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Tag: forum

  • Forum seeks stronger citizen engagement national development

    Forum seeks stronger citizen engagement national development

    Governments at all levels have been urged to implement urgent reforms that deepen citizen engagement, strengthen ethical governance, and promote responsive leadership as the foundation for Nigeria’s sustainable development.

    This call was made in a communique following the 32nd Annual Development Forum of the Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) held in Abuja, where the participants noted that citizen engagement remains the lifeblood of democracy and the cornerstone of national progress, stressing that participation must evolve from mere consultation to active collaboration in governance, co-creation of solutions, and sustained accountability.

    The event, chaired by Senator Ita Solomon Enang, brought together former and serving lawmakers, finance experts, and development stakeholders. 

    The forum emphasized that responsive governance must be people-centred, ethical, transparent, and inclusive, led by leaders who listen, uphold the rule of law, and prioritise collective welfare over personal interests.

    Participants advocated stronger legal frameworks to institutionalise citizen participation through participatory budgeting, open contracting, town hall meetings, and community dialogues. 

    They also underscored the need for civic education to empower citizens to engage government constructively, while urging that accountability demands be made with decorum and accuracy.

    The forum highlighted the role of technology in promoting participatory governance, calling on governments to adopt open data systems and digital feedback platforms that foster transparency and trust. 

    Corruption, weak institutions, and poor accountability were identified as key threats to development, with calls for stronger anti-corruption reforms and effective legislative oversight.

    The forum expressed concern over elite apathy in politics, warning that the withdrawal of educated citizens perpetuates mediocrity in leadership. 

    They urged professionals and civil society actors to actively engage in governance, while noting that Nigeria’s growth depends on partnerships between government, civil society, and the private sector.

    LAPO was commended for demonstrating people-centred, inclusive development that integrates financial inclusion, health, and gender equity.

    LAPO’s President, Faith Osazuwa-Ojo, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to tackling poverty through an integrated approach that combines access to finance, healthcare, and social empowerment. 

    According to her, between January 2024 and September 2025, LAPO Microfinance Bank disbursed over ₦420 billion in loans to 718,363 clients, while ₦61 billion supported 301,944 beneficiaries in agriculture. In the same period, 320,560 individuals received free health services, including screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, malaria, cholesterol, and cancer.

    Osazuwa-Ojo said the forum’s theme, Citizen Engagement and Responsive Governance for National Development, reflects the urgent need for participatory governance to address poverty and inequality. She praised LAPO’s Founder, Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, for his enduring vision since 1987, which continues to drive the organisation’s success in empowering individuals and strengthening communities across Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

    The keynote speakers Dr. Otive Igbuzor and Rotary District 9127 Governor, Dr. Princess Joy Nky Okoro, in their lead discussions emphasised the need for strengthening citizen participation in governance.

  • Forum condemns massacre, warns of imminent attacks

    Forum condemns massacre, warns of imminent attacks

    Ochetola K’Idoma Forum has slammed  ‘savage, coordinated, and premeditated attack on Yelewata in Guma Local Government of Benue State, allegedly carried by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

    The group noted that the assault led to death of over 150 unarmed civilians, many of who were burned alive in their sleep.

    In a statement by its President-General, Yakubu Ochefu, and Secretary-General, Paul Edeh, the group decried the massacre as part of a campaign of terror and ethnic cleansing against the people of Benue State.

    “These are not isolated acts of violence, they constitute a deliberate campaign of terror, an unprovoked declaration of war against the people of Benue State.

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    It consoled the governor, grieving families, Tiv, Mzough U Tiv Worldwide, and ruler, , Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Prof James Ayatse.

    “The massacre is heart-wrenching, an atrocity that demands justice, action, and national resolve,” the forum added.

    Citing long insecurity, Ochetoha K’Idoma backed declaration by Benue rulers calling for end to open grazing and urging Fulani herders to vacate Benue.

    “The murder of children, women, and elders in their homes, on their farms, and even in IDP camps is a crime against humanity. If the Federal Government continues to fail in its constitutional duty to protect lives and property, the people of Benue will have no choice but to exercise their natural and moral right to self-defense,” it  reads.

  • Forum elects new officers

    Forum elects new officers

    The Pioneer Progressive Humanitarian Forum has elected Samsideen Abiodun Akerele as its new president.

    Also elected are Olugbenga Fifuneyin as Secretary-General; Amos Olusola, as Financial Secretary; and Barrister Abisoye Ogunsami as the Assistant General Secretary.

    The election took place at Ilaji Resort, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Akerele, a foremost UK-certified Digital Marketer is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Sunderland in England, and holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

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    Akerele, before his masters, was an outspoken union leader in his youthful days at Olabisi Onabanjo University (formerly Ogun State University), where he has a proven record of lobbying and making moves to benefit human growth vis-à-vis development.

    He also currently holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Marketing & Analytics from the University of Sunderland, England.

    In his acceptance speech, Akerele expressed gratitude to the members of the association far and wide across borders for honoring and placing their trust in him to lead the association.

