Stallion Times recently organised a pivotal roundtable discussion to promote good governance in Kogi State.
The event which took place at Edgedrive Hotel Lokoja, brought together key stakeholders, including state actors, non-state actors, and the media to discuss governance matters.
The broad objectives of the event were to develop a strategy for generating citizens’ input for budget and service delivery and to co-create a mutually agreed Key Performance Index to measure the government’s accountability on key commitments.
Mr. Leslie Babangida Dongh, the consultant who facilitated the discussions, stated that a permanent dialogue mechanism is crucial for building a culture of accountability and transparency.
He highlighted the importance of continuous government engagement with citizens noting that such activity would ensure that the government remains responsive to the needs and aspirations of its citizens.
Dongh took participants through strategies for generating citizens’ input for the state budget and the strategy for effective service delivery.
He said: “The roundtable has created a unique opportunity for various stakeholders to come together and deliberate on how to move Kogi state forward.”
“It is expected that the governance roundtable will lead to tangible actions that will benefit the people of Kogi State,” Dongh added.
The Editor-in-Chief of Stallion Times, Isiyaku Ahmed, emphasised the importance of media literacy and citizen participation in governance.
He said when state and non-state actors engage in governance dialogue, it fosters trust and understanding, adding that a permanent dialogue mechanism will bridge the gap between government and civil society, especially at a time when misinformation poses a significant threat to democracy.
in his goodwill message, the Special Adviser on Media to Kogi State Governor, Isah Ismail, emphasised Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration’s commitment to good governance, with recent legislative actions reflecting this dedication.
He stated that seven new laws have been signed, focusing on various aspects crucial to the well-being of Kogi State residents.
“These include the Kogi State Local Government Service Commission Law, the Kogi State Scholarship Board Edict, the establishment of the Kogi State Electricity Market, and the Kogi State Anti-Corruption Agency, among others. These laws were crafted through a transparent and inclusive process, involving public hearings with diverse stakeholder participation.
“The state government’s efforts in agriculture, particularly the allocation of 75% of nearly 10,000 hectares of farmland to women and youth for wet season farming. This initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and empowerment.
“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.”
Ismail then thanked Stallion Times for giving priority to Kogi state in their efforts to promote openness, transparency, and inclusion in governance.
Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina, the Chairman of Kogi NGO Network (KONGONET) and the non-state actors’ Co-Chair of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Kogi State emphasised the role of the newly established Kogi Accountability Platform in fostering transparency and accountability.
He stated that this platform would serve as a conduit for conveying the people’s needs to the government, thereby promoting good governance.
Eunice Abimbola, Executive Director of Challenge Parenthood Initiative, stressed the importance of citizens actively engaging with the government by asking pertinent questions and participating in town hall meetings.
She expressed hope for a future where the government consistently meets the people’s needs through such continuous dialogue.
A journalist with Nigerian Pilot, Friday Idachaba, underscored the media’s responsibility in ensuring that the government’s actions align with the people’s needs.
He committed to using the accountability platform to enhance government responsiveness to the plight of citizens.
According to him, the roundtable discussion marks a significant step towards strengthening good governance in the State.
The event was supported by Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism and funded by the MacArthur Foundation.
