By Remi Adefulu

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Recently, the Office of Civic Engagement, domiciled in the office of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, rendered its account of stewardship at an event that had journalists, government functionaries and other stakeholders in attendance.
The agency was created by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to forge closer relationships between the government and the governed by ensuring that citizens are actively engaged in government programmes and activities.
Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, described the office as a strategic partner in the discharge of information during the 2017 ministerial press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
According to the commissioner, the discharge of information of government activities in the state was incomplete without the Office of Civic Engagement.
The office, he said, deals with stakeholders on important activities, especially in the areas of dialogue and engagement, even as it acts as a purveyor of information between the government and the people.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph, told the audience that the mandate of the office included initiating and evaluating policies relating to citizens and stakeholders’ cohesion and engagement, handling and promoting stakeholders’ fora with civil societies, students, religious bodies, artisans and other groups.
Others duties were, handling matters relating to political engagement and inclusion, enlightenment on voter registration and the electoral process, and liaising between the executive and legislatureamong others.
Joseph disclosed that, within the past year, the office has done well, in line with its core mandate.
“We have intensified efforts at ensuring peaceful co-existence among individual groups and communities. Bodies such as civil society organisations, volunteer groups, students, religious and opinion leaders were engaged and encouraged to participate in the governance process.
“We also ensured cordial working relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government as well as engineering good relationships between the representatives of the state at the National Assembly and the state political functionaries,” he said.
The special adviser stated that his office engaged 35 communities across Lagos State to find solutions to challenges of infrastructure, even as the complaints were brought to government’s attention.
Some of the communities were Ori-Okuta in Ikorodu, Imela/Ona Ara, Coker Estate and Etegbin/Shibiri in Alimosho Local Government Area.
In the area of civic engagement, Joseph said: “The office had 120 engagements with numerous stakeholders, individuals, groups, communities, civil rights organisations, student associations, as well as religious and community leaders, to support government programmes and policies for peaceful co-existence. Requests for infrastructure from communities and others were also addressed in the process.”
According to him, the office also ensured cordial executive and legislative relationship, got assent to about seven bills, gave financial assistance to the indigent, and engaged in dispute resolution/conflict management, voter registration advocacy, care for the disabled and more.