The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), in collaboration with Aspitah Global Resources Ltd., has convened a national conference aimed at enhancing security and development in rural communities across Nigeria.
The event, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, brought together representatives from all 774 local government councils.
The conference, themed “Driving Sustainable Development Through LGAs,” focused on critical areas including community safety, Climate Smart Agriculture, renewable energy, value chain development, and localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discussions also explored decentralization, energy transition, and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) empowerment.
Paper presentations, plenary sessions, and a robust Q&A segment provided stakeholders the opportunity to engage on practical strategies to strengthen rural governance and improve local economies. Participants agreed on the need for stronger partnerships between local governments and private investors.
ALGON National President Bello Lawal, represented by Chief Odunayo Ategbero, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, emphasized the association’s growing capacity to address local challenges under its current leadership.
Ategbero also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for hosting the landmark conference and referenced the July 2024 autonomy judgment as a turning point for grassroots governance.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, described ALGON’s efforts as aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. He highlighted the Ministry’s achievements and introduced the Sustainable Energy Access Project (SEAP) as a key initiative requiring local government collaboration.
Key figures at the conference included ALGON chairmen from states such as Taraba, Imo, Ondo, Zamfara, and Kwara, alongside notable speakers like Prof. Banji Oyeyinka, Mr. Bryan Aminu, Liu Song Zheng Brian, and Ms. Latifah Isah of Aspitah Global Resources.
