News
Kogi Assembly Speaker advocates collaboration with CSOs for effective, responsive governance
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf has called for sustained synergy between the Assembly and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to foster transparency, accountability and inclusivity for effective and responsive governance.
Yusuf made the call in his goodwill message at opening of a 2-day Retreat For State Legislators and Civil Society on “Participatory and Inclusive Governance Through Effective Constituency Offices” on Thursday in Lokoja.
The retreat was organized by Initiative For Grassroot Advancement In Nigeria (INGRA) in collaboration with Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The Speaker said such synergy could engender a symbiotic collaboration that would guarantee access to a broad range of perspectives and data, enabling them to make more informed decisions when crafting policies and legislation.
“We understand that our responsibility firstly concerns formulation of policies, oversight and the use of our legislative powers to bargain for and lobby what would improve the lives of our people, but we also know we cannot do this effectively without collaboration”, he said.
Yusuf noted that development of such synergy could culminate in a potent force for the promotion of meaningful development adding that while the Legislative Arm plays a crucial role in creating and amending laws, the Civil Society represents the diverse voices and interests of the public.
“When these two entities work together, we can foster transparency, accountability and inclusivity, leading to more effective and responsive governance.
“Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) often possess valuable expertise and knowledge on various social, economic and environmental issues”, the Speaker said.
“We also understand that the civil society acts as a watchdog, monitoring the implementation of laws and policies. Collaboration with the legislative branch allows the CSOs to provide independent assessments and evaluations of government programs”, he said.
Yusuf pledged that the CSOs in Kogi State were going to enjoy a more robust and symbiotically rewarding relationship with the 8th Assembly in Kogi State.
Also speaking in his goodwill message, Amb. Idris Ozovehe Muraina Chairperson, Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) said the network is working hand-in-hand with the Legislature to ensure that citizens of Kogi State receive the best of representation and benefits.
“As representatives of the people, we believe that collaboration between the government and CSOs is vital in achieving our shared goal of good governance, sustainable development and a prosperous future for all Kogi residents.
“By combining our expertise, resources and experiences, we can collectively address the multifaceted challenges faced by our state and find innovative solutions for a brighter future”, Muraina assured.
Also speaking, Barr Lilian Okolo, Chairperson of Kogi State chapter of Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) commended the organizers of the retreat saying the Federation was out to protect, promote and preserve the rights of women and children and would want their cause mainstreamed and captured in the state’s annual budgets.
Ikechukwu Mpama, Programmes Officer with the Initiative for Grassroot Advancement (INGRA), in his overview of the State Level Advocacy And Legislative Engagement Forum, leading to the 2-day Legislators/Civil Society Retreat, said it was a six-month project spanning from October, this year to March, 2024.
The Programme Officer said that the objectives of the project include, among others, to engender more robust gender sensitive and citizenry inclined budgeting, development of a functional citizenry, enhancement of capacities of the state legislators and supporting citizens’ participation in budgetary processes.
Former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Professor Tom Adaba, has passed away at the age of 84.
According to reports, he died peacefully on Saturday in Abuja.
Chief Adinoyi Joe Anivasa, Secretary of the Egbira Elders Forum, confirmed the news, stating, “I feel sad to inform you that our elder and leader, Prof. Tom A. Adaba, has answered the call of nature this morning. Further details about his burial arrangements will be communicated later.”
Born on July 2, 1941, Prof. Adaba made significant contributions to Nigeria’s broadcasting industry. Between 1988 and 1992, he became the first Nigerian to serve as President of the African Council for Communication Education.
Despite calls for suspension from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Nigeria Police Force, the Osun State local government election proceeded as scheduled on Saturday.
Governor Ademola Adeleke voted in Ede North Local Government Area, describing the process as peaceful and urging residents to exercise their franchise.
The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, cited a Court of Appeal ruling allegedly reinstating sacked local government chairmen, while the police warned of potential security threats.
However, the Osun State government insisted on holding the election, emphasizing its commitment to obeying a court directive. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) boycotted the polls.
Voting took place under tight security, with minimal commercial activity observed in Osogbo, the state capital.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Commissioner for Information, Jonathan Vatsa, has indicated that Firmer President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence at the public presentation of former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida’s autobiography, The Journey of Service, held in Abuja on Thursday was not surprising.
Speaking to journalists in Minna on Saturday, Vatsa suggested that Buhari’s no-show was a result of unresolved bitterness over the 1985 coup, in which Babangida overthrew him and subsequently detained him.
According to Vatsa, Buhari may still harbor resentment, especially over being denied the chance to bid his late mother farewell while in detention.
“It Would Have Been the 9th Wonder of the World If Buhari Had Attended”
Vatsa claimed that Buhari’s absence was expected, given the deep-seated history between the two former leaders.
“The memory of the ‘mother of all betrayals’ has not left him. It would have been the ninth wonder of the world if Buhari had attended that book launch,” he said.
The APC chieftain also linked Buhari’s perceived neglect of Niger State during his eight-year presidency to his history with Babangida.
“The whole world knows that Niger State was made a scapegoat by Buhari because of IBB. For eight years, he did not pay any serious official visit to the state, and not a single federal project was executed here. The Baro Port project was abandoned, and federal roads across the state were left in disrepair,” Vatsa alleged.
He claimed that despite the overwhelming votes Buhari received from Niger State in 2015 and 2019, the state was sidelined due to the personal history between the former presidents.
“When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. Niger State paid for the sin of one man,” he lamented.
When asked for his opinion on the contents of IBB’s autobiography, Vatsa said he would reserve his comments until he has read and digested the book fully.
“There are certain things I expected to see in the book. Once I am done reading, I will invite you all for my comments,” he stated.
The book launch attracted several high-profile attendees, including President Bola Tinubu, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Yakubu Gowon, as well as former military head of state Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Other dignitaries included former Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo, former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma, and ex-vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Yemi Osinbajo, and Namadi Sambo, alongside traditional rulers and state governors.
Buhari’s absence, however, remained a major talking point, reinforcing speculations that the 1985 coup remains a sore point in Nigeria’s political history.
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