PPDC Leverages Technology to Strengthen Citizen Participation in Governance

The Public Private Development Centre (PPDC), a leading Nigerian non-governmental organisation that promotes citizen participation in governance and is dedicated to “Empowering Citizens,” recently harnessed technology to evaluate citizen engagement in governance within the Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Using a data collection tool developed through Google Forms, PPDC sought to measure citizens’ awareness of their political representatives across federal, state, and local government levels.

During a sensitisation and mobilisation event held at Obi Nnewichi – Nnewi, PPDC Programme Manager for Governance, Precious Adigwe, urged residents of Nnewichi and Otolo Nnewi to engage consistently with their grassroots leaders.

Adigwe underscored the critical importance of effectively interacting with public officials both in person and online to stimulate societal development.

“PPDC aims to foster active citizen participation in governance, reaching diverse groups including men, women, and persons with disabilities,” Adigwe noted.

Earlier in the day, the PPDC delegation visited the palace of Igwe Orizu, marking a significant step towards enhancing active citizen engagement in Nnewi.

The Crown Prince of Nnewi, Prince Obianaefo Orizu, welcomed the initiative and commended it as a proactive, people-oriented project. However, he urged PPDC to “show working” by translating discussion into tangible action. He also pledged to work closely with the organisation to ensure the community’s progress, emphasising the importance of grassroots governance.

Deputy Senior Programme Manager for Governance, Samuel Akende, addressed attendees at Igwe Orizu’s palace, reaffirming PPDC’s commitment to meaningful change in Anambra State. He highlighted the necessity for citizens to remain vigilant about government activities to safeguard public-private collaboration and promote effective governance in Nigeria.

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Akende elaborated on PPDC’s focus on four key thematic areas: procurement governance, access to justice, digital governance, and behavioural change partnerships, urging Nigerians to actively participate in their communities’ socio-political landscape.

He emphasised that increased engagement in governance is vital for measuring the performance of duty bearers, ultimately fostering transparency and accountability.

Akende noted that while PPDC has previously engaged decision-makers at the federal level, recent Supreme Court rulings granting greater autonomy to local governments necessitated a sharper focus on community-level initiatives.

Adigwe further stressed the importance of grassroots mobilisation in empowering citizens to participate actively in governance, thereby strengthening the link between communities and their leaders. She affirmed that the collaboration between the Nnewi community and PPDC lays the groundwork for transformative citizen participation and governance in Anambra State.

As a dedicated social enterprise, PPDC is driven by a commitment to transparent and accountable governance. The organisation has a proven track record of conducting capacity-building workshops and sensitisation initiatives aimed at empowering vulnerable groups and promoting effective governance.

“PPDC’s strategic focus areas include procurement governance—ensuring transparency and accountability in public procurement processes—facilitating easy access to justice, and leveraging digital governance as a tool for enhancing citizen engagement,” Adigwe explained.

Ugochi Freeman, Executive Director of Creative Minds Centre for Youth and Community Development (CM-CYCD), expressed appreciation for the efforts of the PPDC team in conducting grassroots mobilisation and sensitisation.