  • Forum to collaborate with Ondo on development

    Forum to collaborate with Ondo on development

    The newly inaugurated executive council of Uso Unity Forum North America has intensified efforts to foster strategic partnership with Ondo State Government.

    The group has also unveiled a comprehensive five-year plan to drive development and address challenges in Uso and the state.

    The forum’s President, Mr. Olawale Abayomi, said it was not only committed to expanding the forum’s network, mobilising membership and fostering strategic partnerships with the state government, but keen on deepening its involvement in homeland socio-political affairs, particularly in addressing insecurity, promoting food security and investing in education and health care.

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    The body is also focused on correcting historical injustices faced by the community, which is geopolitically ‘forced-married’ to Owo, instead of Akure, based on the Ogbese River delimitation basis.

    It opposed the recent siting of Owo North Local Council Development Area in Emure instead of Uso, calling for the establishment of Uso administrative autonomy if reversal seems impossible.

    The forum urged the state government to deepen collaboration with the diaspora community in ensuring food security, especially in addressing the menace of herdsmen attacks that have hindered farming in Uso and other communities.

    Abayomi highlighted some of the association’s past efforts in donating security vehicles, gadgets and buildings to security agencies to curb insecurity in Uso and its environs, as well as supporting and facilitating health and education programmes for communities.

  • We’ll resist attempts to cause chaos in Kogi -Forum

    We’ll resist attempts to cause chaos in Kogi -Forum

    A socio-cultural group, Kogi Ethnic Nationalities Forum (KENF), has raised the alarm over an alleged plan to arm some hoodlums with sophisticated weapons and decorate them as security operatives for the purpose of invading the Government House in Kogi.

    The group was responding to a threat from certain quarters to invade the Government House in Lokoja in search of the immediate past Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello who they alleged is hiding in the Government House.

    In a statement on Tuesday, the National Publicity Secretary of KENF, Dr. Kennedy Owolabi, fingered rejected politicians as being behind the move to stoke the embers of violence in the state and throw it into avoidable chaos.

    He said any attempt to invade the Government House would be an act of coup that would be seriously resisted by every well-meaningful indigene of Kogi State.

    “We are well abreast with the information on acquisition of automated weapons by desperate politicians to arm hoodlums imported from neighbouring states to invade the Government House,” Owolabi said.

    He called on the international community to show specific and deliberate interest in the ongoing political persecution of former Governor Yahaya Bello and the embarrassment Governor Ododo had continued to receive over a matter that is already in court.

    He wondered what would have fueled desperation by some people in authority using the instrument of their institutions to suppress perceived political enemies.

    The Forum described the act as desperate politics taken too far, which was capable of burning down the state if those perpetrating such unlawful acts are not brought to book or thoroughly warned to desist from act capable of truncating our fledging democracy.

    “While we understand that this is nothing but a well-orchestrated plan to stage a coup to overthrow a constitutionally elected governor, they have told those who care to listen that they are looking for former governor Yahaya Bello.

    “We dare ask, what legal authority do they have to invade a Government House if not to occupy the seat of the governor?

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    “What they could not achieve at the polls, they want to achieve with a barrel of gun. We must however make it clear to them that the people of Kogi will resist them.

    “Our people don’t want to be taken back to the days of darkness. They have taken a decision on their choice of leadership and they are committed to defending it.

    “Desperate politicians must also be told that violence has no place in the new Kogi, but this must not be interpreted to mean cowardice. Those who want to stoke violence should be ready to harvest it in equal measure,” Owolabi stated.

    He also called on the Commissioner of Police and heads of the relevant security agencies to be on their toes and ensure that those who want to truncate the peace in the state are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

  • Forum to governor-elect: change Kwara’s fortunes

    Kwara State Governor-elect AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been urged to come up a blueprint to turnaround the the state’s fortunes within the first year of his administration.

    The governor-elect, according to the Kwara South Progressive Forum, has an abiding responsibility to make a difference from the rot experienced by the state  in the last 16 years.

    The forum said in a statement in Omu-Aran signed by its coordinator, Chief Bola Olu and the secretary, Mr. Bisi Omidiji, that it was only through exemplary leadership, impressive performance and accountability that AbdulRazaq, as the arrow-head of the “Oto ge e” mass movement, could justify his electoral victory as well as the public confidence and support for him.

    It said: “The recent general elections have clearly proved to the political elite that the average Nigerian voter attached so much value to his ballot, genuine public service and accountability.”

    The forum congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the state APC Chairman, Bashiru Bolarinwa, and other party leaders and members for their hard work, which gave victory to the APC.

    But it warned that the outgoing government would not go down without a fight-back, adding that the only means of power retention on a long-term basis was progressive policies and relevant project execution by the incoming government.

    It also enjoined the governor-elect to study the state agricultural potentials to engage unemployed youths in meaningful employment.

