Public office holders have been charged to promote and bridge
effective communication gap between them and the masses. This is to
afford them the opportunity to give account of their stewardship, know
the needs and wants of the masses as well as seeks their opinion
towards sustainable governance.
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun gave this charge in his
remark while declaring open a one-day interactive Forum organised by
National Orientation Agency (NOA), in collaboration with KONRAD
ADENAUER STIFTUNG (KAS), tagged ‘Citizens Conversation and National
Interest’ held at Green Legacy Resort, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential
Library (OOPL), Abeokuta.
Governor Amosun said responsive and responsible governance demands
effective communication between the public office holders and the
electorate adding that this ‘plays a pivotal role towards delivering
more dividends of democracy’.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy,
Chief Adedayo Adeneye, the Governor said “government can improve the
welfare of it’s citizens only if there is a two way communication”,
noting that lack of effective communication may mar the execution of
government programmes and policies.
“One of the tools for sustainable development is public interface as
governance evolves around communication because it alleviates anxiety
and counters any wrong perception of government by the public. Once
the communication gap is blocked, it might lead to the
misunderstanding of government programmes and policies. An example of
this is organising Town Hall meetings and interactive fora where the
masses can share their concerns, opinions as well as advice government
towards the development of the state and nation at large,” he said
Governor Amosun, however commended the organisers for providing a
platform where public office holders come around to give account of
their stewardship to the electorate and seek further clarifications.
Earlier in her remarks, the Acting Director General NOA Mrs Ngozi
Ekeobi, who commended government of Ogun state for the developmental
strides recorded in the State stated that the programme is designed to
help government to feel the pulse of the people as issues of good
governance evolve round effective communication between public office
holders and citizens.
According to her, “accountability and transparency is tangible when
there is constant interaction. Through constant briefing of government
activities and programmes, citizens would be abreast of necessary
information about government”.
Also speaking, the Country Representative of KAS, Mrs Hildegard
Behrendt Kigozi said In order to put our country in order, we need to
have political re-orientation, enlightenment, educative and
informative programmes.
Speaking in the same vein, Ogun State Director, NOA, Mr Shola Babalola
said the programme would no doubt give further impetus to the
Buhari-led administration for accountability and transparency. He
added that it is designed for public officials to come and give
stewardship of their achievements.