GNA Graduates First 30 Certified Citizen Reporters in Ile-Ife

The Great Nigerian Assembly (GNA) has graduated the first 30 Certified Citizen Reporters (CCRs) in the Ife Local Government Areas, marking a major milestone in the implementation of its CAA Governance Model.

The graduation ceremony, held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at IONA House, Iloro, Ile-Ife, brought together GNA officials, committee members, partners and community stakeholders.

The pioneer CCRs were trained to observe, document, verify and report developments within their communities as part of the GNA’s effort to promote responsible citizen participation, transparency, accountability and sustainable grassroots development.

Speaking on the occasion, GNA Executive Director, GN (Dr.) Kayode Elusoji, described the graduation as an important foundation for the next phase of the organisation’s governance initiative.

Elusoji expressed appreciation to Almighty God and acknowledged the contributions of individuals and organisations that supported the programme.

He particularly commended His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife and Chairman of the Advisory Council, for his support and commitment to the initiative.

He also recognised the CPI Technologies team, which provides the technology infrastructure for the programme, as well as members of the GNA Infrastructure Team and other contributors.

The GNA Executive Director further acknowledged the leadership of the Ife GNA CAA Committee, led by its Chairman, GN (Prince) Johnson Oluwafunso Adetayo, and Vice-Chairman, GN Michael Ojo, alongside the GNA Global Board of Trustees and Advisory Council.

He also thanked the IONA membership and Executive, led by Hon. Wole Awofisayo, for providing the venue for the ceremony and supporting the initiative.

CCRs to commence field activities

Following the graduation, the GNA said the CCRs would move into the next phase of the programme, which involves field activities and infrastructure documentation across the Ife LGs.

Elusoji said the trained reporters would begin capturing and documenting infrastructure and other community developments, with verified records expected to progressively appear on the global GNA CAA Governance platform.

He said the training and graduation were only the foundation, adding that the programme would now focus on translating the knowledge acquired by the CCRs into practical community engagement and reporting.

Attention will also shift to the scheduled October 10, 2026 inauguration of the GNA CAA Governance structures in the Ife LGs.

According to the GNA, preparations will include the full registration of members on its new CAA Governance App, the preparation of CAA Committees and other governance structures, and the submission of members’ photographs and profiles for documentation and publication by GNA News.

The structures expected to be inaugurated include CAA Committees, Advisory Council members, Special Development Committee members, Ward Managers, Pacesetters and other supporting structures.

The 30 pioneer CCRs

The 30 graduates are:

Adebayo Odeyemi
Adebayo Stanley
Adefioye Ayobami Joseph
Adefioye Nurudeen Adesakin
Adedoyin Adebayo Micheal
Adetogun Mobolaji
Adewole Adeolu Adewusi
Adewole Sherifdeen Adeyemi
Adeyemo Adefemi
Ariyo Oyeniyi Sunday
Arowoogun Ajoke
Badiora Timilehin
Deborah Adebayo
Efunsanmi Oluwasemilogo Joseph
EniObanke Adedoyin
Fayemi IfeOluwa
Fayombo Olatunji
Lincoln Olayode
Makinde IyanuOluwa
Oladimeji Abimbola Samuel
Oladimeji Saheed
Oladipo Adesewa Victoria
Olayode Segun
Omotosho Taiwo
Omotosho Tumininu
Opeyemi Oladipo
Owoyomi Adebanke Victoria
Oyesanmi Ibrahim Oyekayode
Rafiu Oyebamiji
Temitope Stephen Adebayo

Elusoji congratulated the pioneer CCRs and members of the committee, describing the successful graduation as an important step in the development of the GNA’s grassroots governance framework.

He said the broader objective was to create a system in which citizens participate actively in their communities, document development and engage constructively with governance processes.

The GNA also called on other Local Government Areas across Nigeria, through their diaspora organisations and GNA members, to prepare to bring their communities into the initiative.

With the first 30 CCRs now trained and certified, the organisation said the focus would be on field operations, infrastructure documentation and preparations for the October 10 inauguration.

“Today we celebrated a milestone. Tomorrow, the work continues. October 10 is our next major destination,” Elusoji said.

• GN (Dr.) Kayode Elusoji