PERL, KADLGAM Eulogies late Queen Elizabeth
By:Femi Mustapha
A United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), governance programme, Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL)
and. Kaduna Local Government Accountability Mechanism (KADLGAM), has poured tributes and expressions of sympathy following the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, the country’s longest-reigning head of state.
Speaking at a two-day workshop organized by (KADLGAM) in collaboration with PERL in Kaduna, on the 9th. September 2022 the State Team Lead of PERL, Abel Adejo, said members of the Mechanism were deeply saddened by the news of the demise of “Queen Elizabeth II who was widely admired for her grace, dignity, and dedication around the world.
According to him, She was a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonization of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth
Similarly, Mr, Yusuf Goje of KADLGAM described the queen as a“role model and inspiration for millions, including here in. Nigeria.
60 seconds of prayers were later observed in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth whose support and contributions to ensuring good governance through civil society organizations they said cannot be qualified.
Meanwhile, (KADLGAM) has resolved to ensure passage and signing into law of Local Government Autonomy, saying the bill would facilitate sustainable development and good governance in Kaduna State.
Goje while expressing optimism in achieving independence and autonomy of the third tier of Government anytime soon in Kaduna, urged present members of the state assembly to make history by passing into law the LG Autonomy bill so they would be remembered as champions of good governance by their people.
The good governance advocate commended the administration of Governor Nasiru El-rufai for his efforts to Institute mechanisms for transparency and accountability through town hall meetings to carry people along at the grassroots in process of project initiation, planning, and implementation.
He, however, enjoined the State Executive and Legislative arms to fast-track the process of LG autonomy to enable Kaduna to be enlisted among Ten others with respect for rule of law and adherence to provisions of the constitution.
” Advantages of LG autonomy in ensuring development and good governance at the community level cannot be overemphasized.
” It will give the people the leverage to hold their elected officials accountable and responsible for success or failure in the provision of dividends of democracy.
” Being the closest to the people, roles the Local Governments could play in driving and ensuring key functions of governance vis-a-vis provision of infrastructures, education, health, human empowerment among others cannot be measured.
” We will continue to through; advocacy visits to important Stakeholders, sensitizing communities on their roles in a democratic arrangement and setting a consistent agenda on the need for good governance via transparency and accountability at the grassroots.
” The citizens must be continuously engaged by the government to know their immediate needs with aim of prioritizing and addressing them to make sure there is no misplacement of projects.
” All these we do to enthrone decent and good people at the helm of affairs who are selfless in their words and actions for the benefit of the present generation and those yet unborn, ” he declared.
