The Office of the Citizen (OOTC), an initiative stemming from Pillar One of the #FixPolitics Initiative, which is dedicated to promoting active citizenship in Nigeria, will hold its inaugural virtual democracy dialogue on local government administration on June 12, 2024.
This announcement was made in a statement released on Monday by the Executive Director of #FixPolitics, Dr. Anthony Ubani.
“This is an important program designed to convene Nigerians and governance experts to discuss the broken state of politics and governance at the local government level. The aim is to propose ideas for strengthening local government administration, promoting good governance, and fostering a more effective and accountable democracy,” the statement read.
The event, themed “Promoting Sustainable Development Models for Effective Local Governance,” will attract key stakeholders in governance, social activism, law, public service, civil society, and the media.
The stakeholders will examine, among other topics, the lawsuit between the federal and state governments over the control of local governments in Nigeria, poor governance at the local government level, and ways to restore democracy, good governance, and development at the third tier of government.
Additionally, the panels will explore the role of local governments, the proposal to transfer election oversight to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the call for a truly independent electoral body that respects the wishes of the people.
The dialogue, which begins at 12:00 WAT (7:00 AM EST), requires prior registration of participants, speakers, and guests via [http://ootcnigeria.org/dd](http://ootcnigeria.org/dd).
Confirmed speakers at the event include the founder of #FixPolitics, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili; former minister, Frank Nweke II; Convener of Chess In Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya; founder of BudgIT, Seun Onigbinde; founder of Community Life Project, Ngozi Iwere; Nigerian spoken word and performance poetry artist and author, Dike Chukwumerije; Dr. Sam Amadi of the Centre for Public Policy and Research; Sesugh Akume of Advocate for Good Governance; and Dr. Anthony Ubani.
Others include the founder of Talkademy, Joyce Daniels, and the Executive Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, Lagos, Olusesan Daini.
The first panel will focus on Education and Awareness, while the second will address Accountability.
“We will examine models that have been effective in other nations and consider what actions we should take as a nation. We will also discuss how young people who wish to serve the nation can get involved,” said Ubani.
According to him, the event is expected to catalyze 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 governance.
