The African Foundation for Environment and Development (AFED), in collaboration with the Ado-Odo/Ota Citizens Engagement Platform and with funding support from CIVICUS, has convened a town hall meeting to review the Ado-Odo/Ota Citizens’ Charter of Demands.
The meeting, held in Ota, brought residents face-to-face with the Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Hon. Lawal Adewale Wasiu, FCA, to discuss government actions, development plans and community priorities.
The programme was attended by government officials, community leaders, persons with disabilities and the 49 trained representatives of the 10 thematic Citizen Groups established under AFED’s Community Environmental Justice and Civic Action Labs project.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director of AFED, Adeshola Afariogun, explained that the town hall was organised as a feedback and public accountability session on the Citizens’ Charter of Demands.
The charter, developed through extensive community consultations, had earlier been presented to Hon. Lawal upon his assumption of office. It captures citizens’ priorities across healthcare, education, infrastructure, electricity, environmental sanitation, water supply and economic empowerment.
Presenting his administration’s scorecard, the Chairman highlighted projects already implemented and outlined development priorities he intended to address before the end of his tenure.
The presentation was followed by an interactive session during which residents responded, asked questions and requested clarification on issues affecting their communities.
Concerns raised included healthcare facilities, community roads, schools, waste disposal, water and sanitation, economic development and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in government programmes.
Hon. Lawal provided feedback on the issues, clarified the responsibilities and limitations of the Local Government, and directed relevant officials to follow up where necessary.
Afariogun said the town hall represented the public accountability phase of a wider initiative that selected and trained 49 women, youth and community leaders from across Ado-Odo/Ota.
The participants were organised into 10 thematic Citizen Groups and trained in environmental justice, civic rights, participatory governance, budgeting, advocacy and strategic communication.
He encouraged the Citizen Groups to document the Chairman’s responses, follow up on the commitments made and sustain peaceful, non-partisan and evidence-based engagement with relevant government institutions.
The meeting also featured goodwill messages from selected dignitaries and stakeholders.Hon. Lawal commended AFED for organising the town hall and expressed appreciation to CIVICUS for funding the initiative.
The Chairman of the Ado-Odo/Ota Zonal Community Development Committee, Prince Onaolapo Olatunji, delivered the vote of thanks.
The town hall concluded with a renewed commitment to public accountability, constructive dialogue and stronger collaboration between citizens and the Local Government for improved service delivery.
The initiative advances the guiding principle of the Ado-Odo/Ota Citizens Engagement Platform: “Together We Build Better Communities.”
