This post has already been read 232 times!

OWERRI, IMO STATE — The leadership of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the South-East has commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for what it described as a landmark demonstration of gender inclusion and commitment to the empowerment of women across the region.

The South-East ALGON leadership also pledged continued solidarity with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that the grassroots remains aligned with the APC-led administration.

The position was contained in a statement by the Deputy National President of ALGON, Executive Chairman of Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State and ALGON Chairman in the state, Engr. Toni Adikibe.

Adikibe, speaking on behalf of the 27 Local Government Chairmen in Imo State and the wider local government leadership across the South-East, expressed appreciation to the First Lady for the donation of empowerment items reportedly worth N250 million to 2,500 women across the South-East.

He said the intervention, with Imo State receiving the largest single allocation, should be viewed beyond charity, describing it as an investment in families, grassroots economies and the future of communities across the region.

“Her Excellency’s donation of empowerment items worth N250m to 2,500 women in the South-East, with Imo State receiving the largest single allocation, is more than charity. It is a deliberate investment in families, in grassroots economies, and in the future of our communities.

“It affirms that when you empower a woman, you stabilize a home, and when you stabilize homes, you build a nation,” he stated.

The ALGON leader also commended Governor Uzodimma for what he described as visionary leadership and efforts to translate national policies into tangible grassroots programmes.

According to him, the governor’s commitment to gender balance and inclusive governance in Imo State is demonstrated by his administration’s policies and the elevation of women to significant positions of responsibility.

He specifically cited the choice of a female Deputy Governor as evidence of Governor Uzodimma’s commitment to giving women “a rightful sense of belonging and voice in governance.”

Adikibe said the development was consistent with the First Lady’s advocacy for women’s empowerment and inclusion, describing Senator Oluremi Tinubu as “the Mother of All” and a consistent advocate for women across Nigeria.

“Your Excellency, Ma, on behalf of all LGAs in Imo and the South-East, we receive your gesture with gratitude and responsibility. We will not take it for granted,” he said.

He assured that the local government system, being the tier of government closest to the people, would work to ensure that the empowerment intervention translates into sustainable businesses, jobs and improved livelihoods across wards and communities.

The South-East ALGON leadership further declared that the gesture by the First Lady would strengthen its commitment to the APC-led administration, arguing that continuity was essential to sustaining what it described as positive governance outcomes.

“This gesture will be reciprocated. We believe in national safeguard and continuity. There is wisdom in not changing a winning team,” Adikibe said.

He declared that the local government structure across Imo State and the South-East remained firmly aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The ALGON chairman also said rural women across the region were prepared to continue supporting what he described as visionary leadership, adding that grassroots mobilisation would remain central to the political process ahead of 2027.

“From the villages of Oru West to every LGA in the South-East, our women, our mothers, and our leaders at the grassroots vow total support for the consolidation and continued victory of the APC-led federal government and the people-centered administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma,” he declared.

Adikibe thanked Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the empowerment initiative and Governor Uzodimma for his leadership, assuring the First Lady and the governor that the grassroots leadership remained “mobilized, grateful, and ready to deliver.”