Wole Soyinka Centre/Albarka FM Holds One-Day Town Hall Meeting on Community Development in Kwara

Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism in collaboration with Albarka 89.9 FM, Ganmo, Kwara State on Wednesday 4th of October, organized a one-day sensitization program on community development in the state.

The participants, drawn from various communities and representatives of the people living with disabilities (PLWDs) in the state were sensitized on the role of the residents of the community and government in community development.

The program funded by the MacArthur Foundation was held at the City-In-Hotel, G.R.A Ilorin, with 30 participants.

Participants were sensitized on the importance of knowing their representatives and on frequent engagement on community needs

They were also sensitized on the way to be presenting their community to the government and appropriate offices in order to get to the attention of right people.

Participants were charged with the importance of having details of any contractors handling projects in their community adding that this would enable them to know who to hold responsible when the project did not function as expected.

Making a contribution, a participant, Aare AbdulRaheem Olorukoba, from the Abayawo community urged fellow participants to jettison the habit of collecting money from politicians during the electioneering period added that they should always emphasize on their community needs and if possible force public office seekers to sign an undertaking to show commitment.

Another participant, Mr. Femi Ajide, Ipetu, Rore-Aranorin in Irepodun, also urged the participants and citizens to always summon courage and speak out on their needs to their representatives, said this often bring result.

He also shared how lawmakers facilitated classrooms and water projects to his community after that lawmaker was confronted for poor performance.

In his contribution Abdulhakeem Lawal, a member of People With Disabilities (PWD), appreciated the sponsor of the sensitization programme and sought more support for the PWD in the implementation of projects that would aid their convenience and affect their life positively.