Victor EzejaFormer Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, ex-minister of Information, Frank Nweke Jnr, and Convener, Chess In Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, are billed to speak at the maiden edition of the Office of the Citizen’s democracy dialogue on local government administration.
The event is scheduled to hold virtually, on Wednesday, 12th June 2024.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelOffice of the Citizens (OOTC) is an offshoot of #FixPolitics Initiative, founded by Dr Oby Ezekwesili, to promote active citizenship in Nigeria.
A statement released on Monday and signed by the Executive Director of #FixPolitics, Dr Anthony Ubani, said the programme aims to rally Nigerians and experts to reflect on the state of politics and governance at the local government level in the country, and raise ideas on how to strengthen democracy at the grassroots.
“It is an important programme conceived, to convene Nigerians and experts in governance to discuss the broken state of politics and governance at the local government level, with a view to proffering ideas for strengthening local government administration, promoting good governance and accentuating a more effective and accountable democracy,” the statement read.
The event, tagged ‘Promoting Sustainable Development Models for Effective Local Governance,’ will attract key stakeholders in governance, social activism, law, public service, civil society and the media.
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The stakeholders will examine, among other things, the law suit between the federal and state governments, over control of local governments in Nigeria, poor governance at the local government level and ways to restore democracy, good governance, democracy and development at the third tier of government.
The statement added that the panels will explore the role of local governments, the proposal to transfer election oversight to the Independent National Electoral Commission and the call for a truly independent electoral body that respects the wishes of the people.
The dialogue, which will begin at 12.00 WAT (7 am EST), requires prior registration of participants, speakers and guests to the event via http://ootcnigeria.org/dd
“Confirmed speakers at the event include the founder, #FixPolitics, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili; former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke Jr; Convener, Chess In Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya; founder, BudgiT, Seun Onigbinde; founder, Community Life Project, Ngozi Iwere; Nigerian spoken word and performance poetry artiste and author, Dike Chukwumerije; Dr Sam Amadi of Centre for Public Policy and Research; Sesugh Akume of Advocate for Good Governance; as well as Ubani.
“Others speakers are founder, Talkademy, Joyce Daniels, and Executive Chairman, Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, Lagos, Olusesan Daini.”
It said the first panel will be on Education and Awareness, while the second is on Accountability.
“We will look at models that have been working in other nations and what we should be doing as a nation. We will also look at young ones who want to serve the nation and how they should go about it,” Ubani, said.
According to him, the event is expected to catalyse meaningful dialogue and action towards a more autonomous, effective and truly representative system of local government administration in Nigeria, while entrenching the finest principles of democracy, transparency and integrity in constitutional democracy.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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