Covenant Journal of Business and Social Sciences (CJBSS) Vol. 6, No.2, Dec. 2014. E-Governance and E- Participation: Panaceas for Effective Mobilization of Manpower and Resources in Selected Local Governments in Ogun State Fayomi, O.O, Idowu, R. K, Ayo, C. K. Covenant University & Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Government Ogun State, Ota, Nigeria. Abstract: E-governance and e-participation are important stages in the advancement of government processes. They both offer great opportunities as well as new challenges especially in Nigeria with emphasis on selected local governments in Ogun State. E-governance is a new phenomenon in African countries and Nigeria is fast aligning into it, with the aim of addressing many challenges attached to development in Nigeria. Ado-Odo/Ota, Sagamu, Yewa South, Abeokuta South and Ijebu Ode local governments function primarily along the traditional colonial administrative system. This study considers sectoral aggregation of local government systems such as personnel, community development or relations, Infrastructural needs, spatial environment, etc. Structured and unstructured interviews will be conducted and questionnaires were administered in order to gather data in areas of education, health, recreation, electricity, water supply, empowerment, waste management, traffic control and security. The formulated hypotheses were subjected to statistical validation using multivariate regression analysis. This methodological approach enabled us ascertain whether there exists any significance relationship between e- Governance and effective mobilization of manpower and resources considering the selected local government areas for this study. Judgmental sampling procedures were adequately utilized in the selected local governments which are Ado_Odo/Ota, Sagamu, Yewa South, Ijebu Ode and Abeokuta South. These were based on the distinguishing characteristics of selected sample observations required for this study. Keyphrases: Information Communications Technology (ICT); e-governance; e- participation. 31 Covenant Journal of Business and Social Sciences (CJBSS) Vol. 6, No.2, Dec. 2014. I. Introduction of perceived displacement of E-Governance is a growing new personnel of livehood through phenomenon in African countries application of information and, Nigeria which pride itself as communication technology (ICT). the vastly populated Black Therefore, as worthy as e- Country, largest economy and governance and e-participation relatively stable democratic portend, the realization of its full country cannot afford to be potentials could be restricted by alienated. The realization has now lack of supportive infrastructure, dawned on the various local low educational status of the governments in Ogun State, proposed operators and negative Nigeria that participatory mindset tendencies. approach to development is Ogun State is one of the thirty six superior to any previous (36) states in Nigeria, located in approaches because of its firmer the Southwestern part of the ethnical foundation; hence, e- country and often called the Participation consummates new gateway state, because of its social contract and a fresh pioneer efforts in the educational partnership with the people. The advancement of the country. The people are less agitated and State was created in 1976, from willingly ready to submit to the defunct Western region. It is developmental programmes, boarded by Lagos, Oyo, Ondo policies and projects of the states and Republic of Benin. It government. has a land area of 16,980.55km2 All societies have a fair share of and population of 3,751,140 resources for sustenance and (National Population Commission productivity. Many times these National Census, 2006). resources are under-utilized and On the other hand, manpower not put into proper use. Reasons resources are inadequately catered for this are legion, ranging from for, and so lacking in the potential technological incapacitation, application. In the age long inadequate mobilization and traditional system of governance transformation of capital resources in Nigeria, problems embedded and ignorance of the benefits. include but not limited to There are encumbrances in the bureaucracy, nepotism, top-down way of application of ICTs chain command structure, et because of attitudes of the people cetera. towards changes; hence, changes The people speak Yoruba and are often hindered due to lack of other local dialects. These people confidence in the process by way are Egba, Yewa, Ijebu Remo, 32 Covenant Journal of Business and Social Sciences (CJBSS) Vol. 6, No.2, Dec. 2014. Awori, Egun and Anogo. They sewage and refuse have Socio-economic activities disposals, covering farming, calving mining, (iv) Provision and maintenance fishing, pottery, et ce tera. of