3 states join open-governance as FG begins implementation

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said that Kaduna, Anambra and Kano states have formally declared interest to participate in Open Government Partnership (OGP) to increase openness in governance and also to prevent and detect corruption.

The OGP being funded by the MacArthur Foundation is an international multistakeholder initiative which brings together government and civil society organisations to ensure that government activities were open and not shrouded in secrecy and mystery.

The AGF represented by his Special Adviser Justice Section Reform, Barrister Julie IbekakuNwogu spoke at the training of members of open alliance organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD).

Also, the Director of the Centre LSD, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, said “For Nigeria, the problem is that the nation’s resources have has not translated into services for citizens and President Muhammadu Buhari understood that one of the major problem is corruption. So, the OGP is meant to promote openness, transparency and accountability in the use of resources.”

The Co-Chairman of the OGP and the Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA) Mr. Edetaen Ojo, said the training is an opportunity for CSOs to provide reforms and other innovations they have been clamouring for over the years through the OGP implementation.