A non-governmental organisation, Connected Development, has urged members of Badari Ward in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State to engage their lawmakers for community development.

CODE representative, Kehinde Akinsola, made this call on Saturday in Ilorin, while enlightening ward members on lawmakers’ roles and citizens’ duties.

The programme with the theme, “Voice of Change,” aimed to enlighten citizens on how to make requests that lawmakers would consider.

Mr Akinsola explained that the programme used the open parley platform to help citizens understand lawmakers’ roles and limitations.

The guest speaker and Head of Political Science Department, University of Ilorin, Dr Adebola Bakare, emphasised the need to outline legislative functions and citizens’ powers.

He stressed that citizens should know their responsibilities towards their representatives.

Mr Bakare stated, “We must educate citizens on lawmakers’ roles, lawmaking, oversight, representation and budgeting, and how these relate to them. Citizens must understand their responsibilities towards their representatives and not rely solely on them for personal problems.’’

Mr Bakare advised citizens to think creatively about generating income and not depend on politicians.

“In today’s globalised world, it’s essential to diversify income streams,” he said.

The President of Badari Ward Progressive Association, Sulaiman Ahmed, urged lawmakers to conduct needs assessments in the community before implementing projects.

Also, the Publicity Secretary of the Association, Abdulfatai Ayo, charged community members to take ownership of government projects.

Eighty-one community members participated in the enlightenment programme.

The programme is being held across six states in the six geopolitical zones and is organised by CODE with support from Magamba Africa.

(NAN)