As Nigeria join other Countries of the world to usher in the year 2022, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) heartily rejoices and truly associate itself with the attendant excitement that comes with it.


In a teleconferecing between the ALGON National President, Hon Alabi Kolade David, his Deputy, Hon. Maifata Aminu Muazu, National Legal Adviser, Hon Ebonka, National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Solomon Onah, Chief Of Staff, Hon Itiako Ikpokpo, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Hon. Odunayo Ategbero and the Director General, Hajiya Binta Bello, they all collectively pointed to the kind of sacrifices, resilience and perseverance which the constituents have made in the past to become winners into the new year and makes case for mainstreaming the Council's as the destination for development.


In his contribution, the ALGON National President said "It is important for us to acknowledge God for life and such great opportunity must be the first.


“As you can see how time flies, everything in 2019 has now become history amid slow economy, hunger, disease, infection, banditry, kidnapping and so on.


“For the very fact that we are alive, let us all be grateful and thankful for other things will surely come.


“Under my leadership in ALGON we are continuing with our programmes certified and endorsed by the NEC meaning that it has the buy-in of all the rural populace where all of us come from and we cannot be faulted in providing better reasons for development to thrive at that level", Hon. Alabi said.


Also, the Deputy National President, Hon. Aminu Muazu, in his reaction observed that forging ahead was not negotiable as he looks forward to more value addition by the umbrella body in the year 2022 through strengthening of its advocacy for a better rural governance that will bring functional Local Governments and Councils to guarantee better future of the rural populace and their common good.


Also Speaking, the National Legal Adviser of ALGON, Hon. Ebonka Victor, pointed out that no matter how the national challenges may be, ALGON is unrelenting to work with other Tiers of Government to make greater success.


Corroborating the earlier plan of the National Executive Council in it's recent meeting in Lagos, on way forward, he said that substantial part of all efforts in the year will be to support all the policy direction and also explore use of domestic solution to solve problems through innovation across Councils.

Such solutions, he said, include the likes of employment creation through programmes like NAMTAXS and NATIS, continuous capacity utilization of it's manpower and it's vast natural resources to encourage private concerns for local manufacturing and Ease of Doing Business.


It was equally his view that across the Communities, records have shown that unemployment rate is visibly high and the councils are not only overwhelmed by poor (Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) but are also, generally, financially insolvent due to its huge responsibilities in the Constitution.


He said that to address such requires total support by all.

For this reasons, according to him, ALGON will continue to seek a stronger, united Association so as to have seamless programmes and one voice and make strong cases especially in the course of Constitution Amendment to attract the best for the Councils and encourage poverty alleviation.


He added, “if only through our own efforts alone, we may not do so unless through a well-organised collaboration which is key to success even in IGR strategy.”


Also the National Publicity Secretary of ALGON, Hon. Solomon Onah, stressed the need for continuous interface and results oriented engagements aimed at bringing people up to speed to build bridges, equip them with modern trends, best practices and create space for solutions to attract steady growth that will bring lasting unity and progress in the rural areas.


The Chief of Staff to the ALGON National President, Hon Itiako Ikpokpo, commended the present leadership of ALGON for its vision and team spirit to move the Association forward.


He noted that such has become necessary to keep the grassroots community abreast with developments as seen world over.


According to him, local governments remains the epicenter of development.

Hon. Ikpokpo opined that continuous engagement on desirability of the system and consolidating ALGON relationship with other Tiers of Government will remain a game changer to behold in the future.


The ALGON BOT Chairman, Hon. Odunayo Ategbero, in his view believes that the year 2022 presents another veritable opportunity filled with genuine hope.


He said he was optimistic of many positive outcomes of last year which has prepared grounds for more transformation in ALGON for better.


Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello, the present Director-General of ALGON, gave it a wrap by identifying the importance of Local Governments and Councils in Nigeria.

Adamu Bello maintained that the local government is where everybody comes from, as a primary constituency, and needs to be supported by all to succeed.