when a member representative  a local  government  ceases to be a member of the local government, automatically  ceases to be member of the association  or organs thereof,. Therefore  means Tanko Gambo  Kagara has henceforth ceased to be the President  of ALGON. Also section 11. 2.1 states that deputy president shall take over the responsibilities and duties of the President if he is incapacitated, dead, removed or resigned.

    “The deputy president having  also  ceased  to be a serving local  government  chairman  in his state of Asia since December  2018 cannot  take over. The implication of this is that  a big  vacuum  in the leadership  of the association has been  created which necessitate  a transition management  committee to be put in place. The Constitution I section 17.1 state  that the board of incorporated trustees shall take  over the move able and immovable  assert of the association  in transition.

    It is as a result  of the foregoing  that the board of trustees is constituting a transition management  committee.

    “The transition committed shall hold forth in the management  of the association  for a period of time not exceeding sixty days after which it shall in conjunction with the states chapter chairman of ALGON in the 36 states of Nigeria  and FCT, call for election of a new president and other officers whose offices are vacant.”

    Members of the transition committee are:  Odunayo at Ategbero(chairman, BOT) South West,  Cyril Odinaka Okafor (Trustee) South East, Benson Asin(Trustee) South South, Aliyu Ikra  Bibis (Trustee) North West, Dr Bako Idhola (Trustee) North Central, Dr. Ted Ishegohi Edwards(Board Secretary) ,  Gambo Tanko Kagara, Bot member, North Central, Itiako Ikpokpo Malik (Death State) South South, Evbarekk Jenksin Osunde (Edo State) South South, Frank Achibong (Akwai-Ibom) south south, sani. So. Dogarai (Gombe State) North East, Nasiru Usman (Bauchi State) North East, Taofiq Issa(Kogi State) North East,  Ezekiel Vuelgap (Plateau State) North Central, Aliyu Tsafe(Zamfara State) North West,  Mohammed Mahmoud (Kaduna) North West, Kolade Alhaji (Lagos) South West, Jayeoba Boye ( Osunde State) South West,  Fred Chukwudi Ezinwa (Eungu State) South East,  Barr Mbagwu Augustine(Imo State) South East and Mohammed. I. Abubakar (TMC secretariat)

  • Fani-Kayode, Usman’s money laundering trial stalled again

    The trial of a former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and his finance (state) counterpart Mrs Nenadi Usman was stalled at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday.

    Mrs. Usman’s lawyers, Chief Ferdinand Orbih and Abiodun Owonikoko, both SANs, were absent.

    The case therefore could not go on despite the presence of Fani-Kayode’s lawyer Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN).

    Little progress has been made in the case since Usman filed an application last June seeking to summon Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed for publishing her name as an alleged looter.

    She initiated contempt proceedings against Mohammed after he released her name as one of the looters of the treasury.

    Read Also: Court restrains EFCC, Police from arresting Fani-Kayode, Odumakin

    Dismissing the application, Justice Rilwan Aikawa held that the contempt proceedings were a distraction capable of interfering with the trial.

    The judge held that the publication of Usman’s name as an alleged looter was not prejudicial to her case.

    He therefore dismissed the application for lacking in merit.

    The EFCC arraigned Mrs Usman and Fani-Kayode for alleged N4.6billion fraud, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    The former ministers were charged along with former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and ex-Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State Mr. Yusuf Danjuma and a company, Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Limited.

    The four were also accused of violating the Money Laundering Act by indirectly retaining N300million, N400million and N800million, all proceeds of corruption, according to EFCC.

    The prosecution said they allegedly committed the offence between January 8 and March 25, 2015 ahead of the general election.

    The case was also stalled last June 5 when reportedly Danjuma slumped while having a bath and was hospitalised.

    Trial was billed to resume that day, but Danjuma, a former Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was absent.

    His lawyer K.C Nwofo told the court that he received a call from Danjuma’s wife that the third defendant collapsed in the bathroom.

    Due to the absence of Usman’s lawyers on Thursday, Justice Aikawa adjourned until February 4 and 5 for trial.

  • Kwara council chairs defect to PDP

    Chairmen of the sixteen local government areas of Kwara state on Thursday announced their defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ).

    The chairmen with their decision toed the line Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed who dumped APC about three days ago for PDP.

    The state chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Joshua Omokanye told reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital.

    Mr. Omokanye who is also the council boss of Oyun local government area, said that their decision was not in conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and supported by Section 109 (1) (g).

    Omokanye said that the defectors are going along with it all political office holders at the third tier of government, added that it included council chairmen, vice chairmen, Speakers, LG secretaries, supervisory Councillors, 193 elected councillors and other political appointees.

    Said he: “It is our collective resolve to join the Peoples Democratic Party PDP as the worthy alternative platform to further our political careers and work for the advancement of the generality of our people. Since we are welcomed by the party, we have no doubt it wouldn’t be like the conglomeration of strange bedfellows that APC had been in the last four years.

    “We have in the recent time experienced untoward developments within the political party we all claim to belong and loyal to. Precisely, it would be noted that All Progressives Congress APC is being controlled by a cabal who are hellbent in destroying its ever -rising acceptability before the populace.

