Former spokesperson of the defunct Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and the former Chairman of Ekiti Local Government of Kwara State, Hon. Yinka Dallas has warned of fraudulent persons masquerading as IMC members with unlawful agenda.

Hon. Yinka Dallas who gave full details of how members of the defunct IMC were misled into what he described as “a mistake” in a statement on Monday, said they later realised that no provision in ALGON constitution envisaged the formation of the IMC and jettisoned the idea of factionalising ALGON.

He urged security agencies, government institutions and media to assist the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in its war against the “present IMC fraudulent arrangements who are currently using the name of ALGON/IMC which doesn't exist to defraud the unsuspecting public.”  


Recalling how the IMC was formed, Hon. Yinka Dallas
said “In view of its exigency and importance to alert the Nigerian populace, including the security agencies on the recent happenings in the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) leadership, this press Statement has indeed become necessary.


“Given that sometime last year, April to be precise, out of misconceptions,  misinformation and little or no knowledge of the ALGON Constitution, some set of Local Government Chairmen decided to factionalize ALGON by creating the so-called Interim Management Committee (IMC) with the claim and argument that Hon. Kolade David Alabi - the substantive (ALGON National President) duly elected is not supposed to occupy the position as ALGON National President. 


“Be that as it may, Hon. Abdullahi Maje, Chairman Suleja Local Government, Niger State was nominated to head the said IMC!


“The IMC did not stop at that, we equally went ahead to secure an interim injunction from the Court to stop Hon. Kolade Alabi from parading himself as the ALGON National President!”, Hon. Dallas noted.


According to him, “Exactly July 5th 2020, the Federal High Court Abuja turned down our request and denied us an injunction. 


“At this period, the Governor of Niger State from available report gathered, had instructed Hon. Maje to desist from parading himself as ALGON IMC Chairman and that he must not be part of any move to factionalize ALGON. At that point Hon. Maje withdrew his participation from IMC. 


“In other not to create vacuum, and to sustain the momentum of such ill-advised desperation, Maje's (IMC) Deputy was made the chairman in person of Hon. Ropo Ige, the Chairman of Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State. 


“At this point, the stakeholders of the Association, including the ALGON Board of Trustees (BOT) felt concerned and stepped into the matter. At that moment, so many things were made clear to us (The IMC) and ALGON Constitution was also thoroughly made clear to us.


“For the sake of the Association and not to create any IMC that is not known to the ALGON Constitution, we all dropped our ego and embraced the authentic and mainstream leadership of Hon. Kolade David Alabi led ALGON”, Hon. Yinka Dallas stated.


Looking at matters arising from the misconceptions and ill-intentions, he maintained that “It was sad of recent that we started reading in some online medium as well as from other media organisations of Hon. Maje going around and proclaiming himself as IMC Chairman again!!


“The members of the defunct IMC carried out an independent investigation of what could have led to the resurrection of such dead matter and we realised the fact that it was a move to defraud the uninformed Nigerians, Government institutions, the Political class and others”, Hon. Dallas warned.


Urging action against the menace, he said that “It is instructive to note that, why we use this medium to call on the general public to be very careful in dealing with the Hon. Maje led non-existent IMC, we equally want the Nigeria Security Agencies, Institutions and it's ally's to rise up to the task of curbing this type of menace in our society especially now that they are moving from one Government Institution to another.


“Moreover, it will be important to reaffirm to the Nigerian populace that IMC is alien to ALGON Constitution as earlier noted and therefore we will no longer be part of such aberration for the sake of strengthening the Association and securing the future of the Local Governments and Area Councils as well as generations yet unborn. 


“Finally, we want to appeal to the Nigeria Media establishments, to please while in their bid to sanitize our society with investigative reportage, professional ettiquette and Code of Conduct, we equally urge them to be our mouthpiece in the war against the present IMC fraudulent arrangements who are currently using the name of ALGON/IMC which doesn't exist to defraud the unsuspecting public”, the statement concluded.

Fact check by our correspondent indicates that the splinter group named IMC that broke away from ALGON had nine months ago collapsed and pledged loyalty to the Hon. Kolade David Alabi-led leadership of the Association.

The dissident group, after about eight months of rebellion, said they were misled but pledged loyalty to ALGON National President, Hon. Alabi.

The defunct IMC members had also in their resolution, which was signed by Hon. Ige Ropo Emmanuel, Hon. Adeagbo Adeniyi, Hon. Dangiye Ubarugu, Hon Emeka Ogelle, Hon. Idi Aminu, Hon. Wasiu Owolabi and Hon. Yinka Dallas Ayeni, pledged loyalty to Hon. Alabi led National Executive Committee (NEC) of ALGON.

In line with preparations for the forthcoming governorship elections in Anambra State, the APC Support Group For Andy Uba has continued its ward-to-ward tour in Onitsha North Local Government Area, saying that for Ndigbo to realise their desire to produce the president of Nigeria in 2023, APC has to win the governorship election in November.

Addressing members of the group in ward 2, GRA Onitsha, the local government coordinator of the group, Hon Victor Mba reiterated their campaign strategies of “Operation-Win-Your-Polling-Booth”, adding that all hands must be on deck towards achieving victory for Senator Andy Uba.

Hon Victor Mba assured members of the group that campaign logistics would soon be equitably and transparently distributed to them, stressing that loyal party members who won their polling booths would be adequately compensated.
He charged the members to redouble their efforts in canvassing and mobilising prospective voters at their various polling units and wards to vote for APC during the November 6 Governorship Elections.
He also used the occasion to debunk the propaganda that APC was a Hausa party, pointing out that Senator Andy Uba is an Igbo man, not a Hausa man.

The APC Support Group Coordinator in Onitsha North further admonished members of the group to shun financial inducement from opposition parties and charged them to enlighten eligible voters who are yet to obtain their voters cards to avail themselves of the CVR exercise to enable them discharge their franchise during the elections. He urged the member to endeavour to contribute their opinions and suggestions on the way forward.

Also speaking, a former Governorship candidate of ACPN in the 2017 elections in Anambra State, Comrade Akunwata Ejoh Ojiba expressed confidence on the victory of Andy Uba in the forthcoming Nov 6 elections, adding that current political development is an indication of the victory of APC at the polls.

Comrade Akunwata Ojiba who is the zonal coordinator of APC ward-to-ward ambassadors (WWA) observed that APC had no serious challengers or contenders in the present political dispensation, stressing that members should close ranks and work assiduously with unity of purpose to ensure a landslide victory for the party.

In his contribution, a member of the APC National Campaign Committee for Anambra Governorship Election and former 2-time member, House of Representatives, Onitsha Federal Constituency, Hon Gozie Agbakoba reiterated the need for members of the Support Group to imbibe the mantra of “Operation-Win-Your-Polling-Booth” campaign strategies.

He extolled the sterling leadership qualities of Senator Andy Uba, adding that he was the most experienced candidate with a mission and vision to rescue Anambra from total collapse of infrastructural facilities. He also disclosed that efforts were being made to obtain comprehensive data of the voting pattern in the various polling units.

