The Oyo State government on Monday, engaged about 120 social groups for the purpose of decentralizing the flow of communication from the State government to the people in the rural communities.
The combination of these groups from from the Nigerian Union of Tailors (N.U.T), Joint Traders Association, Tradesmen and Artisans Association, Community Development Committee (CDC), Musicians Association among others, spoke unanimously in support of the creation of Omituntun Coalition Movement (OCM) to drive a decentralized communication flow of government activities, policy direction and engagements to the grassroot.
The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, who hosted the groups to their inaugural meeting at the Ministry’s Film Theater in Ibadan, said the time has come to get the people in the rural areas more engaged in governance through an all-encompassing communication network.
Olatubosun hinted that although the people have seen and felt the good work of the Seyi Makinde administration in the areas of sustainable healthcare, free education, infrastructural expansion as well as agro-economy, reportage of the activities of government in these regards must be done by the people at the grassroot as well.
“We believe the government has done so much to develop the State in various ways, ranging from infrastructural development, education, health, agro-economy and other sectors, it is pertinent to make the people know more about these works, through the mouth-to-mouth, interpersonal communication strategy, this is the reason why the government think it pertinent to engage the socio-cultural groups.
“The establishment of this movement is to decentralize communication line of government activities, to allow the spread of reports of activities and policy statement of government and also get feedback through the same source, the network will be used to mobilize towards successful town hall meetings at different zones of the State and also at the local government level.”
In his reaction, the head of the Oyo State Tradesmen and Artisans Association, Chief Salaudeen Kamorudee the body was in support of the coalition movement as the present administration in the State has done so much to enjoy the backing of every member of the association.
Mr. Ojewale Mutiu of the Nigerian Union of Tailors (N.U.T) said the body would not only spread the gospel of good governance, as practiced by the present administration, but also use the platform to settle disputes among members and other organizations.
The representative of the Araromi Spare Parts Seller, Ibadan, Mr. Olanrewaju Isola said the gesture of Governor Seyi Makinde to the members of the association after the fire incident that gutted the market at Agodi-Gate area early this year was enough to mobilize support for the present administration, pledging the support of the body towards the success of Omituntun Coalition Movement.
The meeting later prayed for the success of the governor and government of Oyo State, especially in the areas of delivering on promises made to electorates during campaign.
