From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Anambra Local Government Accountability Fellowship (ALGAF) an initiative of JDPC Nnewi Catholic Diocese has intensified her leadership and governance training workshop.
The training workshop focused on taking the campaign to the Executive Chairmen of the six LGAs in Anambra State and their stakeholders.
In his welcome remarks, the Director, JDPC Nnewi Catholic Diocese, Rev Fr. Benedict Chima Okolo emphasized the need for participants to concentrate on goals and objectives of the project.
Rev Fr Okolo stated that the workshop which was the third phase was meant for the participants to internalize the aims of the project and then domesticate same for their council areas.
The Director of Nnewi Catholic Diocese JDPC stressed the need for participants to educate their people at the grassroots to take charge of Local Government Accountability and Governance(ALGAF)
He said doing so would impact the officers of the council areas positively and as well bring the desired positive change in the communities across the State..
He pointed out that ALGAF Project is a social experiment designed to awaken a new consciousness around leadership, accountability, and governance reform.
The project which he noted is not an ordinary program is supported by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSR) with funding from the UK FCDO.
Rev Fr Okolo pointed out that ALGAF is a bold and innovative social experiment campaign initiated by JDPC Nnewi, which offers opportunity to model how citizens, institutions, and government can work together for a responsive and people-centered local governance system for Sub-Saharan Africa, beginning from in Anambra State.
“ALGAF is intentional about inclusivity. The communities we represent — young girls, aged men and women, persons with disabilities, support groups, and vibrant women associations — are counting on us to create a model that speaks to their realities.
“Let us use this workshop not just to learn, but to commit ourselves to building a governance system that is transparent, participatory, and effective,” he asserted.
In his presentation, Onyekachi Ololo said Poverty, Hunger, Insecurity, Inequity and Disease (PHIID) the interconnected Web of deprivation that represents the five major barriers to human development, are deeply interconnected each on fuels and worsen others
Ololo emphasized that the key statistics, that over 700 million people live below the poverty line Worldwide and face Chronic health challenges is not only alarming but worrisome.
He pointed out that the pathway to break PHIID is by empowering communities, LGAs, Civic Leadership, boasting food production systems through sustainable agriculture and nutrition programs.
Two resource persons, Mrs Nkechi Nnoli, a legal practitioner, and Mrs Ugochi Freeman made presentations on basic fundamental of human rights to achieve set goals and public budget and procurement respectively.
The workshop was attended by selected fellows from six Local Government Areas in the three senatorial zones of the State who are expected to take the message emanating from the event to their respective Mayors..