As part of our efforts to deepen a culture of engagements between legislators and their constituents, Yiaga Africa supported Hon Kafilat Ogbara representing Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives to host a town hall meeting with members of her constituency.
The town hall meeting provided her an opportunity to interact with her constituents and share insights into her work at the House since she became a member in June 2023, while the constituents got to share their challenges, ideas and suggestions for improving governance in the constituency.
The support was made possible by the European Union through its Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) which seeks to deepen legislative engagement through support to select committees of the House of Representatives as well as to legislators who belong to traditionally marginalised communities such as women, young people and persons with disabilities.
In her goodwill message, the Senior Programme Officer, Yiaga Africa Centre for Legislative Engagement, Yetunde Bakare, said Yiaga Africa was proud to provide support in partnership with the EU as part of the implementation of the European Union Support to Democratic (EU- SDGN) Governance in Nigeria Project.
“This forum is a testament to our unwavering commitment to participatory democracy. The people’s voices matter, and your concerns will be heard. This conversation will not end here, we will follow up to ensure what was said today is implemented where applicable,” she said.
She added that Yiaga Africa is particular about increasing the proportion of traditionally marginalised groups in governance, such as women, young people and persons with disabilities, which explained the support to Hon. Ogbara and the other women legislators to excel in office.
Addressing her constituents, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara who is also the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development assured her people that she would deliver all her campaign promises and make her name a memorable one.
She urged the people to be steadfast, determined, and persevere even in the face of Nigeria’s unprecedented economic quandary as she continues empowerment and skills acquisition programs for women and youth, as well as other projects targeted to make the people economically independent and boost social and environmental development.
Other speakers at the town hall included the constituents, community and party leaders in the constituency.
A highlight of the town hall meeting was her pledge of N200,000 each to persons with disabilities living in her constituency.
