Former Deputy National President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Itiako Ikpokpo, has said the task of making local government administration effective was a collective task.

Ikpokpo, who is chairman of Isoko South local government council, said in an interview with newsmen:   “Today is definitely a reassuring one. I personally wish to acknowledge with great appreciation to God for His infinite mercies for the assignment and to a large extent the people I met and worked with, the lessons learned, and the memories made in my two years as Deputy National President of ALGON, they have been very warm.

‘’I’m much honored to be part of a truly outstanding national executive of the 774 with excellent regime identity. At a time the association was in near comatose, we as a team came and rescued ALGON and put it on the formidable part of success.

“I also appreciate my colleagues in ALGON Delta State for helping me to succeed. I have been able to go past my comfort zones in the dual task at the local and state levels too.

‘’I am pleased to join my colleagues for this exceptional handover ceremony. Although it presents an opportunity to reflect on our score card for the past two years, what is equally very gladdening is that ALGON has never had it so good this way in terms of recording a hitch-free transition.

“I wish to applaud and thank my out gone national president, the cerebral and very humane leader, Ibrahim Ahmed Karaye, for his uncommon leadership attributes in terms of fairness, forthrightness, openness, and hard work.

‘’There can never be another Karaye and I commend these leadership qualities exhibited by him. Karaye provided an important leadership direction at such critical time of drift which needed corresponding efforts in accelerating change to achieve peace and re-set ALGON on the part of greatness as we can all see today.

‘’His contributions deepened our unity which was instrumental in shaping the new development agenda in the association. I urged the new leadership to be encouraged by signs of peace building in the horizon by working for closer collaboration to ensure that an inclusive, deep and durable ALGON emerge.”

On the planned appointment of a substantive Secretary General of ALGON and also of BOT, the former Deputy National President advised the newly sworn in National President that due process be followed.

He described as illegal and a gamble in futility by groups or individual to conceive any idea of sort.

He drew the attention of the BoT and the new Exco on several legal issues in the past that were never helpful to the smooth running of the association. According to him, ALGON’s constitutional provision should be followed in letters and spirit.

He warned against selfish interest and abuse of the constitution as well as working at cross-purposes by changing or appointing the secretary general without due process which according to him is tantamount to invitation for fresh trouble in the association.

He urged the new leadership to work together, avert risk and embrace opportunity before them judiciously.