Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, with technical support from the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, has announced a two-day citizen-government engagement summit scheduled for October 9 and 10 in Akure, Ondo State.
The summit, themed ‘Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future’, will bring together over 800 regional stakeholders to engage directly with the Federal Government of Nigeria on policy initiatives. His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, will host the summit with co-hosting by all Southwest Governors.
According to the steering committee chairman, Dr. Akin Onigbinde SAN, the summit aims to create a structured dialogue mechanism between the Southwest region and federal and state authorities, in order to ensure regional voices inform national policy decisions.
“This summit marks a new chapter in democratic engagement for the Southwest region,” stated Dr. Onigbinde, a former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly. We are creating an institutional framework that will ensure the voices of over 40 million Southwest residents are heard and considered in governance decisions.
Providing more information on the summit, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, DAWN Commission’s Director General, said a unique feature of the congress is its requirement for evidence-based presentations. We demand accountability through evidence,” he said, while adding that the summit “presents an opportunity for Southwest citizens to get first-hand information about government policies.
The summit’s programme coordinator, Professor Anthony Kila, said the event will feature an all-embracing participation from key stakeholders including: Southwest Governors (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti), Federal Ministers and appointees, traditional rulers from across the region, religious leaders from Christian, Islamic, and traditional faiths, academic institutions and thought leaders, private sector and professional associations, cooperatives society leaders, farmers and market leaders, civil society organizations and grassroots representatives.
He said Southwest citizens should prepare to get direct answers to their questions in six thematic sessions covering: Fiscal Reforms and National Planning, Economic Development and Job Creation, Social Services and Social Development, Infrastructure and Transportation, Human Capital Development, and Security and Governance.
Packaged by Dare Raji
