At its 32nd Board Meeting in Abuja on Monday, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), led by Hon. Odunayo Ategbero, has addressed far-reaching issues concerning the association.

This was revealed in a Communique released at the end of the well-attended meeting, which held at the ALGON national headquarters.

The Board unanimously applauded the National President of ALGON, Hon. Alabi Kolade David, the association’s NEC, Management, Staff and organisers of the recent successful ALGON General Assembly.

The General Assembly is particularly historic as it was the second Assembly by the association in 22 years of ALGON’s existence.

The BoT stated that attendance at the General Assembly was impressive and commendable, observing that both the participants and the proceedings, beyond its rich contents, were rancor-free.

The Board then appreciated the Speaker of the Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, whose address according to them was very reassuring and motivating.

The Board also thanked some State Governors who joined via Zoom like the Executive Governors of Lagos State, Kogi, Kebbi, the Nigerian Governors Forum Director-General, Development Partners, International organisations and other key stakeholders.

The meeting provided an opportunity to formally announce the appointment and welcoming into its fold, the new Board member representing the North-East, Hon Ibrahim Jalo Waziri.

Hon. Jalo Waziri is a former National President of ALGON.

Also, a member representing North-Central, Dr. Abubakar Adebayo Ishola, who was also inaugurated and appointed the Secretary to the Board was also formerly welcomed to the Board.

Hon. Dr. Cyril Okafor, the Board member representing the South-East, on behalf of the BoT, described the development as new omen to the Association.

Furthermore, the Board of Trustees emphasised some outcome, expectations and other importance of the recently held second ALGON General Assembly.

According to the Board, the successfully held General Assembly has set the tone for consolidating and prioritising capacity building initiatives as earlier encapsulated in its recent retreat in Lagos aimed at further positioning the association for grassroots developments in Nigeria through its 5-year strategic framework as extrapolated from the event.

The ALGON BoT members went further to clarify the position of the Association and the Office of the National President.

The Board unequivocally restated that the concept of “Interim Management Committee” does not exist and is not known to ALGON or its Constitution.

Hence, the BOT did not hesitate to condemn what it described as “the desperation and rascality of the embattled Maje who does not in any capacity speak for ALGON as he is not the ALGON Chairman in Niger state.”

His actions, accordingly to the Board, not only smack of “impersonation but libelous, defamatory and criminal” of which it will henceforth not tolerate but “will seek legal action.”

Speaking on the issue of national security, the Board encouraged the ALGON National President, Hon. Alabi Kolade David, to continue to insist on creation of State Police to solve security challenges and entrench national cohesion for peace and development.