    “They have surreptitiously made it lose the compass of inclusiveness. It can today be said that APC is lacking internal democracy. It has sunk into an abysmal level of political decorum, regaling in civil misconduct and lagging behind in ethical standard, thereby impairing the growth of democratic culture in the political arena.

    “It is, to many of us, disgusting to note that all what the cabal controlling the party is doing is to cater for the personal interest and marshal the ego of a few interest groups within the party.

    “Noticeably, since the completion of Congresses and convention of APC, there has been flagrant disregard for decorum, disobedience and inconsistence in following party guidelines as well as subjugation of rules with impunity. These among others led to the emergence of a faction named rAPC within the party.

    “It would be recalled that recently there was an attempt to unlawfully dissolve the state executive of the party in Kwara state by the national working committee. Aside, there have been long drawn unrelenting assaults on some personalities whose views differ at some points. All these are injurious to the tenets of democracy.“

  • Edo ALGON gets new exco

    EDO State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), has elected Mr. Jenkins Osunde as its chairman. Jenkins is the chairman of Oredo Local Government.

    Other members of the new executives include Comrade John Akhigbe, Chairman, Etsako Central Local Council, as Vice Chairman; Hon. Victor Emuakhagbon, Chairman, Esan South East Local Council, as Secretary; while the Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Council, Hon. Waziri Edokpa, serves as the body’s Treasurer. Osunde announced this to newsmen after the State Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting presided over by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    He disclosed that a total of N2.97 billion accrued to the 18 local government councils in the state from the Federation Account in the month of April.

  • Zamfara confirms ALGON Chairman as Commissioner

    Zamfara confirms ALGON Chairman as Commissioner

    The Zamfara State House of Assembly on Monday screened Chairman, the state chapter of All Local Government Association of Nigeria ( ALGON ), Alhaji Muhammad Bello-Dankande as commissioner.

    Dankande is the current chairman of Bakura local government council in the state.

    The screening followed a motion moved by the House leader, Alhaji Isah Abdulmumin ( APC, Talata-Mafara North ), on Monday during the assembly’s plenary.

    He requested the House to screen, Dankande for appointment as a member of the state executive council.

    Read also: DPR to sanction four filling stations in Zamfara

    Abdulmumin said that the nominee is well know by the people of the state apart from his current position as chairman of Bakura local government council, he is also the current ALGON chairman in the state.

    The House leader, therefore, urged the members to agree with the motion and screen the nominee whose name was forwarded to the assembly by the state governor on Sunday, Jan. 7.

    The Speaker, Alhaji Sanusi Rikiji who read the request letter of the governor at the plenary, said even though the assembly was on recess but because of the importance of the message from the governor, “we have to suspend it to attend to this message”.

    Rikiji said the House had agreed to screen the nominee considering his years of experience and the services he rendered to the state in various capacities.

    After deliberations, the speaker, announced the confirmation of the nominee.

    Reports say that the nominee was elected as Bakura local government council chairman three times and appointed as caretaker of the council two times between 2000 and 2018

    NAN

  • ALGON, 16 foreign investors to assist farmers with 43,590 equipment

    ALGON, 16 foreign investors to assist farmers with 43,590 equipment

    As part of the nation’s new agricultural revolution project, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON)  and 16 foreign partners will provide farmers in 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) with 43,590 equipment under a Comprehensive Local Agricultural Plan (C-LAP) .

    The new policy is designed to increase food production and boost farmers’ access to vital tools.

    The  Organizing Secretary of C-LAP, Dr. Tanay Joshi, broke the news at the unveiling of the project blueprint at the first annual international seminar on the scheme  in Abuja

    He gave the breakdown of the machinery as follows: 3,874 tractors,  purchase of 15, 048 combine harvesters  and 24, 668 other farm tools to be deployed in farms nationwide.

    He described C-LAP as an integrated and participatory action plan formulated for rural farmers and such expected to add value to the nation’s agricultural raw materials, while showcasing the country to global agricultural markets.

    He said the project would be executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to ensure sustainability.

    Joshi said: “C-LAP is adopting bottom-up approach from the LGAs. We will deploy technologies that are affordable and accessible. So we have prepared to purchase 3,874 tractors, 15, 048 combine harvesters and 24,668 farm tools.”

    ”The main thrust of the experts and policymakers of C-LAP is to consider agricultural growth as a tool for poverty reduction and the need to diversify agricultural production on the basis of geographical locations and commercialization of agro-products.

    “This plan will also create business opportunities for franchise operators, jobs for the youth and reduce wastage of agricultural produce, as there is a defined retail network to absorb production.

    “It will empower farmers and agripreneurs through self-employment as an option for generating additional income and boosting full-fledged livelihood sustainability.

    “C-LAP will create opportunities for private investors to invest in food chains and the business can be taken to the capital market in three to four years to make the local government a financially viable tier of government.

    “C-LAP will be implemented in the 774 LGAs of Nigeria over an initial five-year period and under this project, the component of food security and livelihood enhancement has been given top priority.

    One of the key facilitators of the scheme, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, said the project will help to combat all unemployment in the country.