The Kwara State Government has concluded a three-day capacity-building training for community-based organizations (CBOs), urging citizens to support public projects and programmes to foster inclusive growth and sustainable development, according to news gathered by Voice of Nigeria.

The training commenced in Bode Sadu in Kwara North, continued in Ajase-Ipo, and concluded on Saturday in Ilorin in the Central region. At least 901 community-based organizations from across the 16 local government areas attended the three sessions.

The Kwara CBO Summit was organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to Kwara Governor on Community Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, who stated that the initiative was at the behest of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The initiative aims to foster awareness and deepen participatory democracy and sustainable development at the grassroots level, Olohungbebe added.

Over the three days, participants received lectures from renowned scholars and community development practitioners on measures and strategies to protect existing public projects, initiate new ones, and champion development at the various community levels.

The facilitators included Olohungbebe; Dr. Sanusi Lafiagi; Dr. Akosile Abdulfatai; and Dr. Abdul Salam Sholagberu.

The finale was also attended by government functionaries, including General Manager of Kwara State Social Investment Programmes (KWASSIP) Dr Abdulwasiu Olayinka Tejidini; non-executive director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Dr Ghali Alaaya; Senior Special Assistant on Islam Sheikh Ibrahim Dan-Maigoro; and Senior Special Assistant on Women Mobilisation Lawal Abimbola Monsurat.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by Counsellor and Special Adviser, Saadudeen Salaudeen, drew applause from stakeholders and participants for the initiative, which was said to be timely and all-inclusive.

National President of Ilorin Emirates Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) Abdulmumini Abdulmalik commended the Governor for the initiative, saying it was a step in the right direction for inclusive development.

The community leader urged the participants to imbibe the lessons taken from the training and extend them to their practices in their various communities.

Olohungbebe said the government will award grants and certificates of merits to outstanding communities following the appraisal of an independent panel in the coming weeks.

According to him, outstanding organisations will receive grants to fund either existing or new projects in their communities and take at least three CBOs from each of the senatorial districts.

He described the Governor as a community-focused leader who is passionate about working closely with the people to bring more dividends of democracy to their doorsteps across all facets of governance.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, a representative of the Citizens Assembly and Executive Director of the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication, Abdur-Rahman Akindele Ayuba, commended the government for the initiative.

He called for continuous partnership with the CBOs for inclusive governance and sustainable development in the State.