Hon Jude Oniah in his speech stated that the time has come for APC to take over governance in Anambra state. Hon Oniah was a former CAN House of Assembly candidate described Senator Andy Uba as an experienced politician with pedigree, track records, impeccable character and political will and zeal to rescue Anambra from collapse.

He observed that current opinion polls favoured Andy Uba, adding that members of the group should rise to the moment by intensifying their efforts towards canvassing and mobilising at least 30 prospective voters each at their various polling units through door-to-door, family-by-family, neighbourhood campaign strategies.

The ward coordinator, Hon. Emmanuel Naza expressed gratitude for the tour and the massive turn out of residents of the ward for the interactive session and pledged that the ward would be delivered during the elections.

Katsina State Deputy Governor Qs Mannir Yakubu said the recent refunds of payments for the Hajj 2020/2021, totaling N768,930,455.30 to 599 to intending pilgrims is a further demonstration of the commitment of Governor Aminu Bello Masari administration to openness and accountable leadership.

The 2020/2021 Hajj was cancelled by the Saudi authorities due to the new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state deputy governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Musa Kallah on Wednesday night, noted that “the welfare of pilgrims and residents will continue to remain the prioritised of the state government.”

Alhaji Mannir Yakubu explained that measures were taken by the Masari administration to ensure that no intending pilgrim was shortchanged or under paid.

He added that the measures taken by the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, include a pre-verification exercise, which led to the display of names of pilgrims and the amount they paid at all zonal offices prior to the refunds.


Alhaji Yakubu's reaction came after the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society orgainsation that reports Hajj activities, commended the policies adopted by Katsina State government for the implementation of the refunds to intending pilgrims.

He said that the state government will continue to give all necessary assistance and guide to the intending pilgrims whenever the need may arise.


The Deputy Governor commended the efforts of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board officials under the Executive Director for successfully conducting the refunds to intending pilgrims for 2020/2021.


The Executive Director of Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare, Alhaji Suleiman Nuhu Kuki, had in press released in August given details of the refund exercise to the general public.

According to him, the refunds were in five batches as the board refunded the sum of N407,834,977 to 331 intending pilgrims in the first batch, with N176,085,477.65 released to 134 intending pilgrims in the second batch, while a total sum of N77,330,000.00 paid to 63 intending pilgrims in the third batch.

In the fourth batch the board refunded 67 intending pilgrims with a total sum of N80,040,000.00 and N27,640,000.00 for 24 intending pilgrims in batch five.

The board has refunded a total of N768,930,455.30 in the five batches to a total of 599 intending pilgrims.

The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Alabi Kolade David, the National Executive Council (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT), management and staff of the association have heartily condoled Governor Nyesom Wike, the Government and people of Rivers State as well as ALGON Rivers State over the sudden death of one of their colleagues, the Executive Council Chairman, Bonny Local Government Area, late Hon. David Rogers Irimagha.

The council boss died in his sleep on Tuesday.

In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of ALGON, Hon. Solomon Onah, the Association said “the entire LGAs and Councils in Nigeria are saddened by the incident and are in deep mourning over this loss.”

ALGON noted that “It is highly regrettable, especially at this time that his service to the good people of Bonny LGA is in dire need.”

ALGON further expressed its “sincere sympathy to the wife, Children, the family as well as the entire Bonny Council alongside good people of Revers State respectively.

“May God in His infinite mercy, grant his soul eternal rest.

“Once again accept our deepest condolences”, the statement concluded.

In continuation of its ward tour, the APC support group for Andy Uba has intensified its efforts in sensitizing APC faithfuls in the wards in Onitsha North Local Government areas on the need to close ranks and work with concerted efforts towards achieving victory for the party at the forthcoming governorship elections in the state.

Addressing a cross-section of residents and party faithfuls in Ward I, a member of the APC National Campaign Committee for Anambra Elections and 2-time member of the House of Representatives for Onitsha Federal Constituency, Hon Gozie Agbakoba, reiterated the straitegy of polling booth-by-polling booth mobilisation system, stressing that party members should work assiduously towards winning their polling booths at the polls.

Hon Agbakoba who is also a BOT member, ward-to-ward ambassador (WWA) explained that past electoral data was being studied to identify areas of voting where the party did not perform well in order to redress the situation.

He stated that the party agent would be adequately provided with all necessary logistics and security to enable them discharge their duties effectively.

Hon Agbakoba disclosed that the group would soon organise a sensitisation/harmonisation workshop at the Sharon Hall, Onitsha.

In his contribution, the zonal coordinator APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors (WWA) South East Zone, Comrade Akunwata Ejor Ojiba, called for all hands to be on deck towards ensuring the success of the Andy-4-Govenor Project.
Chief Ojiba, who is a former governorship candidate of ACPN in the 2017 governorship election in Anambra State, expressed confidence in the victory of Andy Ubah in the November 6th elections considering current political evection favour of APC.

He reminded the party faithful that verifiable data would determine individual performances at the various polling units.

He described Senator Andy Ubah as the divine game changer that would rescue the state from the present visionless leadership and collapse infrastructures.

In this speech, the local government coordinator, APC Support Group for Andy Ubah, Hon Victor Mba, decried double crossing and betrayal attitude among some unscrupulous members of the party and warned that it would no longer be business as usual in the present political set-up.

He admonished prospective party agents to sit up and ensure they discharge their assignments diligently and strive to win their polling units and wards.

Hon Mba urged the party faithful to guide their voter’s cards jealously and shun any financial inducement from opposition parties.

He urged APC members of the ward to remain courageous and focused, adding that they would be adequately equipped with working tools and logistics at the polling unit level.

The coordinator for Ward I APC Support Group for Andy Ubah, Hon Fidelis Nkwocha expressed delight at the attendance of APC chieftains at the interactive session and pledged to reliable efforts in ensuring victory for the party at the ward.

Earlier, an APC stakeholder in Onitsha North LGA, Chief Nnabuenyi Jude Oniah called for concerted efforts of all factions of the party, adding that all the factions should unite and eschew divisive tendencies.

According to Chief Oniah, all should close ranks and work with unity of purpose towards realising the Andy Ubah for Governor aspiration.

He advocated the adoption of polling-unit-by-polling-unit, door-to-door and family-by-family canvassing strategy.

…As Mchells Universal Solutions Debuts In Purchase, Collection



The National Anti-Multiple Taxation Scheme (NAMTAXS) and National Transit Insurance Scheme (NATIS) projects have commenced with issuance of stickers to certified Vendors and Authorized Agents.



At the maiden sale of the stickers on Friday afternoon at the national headquarters of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), one Mchells Universal Solutions made initial payment and collected the sticker value of the paid sum.



Addressing the gathering, the Director-General of ALGON, Mrs Binta Bello ably represented by the Director Legal and Admin, Barr. Mrs Evan Enekwe, thanked the representative of Mchells Solutions for keying into the project.



He call on others to follow up and maximize the window created by the project1 to put an end on illegal collection of levies, fees, and charges on the road.



She said that the project has come to save the hardship which the end users encounter in the course of doing their business.




Also speaking, the Chairman of the planning and implementation of ALGON NAMTAXS AND NATIS, Mr. Nuhu Ozigi expressed delight on the successful take off of the project.



