In a significant move aimed at fostering greater transparency and citizen participation in governance, OrderPaper Nigeria, the nation’s foremost parliamentary monitoring organization and policy think tank, recently paid a courtesy visit to the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
The meeting, which saw robust discussions between the leadership of both organizations, laid the groundwork for a strategic partnership designed to enhance public engagement with Nigeria’s legislative processes.
The OrderPaper delegation, led by its Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Oke Epia, highlighted their decade-long mission of bridging the gap between the parliament and citizens. “Our mission is to provide simple and reliable parliamentary data that enables informed citizen decision-making and policy choices,” Mr. Epia stated, emphasizing their 10-year track record in media reportage and policy advocacy.
He also underscored the critical need to address the current deficit in citizen participation in parliamentary decisions, a gap that often leads to a disconnect between legislative actions and public understanding.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), led by its Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu and other senior officials welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm. The DG commended OrderPaper’s resilience and impactful work in filling a crucial information void within Nigeria’s legislative ecosystem, despite operating with limited recognition and support.
OrderPaper’s contribution to this partnership will be its expertise in independent parliamentary monitoring and data-driven reporting.
A key challenge identified by both parties is the often “closed system” of parliamentary communication, which limits proactive information dissemination and hinders public oversight. OrderPaper’s unique ability to access and authenticate legislative data, even when it’s difficult for insiders to obtain, positions it as a vital intermediary in enhancing transparency.
The NOA also shared insights into its transformative National Identity Project, which has established a National Values Charter comprising 14 principles defining Nigerian citizenship. These principles are set to be integrated as a compulsory subject in schools from primary to university levels, emphasizing civic education and national values.
Both the DG of NOA and Mr. Oke Epia expressed optimism for the future. The visit concluded with a mutual agreement to immediately establish a small joint committee to outline the specific areas of collaboration, operationalize partnership plans, and define resource needs.
This strategic alliance promises to significantly boost national awareness of legislative processes, promote positive governance achievements, and ultimately strengthen democratic accountability in Nigeria.
