By Bilesanmi Olalekan

The planned Peoples’ Public Sessions by the House of Representatives through which it intends to take the constitution review process to the grassroots across the 360 federal constituencies in the country has continued to generate excitement from civil society groups, international development agencies and other stakeholders in the polity.

In a related development, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has pledged its support for the initiative and directed its field officers across the country to assist in mobilizing Nigerians to participate in the constituency meetings.

The peoples’ public sessions is a novel programme by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review intended to make the amendment process all-inclusive, participatory and all-encompassing by involving Nigerians in the nooks and crannies of the country. It will hold on November 10 after an official flag-off to be performed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives on November 8.

At different fora including exploratory meetings held between the House Committee and stakeholders, civil society groups and organizations have lauded the initiative and pledged total commitment to making it achieve the desired results. Speaking on a programme monitored on AIT during the week, civil rights activist and member, National Human Rights Commission Board, Hajia Saudatu Mahpi, commended the House of Representatives for initiating the constituency meetings.

Representatives of professional interest groups, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders at a meeting with the House Committee hailed the efforts and also offered suggestions on how to make the process thorough.