By Okey Muogbo
In joyous mood, officials of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) on Thursday began their first National Executive Council (NEC) meeting after the landmark Supreme Court judgment that restored financial autonomy to the Local Government Area Councils in Nigeria.
The 48th NEC meeting of the Association is holding in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital and home Council of the incumbent ALGON National President, Aminu Mu’azu Maifata.
A statement by ALGON Media Officer, Obiora Orji, said that “the agenda of the highly attended apex decision making body of the entire LGAs and Councils in Nigeria had not been released but that the meeting was sequel to the Supreme Court judgement that expressly granted autonomy to Local Governments in Nigeria” adding that other national concerns would likely be addressed too.
The statement recalled that ALGON amongst other programmes, has had a successful transition on March 21st, this year during its 47th NEC meeting in Abuja where the immediate past National President, Hon Alabi Kolade David handed over to the new National President, Hon Aminu Mu’azu Maifata, Executive Chairman Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Since then, ALGON had announced the appointment of a Director General, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo.
Both Ikpokpo and the Chairman, Board of Trustees of ALGON, Chief Odunayo Ategbero as well as Exco members representing their states alongside other principal officers are all in Lafia for the meeting, Orji said.
The leadership of ALGON, the statement further said, had paid a courtesy call to the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule who was ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe.
“A communique is expected at the end of the strategic meeting”, Orji also said.”