Event
Details
In collaboration with the National Orientation Agency, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Abuja organized a town hall meeting in Ibadan on April 14, 2016 at the Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan.
The Oyo state director of NOA, Mrs. Dolapo Dosunmu welcome all the participants and praised the Oyo State House of Assembly for not only coming to meet their electorates at such a forum, but for also coming before most of the electorates got to the venue. According to her, it is part of NOA mandate to raise the consciousness of citizens through interactive civic engagement which is expected to bring about a more enlightened citizenry who will actively participate in governance process
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 Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi was represented by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Information, Dr. Bashir Olarewaju, described the town hall meeting as a “democratic interaction for good governance” and assured all participants of the readiness of his administration to carry them along in governance through the phone-in radio programmes running in the state.
The Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Adeyemo pointed out that the official activities of the legislature are not appreciated by the average Nigerians. He stressed that the number of constituency projects completed by legislators are more appreciated instead of the quality of bills, which will impact on the lives of the citizens. As a result of this, the public see the legislature as non-performing, he was grateful for this kind of forum where the citizens can be educated.
Dr. Tony Marinho, the executive director of Educare Trust Foundation, Ibadan started with a note of warning to the elected representatives. He pointed out that as long as the elected representatives behave as if they own the state/nation the electorates will continue to run to them for financial assistance, as the government does not have safety nets to cater for the needy. He was of the opinion that a legislation should be in place which will mandate media houses in Nigeria to dedicate time and space in their broadcasts and publications to civic education to educate the electorates. He advised the elected officials to be transparent in their activities, as the electorates are watching and know the truth.
At the plenary, following issues were raised and discussed by the participants. There was a call for the nation to think about the system of government, and there should be a positive change in the attitude of Nigerians in both public and private sectors. While some participants wish to have training and retraining for the elected officials for better performance. Some participants believe making attendance of public schools by children of public officials mandatory will improve the standards in the public schools. The women participants raised their voices to show the need for more women representation in the Oyo State government especially in the House of Assembly.
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.
