By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews | Monday, 7 September 2026
The African Foundation for Environment and Development (AFED), in collaboration with the Ado-Odo/Ota Citizens Engagement Platform and with funding support from CIVICUS, has convened a town hall meeting to assess progress on the Ado-Odo/Ota Citizens’ Charter of Demands and strengthen accountability between residents and the Local Government.
The town hall, held in Ota, Ogun State, provided residents with an opportunity to engage directly with the Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Hon. Lawal Adewale Wasiu, FCA, on his administration’s actions, development plans and efforts to address priorities identified by communities across the Local Government Area.
The meeting brought together government officials, community leaders, persons with disabilities and 49 trained representatives drawn from 10 thematic Citizen Groups established under AFED’s Community Environmental Justice and Civic Action Labs project.
In his welcome address, AFED’s Executive Director, Adeshola Afariogun, said the meeting was designed to provide a platform for feedback, dialogue and public accountability on the Citizens’ Charter of Demands.
He explained that the charter was developed following consultations with communities across Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area and was presented to the Chairman shortly after he assumed office.
According to him, the document captures the major concerns and development priorities identified by residents, including healthcare, education, infrastructure, electricity, environmental sanitation, water supply and economic empowerment.
Presenting his administration’s scorecard, Chairman Lawal highlighted projects implemented since he assumed office and outlined additional development priorities his administration intends to pursue before the expiration of his tenure.
The Chairman’s presentation was followed by an interactive session during which residents asked questions, sought clarification on government interventions and raised concerns over issues affecting their respective communities.
Among the major issues discussed were the condition of healthcare facilities, community roads, schools, waste management, water supply and sanitation, economic development and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in government programmes.
Responding to the concerns, Lawal explained steps taken by his administration to address some of the issues raised, while also clarifying the responsibilities and limitations of the Local Government in areas where other levels of government or agencies have jurisdiction.
He further directed relevant officials of the Local Government to follow up on matters requiring additional attention.
Afariogun said the town hall represented the public accountability phase of a broader civic engagement initiative under which 49 women, young people and community leaders from different parts of Ado-Odo/Ota were selected and trained.
He said the participants were organised into 10 thematic Citizen Groups and equipped with knowledge and skills in environmental justice, civic rights, participatory governance, budgeting, advocacy and strategic communication.
Afariogun urged members of the groups to document the responses provided by the Chairman, monitor commitments made during the town hall and continue to engage government institutions peacefully, impartially and based on evidence.
He stressed the importance of sustained citizen participation in governance, noting that constructive engagement between communities and government remained essential to improving public service delivery and ensuring that citizens’ concerns receive appropriate attention.
The meeting also featured goodwill messages from dignitaries and stakeholders, who commended the initiative and encouraged residents to sustain constructive dialogue with government.
In his remarks, Lawal commended AFED for organising the town hall and expressed appreciation to CIVICUS for providing funding support for the initiative.
The Chairman of the Ado-Odo/Ota Zonal Community Development Committee, Prince Onaolapo Olatunji, delivered the vote of thanks.
The town hall ended with participants agreeing to sustain constructive citizen-government engagement and follow up on issues and commitments raised during the meeting, with the broader objective of promoting responsive governance and improving public service delivery across Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
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