The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its resolve to entrench transparency, accountability, and open governance as the hallmarks of its administration, stressing its determination to build stronger institutions and empower citizens through sustainable reforms.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the “Strengthening Accountability and Governance in Nigeria Initiative” (SAGNI) project, organised by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) in Abuja, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, described the initiative as a transformative partnership that has contributed significantly to strengthening democratic institutions across the country and in Edo State in particular.
Dr. Osagie noted that the Edo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, is deeply committed to upholding the principles of openness and public trust. He explained that SAGNI has gone beyond the scope of a conventional development programme, serving instead as “a strategic platform for institutional strengthening, citizen empowerment, and the advancement of accountability.”
Highlighting the direct benefits of the project, the Attorney General revealed that the Edo State Ministry of Justice has, over the past twelve months, enjoyed critical technical support, collaborative engagements, and valuable knowledge exchange. These, he said, have improved the Ministry’s capacity to promote accountability, enhance service delivery, and restore public confidence in the machinery of government.
He emphasised that Edo’s reform-driven approach to governance is guided by its determination to enforce transparency laws and ensure that citizens have access to information. The state, he said, remains committed to the effective implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, which is central to building trust between government and the governed. In his words, “Governor Okpebholo is unwavering in his belief that a government must be open, accountable, and responsive to its people. That is the spirit we are nurturing in Edo.”
Dr. Osagie commended the Centre for Transparency Advocacy and its partners for their dedication to the project, describing their contributions as invaluable to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic space. He pledged that Edo would not only consolidate the gains of SAGNI but would also expand its principles across ministries, departments, and agencies of government, thereby embedding accountability as a culture of governance.
The Attorney General further recalled that Edo, alongside Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory, had benefitted immensely from the SAGNI project. This, he stressed, placed the state in a position of responsibility to sustain the progress achieved and to serve as a model for other states striving to improve governance and accountability frameworks.
“The closeout of this project is not an end but a call to action,” Dr. Osagie declared. “We must carry forward the spirit of SAGNI to consolidate strong institutions, promote transparency, and secure a better, more prosperous future for our people.”
Clementina Agweda
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Justice, Edo Stae
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