The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has urged the implementation of local government autonomy to enhance grassroots governance. ALGON National President, Mr. Bello Lawal, made this appeal on Monday at the 2nd Quarter Stakeholders and Citizens Engagement Forum, organised by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs in Abuja. Represented by Mr. Emmanuel Akala, a former Chairman of Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa State, Lawal also praised President Bola Tinubu for kick-starting the autonomy initiative. “We at ALGON, and many stakeholders here, believe that the local government system is supposed to be the strongest tier because it is the closest to the people. “Every Nigerian resides in a local government, not at the state or federal level,” he said. He expressed appreciation to civil society organisations and the ministry for advocating financial autonomy and lauded President Tinubu for approaching the Supreme Court to pursue direct funding for local governments. “It’s almost a year since the judgment was delivered. We are hopeful that implementation will commence soon, and we urge the implementation committee to fast-track action,” he said. Lawal highlighted ongoing national programmes by ALGON aimed at enhancing grassroots development, including the ALGON Primary Healthcare Revitalisation and Operationalisation Programme.