Delta state Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday charged the leadership of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to work towards ensuring that all funds due to local government councils in the country got to them.
Okowa gave the charge when he received the National President of ALGON, Mr Kolade Alabi and his team on a condolence visit at Government House, Asaba.
He urged the ALGON leaders to speak truth to power and ensure that they stood by what was right in the interest of the councils.
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He commended the current leadership of the association for its commitment to ensuring that the association was re-organised to achieve results for the councils across the country.
“ALGON in Nigeria today is having its own fair share of challenges and I pray that God helps you to solve the problems, especially as you have decided to lead an ALGON that is forthright, an ALGON that stands for the truth and speak truth to power and ensure that all monies due you get to your people across the nation.
“That is the kind of thing we need now in this country where some people will rise up in the defence of their colleagues and put aside every personal interest.
“When I met with you earlier, I was convinced that the current leadership of ALGON means well for local government councils and I will charge you to continue to drive this process in the interest of the nation.
“Challenges will come your way but when you stand for the truth you will be vindicated and you will leave a lasting legacy having been able to repair the mess that you met on ground.
“It is my prayer that God will grant you favour as you step up to do what is right,” the governor said.
On his late father, he thanked the delegation for the visit, and stated that his father lived a fulfilled life as a great teacher, politician and community leader.
Earlier, Mr Alabi had told the governor that his delegation was in Asaba to condole with him on the passing of his late father, Pa Arthur Okorie Okowa.
“We learnt he was a senior teacher, community leader and politician. We are here to celebrate with you for a life well spent for our great father who impacted society very well.
“You have added value to our lives in ALGON through your advice and support and we can’t thank you enough,” Alabi said.
Meanwhile the governor has announced that because of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the family had resolved to hold a private burial for their late patriarch sometime in February, 2021, adding that a “celebration of life’’ would be held in his honour in August, 2021, subject to the slowing down of the pandemic.
According to Okowa, “in view of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, we have opted to hold a private burial ceremony sometime this month, while a Celebration of Life event will take place on August 21, 2021.
“Hopefully, by then the current challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic would have given way to a freer and more assured environment,’’ he stated.
