From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Connected Development (CODE), has urged citizens in Badari Ward, Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, to engage their lawmakers actively for the betterment of their community.
Speaking at an enlightenment programme on Saturday, CODE representative, Mr. Kehinde Akinsola, highlighted the importance of community members knowing the roles of their legislators and their own civic responsibilities.
“This programme, tagged Voice of Change, aims to empower citizens to use their voices effectively for positive change through the platform of Open Parly.
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“The initiative is designed to inform people about how lawmakers operate, their responsibilities, and how best to make demands that can be addressed within the lawmakers’ capacity,”Akinsola explained.
Guest Speaker, Dr. Adebola Bakare, Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ilorin, emphasised the need for citizens to be educated on the functions of the legislature, including lawmaking, oversight, representation, and budgeting, all of which are crucial to community development.
“We must enlighten the public on the roles of lawmakers and the responsibility of citizens toward their representatives. Often, we elect people, and they become distant from the community because the focus shifts to personal issues rather than collective development,” Dr. Bakare noted.
He further advised the community to reduce dependency on politicians and explore multiple income streams to boost self-reliance.
In his remarks, the President of the Badari Ward Progressive Association, Mr. Sulaiman Ahmed, called on lawmakers to conduct proper needs assessments before embarking on community projects to ensure they meet the real needs of the people.
Additionally, Comrade Abdulfatai Ayo, the Publicity Secretary of the association, encouraged community members to take ownership of government projects to avoid neglect and ensure sustainability.
The programme, supported by Magamba Africa, is being held across six states in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with the aim of enhancing civic engagement at the grassroots level.