He called on others to expedite action to make it a success noting that Banks that were present honoured the invitation to build relationships and support the project.



Mr. Ozigi thanked them alongside some Consultants, including IPI, Cyber 1, and its coordinating Consultant and others who were present.



Members of the management and staff of ALGON also graced the colourful occasion.

Katsina State Government has reassured of its resolve to collaborate with other governmental organizations and private bodies toward infrastructural and economic development of the state.


The State Deputy Governor, Qs Mannir Yakubu gave the assurance when he visited the headquarters of Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in Abuja.


Alhaji Mannir Yakubu said the objective of the visit is to increase collaboration between Katsina State and the commission towards promoting public private partnership and ensuring that all agencies abide by the terms of contract among others.


He explained that the components of the visit include issue of Funtua Textile and Garment Park, Lambar Rimi wind mill power project, completion of Funtua Dry Port, among others.


The Deputy Governor further said the state has been intensifying collaboration with all relevant stake holders to ensure the set goals is achieved.


Alhaji Mannir Yakubu revealed that in his position as chairman micro ,small and medium enterprises council and state planning commission, the visit is part of the MSME council's collaboration with the Federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to ensure rapid economic development of the state.


He noted that Katsina state is the highest producer of cotton in Nigeria and Funtua has a lot of Cotton Ginneries which is suitable for the establishment of Funtua Integrated Textile and Garment Park.


On the issue of Funtua Inland Dry Port, the Deputy Governor said the possess all required facilities including rail line, trunk A road, and electricity supply, among others.


He called on ICRC DG to intimate shippers council for the realisation of the project


Speaking during the visit the Director General of the Katsina State Investment Promotion Council (KIPA), Alhaji Ibrahim Tukur Jikanshi called on ICRC to build the capacity of the state officials in public private partnership.


He also called for the possibility of linking Funtua rail lines with Kano - Katsina to Maradi rail lines.


In his remarks the Ag DG infrastructure concession and Regulatory commission Barrister Joseph Aniku Michael said infrastructure concession Regulatory council was to regulate public private partnership (PPP) endeavours of Federal Republic of Nigeria.


He added that the aim to address Nigerian physical infrastructure deficit which hampers economic development.


The DG said part of the collaborative effort include plan to conduct economic summit in katsina state.


Responding on the need for capacity building the DG ICRC stated it's readiness to that effect and called for the formation of a technical team to facilitate better collaboration in the area of realisation of Funtua Textile And Garment Park And Inland Dry Port.

A women political pressure group in Anambra state known as Governor’s League has called on women in the state to participate actively in the present political dispensation in order to install the right candidate for the governorship of the state.

Speaking during a solidarity rally held at Onitsha residence of Hon Gozie Agbakoba, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, who is also a member of the APC National Campaign Committee for Anambra Election and B.O.T member of the APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors, the leader of the Governor’s League, Hon. Nkechi Itodo urged all women to identify with the Andy Uba for Governor Project in the interest of a better Anambra State.

Hon Nkechi Itodo stated that providence has made it expedient for Senator Andy Ubah to take over governance in the state to salvage the state from bad leadership.

She pledged that the over 1000-strong members of the league were prepared and ready to vote and mobilize support for the success of the Andy Ubah governorship aspiration.

She commended the South East zonal coordinator of the APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors (WWA), Comrade Akunwata Ejoh Ojiba and Hon. Gozie Agbakoba for their sterling leadership qualities in articulating the Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors campaign programmes towards a landslide victory for Andy Uba.

In his speech, Comrade Ejoh Ojiba called on all support groups of the party to eschew divisive tendencies, close ranks and work with unity of purpose towards ensuring the realisation of victory for the party and its candidate, Senator Andy Uba at the November 6 Anambra governorship poll.

Comrade Akunwata Ejoh Ojiba who was a former governorship candidate of ACPN in the 2017 in Anambra State urged the women group to fully cue into the operation win-your-polling-booth strategy of the WWA through massive mobilisation of prospective voters at their various polling units and ensuring that they cast their votes for APC in the governorship election.

Also speaking, while receiving the women group at his Hill-Top GRA residence in Onitsha, a member of the APC National Campaign Committee for Anambra Election and B.O.T member of APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors, Hon Gozie Agbakoba commended the mobilisation efforts and capacity of Hon. Nkechi Itodo and urged the group not to relent in their efforts.

By the way, Aisha took her son to London in 2013, yet, she returned to fight for a better country? Oh, what a white soul!

God is a rewarder.

Those who see activism as an ATM, when are you starting your own? Or you don't like money ni? Senseless is a free gift.

Congratulations. How I wish we have stable education system, I'm sure you and your son would not have needed to cry.

Truth be told, when Nigeria my country was Nigeria, oyibo people scramble for visa to school in Nigeria. Unfortunately, things have fallen apart and the centre is struggling to hold!

I laugh in Chinese. Twitter is not loosing anything. FG officials are tweeting, Senators too, every Nigerian who use twitter for their business are still busy tweeting. Shame on pride and ego!

In an efforts to end incessant casualties resulting from road mishaps in the state, the Katsina state Government has inaugurated Katsina Road Safety Advisory Council.

During the inauguration on Wednesday, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State said the council is an advisory body to the the Technical Working Group (TWG) which is expected to drive the Nigerian Road Safety Strategy III (NRSS III) from 2021 to 2030 in the state.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Qs. Mannir Yakubu, said the body is a replica of the National Advisory Council on Road Safety (NARSAC) at the national level.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Ibrahim Musa Kallah in a statement on Wednesday said the Governor noted that the Council is expected to fashion out for the state a robust strategy that will give birth to an enduring road safety in the state.

The Governor then urged members of the council to serve as a guide for the technical working group (TWG) to make katsina state roads the safest in the country where traffic crashes should result to no death cases or casualties.

He charged the stakeholders and the General public to make road safety everyone's business, as captured in the NRSS III.

In the same vein, the Governor urged local Government Councils to leverage on the feat to ensure the take-off of the program in their respective local Government areas by inagurating the local government road safety advisory council.

He called on members of the council to put in their best to see that the menace of road traffic crashes become a thing of the past in the state and the country at large.

Members of the council include the state Deputy Governor, who is the chairman, and the State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Other members are the Commissioner of Justice, Commissioner of Finance, Commissioner for Education, Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Commissioner for Environment, the State Planning Commissioner, and representative of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE).

Earlier, the Katsina State Sector Commander of the FRSC, A. S. Tanimu, said the Nigerian Road Safety Strategy III (NRSS III) 2021 - 2031 is a second edition of an action plan to improve road safety in Nigeria to align the country's safety management approach with global best practices.

He said the programme is designed to promote the application of five pillars matrix to the decade of action for Road safety which is the application of the safe system approach to Road safety.

He enumerated the five pillars five pillars to include, road safety management, safer road and mobility, safer vehicle,
safer road users, and post-crash response or care.

Ahead of the November 6, 2021 Governorship election in Anambra State, Bishop Emeka Nwakpa, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is an Onitsha based clergy, has predicted the victory for Senator Andy Uba at the poll.

