News
Direct Allocation Will Eradicate Poverty-ALGON
…hails Tinubu’s Emergency Rule in Rivers
The Federal Government has yet to commence direct allocation to Local Government Areas (LGAs) due to ongoing procedural processes, according to Hon. Odunayo Alegbere, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
Alegbere disclosed that LGAs have been instructed to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to facilitate the implementation of direct allocation. While the process is still underway, he commended the Federal Government for its efforts, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial autonomy for local governments.
He assured that direct allocation would help eliminate poverty at the grassroots by granting local governments greater control over their finances and projects.
Alegbere acknowledged that while the journey towards full financial autonomy is not yet complete, steady progress is being made. He also criticized the current system where state governments conduct local government elections, arguing that it often results in selections rather than genuine democratic processes. However, he assured that ongoing constitutional amendments by the National Assembly would soon address this issue.
“We are happy with the president, and though we have not yet reached our goal, we are making steady progress,” he stated.
The ALGON chairman emphasized that direct allocation to LGAs would help eradicate extreme poverty at the grassroots level.
“If you look at the grassroots level, the level of abject poverty is alarming. But with this new arrangement, we are confident that we will eradicate and stamp out poverty,” he said.
Alegbere also advocated for removing the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) from the constitution and replacing it with a national body to oversee local government elections, ensuring a fairer process.
Alegbere linked Nigeria’s growing insecurity to the failure of the local government system. He argued that restoring local governments’ autonomy and involving traditional institutions in governance would significantly enhance security efforts.
“Unless and until we revisit the older system, addressing insecurity will remain a challenge,” he stressed.
He urged the government to integrate traditional rulers into the local government framework to strengthen grassroots security.
On the crisis in Rivers State, Alegbere commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency in the state, stating that the intervention helped prevent a potential civil war.
Alegbere also addressed the claim of a fractional group to the ALGON Secretary-General position, warning that any such claimants are impostors. He reaffirmed that ALGON has a clear leadership structure and dismissed any disputes over its leadership.
He expressed optimism that the Federal Government would continue implementing the Supreme Court’s ruling and strengthening local government administration.
“We are the umbrella body of the 774 local governments in Nigeria, and we will continue to support the president in ensuring that the local government system functions effectively,” he concluded.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A young girl lost her life after being struck by lightning during a rainfall in Mbaiwen, Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the compound of Celina Agbatse, where the victim had gone to fetch water.
As the rain began to fall, she took shelter in front of the house, waiting for it to subside. However, she was struck by a powerful bolt of lightning, suffering fatal injuries.
Eyewitnesses immediately rushed her to the General Hospital in Adikpo, but she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Her body has since been deposited in the hospital’s mortuary.
…..says no child to celebrate with me on my 60th birthday
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Veteran Nollywood actress, Dupe Jayesimi, has shared her emotional experience of living without her own child at the age of 60.
Speaking on Talk to B, a podcast hosted by her junior colleague, Biola Bayo, the Yoruba film star recounted how she had no child to call her own despite once being married.
She revealed that she became pregnant during her wedding ceremony but later lost the pregnancy.
“Although I was pregnant when I did my wedding, I had miscarriage weeks after the wedding.”
Following the loss, she explained that her husband began distancing himself from her, even going as far as demarcating their bed with a pillow.
She said she attempted IVF procedures twice in her bid to have a child, but both efforts failed. The actress added that two weeks after she eventually left the marriage, her husband brought another woman who was already pregnant into the house and married her.
Jayesimi further narrated how her desire to adopt a child was discouraged by her mother. Instead, she took on the responsibility of caring for her siblings’ children, supporting many of them through school.
Despite her sacrifices, she said she often felt sidelined when those children were getting married, as she was not given the recognition of a mother figure.
I know how the kids of those who have children celebrate them. But I have no one to celebrate with me.”
The Police Command in Kaduna State has nabbed 12 suspects over alleged attack of worshipers during Tahajjud prayers (night prayers).
The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Friday in Kaduna.
Hassan said, “On March 21, at about 2:00a.m., the police received a distress call from a concerned citizen.
“The citizen reported that a large group of armed hoodlums had mobilised from Malalin Gabas, Tudun Wada, Rafin Guza, and Unguwar Baduko areas to attack worshipers performing Tahajjud prayers at Layin Bilya, Makwa Road, Rigasain Kaduna.
“Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led a team of officers, accompanied by the Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to the scene in a bid to apprehend the suspects,” the command’s spokesman said.
He, however, said that before the police team’s arrival, the hoodlums had already stabbed one Usman Mohammad, 23, with a sharp knife.
Hassan said that Mohammad was immediately rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention, but due to severity of his injuries later succumbed and was confirmed dead by a doctor.
“Subsequently, the police swiftly apprehended 12 suspects, who confessed to have partaken in the attack, and recovered several weapons from them,” he said.
Hassan said further that investigation was ongoing to uncover the full details of the incident and “ensure justice is served.”
According to him, following the incident, the Command has significantly increased security deployments to strategic areas in the state, particularly around mosques, where such prayers are conducted.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements and activities promptly to the police to aid effective crime prevention.
“The command is issuing a stern warning to all miscreants to desist from engaging in these criminal activities as they will face the full weight of the law, if caught,” Hassan said. (Text, excluding headline: NAN
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