A Non Governmental organization, Initiative For Grassroot Advancement In Nigeria (INGRA), has stressed the need for the Civil Society and Government to strengthen their co-creation partnership in governance through the Open Government Partnership, (OGP), protocol to promote development and advancement in Kogi State.
This was contained in a communique at the end of a 1-DAY Inception Meeting for Strengthening Legislative Openness And Oversight Project For Improved Governance In Kogi State (Kogi LOOP) Organized By The Initiative For Grassroot Advancement In Nigeria (INGRA), held on 16th September 2025 at Good Shepard Hotel, Lokoja
The engagement was Sponsored by Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) With Support support from UK Foreign, Commonwealth and development office (FCDO)
The communique which was signed by Hamza Aliyu, Executive Director of INGRA, said the present cordial relationship between the Civil Society and the Kogi State House of Assembly must be enhanced to deepen citizens access to information and improve quality of service delivery to communities in Kogi State by Government agencies.
Speaking further the group said the leadership of the Assembly must ensure smooth access to information of the works of the Kogi State House of Assembly, saying that a Liaison Officer and a Civil Society Desk Officer would be created by the LOOP Project and domiciled in the House of Assembly.
Other steps to be taken by the group includes ; “Service Delivery Charter of Service for selected Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government will be developed and will form the basis for engagement during oversight functions of the respective House Committees, working with Citizen groups represented by the LOOP project.
In order to facilitate citizens access to their elected representatives, House Members will be provided airtime on dedicated Radio programme (Radio Nigeria PRIME FM 101.5) by the project to enlighten their citizens on topical issues and legislative activities as it relates to their constituency activities.
According to the Communique “The Objective of the project is geared towards addressing critical governance challenges and empowering citizens to actively participate in democratic processes with focus on access to information on legislative actions in Kogi State.
The group Observed that the legislature as the fulcrum of any representative Democracy in the world including Nigeria which represents the people and its voice, the first casualty in a weak democracy is the Legislative arm of government.
They noted that the current Legislative House in Kogi State is clearly a vibrant and people oriented, due to its willingness to always involve citizens and groups in its activities.
“Open Government Partnership (OGP) concept represents a global initiative for constructive and sustainable engagement between political leaders and citizens. The communique stated
The group noted that governance in Kogi State though improving especially under the current administration in the State, still faces challenges of weak citizen participation due to access to government held information.
According to them, public Service delivery has been ineffective and inefficient due to weak engagement between Government agencies and Citizens.
The meeting included facilitated presentations, Plenary Discussions, Question and Answer session and Communique development
The meeting had in attendance the Hon Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Aliyu Umar, members of Standing Committee on Information, Deputy Clerk, Kogi State House of Assembly, Committee Clerk House Committee on Information and Attorney General/Honourable Commissioner of Justice Kogi State
Others are, Co-Chair State Steering Committee, Non State Actors (NSA) Open Government Partnership (OGP) Kogi State Co-Chairs (NSA) Access to Information and Extractive Industry Thematic Focuses, Youth Organizations and the Media.