Daud Olatunji
The National Orientation Agency and the Public Complaints Commission have agreed to strengthen their collaboration on public enlightenment, information sharing and inter-agency cooperation across the South-West.
The commitment was made on Friday, August 14, when the South-West Zonal Director of the NOA, Kehinde Ogunkuade, paid a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Federal Commissioner of the PCC, Morakinyo O. Akinleye, at the commission’s headquarters in the Federal Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Ogunkuade said effective collaboration between government agencies was essential to ensuring that citizens received timely and accurate information about government programmes, policies and services.
He explained that his responsibility included coordinating the activities of the NOA across the South-West, collaborating with Federal Government establishments at the zonal level and liaising with regional, pan-cultural and non-governmental organisations.
The zonal director stressed the need for regular exchange of information between the two agencies, urging the PCC to make relevant information about its activities and programmes available to the NOA for effective public enlightenment.
“One cannot give what he doesn’t have,” Ogunkuade said, emphasising the importance of access to accurate information in public communication.
He also advocated reforms in policies and processes that would enable the PCC to discharge its mandate more effectively, assuring the commission of NOA’s readiness to support joint public enlightenment and awareness campaigns.
Responding, Akinleye welcomed the establishment of the NOA South-West Zonal Office, saying its presence would provide a stronger platform for addressing issues peculiar to the region.
The commissioner disclosed that the PCC had witnessed a significant increase in the number of complaints received since he assumed office.
He attributed the development partly to increased public awareness, particularly through the commission’s collaboration with journalists and media organisations to educate citizens about their rights and publicise the activities of the PCC.
Akinleye said stronger collaboration with the NOA would further improve the reach of the commission’s activities and enable more citizens to understand where and how to seek redress over complaints involving public institutions.
He assured the NOA of the PCC’s readiness to work closely with the agency, describing the proposed partnership as capable of strengthening service delivery across the South-West.
According to him, the collaboration could also provide a model for similar inter-agency partnerships in other geopolitical zones.
The two agencies agreed to collaborate on joint public awareness and enlightenment programmes, conduct peer reviews of their activities to improve effectiveness and service delivery, and strengthen information sharing and inter-agency cooperation.
The meeting also featured the exchange of publications between the NOA zonal director and the PCC commissioner as part of efforts to deepen institutional understanding and information exchange.
Ogunkuade was accompanied by members of the management of the NOA South-West Zonal Office and officials of the Ogun State Directorate.
The Ogun State Director of the PCC, Mrs Omotayo, and other members of the commission’s management team were also present during the visit.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen public access to information on citizens’ rights, government programmes and avenues for complaints and redress across the South-West.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
