FROM MIJINYAWA BABA-UTHMAN MINNA
Community Association For Grassroots Transformation (CAGRAT), is aimed at assisting and complementing the efforts of the leaders and Government in creating opportunities for solving the developmental challenges of local communities.
The president general of CAGRAT Dagaci Mohammed Etsugaie stated this at the inauguration of the leadership and lecture and national conference of the association which took place at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference center in Minna at the weekend.
He said CAGRAT as a non- governmental and non-partisan organization are convinced that government in a representative democracy, is a shared responsibility between the leaders and the followers.
In this regard he explained the followers must be duty conscious to participate in policy formulation or agenda setting, noting that it will give the citizens the justification to enforce responsibility on the representatives to make them accountable.
According to him,this is important " so that the real essence of democracy which is good government for the betterment of the citizens is not lost"
He pointed out that the association has over the years toiled and for the day with increasing impatience occasioned by the envisioned prospects of the Thought and desire to have the opportunity to play our roles in the unity and development of our communities, and the nation at large.
" Our people have long waited for a clear and well organized movement where they will have the opportunity to play their roles for positive transformation of their communities and the nation," he said.
Engr. Mohammed Dagaci observed that lack of functional and efficient basick organizations "for us, our inability to create credible grassroots networks for capacity building and empowerment in the past, have conspired together to impede our appropriate actions and meaningful contributions to improve the life of our rural population and our collective development within the ongoing democratic process"
He maintained that the association deployment of the democratic will of a well organized grassroots social oriented movement to assist in designing a road map to guide towards the unity and general development within the ongoing democratic process adding that:"we could not therefore resist the temptation which became overwhelming to join the struggle".
The ceremony according to Engr Dagaci, marks the peak of a long wish of a generation of zealous, ambitious and development thirsty group of progressive minded individuals brought together to put good use, their knowledge, civilization, creativity and will-power needed for their contribution to modern development and growth of their Communities.
Speaking earlier, the governor of Niger State, Farmer governor Umar Mohammed Bago charged the executive members of the association, to partner with his administration to curtail the hoarding of agricultural commodities in the state.
He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to ensure the production of foods through his agricultural agenda and transformation of the green economy of Niger state.
Assuring his administration commitment towards the transformation of the state in his developmental strides .
Highlight of the occasion included the inauguration of members of the executive committee and lecture delivered by eminent schorlars
