AAU 117TH INAUGURAL LECTURE: University Don Advocates Formation of Community Based Associations As A Panacea To Local Governance in Nigeria

By Esosa Omorogbe

Prof. Patrick Osatohanmwen Oviasuyi, a Professor of Public Administration, of the Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma has advocated for the formation of Community Based Associations in the various communities, with a view to enhance good Governance at the grassroot level in Nigeria. 

Prof. Oviasuyi who stated this while delivering the AAU's 117TH, in the Bi-monthly Series  of Inaugural  Lectures, entitled “Community-Based Associations: A Potent Instrument for Local Government Administration in Nigeria", said the current pattern of Local Government Administration in Nigeria that does not recognise the existence and possible contributions of community based Associations can not deliver the desired dividend of democracy.  

"A situation where the people elected into different offices at the local government Council areas  are from diaspora with little or no knowledge about the communities they are expected to govern.These sets of people don't know the needs of the people they are to govern. That is why we have limited development at the grassroots. 

The Professor of Public Administration further said that the existing rules and modalities of electing into office and the style of Administration at Local Government  councils without the input of Community Based Associations and opinion leaders have created sufficient evidences of Non-Collaboration or Partnership between Community Based Associations and Local Government Officials in projects planning and implementation.

These, according to Prof. Oviasuyi, has brought a high degree of corruption into the system with no measurable service delivery, thus putting the people and the communities at perpetual underdevelopment. 

He then opined that "Section IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, should be re-visited to give the Local Government Administration proper recognition so that it can become efficient and effective in their service delivery to the majority of Nigerians in their areas of Jurisdiction. 

"The State Houses of Assembly should promulgate laws that will give recognition to the Community Based Associations  to collaborate or partner with Local  Government Authorities  to bring about, development  and monumental transformations to the grassroots. 

Declaring the Lecture open, the immediate past Acting Vice Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Prof. Asomwan Sonnie Adagbonyin said " Community-based associations (CBAs) are organizations formed by community members to address local needs and promote collective interests. Community-based associations (CBAs) can indeed play a vital role in local government administration in Nigeria such as fostering grassroots participation and engagement, providing a platform for community-led development initiatives, support local economic development and poverty reduction, enhancing service delivery and infrastructure development, promoting cultural heritage and social cohesion. They can also serve as a bridge between communities and local government authorities among many others.

Prof. Adagbonyin who was represented by the then Deputy Vice Chancellor,  Administration,  Prof Theophilus Agweda said, "To harness the potential of CBAs in local government administration, it is essential to: encourage and support the formation of CBAs, build capacity and provide training for CBA members, foster partnerships between CBAs, local governments, and other stakeholders, ensure inclusive decision-making and representation and promote transparency, accountability, and good governance practices. By leveraging CBAs, local governments in Nigeria can tap into community expertise, resources, and enthusiasm, ultimately leading to more effective and sustainable development outcomes.

The 117th Inaugural Lecture climaxed with the former decoration of Professor  Patrick Osatohanmwen Oviasuyi with the prestigious Lecturer medal. 

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