IPC holds one-day training on development

The International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos in conjunction with UKAID/DFID and ACTIONAID has held another one-day advocacy training for representatives of Itu Agan, Abule Ado and Iyagbe communities of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State under the project, Strenghtening Citizens Engagement In Electoral Process (SCEEP), on how they can get government to address their development needs.

During his speaking session on the topic, Understanding the Concept And Principles Of Advocacy, Francis Abayomi, Executive Director, Peace and Development Projects, explained to the representatives that sometimes they would have to help themselves so government can help them so they can also initiate projects with their own funds before government will start supporting them.

He added that they must relate with whoever is in government regardless of party affiliation and that they must never mix their personal needs with their community development needs or government wouldn’t take them seriously.

Also speaking, Stella Nwofia, Programme Officer, IPC, reminded the representatives that it’s up to them to ensure that they advocate and engage continuously with government so that government will address their needs as IPC, UKAID/DFID and ACTIONAID can only assist them through training.

She also sounded a note of warning that the groups were interested in seeing that they were getting their development needs as a result of the trainings they were giving them, not just that they fold their arms and do no result-oriented advocacy after their training.

The training held in Festac Town, Lagos, Nigeria on Thursday, November 10, 2016.