The President and Chairman of the Institute for Leadership and Development Communication (ILDC), Professor Desmond Onyemachi Okocha, has expressed the need for grassroots participations and effective communications drive and sustain policies.

Speaking at the Award Giving and Maiden Induction Ceremony of the ILDC on Thursday in Abuja, Okocha noted that all over the world, initiators of policies whether in the public or private sector have noble course but without the involvement or participation of citizens at the grassroots as well as effective communication, it may be difficult for such policies to be successful or sustained.

Speaking further, he stated that development is a stakeholders-based activity, and for it to be internalized, it is necessary for the ownership at the grassroots and other stakeholders who are to champion the movement to understands it cores.

Speaking on the occasion, the Keynote Speaker and former Chief of Staff to ex- governor of Benue State, Dr. Gabriel Nyitse, insisted that for there to be any positive result in governance, cost of governance must be reduced.

The former Benue State gubernatorial aspirant also advised those in government to imbibe the character and passion of Nigeria founding fathers, who shunned corruption and fought to take the country to a lofty height.

In his Goodwill message through Skype, Rev Fr Justin John, a lecturer in Kaduna State University, stated that there were three sets of people – those watch things happen, those who make things happen and the ones who ask why things happen.

Speaking further, he advised both the Awardees and Inductees to be among those who make things happen for the betterment of the country.

Among those who received awards are Chief Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, Dr. Ladidi Kuluwa Bako-Aiyegbusi and Mrs. Ruth Ogun. Other recipients are Dr. Patrick Anibe Ikani, Dr. Felix Oisamoje, Dr. Ejike Orji, Babafunke Fagbemi and Dr. Akpezi Ogbunigwe among other.

Among those who were inducted are Mr. Stanley Okoroafo, Mrs. Anita Ukamaka, Mr. Chidi Henry and Mr. Obinna Nwosu. Others are Mr. Okereke Ifeanyi, Mr. Ebere Chibuzor and Mrs. Mary Nweke.