The Management and Organizing Committee of Papyrus Global has officially extended its heartfelt appreciation and profound gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the resounding success of the Papyrus Global Mayors Conference and Award (PAGMACA) 2026, held at the prestigious Palms Hotel Abuja.
The landmark event brought together an influential gathering of policymakers, mayors, development experts, civil society leaders, and media organizations from across Africa and beyond. The conference stood as a powerful platform for transformative dialogue and collaborative engagement aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and sustainable development.
From the onset, PAGMACA 2026 demonstrated its relevance by addressing critical issues shaping local governance across the continent. Key discussions centered on inclusive leadership, legislative accountability, climate adaptation, urban planning, and youth participation in governance. The conference further explored pressing challenges such as operational independence of local governments, transparency, and institutional responsibility.
A major highlight of the conference was the delivery of impactful keynote presentations by distinguished leaders and experts. Professor Nentawe Yilwatda delivered a compelling address on effective leadership and grassroots transformation, emphasizing the need for visionary governance at the local level. Similarly, Dame Pauline Tallen inspired participants with her keynote on inclusive leadership, advocating strongly for youth, women, and vulnerable groups to play central roles in governance.
Other notable contributions included Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, who addressed issues of women inclusion and participatory leadership, and Aare Majeed Alabi, whose presentation focused on legislative oversight and transparency. Environmental sustainability was also a focal point, with I. I. Y. Malu delivering insights on flood management and climate resilience strategies.
The panel sessions further enriched the conference, featuring respected voices from civil society, legal advocacy, youth leadership, and environmental sectors. Awal Musa Rafsanjani spoke on civil society oversight, while Romy Mom highlighted the importance of community policing and partnerships. Contributions from Thecla Orakwe and Aminu Zakari underscored youth inclusion and climate adaptation planning respectively.
Additional insights were shared by Michael Terunga David on climate-smart agriculture and Queen Imalue Phillips on urban planning and population growth. Though unable to attend physically, Aumbur Kwaghter Sule was acknowledged for her contribution through presentation materials on public-private partnerships.
The conference also celebrated the presence and contributions of distinguished mayors and public officials from across Africa. Among them were Leonard Hango, Annelize Knaus, Taarah Shalyefu, and Albert Zinghanga. Their participation reinforced the conference’s commitment to fostering cross-border collaboration in governance.
Also recognized were Yankuba Darboe from The Gambia and Mathias Lwanga from Uganda, alongside key Nigerian leaders including Sunday Paul Bako and Fatai Owoseni, who delivered a keynote on peace and community stability.
Papyrus Global also extended special appreciation to local government chairpersons and administrators whose participation underscored the importance of grassroots leadership. Their presence added depth to discussions on governance reforms and community-driven development strategies.
The success of PAGMACA 2026 was further amplified by the unwavering support of media partners and sponsors. Organizations such as Leadership Newspaper Nigeria, GhanaWeb, Talentz Media, and BEN TV UK played pivotal roles in ensuring widespread visibility and coverage of the event.
Special recognition was also given to Lawyers Alert for their sponsorship and continued commitment to promoting inclusive governance and sustainable development initiatives across Africa.
In its closing remarks, Papyrus Global expressed deep gratitude to all delegates, partners, development advocates, youth and women leaders, traditional authorities, and participants who traveled from various regions and countries to attend the conference. Their collective contributions have significantly strengthened the organization’s vision of building empowered communities and resilient institutions.
The organization reaffirmed its commitment to advancing grassroots transformation, good governance, and inclusive leadership across Africa. It also emphasized its readiness to continue fostering partnerships that will drive sustainable development and policy innovation.
As PAGMACA 2026 concludes on a high note, Papyrus Global looks forward to building on the momentum generated, ensuring that the ideas, partnerships, and commitments formed during the conference translate into tangible impact across communities.
Signed:
Papyrus Global Conference and Award Organizing Committee.
