The Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Dr Otive Igbuzor observed that the inclusion and participation of the citizen in government activities remained very crucial to attaining sustainable development in Nigeria.
He said this at a reflection session with Civil Society Organizations and Media partners organised by Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL), a programme of UK’s Department for International Development (DFID).
Igbuzor said the session was designed for the CSOs and the media partners to reflect on their past activities, fashion out best approaches to adapt learning from previous activities and embrace best practices going forward.
He used the avenue to appeal to state governors whose states have not signed in to Open Government Partnership (OGP) to do so without delay and reap the benefits of the concept.
Igbuzor said OGP is an international mechanism put in place to promote good governance, tackle corruption through openness and ensure citizens’ inclusion and participation in the running of government activities.
He said OGP is the best avenue to achieve good governance in Nigeria and commended states that have joined. He also lauded the states that have indicated their willingness to join OGP.
Journalists and civil society activists drawn from different parts of the country attended the meeting.