Making the prediction during a recent tour to ward 12 in Onitsha North Local Government Area, by the APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors, an Andy Uba Support group, he said that Senator Andy Uba would emerge as the next Governor of the state.

According to him, judging by the rate many frontline politicians at both national and state levels were decamping from their various parties to identify with the Andy Uba for governor project, his victory is imminent.

Bishop Nwakpa described the grassroots campaign strategies of the APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors as a right step in the right direction, adding that attention should be focused more on the polling unit levels, to ensure a landslide victory.

Addressing the party faithfuls at ward 12, a member of the national campaign committee for the Anambra State governorship election and former two-term member Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Gozie Agbakoba, challenged party members to redouble their efforts in convincing and mobilising the electorates to cast their votes for Senator Andy Uba in order to rescue Ndi Anambra from the various collapsed infrastructures occasioned by the present lackluster and visionless leadership.

He called on the party men and women to show more dedication, loyalty and commitment to the Andy Uba for Governor Project, urging them to shun financial inducement from opposition parties.

He stressed that they should focus on the bigger picture instead of instant gratification.

On his part, former Governorship candidate of ACPN, Comrade Akunwata Ejoh Ojiba, who is the South East zonal chairman of APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors, tasked members of the ward to endeavour to mobilise at least 10 prospective voters each during the election through the group’s ‘Operation Door-To-Door Campaign’.

In his contribution, the coordinator APC Support Group for Andy Uba, Hon Victor Mba, admonished the members not to relent in their efforts, stressing that members would be adequately equipped with campaign materials and logistics to ensure victory for the party during the elections.

He maintained that only those who won their polling booths would be adequately rewarded.
In his speech, an APC stakeholder, Hon. Nnabuenyi Jude Oniah expressed satisfaction with the massive turnout of APC supporters at the ward 12 session and commended the coordinator of the ward, Hon. Uzochukwu Nwanonye, fondly called Bestman, for his mobilisation efforts.

He noted with delight the presence of notable and noteworthy political stalwarts such as Hon. Gozie Agbakoba, Comrade Akunwata Ejoh Ojiba, Bishop Emeka Nwakpa, and Earnest Anyaduba, among other party chieftains.

He stated that an APC government in Anambra state would pave way for Igbo Presidency in 2023 and enjoined the party faithfuls to monitor and defend their votes at the various polling booths by conscientiously embarking on the group’s neighbourhood ‘door-to-door’ and ‘family-to-family’ campaign and mobilisation to ensure a landslide victory at the polls.

The group had visited ward 2 a week earlier, where many party stakeholders expressed their commitment and support for the Andy Uba for Governor Project.

Katsina State Government has said that with the launching of 600 hectares date palm planting campaign in the state, Katsina’s Agricultural Restoration Project is on course.


Governor Aminu Bello Masari stated this at the launching of the National Date palm planting of 600 hectares campaign in the state organized by the National Association of Date Palm Farmers Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NADAFPAM) in collaboration with the state government.

Governor Masari further explained that the 600 hectares targeted across the state will ensure the participation of small and medium scale farmers who constitute 80% of the state farming population.

He said that there is need for development partners to come in for development along with their value chain especially the central bank (CBN) through its anchor borrower programme in which loan could be secured with a 3years repayment period and above.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari further disclose that the state will continue to provide infrastructure, agricultural inputs, farm machineries for agricultural mechanization and create conducive environment for development partners.

He said his administration Will deploy modern trend of precision agriculture for increased productivity and continue to support farmers to enable them have access to improved farming techniques and agricultural inputs as well as enhance surplus production in order to close the gaps of food shortage created by banditry in the front line local government areas.

Earlier the state Deputy Governor, Qs Mannir Yakubu, who is also the commissioner of Agriculture in the state, said the 600 hectares of land provided to the state chapter of NADAFPAM for allocation to their members is on agreed condition and 20 hectares will be provided in each of the seven local government areas while 17 hectares will be provided in each of the remaining 27 local government areas of the state.

The Deputy Governor said 41 youths from the 34 local government have being selected to undergo a train-the-trainers (ToT) workshop on the establishment and management of date palm and a step down training will be conducted to other youth in the state.

He said that the National chapter of NADAFPAM will provide assorted date palm seedlings, protective clothing and manure amounting to the sum of N36.7 million.

Mannir Yakubu disclosed that Katsina State Government through the ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in collaboration with national and international partners has lined up series of activities and programme that are farmers driven for the development of agriculture in the state. This is in tandem with the state Agricultural restoration project aimed at catapulting the state Agriculture to a higher level.

...As Niger State ALGON Chairman Hon. Ibrahim Bosso, Others Join Grand Reception Dinner in Honour of Hon. Alabi Kolade David


The Chairman of Gurara Local Government Council of Niger State, Hon. Yusuf Wakili AKA ‘Gurara’, accompanied by the state ALGON Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Bosso, has hosted the ALGON National President, Hon. Alabi Kolade David, His Deputy Marshal Jega, NEC members, among other top leaders of the Association led the Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Odunayo Ategbero to what is seen as a grand dinner in Abuja.

Described by ALGON watchers as a breathtaking Wednesday evening filled with pomp and pageantry, the Chairman of Gurara Local Government Council, Hon. Yusuf Wali took members of the National Executive Council of ALGON and the BOT to the red carpet reception dinner after it’s long afternoon meeting at the ALGON national headquarters.

In his welcome address, the host and Chairman of Gurara Local Government of Niger state Hon Yusuf welcomed guests with array of mouthwatering delicacies prepared by a group of chefs specially engaged to make the best of the evening.

The National President, Hon Alabi Kolade David has applauded the gathering and described it as one of the most entertaining evening and the exciting reunion of ALGON ever held in Abuja in the recent times.

He said that ALGON has always been in the news about either NEC meeting or BOT but by such gesture and invitation, it has redefined it’s meeting with warm reception by its great friend a pillar and strong allay of the Association.

He thanked the ALGON Niger Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Bosso for the kind of solidarity he has continued to demonstrate to the Association in Niger and urged him to continue to deliver service to his constituents.

Earlier the Deputy National President, Hon. Shehu Marshal Jega called on members to always see such opportunity as a unifying one amongst all members and thanked the Host Chairman for treating them to an entertaining evening with lots of food, drinks and so on.

In attendance were the Chief of Staff to the President Hon. Itiako Malik Ikpokpo, ALGON Chairmen from Abia, Hon Ibe Nwoke, Delta, Hon Ebonta Victor, Imo, Hon Willie Okolieogwo, Hon. Semi Nola Lawal of Ogun, Hon. Maifata Muazu of ALGON Nasarawa, ALGON Osun, BOT members representing North Central, Hon. Ishola and that of the South East Hon. Cyril Okafor, also on hand were Chief Dimeji Lamu, Hon Mohammed, Head of Public Relations & Protocol, Venatus Okafor, among others.

From the Celebrity roll call, the get-together had some Nollywood movie crooners like ‘Ibu’, Zack Orji and some array of Hausa celebrities led by ‘Maisunkwu’.

