The Nigerian government and Canada are working together to enhance urban development and governance at the grassroots level. A symposium will be held in Brampton, Canada, from October 21-25, 2024, where selected Local Government Areas from Nigeria will collaborate to address shared urban issues with innovative solutions. While speaking on the symposium titled “Bridging Brampton and Nigeria’s Local Government Areas: Urban Innovations for Global Progress”, Patrick Brown, the mayor of Brampton, emphasised the importance of sharing ideas and experiences at the grassroots level to enhance collaboration between the two countries.
In a statement signed by Mayor Maurice Imadu’s Specialist from the Community Engagement Office, Brown expressed that the initiative strongly supports Brampton’s dedication to promoting global collaboration and education. He highlighted the importance of the initiative in encouraging the sharing of ideas and experiences between the two cities, specifically focusing on modern urban governance techniques, technological advancements, and strategies for engaging with the community. He acknowledges the significance of collaborative initiatives in tackling shared urban issues and advancing sustainable development.
Stakeholders will interact to enhance local projects and transformations.
This also aligns perfectly with their dedication to promoting global cooperation and knowledge exchange. Brown emphasised that community involvement is a crucial advantage for Brampton, highlighting the symposium as an important opportunity for local stakeholders to interact, exchange ideas, and engage in conversations that could enhance local projects and bring about constructive transformations. He emphasised the importance of sharing knowledge and transferring it within the Lagos community to encourage effective practices and new ideas that can be adjusted to suit their specific urban setting.
David Adewale, the co-facilitator, announced during a press briefing in Lagos that the upcoming symposium would include discussions on leadership and involve panellists sharing successful practices and stories from both countries. He also mentioned that there will be a special tour focusing on Canadian urban planning and Infrastructure arranged as part of the event. Speaking further, he mentioned that the two nations will exchange innovative concepts and practices in urban management, technology, and citizen involvement.
International recognition and partnership opportunities will be gathered.
Attendees of the symposium, including Council leaders and other stakeholders, will embark on a guided tour of Ontario to delve into the intricacies of Canadian urban development. In addition to learning about city planning, they will also present the accomplishments and initiatives of their respective local governments, showcasing the progress achieved in Nigeria. Furthermore, Adewale stressed the importance of the event as an opportunity to gain international recognition, get new partnerships, and highlight outstanding leadership qualities.
Kehinde Oloyede, who is the Local Government Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo, In his remark shared his thoughts on the event, praising it as a much-needed and beneficial endeavour. He emphasised the importance of prioritising local government issues and how it can pave the way for new urban development strategies to be discovered. Selecting Nigeria as the initiative choice brings a sense of honour, given the reputation of numerous local councils in the country for their forward-thinking and progress-driven initiatives.
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Lagos State stands out as a hub of Innovation in Africa, where they are actively involved. The local government areas are known for their progressive thinking. They aim to motivate and encourage their peers in Brampton by sharing their experiences, urging them to follow the same path of innovation and progress for a better future. By working together in this partnership, they can utilise their expertise to strengthen their abilities, ultimately boosting their development progress and effectiveness.