AFED TRAINS 49 COMMUNITY LEADERS TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE IN ADO-ODO/OTA

 

Ado-Odo/Ota, Ogun State — The African Foundation for Environment and Development (AFED), with funding support from CIVICUS, has selected and trained 49 women, youth and community leaders from across Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State to promote environmental justice, civic participation and accountable governance.

The beneficiaries were drawn from diverse communities and sectors, including education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, electricity, gender-based violence, media and community development. They were selected based on their community involvement, leadership potential and commitment to advancing sustainable development at the grassroots.

The initiative was implemented under AFED's Community Environmental Justice and Civic Action Labs project, designed to equip citizens with the knowledge and practical tools required to identify community challenges, engage public institutions and advocate constructively for sustainable solutions.

The 49 community leaders participated in four intensive three-day training modules covering Environmental Justice; Civic Space and Citizens' Rights; Governance and Participatory Budgeting; and Advocacy and Strategic Communication.

During the training, participants learned how to identify and document environmental and developmental challenges, analyse public budgets, engage government officials, develop evidence-based advocacy messages and mobilise residents for collective action.

The programme also supported the establishment of 10 sector-based Citizen Groups through which the trained leaders will coordinate community engagement, monitor public service delivery and advance priority development concerns across Ado-Odo/Ota.

Speaking on the initiative, the Executive Director of AFED, Adeshola Afariogun, said the programme was conceived to move citizens beyond complaints and equip them to participate meaningfully in governance.

"These 49 leaders are not merely beneficiaries of a training programme. They are community champions, advocates and agents of change who now possess the knowledge and tools to engage government constructively and mobilise their communities for development," Afariogun said.

He explained that the participants were trained to promote dialogue, inclusion and peaceful engagement rather than confrontation, adding that sustainable community development requires collaboration among citizens, traditional institutions, civil society and government.

The closing ceremony was attended by the Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Hon. Lawal Adewale Wasiu, FCA, alongside other distinguished guests.

The Chairman commended AFED for initiating the programme and strengthening citizens' capacity to participate meaningfully in governance and community development. He also expressed appreciation to CIVICUS for providing the funding support that made the initiative possible.

Among the dignitaries who presented certificates of participation to the 49 community leaders were the Chairman of the AFED Board, Otunba Bolaji Oyedeko, and the Chairman of the Ado-Odo/Ota Zonal Community Development Committee, Prince Onaolapo Olatunji.

AFED said the 49 community champions would remain part of its growing network of grassroots advocates and trainers, supporting the expansion of civic education and community-led development across the local government area.

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening citizen participation and building sustainable partnerships capable of translating community priorities into concrete development outcomes.

The initiative aligns with the slogan of the Ado-Odo/Ota Citizens Engagement Platform: "Together We Build Better Communities."