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FG, OGP Stakeholders Deepen Collaboration to Advance Good Governance, Youth Empowerment, and Accountability
Joel Ajayi
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development and Co-Chair of the Global Open Government Partnership (OGP), Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing collaboration between government institutions and civil society through the OGP platform.
Speaking at a high-level engagement with civil society actors and representatives of the OGP Secretariat, the Honourable Minister emphasized the critical role of non-state actors in promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.
“The OGP platform has consistently proven to be an effective mechanism for sustained engagement between Ministries and non-state actors,” said Comrade Olawande. “I must commend the OGP Secretariat and all stakeholders, both present and absent, whose dedication has been instrumental in advancing this important agenda.”
Comrade Olawande also recognized the invaluable guidance of elder statesmen and civil society leaders, describing their mentorship as foundational to the Ministry’s progress.
“Without their mentorship and encouragement, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Their values, wisdom, and steadfast support continue to inspire us. Nigeria’s problem is not a lack of accountability; it is the gradual erosion of our shared values. Too many people are focused on distractions instead of addressing the real issues. I cannot be anyone else; I can only be myself. But I strive to embody the values and integrity passed down to us.”
The Minister stressed the importance of instilling strong ethical values in Nigerian youth, noting that value-driven leadership and civic responsibility are essential to national development.
“We must reawaken our young people to the importance of ethics, integrity, and national service. A society that neglects its core values is a society at risk.”
In his remarks, Mr. Soji Apampa, the incoming Co-Chair of the Global OGP, expressed appreciation for the Minister’s continued leadership and commitment.
“Thank you, Honourable Minister, for receiving us. We are optimistic about deepening discussions around the future of the OGP in Nigeria, particularly on leadership transition and sustainability. These issues remain critical to the success of the OGP initiative. We also appreciate your commitment to finalizing the National Action Plan and ensuring it receives presidential approval.”
Also present was Mr. Aiden Eyakuze, Chief Executive Officer of the Global OGP, who underscored the importance of inclusive governance and ongoing engagement between Ministries and civil society.
“The OGP platform has proven to be an effective and trusted space for dialogue and collaboration. The contribution of the Secretariat has been invaluable, and without their support, the progress we celebrate today would not have been possible. We must also recognize the wisdom of our elders and the enduring commitment of our civil society partners.”
Mr. Eyakuze further highlighted the urgent need for value reorientation among Nigerian youth, calling for a return to authenticity and purpose.
“What Nigeria faces today is not so much a lack of accountability mechanisms, but a steady decline in core values. The distractions are many, and as a nation, we must refocus on what truly matters. I cannot become someone else; I can only be true to myself and uphold the principles I believe in. The inspiration and support we’ve received have made us stronger, and we are grateful.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from both parties to promote open governance, strengthen youth participation, and advance inclusive national development rooted in transparency, accountability, and shared values.
News
Imo Auto Parts Dealer Runs Abroad to Escape Bandit Attacks
An automobile parts dealer, Mr Ifeanyi Kingsley Iwuagwu, has fled Nigeria to save his life after a series of deadly attacks by bandits on his community in Imo State.
Iwuagwu, who left the country in January this year, said he was forced to seek refuge abroad following repeated violent raids that claimed several lives and left properties in ruins.
The young entrepreneur, a native of the Okigwe axis of Imo State, recounted how relentless assaults by armed men transformed his once peaceful village into a war zone. “I had no choice but to leave,” he told AljazirahNigeria Newspapers. “It became a matter of life and death. Remaining there would have meant waiting for the next attack.”
As the only son of an aged mother who depends entirely on him for her welfare, Iwuagwu said leaving her behind was the most agonising decision he has ever made. His mother now lives in constant fear and uncertainty.
“It breaks my heart to be far from her,” he lamented. “But I had to leave to stay alive, with the hope of bringing her to safety one day.”
In recent years, many residents of rural communities in Imo State have faced escalating threats from bandits and criminal gangs, forcing some to abandon their homes and even seek refuge overseas.
For Iwuagwu, the decisive moment came on 20 November 2024, when his shop in Amiagbo, Nwangele Local Government Area, was looted and set ablaze. “That was the day I finally decided to follow the path of some of my colleagues who had already fled abroad,” he explained. “There is no safe place in Nigeria anymore. We keep hearing reports of kidnappings, banditry, herdsmen invasions, and terrorist attacks across all six geopolitical zones—no one knows where will be next.”
Security experts and community leaders have continued to urge the government to provide greater protection for defenceless communities and address the root causes of insecurity in the South East.
For Iwuagwu, survival remains his foremost concern. “All I want is peace and the chance to live without fear,” he said. “No one should have to abandon their home just to stay alive.”
The South-East geopolitical region of Nigeria has in recent years become a flashpoint of violence, with numerous deaths and widespread destruction of businesses and property. Many residents have fled their ancestral lands in search of both safety and livelihoods.
According to Amnesty International, approximately 1,844 people were killed in the South East by both state and non-state actors between January 2021 and June 2023.
The organisation’s Director, Isa Sanusi, disclosed this during the presentation of a report and campaign launch against insecurity in the region, titled “A Decade of Impunity: Attacks and Unlawful Killings in South East”, held on 7 October.
Many Nigerians are now placing renewed hope in the recently appointed service chiefs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, praying that their tenure will bring lasting peace and restore public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.
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