Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Monday further demonstrated his administration’s commitment to open governance, transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement with the inauguration of the steering committee of Open Government Partnership (OGP).
The OGP is an international multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at promoting open governance, citizen empowerment, fight corruption, and harness new technology to strengthen governance in member states.
Dr. Fayemi, who inaugurated the committee at the Governor’s Office, Ado- Ekiti, said the OGP initiative was in consonance with his restoration agenda as clearly spelt out in the five pillars of his administration.
The steering committee which is to be coordinated by the Commissioner for Budget, Hon Femi Ajayi, had the Director-General Office of Transformation and Service Delivery ( OTSD), Prof. Mobolaji Aluko; Special Adviser, Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. O’Seun Odewale; Permanent Secretary (Finance) Mr. Folorunso; Permanent Secretary (Budget) Mr. Adeleke Adefolaju; Accountant General, Mrs. Titilayo Olayinka and Special Adviser (CSO), Mr. Biodun Oluleye.
Others include Prof. Oluwadare CT, Olafunsho Olajide from Disability Not a Barrier Initiative; President Ekiti Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Chief Kola Akosile; and Representative of the Institution of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Mrs. Agbaje.
Members of the steering committee, according to the Governor, were selected from civil society organizations, professional bodies, youth parliaments, public service, and other interest groups in order to ensure more commitment from government to promote open governance, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technology to strengthen governance in Ekiti State.
The Governor explained that his administration has always prioritised inclusion of the needs and aspirations of towns and communities in the State’s annual budgets, adding that the OGP initiative would increase collaboration between government and other stakeholders to improve the standard of living of the people in the state.
Fayemi explained that OGP would further strengthen his administration’s reforms in open budget, open contracting, revenue transparency, beneficial ownership transparency, assets disclosure, access to information, citizen engagement, and empowerment.
Noting that Ekiti was the first State to join OGP in South-western Nigeria, Fayemi expressed delight that his administration’s efforts at deepening good governance and embracing inclusive participation are gaining recognition not only in the country but at the international level.