In a bid to encourage citizens’ participation in governance, Kogi NGO Network (KONGONET), a coalition of civil society networks championing participatory democracy and good governance on Thursday at a round table discussion on good governance inaugurated a Permanent Dialogue Mechanism (PDM) Committee.
The round table discussion organised by Stallion Times is one of its activities in the 3-year participatory governance and media literacy project tagged “Get Involved, Dialogue and Improve (G-DRIP)” in Kano and Kogi states with the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism under the Collaborative Media Project and funded by the MacArthur Foundation.
Interim committee members of the PDM include, Hamza Aliyu as Chairman, and Eunice Abimbola Agbogun, Secretary, other members are Abaniwo Nathaniel, Daniel Arome, Ikechukwu Mpama, Joseph Amedu, and Reuben Joshua.
The committee’s mission is to promote good governance by strengthening institutions so that they can provide efficient, inclusive, and citizen-responsive services that are transparent and accountable.
Mr. Adegbola T. Isaiah, Permanent Secretary at the Kogi State Ministry of Information and Communication, who inaugurated the committee noted that as a sign of its transparency, accountability, and participatory focus, Kogi State has now joined the league of States that have joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative.
“This will increase openness and transparency in the management of resources in the state, which, like other states, has witnessed increased investment and resource mobilisation.
“KONGONET will ensure to promote citizens’ engagement with the government by creating awareness on the role of citizens in governance.
He noted that citizens and civil society organisations must continue to engage consistently and strategically with the Government and the private sector for effective governance in the state.
Earlier in his goodwill message, Ismaila Isah, the Special Adviser on Media to the Kogi State Governor, said the event is aimed at engendering accountability in governance through a robust civic space engagement.
He added: “The focus on the role of media literacy and citizens’ participation in governance will not only promote open governance, it will help to encourage the people to trust those elected or appointed to serve and build understanding in our society.
“It is undeniable fact that at a time when trust deficit fueled by aggressive misinformation and disinformation has become a major threat to democracy, an organisation like Stallion Times is doing our country a whole world of good by consistently creating platforms for connecting government with the civil society.
“As you are aware Kogi State under Governor Ahmed Usman’s administration has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to promoting good governance through unprecedented probity and accountability in the conduct of government business.
“Recently, Governor Ododo signed seven bills into laws that are germane to the wellbeing of the people.
“The process of making these laws was transparent, inclusive, and pain-staking with public hearings that involved a spectrum of stakeholders.
“Women and youth have been accorded 75% of the nearly 10,000 hectares of the farmland being supported by the state government in this year’s wet season farming.
“There are indeed many more ways the administration of His Excellency has been openly inclusive both in terms of appointments, project distribution, empowerment, health insurance, social welfare, and security of lives and property.”
“I urge all stakeholders to key into the open government initiative of the state government and avail the government of timely and constructive feedback to ensure improvements in our policies and programs as we continue to lift the frontier of good governance for the socioeconomic development of the state under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.”
He then thanked Stallion Times for giving priority to Kogi state in their efforts to promote openness, transparency, and inclusion in governance.