  • Forum seeks increased security in Akwa Ibom

    The Forum of All Political Parties (FAPP) has urged security agencies to tighten security in Akwa Ibom State ahead of the general elections.

    The call followed the arrest of over 500 thugs allegedly imported to the state by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig elections.

    At a news conference yesterday, Secretary of the group Jude Timothy said: “Given the unprecedented security threat in the build-up to the first scheduled elections, the need to enhance security to avert a bloodbath and guarantee credible elections cannot be overstated.

    “We are therefore calling on the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police (IG) and Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS) to take a peculiar look at Akwa Ibom State, and deploy more security operatives.

    “We had raised the alarm that the PDP and the government stockpiled arms and recruited thugs and terrorists to rig the elections. What happened on February 15 proved that the alarm we raised was not unfounded.

    “More than 500 thugs were arrested in different parts of the state, and their confessions showed that they were imported by PDP politicians. The thugs were arrested with sophisticated arms and ammunitions.

    “INEC has also betrayed unbridled partisanship through the selection of its ad hoc workers, some of whom are its employees, contrary to extant practices and institutional requirements. Through connivance with the state government, all the ad hoc workers are loyal members and supporters of the PDP…”

  • Ignore sit-at-home, forum urges Igbo

    A socio-cultural group, the Ndigbo Lagos Foundation, has urged their Southeast brothers and sisters to turn tomorrow to exercise their franchise.

    It urged the Igbo to ignore the “sit-at-home” directive by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to boycott the election.

    The Foundation’s President-General, Gen. Obi Abel Umahi (rtd), said the election is “very critical in the life and history of this nation.”

    He called for a level playing field for all contestants, warning that any attempt to rig the election “could ground Nigeria completely.” The forum called on the Federal Government, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and relevant institutions to ensure credible elections.

    “We call on our people not to be involved in electoral malpractice, indiscipline and actions against the law. However, ensure you protect your rights and votes, but do so within the laws of the land,” the group said.

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    The Foundation was established over 20 years ago by Lagos-based Igbo associations, pioneered by Aka Ikenga, and very prominent Igbo as a not-for-profit, non-partisan socio-cultural group.

    Umahi said the general election will shape Nigeria’s future, and that it must not be held “without an indelible signature of Ndigbo as participants who should not be ignored in the political calculus of Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general”

    “This is why we are using this opportunity to sensitise and call out all Igbos in Lagos and beyond to turn out en-mass to cast their votes on 16th February and 2nd March 2019.

    “Ndigbo, you are encouraged to vote wisely. The road to freedom and good life is in the power of your vote,” the group added.

  • Obtain your PVCs, says forum

    A non-political group, Ikeja Division Forum, has urged Lagos State residents to obtain Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    It noted that this is the only way they can support the re-election bid of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The group’s Chairman, Dr. Julius Idowu Akindele, who spoke at the weekend during a meeting at Awori House, Ikeja, Lagos, said although Ikeja Division Forum was a non-political body, it was a stakeholder with interest in the development of Ikeja division and the state.

    “We have no option but to support Governor Ambode because of his developmental projects,” he said.

    Akindele said having been satisfied with development in the state, which could not have been possible without the focused leadership of the governor, “we agree that with Ambode at the helm for another four years, Lagosians will enjoy more dividends of democracy.”

    He said: “Having looked round the divisions in the state, we have no doubt that if Governor Ambode is allowed to rule for another four years, Lagosians will not regret it, hence our decision at our monthly meeting that we should collect PVCs to enable us re-elect him.

    “We urge other Lagosians who love good governance being offered by Governor Ambode to join in re-electing him for continuity of good things,”

    Akindele said they endorsed the governor for a second-term because of his achievements since he took over in 2015, adding: “The group will stop at nothing to support Ambode, including a rally on a-yet-to be announced date.”

    Speakers hailed the able leadership and visionary qualities of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    They prayed that God should give him more wisdom to pilot the party and the country.

    Personalities at the event include S. A. Seriki, Chief Ganiu Owolabi-Dada, Yakub Balogun, among others.

     

  • Forum rallies support for APC’s direct primary

    The Forum of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) to Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday rallied support for direct primary to elect All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the September 22 governorship poll.

    Giving reasons for backing the decision of the party’s national leadership at a media briefing in Osogbo, the state capital, the forum’s Chairman Bashir Lawal said the process would enable inclusiveness and curb money politics.

    Lawal described direct primary as the best option, adding that it would make the exercise difficult for anyone to bribe all the delegates.

    He said: “We commend the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our party in settling for the direct primary for Thursday’s primary.

    “As we all know, direct primary helps in throwing up a credible, suitable and popular choice. For a fact, indirect primary negates the democratic credentials upon which a progressive party like ours thrives.

    “As a party that is determined to win the governorship election on September 22 in the overall interest of continuing Governor Aregbesola’s good work in our dear state, embracing direct primary will not only deepen our democratic values in line with our Omoluabi ethos, it will also reduce the scourge of corruption, which has eaten deep into the fabric of our society.”