Osun Political Summit: Akinbade Advocates for Grassroots Empowerment

By Jimoh Taofik

A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former secretary to the Osun State Government, Engr Fatai Akinade Akinbade has called for a renewed focus on grassroots mobilization as a key driver of sustainable development.

He made this known in his speech titled “Grassroots Mobilization for Development” delivered at the Summit of Political Stakeholders, Organized by Osun State Ministry of Political Affairs and Inter-Governmental Relations, in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.
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Akinbade while making a clarion call to action, urged the political class to prioritize the needs of these often-overlooked communities and address the persistent neglect of grassroots communities in the state.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, he expressed concern over the political class’s tendency to abandon projects initiated by previous administrations due to party differences.

He also stressed that transcending party lines and fostering a united approach to governance is essential for achieving true development, particularly at the grassroots level.

In his address, Alhaji Akinbade outlined a detailed framework for effective grassroots mobilization. He emphasized the importance of active community involvement in decision-making processes, urging that projects should not be imposed without proper consultation, as genuine involvement can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, leading to more successful outcomes.

He thereafter called for a bottom-up approach, where government authorities directly engage with communities to understand their specific needs, allowing initiatives to emerge organically from within rather than being externally imposed.

He also stressed the need to empower communities to see themselves as stakeholders in development projects, noting that neglecting local communities can lead to significant unrest, as seen in the Niger Delta.

Alhaji Akinbade reinstates the importance of aligning development with local needs, warning against the wastefulness of abandoned projects and advocating for more careful planning and implementation to ensure sustainability.

Addressing the challenges that could hinder grassroots mobilization, Alhaji Akinbade identified several potential obstacles, including a lack of resources, which could limit the success of initiatives if funding, expertise, and materials are insufficient.

He also highlighted the impact of poor leadership and weak community structures, emphasizing that effective leadership at the community level is crucial for successful mobilization.

Furthermore, he cautioned against external control and conflicting interests that could derail initiatives, and acknowledged that cultural norms, economic conditions, and political instability pose significant challenges. Alhaji Akinbade stressed the importance of overcoming these barriers, particularly by leveraging technology to enhance communication and engagement within grassroots communities.

He subsequently urged political stakeholders and government agencies to adopt a long-term focus, prioritizing the needs of grassroots communities in their development agendas.