YIAGA Africa has called on residents of Jos North Local Government Area to engage more actively in local governance, emphasizing that only with citizen involvement can communities enjoy the full benefits of democracy.
Miss Antonia Onda, Senior Programme Officer at the organization, stated this at the launch of its “People’s Assembly” project on Wednesday in Jos.
She highlighted that the People’s Assembly, a deliberative democracy initiative, enables citizens to openly discuss local challenges and develop actionable resolutions for government consideration.
Supported by Open Society Foundations, the project seeks to empower citizens across 12 Nigerian states by promoting participatory governance, particularly at the grassroots level.
According to Onda, “The People’s Assembly will teach citizens how to bring up their challenges, present them in order of priority, and follow up on these issues with government officials to ensure accountability.”
She explained that fostering organized dialogue between communities and leaders would help address local needs effectively.
Expressing his support, Mr. John Kele, Councillor for Jenta Adamu Ward, noted that initiatives like this enhance citizens’ understanding of their rights to good governance.
He emphasized that active collaboration between leaders and residents is key to impactful governance, particularly in Jos North.
“Projects like the People’s Assembly remind both citizens and leaders that governance works best when it’s a partnership,” Kele said, adding that he looks forward to seeing how it will positively influence governance across the area.
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