By Onwe Wisdom
The Chairman Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures and Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin has called for a bi-level legislative collaboration and more platform for citizen engagement to engender inclusive governance.
“It is important that we provide more platforms and avenues for the citizens to engage with leaders and their representatives, ask questions and contribute constructively to improve the quality of decision making process.
This, he said will foster a culture of transparency and accountability thereby enhancing citizens understanding of legislative processes. Hence, underline the importance of collaboration between national and state legislatures in strengthening citizen engagement and inclusive governance.
Rt. Hon. Adebo makes the call today in a good will message on behalf of the conference at the House of Representatives (People’s House) open week 2024 with the theme improving inclusion through citizen engagement.
He noted that the theme “Improving Inclusion through citizen engagement is apt for this historic legislative open week especially at this very moment of our dear country celebration of 25 years of uninterrupted representative democracy, harps on the important to further strengthen commitment to citizen engagement and inclusive governance.
“We must realise that inclusion and citizen engagement are essential components of democratic governance. This program attests to the fact that we have all acknowledged and recognised the importance of citizen participation in legislative processes and the need for open parliament”.
The Chairman Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures and Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin who specially recognise and appreciated the effort of the Rt. Hon Speaker Tajudeen Abass, His Deputy Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu, the entire leadership and members of the House of Representatives for their principle of inclusiveness in the legislative activities of the 10th National Assembly says the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures are ready to work with the National Assembly and other stakeholders for a harmonized approach to citizen engagement and inclusive governance.
“We will strive in our respective State Assemblies to create more enabling environment for citizen participation in governance in order to ensure that their voices are heard”.
Express the conference commitment to continue working together with National Assembly to building a Nigeria that is truly of the people, by the people and for the people.
Rt. Hon. Adebo noted that our democracy is a “work in progress. Hence, called for continue improvement on the process and strengthening of institutions to better serve the people.
“I wish us all a fruitful and engaging Legislative Open Week. May our collective efforts strengthen our democracy and build a brighter future for our great nation” he said