It was indeed an evening of glitz and razzmatazz with music reverting back and forth through the ekonic roof top and open seat out, another reminder of meeting in Enugu, Delta and Kano by ALGON under the dynamic leadership of Alabi, the National President who has as part of his policy direction decentralized NEC Meetings to geopolitical zones to close ranks and entrench love.

As if ALGON has had it’s fair share of the meeting for North Central due to the incredible party by Hon. Gurara, the answer is ‘no’ because the gathering was a single display of love and solidarity to the Kolade David Alabi-led Executive after a successful BOT and NEC Meeting in Abuja.

Ahead of the November 6th Governorship Elections in Anambra State, Hon Victor Mba, the Coordinator of the APC Mobilisers, a support group for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APA), Andy Ubah, has called on APC faithful in the area to close ranks and work with unity of purpose towards ensuring victory for Senator Andy Ubah in the forthcoming elections in the state.

Making the call while addressing APC faithful during an interactive session held at the Umuosuma Square Ward 3 Inland Town, Onitsha, Hon Victor Mba charged all the project coordinators and their 10 member delegates each from the 15 wards in Onitsha North to embrace the group’s strategy of Booth-By-Booth, Polling Unit by Polling Unit monitoring system, adding that they should endeavor to discharge their assignments diligently.

Hon Victor Mba also disclosed that the group would soon embark on ward tours to sensitize the electorates on the need to participate actively in the forthcoming elections by ensuring that they obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) to enable them cast their votes during elections.

Also speaking, the zonal coordinators, APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors, South East Zone, Comrade Akunwata Ejoh Ojiba urged members of the party to be dedicated and work hard for the success of the Andy Ubah for the Governor Project.

He called for concerted efforts towards ensuring the achievement of the party’s aspirations, adding that he was confident that APC would win a landslide victory at the polls come November 6th, 2021.

In his contribution a former member of the House of Representatives, Onitsha Federal Constituency Hon Gozie Agbokoba commended the group for the proposed ward tour.

He noted that the plan was not only timely, but also strategic, stressing that members should redouble their efforts towards winning at the polling booths level.

Hon Agbakoba further urged the group to use the opportunity of the ward tour to strategize for the coming elections based on polling unit by polling unit monitoring and mobilization of eligible voters.

He called on eligible voters who are yet to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) to avail themselves of the opportunity of the ongoing online continuous voters registration exercise to obtain their PVC to enable them exercise their franchise.

After Tuesday's botched efforts by Hon. Abdullahi Maje, the Chairman of Suleja Local Government Area, on Thursday afternoon at about 2pm, Maje led a group of thugs to invade the national headquarters of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

Maje has since been apprehended and handed over to law enforcement agencies, alongside his cohorts.

The National President of ALGON, Hon Alabi kolade David has in his reaction called for calm as the security agencies are on top of the matter.

According to a report by The Street Reporters Newspapers, an online news portal, the Suleja council boss failed in attempt to forcefully gain entrance to the ALGON national headquarters at Zambezi Crescent, Abuja on Tuesday leading to the arrest of one accomplice simply identified as Mr. Leonard as Security agencies took control of the situation.

Hon. Abdullahi Maje, who told reporters on Wednesday in Abuja that they could not resume office on Tuesday despite a Federal High Court, Abuja, order has continued to claim to be the Chairman of an Interim Management Committee of ALGON.

The South East Coordinator of the APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors (WWA), Comrade Akunwata Ejoh Ojiba (Onwa) has urged those of voting age in Anambra State to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise being conducted by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and register to enable them exercise their franchise.

Making the call while speaking with newsmen in Onitsha, Comrade Ojib, who was the defunct Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) Governorship Candidate in the 2016 Anambra Governorship election, encouraged the staff of INEC to continue to be diligent in the exercise to be able to get a good record of voters in the state.

Comrade Ojiba then appealed to the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to shelve its latest policy of shutting down the South East every Monday, given the current harsh economic realities biting hard on not only Ndigbo but also the entire nation.

The WWA South East Coordinator added that there is no economic wisdom in shutting down the region as virtually over half of the population of the zone in Igboland depends on daily income to feed their families and dependent ones.

Comrade Ojiba also enjoined all members of APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors (WWA) in Anambra State to close ranks and work with unity of purpose towards ensuring victory of the Andy Ubah governorship aspirations to usher in a new era in governance in the state.

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called for a more virile opposition party in the country, saying the country’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed in that duty.

The CNPP in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, noted that “unless a virile opposition party evolves ahead of the 2023 general elections, the country will have to return to a one party system, which is very unhealthy for our democracy.

“Evidently, we are gradually returning to the dark days of one party state before the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their allies metamorphosed into a strong opposition party and gave Nigerians an alternative party platform in 2015.

“The APC has been in power for six years but the lives of the ordinary person are not getting better, increasing the yarning for a new strong opposition party as possible choice against the ruling APC and the PDP.

“Rule of law has become a big challenge as the APC government has jettisoned that basic ingredient of democracy and have continued to manipulate democratic processes and have refused to obey several court orders in the last six years.

“So many valid court judgments have been disregarded by the APC with instances of the party’s failure to abide by its own party constitution in many instances till the recent Supreme Court verdict on its National Chairmanship position.

“We therefore call on all opposition parties in the country to come together and form alliances or mergers to provide an alternative political party platform as both PDP and the APC have failed the masses of Nigeria as main opposition party and ruling party controlling both the executive and the legislature.

“Obviously, the PDP under Uche Secondus’ leadership has failed to convince Nigerian electorates and the masses that the party is ready to provide itself as alternative in 2023 as even its Board of Trustees member just defected to the ruling APC”, the CNPP noted.

As political parties, including the All Progressive Congress (APC), and candidates of political parties prepare for the forthcoming Anambra governorship election in November 2021, the APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors (WWA), Anambra State Chapter, has concluded arrangements for a workshop to enlighten and mobilise the electorate to participate actively in the polls.

Addressing Local Government Coordinators from the 21 Local Government Areas in the state, the Zonal Coordinator of APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors, South East Zone, Comrade Akunwata Ejoh Ojiba disclosed that the organisation has the mandate to penetrate the grassroots.

This, he said, the group is set to achieve through massive mobilisation of the electorate to vote and support Senator Andy Ubah, to become the next Governor of Anambra State.

He urged female members of APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors to intensify efforts towards convincing more women to identify with the WWA.

He added that the time has come for all members to close ranks and work with unity of purpose towards encouraging the victory of Senator Andy Ubah in the forthcoming Governorship elections in Anambra state.

Also speaking, a former House of Representative Member for Onitsha Federal Constituency, Hon. Gozie Agbakoba, stressed the need of working out strategies and roadmaps that would ensure victory for the party at the forthcoming elections.

Hon. Gozie Agbakoba, who is also a member of Trustee of the Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors (WWA), also stressed the need for the organization to imbibe the modern trend and concept of voting by ensuring that only capable hands are assigned duties at polling booths.

He stated that data driven strategies should be adopted, adding that the WWA should strive toward mobilizing potential voters to participate in the ongoing voters’ registration exercises.

