Social Development Integrated Centre, in collaboration with (LAPDO), organized a one-day budget advocacy cluster meeting for selected cluster members in Ikere LGA, Ondo State, on 10th September 2022.
The meeting was part of the cluster programmes aimed at strengthening advocacy for transparent and inclusive budget processes across LGA in Nigeria. It brought together civil society organisations, representatives of religious and traditional institutions, women and youth groups, the media and other stakeholders to discuss their roles in the budget process. It also highlighted the functions of the Local government and their responsibility in identifying & prioritizing the needs of citizens at the grassroots by implementing inclusive governance through needs assessment and robust consultations with the people.
While addressing participants at the meeting, the representative of the Federation of Muslim Women of Nigeria, FOMWAN, Alhaja Adejumo, encouraged cluster members to endeavour to monitor some of the projects being executed by the state and local government to assess their level of implementation and compliance to procurement procedures and set standards.
Chief Oyopeju addresses participants at the cluster meeting
Chief Oyopeju, a member of the Christian Council of Nigeria, Ekiti branch, emphasized the need to involve critical stakeholders, including influencers and policymakers in the state, including the members of the House of Assembly, to actualize the passage of the Local Government Autonomy bill. He recommended a synergy with CSOs in states where the bill has been passed, to share ideas and strategies that led to the success stories. He also urged all the nine quarters in Ikere LGA to be involved in subsequent cluster meetings.