JDPC trained fellows to lead local governance reform in Anambra

Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka

A total of 45 civic change agents trained by the Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) Nnewi are set to lead local governance reform in Anambra State.

The fellows are part of the Anambra State Local Government Accountability Fellowship (ALGAF) program, which aims to, strengthen governance, and promote accountability and transparency at the local government level.

The fellows underwent a maiden Monthly Leadership and Governance Workshop (MLGW) organized by JDPC Nnewi in collaboration with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.

JDPC Program Manager, Onyekachi Ololo, explained that the fellowship is designed to achieve several objectives, including strengthening leadership and governance skills, fostering inclusive development models, promoting accountability and transparency, and bridging the gap between communities and government.

He said the fellowship seeks to build a new generation of leaders, reformers, and accountability champions who can model participatory governance and community-driven development at the grassroots.

“The Program is aimed at transforming how citizens, communities, and local governments interact. At its core, the fellowship seeks to build a new generation of leaders, reformers, and accountability champions who can model participatory governance and community-driven development at the grassroots.”

“Through mentorship, training, and practical engagement, ALGAF fellows will work closely with communities and stakeholders to design a replicable model for sub-Saharan engagement with local government systems.

“The Fellowship is not just a training program—it is a movement to re-imagine leadership, deepen accountability, and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy from the grassroots.”

Chioma Chukwuemeka, a facilitator, advised the fellows to be changemakers who would drive change in their localities. She stressed the importance of demanding accountability through responsible words and actions, and taught the fellows various communication strategies to hold government officials accountable, including storytelling, drama, and social media.

Ebubechukwu Okoye, another facilitator, highlighted the importance of confidentiality, consent, and accessibility in research, warning against biases. He emphasized that research is the foundation for evidence-based advocacy and encouraged the fellows to combine data and storytelling to make a meaningful impact.

Earlier, the Director of JDPC Nnewi, Rev Fr Benedict Chima Okolo, described the ALGAF project as a social experiment designed to awaken a new consciousness around leadership, accountability, inclusivity and governance reform.

He noted that the project offers an opportunity to model how citizens, institutions, and government can work together to re-imagine a responsive and people-centered local governance system.

“ALGAF offers us an opportunity to model how citizens, institutions, and government can work together in re-imagining a responsive and people-centered local governance system for Sub-Saharan Africa, beginning here in Anambra State.”

One of the participants and Speaker at the Children’s Parliament, Rt Hon Victory Ekwunife said the movement will activate responsive governance at the grassroots level. She assured that they would monitor fundings and other structures at the local level.

Another participant, Ncheta Nwanokwara from Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), expressed being overwhelmed by the program’s concept, believing it would greatly benefit disability community scattered across the state.