Comrade Ojiba, who was a former Anambra State governorship candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), also stressed the need for APC faithful to understand their polling codes.

Christian stakeholders have expressed hope for a greater Nigeria amid rising security and economic challenges in the country, urging citizens to go prayer as such spiritual exercise is not enough.

The stakeholders, including security experts spoke at the inauguration of the Africa Kingdom Business Forum Institute (AKBF-I) by the Africa Kingdom Business Forum (AKBF) in Abuja at the weekend.

The former Chief of Defence Research and Development of the Nigerian Army and the Ex-commander of Special Task Force (STF) operation Safe Haven, in Plateau State, Major Gen. Henry Ayoola (rtd) in his keynote address at the inauguration of the Africa institute recommended “all citizens approach” to end insecurity and other challenges bedevilling the country.

The Continental Chairman Africa Kingdom Business Forum (AKBF), Engr. Steve Olumuyina as well as the Chairman of the occasion, Barr. Emeka Nwankpa on their part noted that prayers were not enough in dealing with the mirades of the country's challenges.

This is even as the public lecturer at the inauguration, Dr. Sam Amadi, who is a visiting Professor at the Emerald Energy Institute at the University of Port Harcourt, and former Head of Department of International Law and Jurisprudence at Baze University, Abuja harped on the need to redefine the process through which leaders emerge in the country.

According to Major-General Henry Ayoola, Nigerians should learn to defend themselves, expressing optimism that the country is in final push to actualize a new Nigeria.

Speaking with newsmen on security issues in the country on Saturday, Maj. Gen. Ayoola said, “Well, one thing to say upfront is that our problems, not only security, simply put, are self inflicted problems.

“We have been living like nobody is really interested in solving the problems because it's not for lack of what to do. It's not for lack of what to do, advice, ideas, or strategies.

“It just appear as this is the eldoraldo some people know for Nigeria. These are golden era, so we should allow it last.

“That's what I see. I don't see any palpable attempt to solve a problem. Like I said, one can easily conclude that it is self inflicted problem.

“Not only because I know the genesis of those problems having been a player in it myself but I think Nigerians themselves are too timid, too docile that we will just allow anything go.

“We take everything and anything. At what point are we going to get sufficiently aroused as to rise up and solve our problems ourselves?

“I don't know. What else do we want? Until half of us are dead or what?

“For me, self-defence, like I said, is a divine right, it's a universal right - Article 51 of the UN charter talks about the inherent right of the individual and the collective self-defence. So, if somebody is threatening my life, I don't have to wait until he has killed me before I respond.

“There is preemptive defence, which is part of self defence. So, the ball is in our court really. Even the government is overwhelmed. So, it's gone beyond them. It should be an all citizens approach when everybody is ready to put an end to this nonsense we're going through”, Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola said.


The former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi noted that “Leadership presupposes a common vision. That means people have a vision of where they are going; they have a common understanding of the problems of Nigeria.

“Unfortunately, we have never had a common vision and a common understanding of our problem.

“Even before colonialism, our people were disparate people, different people and the colonial authorities put us together and never cared about our well-being. They put us together for their own good.

“When they left, our leaders were trapped into ethnic competition and that also led to why they didn't build a common consensus.

“Today in America they talk of the American dream because different immigrants came together and had some degree of what America represents for them. That is the first problem of leadership in Nigeria.

“The second is: how do you recruit leaders? How do your leaders come up?

“They don't need to be first class people but they are leaders, people who have gone through a process. If you look at countries all over the world: China, America, or Britain or any other places in the world, you see that leaders rise through a process that give those leaders some common vision about their country and some have some experience about solving problems.

“In Nigerian democracy today, leadership can emerge from anywhere. A mechanic who is doing his work can this year become Senator because the Governor likes him. So, tide changes and people just emerge from nowhere. That's another problem.

“The third issue is leadership task, what should leaders be doing? So, leaders diagnose the problem, they pay attention. Why is there unemployment? In paying attention they find solutions.

“The fourth become implementation of that solution. If it's a leadership that is looking for ethnicism, you won't implement well because some of the solutions may require you disrupting some dominance if you take some actions.

“For example, when we were building the power sector, we knew that the best thing was for us to take the power to Niger Delta where we have all the gas. But because we are a country that is consumed by a geographical competition, they can't take it to the South-South.

“We have to take some to the North Central and so on. But those ones don't have glass again. We have to spend much money to carry gas to those places.

“That's a simple story that tells you that there is a dysfunction in leadership because leaders are not solving problems based on the based ways of solving them. They are solving problems in a way that will align with their own strategic ethnic geopolitical needs.

“So, the Nigerian crisis is a crisis of leadership. But we should start first with a vision - what we want to be as a people, understanding our problems - where are we in history? Where are we now? Why are we trapped?

“That is why we talk about restructuring; people don't want to hear about restructuring. It is not about changing geography or changing who collects what money. It is about changing the underlying factors that are creating the problems we want to deal with.

“So, if you don't want to solve those underlying structural problems and you keep preaching “we're going to be a great nation” we have been preaching before you became President, the present President is doing his best preaching. Later, another person will come and start preaching.

“They blame the Nigerian people, they youths are not working hard, the Nigerian people are divided. That's what they are answering because we don't have leaders who have a knowledge about the problem and the process of solving those problems and have the will to execute”, he said.

Dr Amadi added, “Look at Nigeria, a country that is spending 89% of its revenue serving debts, not paying for them and you keep borrowing. You dedicate 40% of revenue to seek for oil where you know that you may not find oil at a time you know that oil is a wasting asset. The future is to invest in human beings to create wealth.

“So, how can such self deception lead to leadership growth? How can it lead to country prosperity?”, he queried, saying that what the Africa Kingdom Business Institute is doing will change the direction of leadership in the country.

According to him, the birth of the institute “is a right intervention and that is what I have been saying that for years.

“They are now going about, bringing people together to show them why things are not working and should them patterns that can work and building in them understanding, knowledge and ethics of leadership”, Dr. Amadi said.

Dignitaries across the country, including the Keynote Speaker, the former Commander of Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and ex-Chief of Defence Research and Development, Major-General Henry Ayoola (Rtd) and Speaker, the former Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and human rights lawyer, Dr. Sam Amadi are fully set to grace the official launch of the Africa Kingdom Business Forum, AKBF, (https://theakbf.org) and the formal inauguration of its training arm, the Africa Kingdom Business Forum Institute, AKBF-I.

The event is scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the Raw Material Research and Development Council RMRCD Auditorium on 17, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, FCT, Abuja by 10:00am.

Africa Kingdom Business Forum is a network of Christian Professionals and Business persons with a passion to see a transformed Africa, starting with Nigeria.

The Africa Kingdom Business Forum Institute as a training institution was born to bring together and equipped Christian men and women in the marketplace with the requisite skills to solve Nigeria's problems.

According to the organisers of the historic event, in an invitation signed by the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Africa Kingdom Business Forum (AKBF), the forum was established “to raise leaders who will change our world.”

The Forum maintained that “there is no time in the history of Nigeria where transformational leaders are needed to take deliberate action towards national transformation than now.”

