VOICE AIR MEDIA, VAM NEWS UPDATE

To ensure grassroots development, a non profit making organisation, Insight initiative for community and social development, has launched the Osun Open Local Government Project, and the unveiled of OsunopenLG Advocates, on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024, in Osogbo, Osun state.

The innovative project through the international partners through, the Nigeria Youths Futures Funds (NYFF) and LEAP Africa, is designed to promote accountability, civic engagement, grassroots development, and good governance in the local government administration.

Speaking with the Journalists, the Executive Director, Insight Initiative for Community and Social Development, For the OsunOpenLG Project, Jare Tiamiyu, said it’s necessary to saveguard development at the grassroots level in Osun local government, and of the 774 local government areas of the country, Voice Air Media reports.

According to him, “the project targets four key pillars, which are; accountability, civic engagement, grassroots development, and good governance, and are aimed at addressing the challenges facing local governments in the State and prove solutions to future of the council areas.

He said, the group would deploy two personnel in each local government across Osun to involve in enlightenment and advocacy for politicians and the masses on the duties and function of local government administration.

“By selection of 66 local government advocates, including six people living with disabilities, is a testament to the project’s commitment to inclusion. These advocates will engage with stakeholders, including political office holders and the public, to educate, retrieve information, and promote collaboration for grassroots development.

“After a rigorous process, 66 advocates were chosen from 168 applications received, with six of them being people living with disabilities. This demonstrates the project’s dedication to inclusivity and equal opportunities.

“The advocates will undergo intensive training before heading out to the various local government areas to engage with key stakeholders, including political officeholders and citizens. Their primary responsibility will be to educate, gather information, and encourage collaboration between the government and citizens for grassroots development.

“The project also plans to organize a town hall meeting, which will bring together major stakeholders to discuss local government fiscal autonomy and development goals in Osun State. This gathering will provide a platform for citizens to engage with their leaders and demand better governance.

“The Osun Open Local Government Project is a bold step towards promoting responsible leadership and development at the grassroots level. By supporting this initiative, citizens, government officials, and other stakeholders can contribute to the growth and prosperity of Osun State.

“Our project is not to witch-hunt or expose the government negatively but to seek the development of our people through transparency and accountability at the council level,” statement reads.

This online newspaper gathers that the project’s progress and updates will be shared on social media handles @OsunOpenLG.