Use ALGON as vehicle for grassroots development — President

The National President, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr David Alabi, has urged stakeholders to use the association as a vehicle for grassroots development.

Alabi was quoted making the call in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Obiora Orji, at a two day strategic retreat organised by the association in Lagos.

Alabi said making use of ALGON as a vehicle for grassroots development required effective stakeholders’ engagement, partnership and collaboration, geared towards strengthening the capacity of the national office, Local Government Areas (LGAs) and area councils for maximum productivity.

He said that the functions of LGAs and councils, as enshrined in the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, was huge and required corresponding innovation to tackle them.

The statement quoted the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mr Ashishana Okrauru, as expressing optimism that the maiden retreat would reposition the association to take a decisive step predicated on setting best agenda for a new ALGON.

The statement also quoted the Chief of Staff to ALGON National President, Mr Itiako Ikpokpo, as saying that by rebranding and restructuring through the lessons of the retreat, there was every hope for ALGON to become more vibrant.

According to the statement, a Consultant,  Dr Chris Asoluka, in his presentation said that ALGON needed to be well focused as an institution memory for research and evidenced-based platform for development.

It said that the Secretary-General of ALGON, Hajia Binta Bello, during the event called for sustainability of the retreat to help in strengthening the association.