Details

The essence of organizing this forum is to bring elected public officials into contact with their electorates as it is noted that after elections, most elected officers relocate to the state capitals, and do not contact their people regularly.

Among the participants were elected public officials, the majority leader and members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Local Government caretaker committee chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, politicians, security agencies, representatives of women groups, youths and journalists.

The national director of political and civic education department of NOA, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoba, opened the floor by welcoming all the participants to the event, while the Director General of NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri, who was impressed with the turn-out of participants, gave a short remark on the reasons why the elected officials should always be in contact with their electorates. Samson Adeniran represented the country director of KAS, Mrs. Hildegard Behrendt-Kigozi, welcomed the participants and introduced KAS activities in Nigeria to the participants.

Rev. Fr. Obiora Ike, a professor and the bishop of Enugu Catholic diocese delivered the keynote address, and appreciated the efforts of KAS and NOA at providing a platform for dialogue because without dialogue democracy cannot grow.

The majority leader of Enugu State House of Assembly, represented the Speaker, apologized that the Speaker could not make it to the town hall meeting and gave his remarks.

At the plenary many participants aired their opinions and came to conclusions, some of which are as follow:

• The Forum should be replicated in all states and Local Government Areas for a meaningful impact and desired results to be achieved

• NOA and other Stakeholders should enlighten the public to enable them understand properly the powers, functions and limitation of elected officials

• Religious Leaders should be invited to be part and parcel of subsequent Forums because of their critical role in information dissemination.

• The organizers of the Forum (NOA & KAS) should ensure that the platform is not used as an avenue to antagonize and condemn elected officials; considering the fact that some of them have done well.