Details

In collaboration with the National Orientation Agency, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Abuja organized a town hall meeting in Abeokuta on April 12, 2016 at the Green Legacy Hotel, Abeokuta.

The Ogun state director of NOA, Mr. Sola Babalola welcomed all the participants and praised the Ogun State House of Assembly for coming to meet their electorates at such a forum with a high turn-out. According to him, conscious efforts are being made by NOA towards attitudinal re-orientation/repositioning of the citizenry in almost every aspect and strata of our national life, through constant mobilization, orientation, education, enlightenment and the feedback functions on government programs.

In her remark, the acting Director-General of NOA, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoba, mni welcome all the participants and explained that because the government most of the time does not carry along majority of the people in decision making, most of the peoples’ needs and priorities are misplaced. She therefore stressed that for governance to be rated good there must be accountability and transparency. This, however, she also explained, can only be achieved with the participation of the citizens.

Mrs. Hildegard Behrendt-Kigozi, the Director of KAS Nigeria, welcomed the participants and introduced the activities of KAS in Nigeria. She however assured the participants of continue with this civic education project in other states of the federation, so that more Nigerians will be empowered to carry out civic duties and responsibilities while enjoying their civic rights.

The Executive Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun was represented by the Commissioner of Information, Chief. Dayo Adeneye, described the town hall meeting as a good exercise for law makers to meet the electorate. This, he said, strengthens democracy and good governance.

The Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi pointed out that members of the House of Assembly in Ogun State have also been meeting with electorates at various town hall meetings. He described the gesture by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung as good for democracy. The speaker gave an insight to the functions and projects of members of the Ogun State house. HE informed guests that the Ogun State House of Assembly has embarked on extensive renovations and upgrading projects. He also listed 12 major constituency projects which were executed amongst other things. He also highlighted some of the achievements of the house like resolution of disputes between companies and citizens and many other achievements. He particularly appreciated KAS for “being a worthy partner in promoting good representation and governance” in the state.

Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale, the deputy chief coordinator, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta gave a keynote speech on Citizens’ conversations with elected officials. He declared that such platform are necessary for the growth of democracy and affirmed that a proper and functioning democracy is about aggregating one’s interest and articulating it and getting others to subscribe to it. He said, “Democracy is about channeling energies in a particular direction to achieve a set goal.” He also proposed for an intervention program that should be called Citizens Participation Network (CPN) which would be a voluntary and non-partisan political framework that seeks to engage elected political leaders in a non-confrontational way.

Alhaji Mojeed Oladele Ekelojumati gave an input on grassroots governance, its challenges, achievements and hopes based on a case study on Ijebu North Local Government in Ogun State.

At the interactive session, issues were raised and discussed by the participants. Participants deliberated on ways to interact with the government. Questions were also asked on strategies that would produce the best results from such interactions with elected officials.

The whole discussion came to a close with all the participants happy for having the opportunity to dialogue and exchange ideas with the elected officials.