News
RMAFC, ALGON Deepen Collaboration to Advance Local Government Autonomy
Joel Ajayi
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has pledged to deepen collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to strengthen local government administration, advance fiscal autonomy and ensure that increased resources translate into tangible development at the grassroots.
The commitment was made when a delegation of RMAFC Federal Commissioners, led by Hon. Aliyu Abdulkadir, Federal Commissioner representing Nasarawa State and Chairman, State and Local Government Monitoring Committee, paid a courtesy visit to the National President of ALGON, Hon. (Engr.) Bello Lawal, at the Association’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, PhD, Hon. Abdulkadir said the newly constituted Committee was established to deepen engagement with the third tier of government and explore practical measures to strengthen local governments.
He stressed that, as a constitutional body, RMAFC is empowered to monitor accruals and disbursements into and from the Federation Account, to which local governments are constitutionally entitled.
Hon. Abdulkadir gave the assurance that the Commission is ready to ensure that the autonomy of local government, as recently pronounced by the Supreme Court, is given effect to.
He also urged local governments to strengthen their internally generated revenue and reduce overdependence on allocations from the centre.
Also speaking, Sen. Marafa Bashir Abba, Federal Commissioner representing Taraba State and Vice Chairman of the State and Local Government Monitoring Committee, said the engagement would generate ideas capable of improving the Committee’s work and strengthening collaboration with ALGON, particularly in addressing challenges confronting local governments, including issues surrounding local government elections.
Responding, Hon. Bello Lawal welcomed the initiative, describing RMAFC’s engagement as timely and critical to the future of grassroots governance. He said, “When you empower local government, you empower the whole country because local government is where people actually live.”
He further said, “A strengthened local governments constitute the bedrock and foundation for the development of our country.” Hon. Bello called for greater participation of local governments in revenue-allocation processes and assured the Commission of ALGON’s readiness to collaborate on capacity building, fiscal discipline and improved utilisation of public resources.
Other members of the delegation from RMAFC included Hon. Kabeer Muhammed Usman, Federal Commissioner, Gombe State; Hon. Madu Ali Juluri, Federal Commissioner, Yobe State; Hon. Rabiu Garba, Federal Commissioner, Zamfara State; and Hon. (Amb.) Jacob Ayuba Mbako, Federal Commissioner representing the FCT.
The engagement reinforces RMAFC’s commitment to strategic partnerships that promote fiscal accountability, effective revenue management, local government autonomy and inclusive development at the grassroots.
News
Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows
Joel Ajayi
The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.
He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.
According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.
The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.
“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.
Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.
He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.
He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.
According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.
Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.
He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.
We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.
The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.
He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.
Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.
He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.
“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”
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