The event shall be under the chairmanship of the international trainer and founder of Intercessors for Africa, Barr Emeka Nwankpa.

To be part the official inauguration of the institute which is set to prepare industry leaders, men and women who will lead the business of national transformation in the Public and Private Sectors, as well as the Civil Society sector and other spheres of life, participants are enjoined to be at the venue or join virtually via zoom meeting.

The Zoom meeting invite stated:

The Africa Kingdom Business Forum (AKBF) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: AKBF Institute Launch and Inauguration, Time: Jul 31, 2021, 10:00 AM Africa/Lagos

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86322487457?pwd=MGhyMUg3OTBwS0loTGNMNU9xUGZJZz09

Meeting ID: 863 2248 7457
Passcode: AKBF

The Africa Kingdom Business Forum is located at house 19 Cotonou Crescent, Wuse Zone 6. FCT Abuja-Nigeria and can be reached via telephone on +2349040365391.

The chairman of Bariga Local Council-elect, Hon. Alabi Kolade David has been re-elected as the chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter.

Hon. Alabi Kolade who is the incumbent national president of ALGON was re-elected as the Bariga Local Council in the Saturday's local government elections in the state.

The Street Reporters Newspaper reports that the re-elected state ALGON boss has pledged to redoubtable efforts aimed at inclusive leadership and people-oriented programmes.

Hon. Alabi Kolade David earlier today received his certificate of return on his re-election alongside his Vice-Chairperson at the office of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) in Yaba, Lagos State.

The chairman of Bariga Local Council, Hon Alabi Kolade David, who also doubles as the National President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) alongside his Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Mrs. Adeola Zainot Kuponiyi received their Certificate of Return earlier on Tuesday.

They were issued the certificate of return at the office of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Yaba, Lagos State.

The member of the NEC, BOT, Management and Staff of ALGON who warmly felicitated with the chairman and vice-chairperson elect, congratulations the residents of Bariga and the ALGON National President for continued delivery of excellent service to Bariga, the Local Government Areas and Councils across the country.

Hon. Alabi Kolade David was reelected as the Chairman of Bariga Council for another term of 4 years after the Saturday's local government elections in Lagos State.

He was declared winner by Mr. Ganiyu Folarinwaju the LCDA Returning Officer for the election who certified that Honourable Alabi polled a total of 22,002 votes to beat the PDP candidate Mr. Ibrahim Wahab Tijani who scored 1,261.

In his speech the Bariga Chairman-elect and the National President of ALGON Hon. Alabi had thanked the people of Bariga whom he pledged his unflinching loyalty to and stated that trust and confidence reposed in him has led to all that has been witnessed in the council, pledging to to continue to prioritize projects, infrastructures and other development aimed at transforming the Council as a model of excellent leadership and service delivery.

It was a moment of encomium and thunderous applause as Lagos Local Government elections conducted by the the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) returned the National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Alabi Kolade David as the Chairman of Bariga Local Council for another term of 4 years.

He was declared winner at about 1.30am this morning by Mr. Ganiyu Folarinwaju the LCDA Returning Officer for the election who certified that Honourable Alabi polled a total of 22,002 votes to beat the PDP candidate Mr. Ibrahim Wahab Tijani who scored 1,261 while the PP candidate Ayewumi Ishola Ismail came third with a total of 732 votes.

The election which had 6.5 million registered voters was conducted by electoral commission under COVID-19 protocols which was strictly adhered to during the election.

Lagos residents were seen yesterday en-mass to cast their ballots in 13,323 polling units across 57 local councils in the state to elect their local government chairmen and councillors for a fresh four-year term.

It will be recalled that 15 political parties were registered for the election according to the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

Voting which begun about 8 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. in all the polling units also had those in the queue at 3 p.m well attended to.

In his speech the Bariga Chairman elect and the National President of ALGON Hon. Alabi thanked the people of Bariga whom he pledged his unflinching loyalty to and stated that trust and confidence reposed in him has led to all that has been witnessed.

He stated that having known him, he will continue to prioritize projects, infrastructures an d other development aimed at transforming the Council as a model of excellent leadership and service delivery.

The National President Hon. Alabi Kolade David, NEC, BOT, Management and Staff of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria heartily rejoice with the the Director-General of ALGON, Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello as she clocks yet another year.

According to a statement made available by the ALGON Media Office in Abuja which read in part with the title: “We Celebrate our Mama ALGON", the Association expressed happiness on its D-G's special day and prayed Allah to continue to keep, bless and protect her as she continues to serve and age gloriously.

“We toast to your life, good health, more blessings and God's unfailing protection, continue to age graciously”, the statement prayed, summarising with “Once again Happy Birthday (Mama ALGON)”.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has been commended for their efforts aimed at ensuring a hitch-free Election.

Speaking immediately after casting his vote on Saturday, the standard flag bearer of Bariga Council and the incumbent National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon Alabi Kolade David, who was early at the Ward A, Polling Unit 017 of the Council, commended the electoral body and security agencies for ensuring a hitch-free exercise.

He said the LASIEC materials were evenly distributed and expressed optimism in the electoral body's conduct of the staggered Election which was only took place in Lagos State.

Hon. Alabi used the opportunity to advised for increased awareness of both the eligible voters and registered citizens to guarantee good exercise of their civic rights in free, fair and credible manner especially in the future.

The ALGON National President was accompanied by a handful of supporters amongst whom are the Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman of ALGON Hon. Odunayo Ategbero and the Executive Chairman Gurara Local Government of Niger State, Hon. Hammid amongst other numerous persons.

In his remarks, the BOT Chairman Hon. Ategbero described the process as peaceful.

At press time, results were being collated from the 57 Local Government Areas and the Local Council Development Areas of the State.

The State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria Kwara state Chapter Hon.Jide Ashonibare has described as ridiculous the inclusion of his name and office as member of the alleged IMC of ALGON.

He said that ALGON has no leadership gap as the present National President, Hon. Alabi Kolade was duly elected during the well attended General Assebly held in Abuja in March 2021.

He described IMC as alien to ALGON Constitution and stated that there is no basis for continued indulgence of Hon. Abdullahi Maje on issues and affairs of the National body of the association as he was neither a member of NEC nor it's State Chapter Chairman in Niger.

He further stated that for many times the so called Abdullahi Maje has porpotedly used the Social Media as soft targets in advancing such wishful claim but regretted that ALGON is one and constitutionally bound with maximum peace which is evident in the ongoing NEC meeting that has brought ALGON NEC member across the country in Enugu since Monday.

He advised Maje to stop waisting the time he would have used to face his tenure as the Chairman of Suleja Council and endeavour to focus in delivering services to his people instead of phantom claims in the pages of newspapers.

...Felicitates With Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero As 15th Emir of Kano

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has said that no meaningful development will be achieved without effective synergy and support of the traditional institution in a democratic setting where powers reside with the people.

The Association made this decleration today in Kano during the event marking the Coronation of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir from Fulani Dynasty and 59th Sarkin Kano since the creation of Kano Royal Stool.

