By Ishaq Dan-Imam, Lokoja
In a groundbreaking move, the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Aliyu Umar Yusuf, has appointed a civil society activist, Mr. Abdulrazaq Inubaiye Ibrahim, as Special Assistant on Civil Society Engagement, a decision that has sparked widespread applause from civil society organizations (CSOs) in the state. The appointment is being hailed as a historic first and a significant step towards fostering stronger collaboration between the legislative arm of government and civil society in Kogi State.
The announcement of the appointment was met with commendation during a civil society and media roundtable organized by the Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) in Lokoja. The network, which represents a coalition of various civil society organizations across the state, expressed its gratitude to the Speaker for establishing an office specifically dedicated to civil society engagement. This development, they say, will enhance legislative advocacy and improve the quality of governance in the state.
A First of Its Kind in Kogi State
Speaking on behalf of KONGONET, the network’s Secretary, Mr. Ben Reuben Joshua, praised the Speaker’s decision as a bold and progressive move. He noted that the appointment marks the first time in the history of Kogi State that a Special Assistant on Civil Society Engagement has been named, and he believes it will pave the way for a deeper partnership between the state’s legislature and civil society groups.
“This appointment is a recognition of the importance of civil society in governance,” Joshua stated. “For any government that is truly committed to transparency, accountability, and participatory governance, engaging with civil society is essential. We, as civil society organizations, are ready to support policies that are in the best interest of the public and to collaborate with the government to promote good governance in Kogi State.”
He further emphasized that KONGONET is determined to work closely with the state government, especially under the leadership of Rt. Honourable Aliyu Umar Yusuf, to advance the goals of transparency, inclusivity, and accountable governance. “We are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue and share the same vision for a better Kogi State,” he added.
A New Era of Government-Civil Society Collaboration
In a similar vein, Mr. Hamza Aliyu, Executive Director of the Initiative for Grassroots Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), also lauded the Speaker for his foresight in making the appointment. He described the decision as a “hand of friendship” extended by the Speaker, which would lead to a sustained partnership between civil society and the government.
“This Speaker has shown progressive thinking in recognizing the importance of civil society in governance,” Aliyu said. “For us in civil society, good governance means a government that is accountable to its citizens, manages its resources efficiently, and ensures that these resources benefit the larger population. That is the kind of governance we advocate for, and we are excited to see that the Speaker shares this vision.”
Aliyu also noted that civil society’s role is not only to support good governance but also to hold the government accountable when necessary. He reiterated that KONGONET and other civil society groups in Kogi State will continue to monitor government activities closely, particularly in light of the substantial increases in federal allocations to the state.
“With the increased federal revenues, the citizens of Kogi State deserve better infrastructure, improved healthcare, and access to essential services like clean water and reliable transportation. We will keep pushing for policies that make these a reality,” Aliyu added.
A Vision for Inclusive Development
Mr. Abdulrazaq Inubaiye Ibrahim, the newly appointed Special Assistant to the Speaker on Civil Society Engagement, expressed his appreciation for the trust placed in him by the Speaker and pledged to strengthen the relationship between the state assembly and civil society organizations.
He highlighted the Speaker’s commitment to adopting a bottom-up governance approach, a key strategy also embraced by Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo. Ibrahim noted that the Speaker’s vision aligns with the Governor’s goal of implementing citizen-friendly policies that prioritize the needs and aspirations of the people.
“The Speaker understands that legislative oversight, law-making, and governance must reflect the collective development vision of the Ododo administration,” Ibrahim explained. “Our goal is to ensure that citizens feel a sense of ownership over government projects and programs, which can only be achieved through needs assessment and consistent engagement with the public.”
Ibrahim also took the opportunity to praise the current administration’s achievements over the past seven months, citing sustained security, fiscal discipline, increased internally generated revenue, and debt reduction as key successes under Governor Ododo’s leadership.
“The Speaker and the 25 state legislators have embraced the bottom-up approach to inclusive development,” Ibrahim said. “As part of my role, I plan to conduct a comprehensive inventory of civil society organizations and community-based organizations in Kogi State. This will help us form the Kogi Community-Based Organizations Network, which will foster more productive engagement between the Speaker, civil society, and the media.”
A Call for Continued Engagement and Accountability
Ibrahim further commended the media in Kogi State for their professionalism and dedication to accurate reporting, and he encouraged civil society organizations to remain steadfast in their commitment to advocating for good governance. He called on KONGONET and other groups to continue critiquing government policies where necessary to ensure accountability and transparency.
“We are entering a new phase in Kogi State where civil society and government can work together for the common good,” Ibrahim concluded. “But it is essential that civil society remains vigilant and continues to hold the government accountable, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and that policies reflect the needs of all citizens, particularly the underserved.”
As Kogi State moves forward, this new partnership between the legislative arm and civil society promises to deepen the state’s democratic practices and foster a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance structure. Civil society organizations, empowered by this new office, are optimistic that they will have greater influence in shaping the policies that affect the everyday lives of Kogi’s citizens.
This appointment of Mr. Abdulrazaq Inubaiye Ibrahim is a testament to the Speaker’s commitment to enhancing citizen participation in governance, and it marks a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to build a government that is not only for the people but also by the people.
