CSO, Others Urge Nasarawa Govt To Adopt OGP, Inclusivity In Governance

Civil Society groups and other participants at a social accountability close-up event have called on the Nasarawa State government to adopt measures to include all segments of society in the state’s governance.

They particularly urged the state government to initiate legislation to adopt Open Government Partnership (OGP). This multilateral and multinational initiative seeks to create a collaboration between government and civil society.

They spoke during the Social Accountability Fellowship 2024 close-out event organised by Promad Foundation, a non-governmental and non-profit organisation, in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
Speaking at the occasion, Professor Adamu Abdulazeez, executive director of the Centre for Citizens Rights, said the adoption of the OGP would enable the government to implement the many reforms that the initiative could drive.

He also urged the state government to domesticate the Freedom of Information Act, which allows citizens to demand accountability and participate in governance.

The executive director also advocated for including and participating young people, women, and people with disabilities in state decision-making.

The coordinator of Promad Foundation, Mr Emmanuel Sani, said 13 youths from all the state’s local government areas were selected and trained on various modules of social accountability for two months.

According to him, the training areas include public project participation, project reporting and monitoring, budget participation, audit efficacy, gender equality, and social inclusion.

He said the training prepared the participants with the requisite knowledge and data to engage the government in good governance.

He noted that the participants are expected to pass on their knowledge to other youths in their respective localities, allowing for collective engagement to propel good governance in the state.