The Deputy National President of ALGON Hon Shehu Marshal Jega who in company of Hon Maifata Muazu the National Treasurer and other ALGON leaders as well some well meaning grassroots supporters noted that fluid Community relationship was a vital Ingredient that will stimulate growth in the LGA's and Councils.

He noted that prior to the advent of western civilization, the Nigeria populace had an entrenched system of government flowing from family, traditional rulers and Community leaders. He said that such brought about peace, security, development and has since evolved with the introduction of direct rule by the colonial master's.

He therefore call on Nigerians to respect their leaders and those in authority to guarantee maximum development.

In his contribution, the National Treasurer ALGON, Hon Maifata call for increase corporation between the Traditional rulers, the Chairmen of Councils across the country as such will bring about good service delivery to the people as well as help in fighting insecurity through Community collaboration.

ALGON is the umbrella body of all the Local Governments, Area/Community Development Councils in Nigeria which was created in 1999 to unify the 3 Tier of Government and ensure corporate existence, peace and progress amongst all.

...Welcomes Jigawa LGAs into Democratically Elected System

As a result of last Saturday's successful Jigawa State Local Government elections, the National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon Alabi Kolade David has commended Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of the state for heeding to the popular cry of the good people of the State and Nigeria at large to conduct local governments election in the State.

Alabi stated this while answering questions fielded by Airport correspondents in Lagos yesterday.

He said that in the last six months, ALGON's advocacy and nationwide Campaign for a Democratically elected officials has been productive as over six states have conducted their respective local government elections.

He said that such development has gone a long way to demonstrate the valid acceptance of the system as popular will of the people.

He praised the Nigerian Governor's Forum and said that as more and more Governor's are showing stronger commitment through a mass return of the Local Governments and Councils through a democratically elected system, Nigerians are in for better desired leadership that will truly guarantee development with ample safeguards of law and order, as such will no doubt engender maximum service delivery to the people.

The National President added that "even, the insecurity that is affecting every parts of the country can be nipped in the bud through the Local Governments if the Community Policing, which ALGON has continued to promote, is given political will and approved as vital part of the Constitution Amendment".

He used the opportunity to urge remaining states that are still running their local government system with caretaker officials to have a rethink and save the system as enshrined in Section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended).

The National President also stated that in a situation where some states are having their Council elections hindered by litigations, they should explore other easier option of amicably resolving them amongst the parties and Arms of Government at a roundtable to enable their people actively participate in rural governance through the electoral process.

The Association of local governments of Nigeria National President, Hon. Alabi Kolade David has said that this year's Democracy day is a unique one at the twilight of all forces of change and existential threats against democratization at the local
level, which, according to him, have gathered so much momentum in recent times that they can only be resisted or allowed to continue at Nigerians peril.

He said that from the feelers gathered through the just concluded Zonal Public Hearing by the Association, it has been established that democracy has become the legitimate demand of all local communities in Nigeria.

In his words, “today most of the countries of the world are in the process of implementing political and administrative reforms aimed at decentralizing and strengthening their local governance.

“We all know that democracy is not an event but a complex and continuous process and that is why we must sincerely continue to advocate for a strong local governments/Councils.

“Indeed, this June 12 anniversary therefore makes it essential that we collectively weight the gains and losses if we can honestly develop our potentials and resources for growth.

“It is in this regard that this year's event has been geared towards stock-taking, advocating for the promotion and development of democracy at the local level, identify people’s capacity to
manage development leveraging on our diversities to design appropriate systems to suit various peculiarities through the anticipated outcome of the proposed alterations”.


Alabi also noted that his administration in ALGON with his NEC, BOT and management are convinced that “sustainable development in both strong and in weak economies
can only be rescued if local government is empowered to play its role based on recognized principles of participation and transparency
in a manner that conforms to basic human rights.

“Such according to him is gaining attention from most Nigerians".

It will be recalled that there have been several clamour for either enactment or implementation of efficient local government laws as captured in Sections 7, 163, 163/5 of the 1999 Constitution as (Amended), of which even the framers of the constitution now realize that it is not a cookbook with standard recipes for success in Nigeria as it were.


For instance fragmented local governments tenure don’t always lead to productivity which is part of the problem.

ALGON is strongly of the opinion that there is a clearly held truth that unfortunately, the constitutional boundaries established decades ago is presently hurting the system and needs urgent redress.

The ALGON National President also drew the attention of Nigerians as it affects running a fragmented local government tenure as experience has shown that such have not led to responsiveness to local government operation.

Earlier the Chairman Board of Trustees of ALGON Hon Odunayo Ategbero observed that It is a pity that some states are having 1 year, 2 years and even six months under all kinds of leadership nomenclature interim, Caretaker or what have you.

The BOT Chairman noted that “in many of states where such is practiced, development has been a whims and caprices of the state as almost nobody holds them accountable".


It has been in the national conversation that Nigeria's political landscape has remained stubbornly resistant to change, a situation whereby such system that would have helped to overcome the yearning gaps between the rich and poor has remained unaddressed thereby creating terrible boundaries.


In his Democracy day message, the Deputy National President of ALGON, Hon. Shehu Marshal Jega stated that Nigeria need a strong systems at the councils to strongly resist hunger, unemployment, disease, de-escalate unrest, bandictry and promote, rural governance through industrialization, Development partnership, promote peace, ensure the enabling environment for ease of doing business, and guarantee security through community policing, and vigilantes.

He noted that through a strong local government system the country will make education work, have functional local/magistrate courts for prompt àdministration of criminal justice and jurisprudence, promote peace through youth engagement, provide quality learning and teachers for foundational impact, widen civic engagement, and expand advocacy for law enforcement.

He added that the council system will also ensure tax compliance, oversight the traditional rulers and faith based entities-engagement will effectively make the system work through other activities that can shore up IGR profile for meeting the huge responsibilities heaped on the Local Governments/Councils as enshrined in the 4th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution as (Amended), and so on he stated.

Lending her motherly voice, the Director-General of ALGON Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello called for refocusing on the things that matter to people and especially through regularization of elections in all the states to entrench
democratically elected Chairmen who will help to create more responsive leadership at the rural levels.

It was a joint opinion of the Chief of Staff to the National President, Hon. Itiako Ikpokpo, and the ALGON National Legal Adviser, Hon Taofiq, National Publicity Secretary, Hon Solomon Onah, and others member of the NEC that the June 12 as auspicious day is strategic to encourage all statesmen and founding fathers to address Local Governments problems, which could be solved by simple compliance with the long yearnings of the people through a bottom up development approach for virile local governments system that will impact all, including providing an atmosphere of strong legislative functions and access to funds that will take over the outmoded budgetary provisions, increase checks, balances, provide due diligence, encourage key performance indicators which have all kept the system on its knees.

They urged that the constitution be amended to address these issues.

They also believe that the June 12 anniversary will offer another important time to emphasize that the present Nigeria Constitution is a recipe for unresponsive governance, which has been creating room for perpetuity of dysfunctional leadership without ample time to plan or tackle development needs squarely.

Finally, the National President Hon. Alabi crowned the message with a rider and kennels that “for a conscientious political will, focusing on freeing the Local Governments/Councils to thrive, nothing but growth and active rural development will be the result”, the leaders concluded.