Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, Aliyu Umar Yusuf has called for sustained synergy between the Assembly and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to foster transparency, accountability and inclusivity for effective and responsive governance.
The Speaker made the call at the opening of a 2-day Retreat For State Legislators and Civil Society on Participatory and Inclusive Governance Through Effective Constituency Offices, organized by Initiative For Grassroot Advancement In Nigeria (INGRA) in collaboration with Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), in Lokoja.
The Speaker said such synergy could engender a symbiotic collaboration that would guarantee access to a broad range of perspectives and data, enabling the lawmakers to make a more informed decision when crafting policies and legislation.
Yusuf noted that development of such synergy could culminate in a potent force for the promotion of meaningful development.
He added that while the Legislative Arm played a crucial role in creating and amending laws, the Civil Society represents the diverse voices and interests of the public.
Yusuf pledged that the CSOs in Kogi State were going to enjoy a more robust and symbiotically rewarding relationship with the 8th Assembly in Kogi State.
Also speaking in his goodwill message, Amb. Idris Ozovehe Muraina Chairperson, Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) said the network is working hand-in-hand with the Legislature to ensure that citizens of Kogi State receive the best of representation and benefits
Similarly, Executive Director INGRA, Hamza Aliyu urged the assembly to adopt lobbying and diplomacy rather than confrontation to get the executive arm to implement it’s resolutions