Primary Healthcare, These are twenty local (v) Establishment, government areas in the state, maintenance and For Convenience of regulation of slaughter administration, these Local houses, slabs, Markets, Governments are zone into west (5 Motor-parks and public Local Governments), East (9 convenience etc. Local Governments) and central 6 (Constitution of the Local Governments). For the Federal Republic of purpose of this research, Ado- Nigeria, 1999) Odo/Ota, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Under the Local Government law, Abeokuta North and Yewa South manpower/personnel management local governments were randomly is under the jurisdiction of selected. statutorily constituted Local Duties, functions and Government Service Commission responsibilities of the Local headed by a chairman and Government administration are commissioners. Professional provided for in the fourth schedule career staffs run the commission of the amended 1999 constitution on daily basis. In the same vain, of the Federal Republic of each local Government is Nigeria. The Nigerian concurrently administered by an constitution guaranteed local Executive Chairman, other governments as third tier of Executive members, legislative government under Chapter 1 Part council and Civil Servants led by 2, Section 7 (1) and (3). It is Head of Local Government pertinent to mention few of the Administration (HOLGA), Local Government roles: Directors, Unit Heads and Other (i) The provision and Staffs. Recruitment, appointment, maintenance of primary, disciplines and promotion resides adult and vocational in the service commission. It Education, therefore behooves this study, to (ii) The development of look at the totality of the agriculture and Natural application of ICT to service Resources, other than the delivery at the Local Governments’ level. exploitation of minerals, , (iii) Provision and maintenance of public conveniences, 33 Covenant Journal of Business and Social Sciences (CJBSS) Vol. 6, No.2, Dec. 2014. A. The Selected Local Government are Ilaro, Iwoye, Government Preview: Owode-Yewa, Ajilete, Oke-Odan 1) Ado-Odo/Ota Local and Ilobi. The traditional Government: occupation of the people is Ado-Odo/Ota local government farming and pottery, (National came into existence on May 19, Population Commission National 1989, following the merger of Ota Census, 2006) in the defunct Ifo/Ota Local 3) Abeokuta North Local Government with Ado-Odo/Igbesa Government axis of Yewa South Local Abeokuta North local government Government. Ado-Odo/Ota Local has a land mass of 808km2 and a Government is second largest in population of 201, 329, (National Ogun State, with population of Population Commission National 526,565 and an area of 878 Km2 , Census, 2006) It is the home of (National Population Commission Oyan Dam, an important source of National Census, 2006) water to Lagos and Abeokuta. The people are mainly Yoruba, This Local Government habited who are the Aworis, along with the Egbas. Farming and trading ethnic settlers like Egba, Egun, are the major pre-occupation of Yewa et ce tera. There traditional the people. The headquarters is occupation is farming. Ota being Akomoje the headquarters, others towns are Agbara, Igbesa, Ijoko, Ilogbo, 4) Sagamu Local Government Ado-Odo; Atan and Iju. Sagamu local government has an area of 614km2 and population of 2) Yewa South Local 253,412. Headquarters is Sagamu Government city. Apart from the indigenous Yewa South local government has Remo people, it is a melting point an area of 629 km2 and population to the Hausas, Ibos and Beninese of 168,850. It shares board with who are itinerary travelers and Benin Republic. The people speak traders. Sagamu possesses Yewa and Egun dialects. accumulation of limestone. Important towns under the Local deposits, used for cement 5) Ijebu-Ode Local Government production. Agricultural products Ijebu-Ode local government was of the local government include created on March 11, 1938 with Cocoa, Kolanuts and other food the headquarters in Ijebu-Ode city. crops. It has estimated population of 154,032 and area of 192km2, (National Population Commission National Census, 2006). 34 Covenant Journal of Business and Social Sciences (CJBSS) Vol. 6, No.2, Dec. 2014. II. Conceptual Framework 2) E-consultation: this A. E-participation engages citizens through The basis or foundation of socio- contributions to and economic cum politically deliberation on public inclusive governance is the policies and services promotion of participation of the 3) E-decision-making: this citizens. The purpose of e- empowers citizens through participation strategy is for co-design of policy option improving the citizen’s approach and co-production of to information and public services; service components and and promotes participation in delivery