The Justice Development and Peace Makers’ Centre (JDPMC) of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo on Wednesday held their Quarterly Social Development Forum in Osogbo the capital city of the State of Osun.

The forum was aimed to sensitize the people of Osun on the good governance and democracy for the development of Nigeria, with the theme, Sustaining Democracy: The Role of the Electorate.

While addressing the participant during the forum, the JDPMC Coordinator Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Ajayi described the forum as a way of contributing to the transformation of the nation.

“The programme is a way of contributing to the transformation of the nation. Active participation of the people is important for the growth of democracy and its sustenance”. 

While speaking at the forum the guest speaker, Executive Director Peniel Global Foundation Mrs. Aderonke Ayilara enjoined the participant to be truthful as it goes a long way to help the nation. Ayilara during the lecture enlighten the people present on their civil right as it is stipulated in the Nigeria constitution.

“Everybody has a right as enclosed in the constitution of our nation, regardless of religion, colour or origin”. The guest speaker however urged Nigerians to change their mind set by making sure Nigeria have the best democracy by reporting the wrong doings in their various communities to authority in charge.

“People should get involve, they should be interested in making sure that there is a good democracy, and should not sit down at home thinking that democracy will come and correct itself. Also they should make effort to report any wrong doings in their communities to the government or authority in charge”. Ayilara said.

Why responding to the question as of what impact the National Orientation Agency (NOA), is sensitizing Nigerians on government policies. The representative of the agency Mr. Ibikunle in his answer to defend the agency highlighted several programmes carried out by the NOA which includes Mass sensitization on Political Parties and Electoral process, right of individual and government policies among others. Ibikunle however assured the people of Osun of various programmes to be roll out before the year ends.

Speaking with journalist shortly after the forum, Mrs Adesola Jacobs of Osun Defender Newspaper admitted that the media is in the best position to educate and inform populace of government policies Mrs Adesola during the interview condemned some media stations who only helped the politicians to propagate their policies by not interpreting some of the policies to the masses or electorate who doesn’t know much about the policy of the government.

She however charged the media to begin interpreting the government policies to the people.

Meanwhile, there was inauguration of good governance committees members from nine selected local government areas in Osun State which includes Ejigbo, Ila, Boripe, Ori-Ade Ijebu-Ijesa, Ori-Ade Ipetu-Ijesa, Ife east, Boluwaduro, Atakumosa west and Ifelodun. While addressing the committees, the programme coordinator Mr. Michael Ebofin said the committee members are to coordinate their various local government and remote areas in order for the people there to benefit from the circulated information on good governance and democracy. He therefore thanked Misereor from Germany for sponsoring the programme throughout states in Nigeria.

Different government agencies and NGOs present at the forum which includes National Orientation Agency (NOA), Network of Non-Governmental Organizations in Osun State (NETNOS), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Peniel Global Foundation and Media Houses.