NAN-H-57
Partnership
By Bukola Adewumi/Ahmed Abba
Abuja, Feb. 22, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Brenda Nwagwn, a Communication Consultant for the Open Government Partnership (OGP), has called for partnership with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on open governance to ensure transparency at all levels of government.
OGP is an international multi-stakeholder initiative that focused on improving transparency, accountability, citizens’ participation and responsiveness through technology and innovation.
It was launched in 2011 when Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States who are founding members, endorsed the open government declaration and announced their country`s action plans.
Nwagwn made the call on Thursday when she paid a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of NAN, Mr Bayo Onanuga in Abuja.
She said the OGP was to ensure that a transparent government delivered equitable and sustainable development to the people.
According to her, OGP was committed to four mandates which includes: promoting fiscal transparency, Access to information, Anti- corruption, Asset disclosure, Citizens Re-engagement and Empowerment.
She said that one of the major challenges facing the initiative, was lack of awareness on good governance, adding that the people needed to know and contribute to the development in the country.
“We believe if we have ample awareness from NAN we know that credible news would get to the grassroots.
“Under open government the people can go and verify whatever the government says or do and can hold them accountable.”
According to her, partnership with NAN was an opportunity for the people to know more about the agency and how credible it is.
She said that members of staff of the agency could be trained on credible reportage, media campaign where award would be given to MDAs or Agency that deserved it, among other benefits.
Onanuga, who was represented by the Editor- in -Chief of the agency, Mr Yusuf Zango, assured OPG of NAN’s commitment to ensure credible and accurate reportage anywhere across the 36 states of the federation and beyond.
“NAN is 40 years old and we have offices across the 36 states and districts offices in Nigeria.
“Wherever you are there is likelihood of NAN correspondent across the nation, so be rest assured we will be there at all times.’’
He said the initiative to partner with NAN was welcomed, because over the years the problem of the country has been lack of accountability.
Onanuga reiterated the agency`s commitment to create public awareness on good governance.(NAN)
BOL/AIA/JPE/MTM
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Tukur Muntari.
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