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Leading From Within - Integral Leadership for Sustainable Development

Start Date: Dec 03, 2008
Completion Date: Nov 30, 2011
Country: Nigeria
Partners:
  • Drishti - Centre for Integral Action
Key Contact(s):

Lisa Gibson
604-723-4975
lisa@onesky.ca

Good Governance

The Local Government System in Nigeria is the closest form of government to the people at the grassroot. In this system, a Chairman and Vice Chairman are elected directly by the electorate as the leaders of the executive arm. Councilors from each of the wards of the local government are elected by citizens to represent the ward in the legislative arm.

Despite the democratic system of government at this level, elected representatives rarely interact with their constituents. Regular dialogue is necessary in order for elected representatives to remain accontable to their constituents as well as to seek public opinion on policy formulation and execution. This breakthrough initiative is an innovative and timely approach to intervene and bridge the gap between these two key stakeholders - citizens and their elected representatives - while also building the capacity of committed local facilitators to sustain the dialogue at the conclusion of the initiative.

We solicit the support of donor agencies to strengthen the democratic ideals and human rights at the very grassroot level of Nigeria’s political system in a municipality that is fast becoming Nigeria’s Tourism paradise. We in the Good Governance and Human Right Breakthrough Initiative Group believe passionately that with our effort and yours in partnership, sustainable change and lasting peace is possible in our local government system.