June 12: Democracy Remains An Important Factor Of Good Governance-- Fadugba

By: Abioye Oluwakemi 

The Chairman of Editorial Boards, Penpushing Media, Comrade Funke Fadugba has stressed that democracy remains an important factor of good governance and development in Nigeria 

Fadugba said this on Monday, while being a guest speaker during the June 12 Democracy Day Celebration held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Speaking on the topic "Citizens Participation As An Important Factor Deepening Democracy ”,the former Lagos Council chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) noted that, as beautiful and important as democracy is, it could become an albatross if it is not supported by a right climate and values.

"For instance where people’s participation is lacking a basic ingredient democracy is already missing.

"If we are to ask in this gathering to enumerate the challenges confronting our nation today, there is no doubt that the list will be endless, because it is a fact, that we know the problems and we can come up with a lot of ideas on how to solve them.

"There are some of us that can even make the analysis of all the problems in the land and solve them completely on paper in the course of a single discussion. Albeit, that's why our forefathers said "ẹnu dun un rofọ, agada ọwọ ṣe é ṣanko!" Better said, than done.

"However, the germane question to ask is, whose responsibility is it to address the long list of challenges confronting us? Kindly allow me to say it is our collective responsibility, but with right values and climate", Fadugba added.

She hinted further that, "it is our responsibility as citizens to participate  truthfully and responsibly in the process of deepening democracy, We are obligated to contribute to the efforts to make our democracy stronger.

"The citizens, government, our leaders are expected to provide the platform to enhance our good governance and Development.

She however lauded the contributions of Ogun indigene to the socio economic development of the country, saying that the history of the country cannot be complete without the mention of leaders from the state.

“Ogun State, I believe, has continued to take great strides in this direction through strategies such as the creation of Ogun Elders Consultative Council, to give voice to elders of the state to advise government in various aspects of governance”, she noted.

She therefore acknowledged that the government should holds organized labor and trade unions, as part of the process for ensuring citizens participation in governance of the state, while reaching out to religious groups, associations and interest groups.

“All these are designed to encourage public input and participation in the running of the state affairs and there is need to strengthen and sustain such efforts but most importantly, there is need to do more”, Fadugba added