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Tag: Civil Society Organisations

  • CSOs lament lack of transparency in procurement processes

    CSOs lament lack of transparency in procurement processes

    Civil Society Organisations have lamented the lack of transparency in public procurement processes in the country.

    This is as the Deputy Director, Africa Office, MacArthur Foundation, Amina Salihu disclosed that over $200 billion has been lost in Nigeria through procurement, inflating contracts and asset disposals that are not straightforward from 1970 to 2008.

    Read Also: Dangote, marketers seal deal to avert fuel scarcity at yuletide

    They said that in Nigeria, a lack of accountability in public service remained a significant challenge, leading to abuse of procurement processes and misuse of public resources.

    The CSOs said this during a high-level town hall meeting organised by Accountability Lab Nigeria, in partnership with the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and supported by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to address systemic challenges in Nigeria’

  • Plateau community youths rebuild burnt police station

    Two years after protesting youths set ablaze a police station in Angwuan Rukuba, Plateau State, the same youths have rebuilt it.

    In 2016, there was a violent conflict in the community, with some irate youths turning their anger on the police and torching their facility in the area. Policemen in Angwuan Rukuba fled for dear life.

    Following the development, the police authorities pulled out their personnel from the community.

    The rancorous atmosphere has since given way. The youths of Angwuan Rukuba have, of their volition, rebuilt the burnt police facility and handed it over to the state commissioner of police Austine Agbolanhor.

    The youths were not compelled by anyone to reconstruct the police station as penalty for burning it. They voluntarily did so following a peace and reconciliation dialogue process coordinated by civil society organisations (CSOs), institutions responsible for justice and security in the state like USIP, WANEP and CEPAN. The reconstruction of the police station began with genuine reconciliation between the police and the community.

    The JSD group forged a dialogue session between the police and community members, 45 participants drawn from members of the Police Community Relations Committee, Nigeria Police (Nassarawa Gwom Division and the state command), Elders Forum Jos North, Market Women Association, community and youth leaders. The agenda for the dialogue centered on the burnt Angwar Rukuba police outstation. Participants at the dialogue regretted the act as they noted that the absence of the police in the community has resulted in increased rate of crime and violence.

    Stakeholders donated money and materials for  the reconstruction of the police facility. The youths contributed free labour since most of them are artisans. The Market Women Association through the leader made a promise to provide lunch for the youths during the reconstruction of the Station. By the month of May 2018, the reconstruction of the building was completed and ready to be occupied by the police.

    In a brief ceremony organised last week to formally hand over the property to the state command of Nigerian Police, CP Agbolanhor said, “I’m impressed with the community especially the youths for the reconstruction of the station which has restored the services of police officers which have been absent since the burning down of the station.

    “The most important thing is that the community has shown to me that they are ready to work with the police for effective security of lives and properties in this community and in the entire state, I urged the youths of the community to remain law abiding and work closely with the police for peace to reign in the community now that the station is going to be fully restored with the reconstruction of the outpost.

    “The youths should bear in mind that the police cannot work successful if members of the community are not ready to cooperate with them. This is what we called community policing and the concept the Inspector General of Police is currently promoting.”

    In his remarks, Mr. Chom Gbabu said members of the community including the youths have already established a working relationship with the police, a development he said made it possible for all the stakeholders to join hands and reconstruct the building.

    Chairman of Jos North Local Government, Dr, Philip Izang applauded the efforts of Justice and security dialogue committee, elders and youths of the community as well as the state police command for the construction of the police post.

    Dr. Izang urged the youths to guard the project jealously in the interest of peace. He urged the community leaders to always caution the youths against irrational behaviors for peace to reign in the locality.

    The key to the building was formally handed over to the commissioner of police by the Uja of Anaguta, HRH Jauro Magaji.

    Mr Chom Bagu said, “The Justice and Security Dialogue (JSD) projects is a project piloted by USIP in partnership with the Nigerian police to address violence and instability in Nigeria, by identifying selected communities to develop and implement inclusive, holistic, and effective approaches to addressing community-level security challenges.”

  • Ending discrimination against the physically challenged

    Since 1992, following the United Nations’ declaration of the International Day for people living with disabilities, every December 3 is a day for people with disabilities. Its the aim is to increase global awareness of their situation in all spheres of society.

    The day affords us an opportunity to drive conversations targeted at improving their rights and wellbeing.

    In Nigeria, individuals, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have continued to remind President Muhammadu Buhari of his promise and urged him to sign the Nigerian Disability Bill into law.

    This month makes it the 45th month since Buhari made a pledge during a town hall meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to end discrimination and stigmatisation against persons with disabilities in Nigeria. While the National Assembly (NASS) has completed the legislative actions on the bill to end discrimination against persons with disabilities, the president is yet to sign the bill into law. Global statistics projects that approximately 80 per cent of people with disabilities live in developing countries, with one-in-five of the world’s poorest having at least, one disability.

    It is believed that when the bill is signed into law, it would maximally boost human capital development and encourage indigenous and foreign participation of persons with disabilities in the economic, social and political development of the country. This year’s International Day of People with Disabilities with the theme: Empowering persons with disabilities for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development, brings this subject to the table of state actors again, particularly when considered that their rights and wellbeing are also integrated part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other international development frameworks which Nigeria is signatory to.

  • Obaseki pledges support for terrorism victims

    …urges CSOs, donor agencies, others to complement govt.’s role

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to provide more support for victims of terrorism who reside in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)’ camps in the state.

    Obaseki made the pledge in commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, marked every August 21, by the United Nations (UN) and member states across the globe.

    He said, “While the Federal Government continues to intensify effort to subdue terrorists in the North East and other parts of Nigeria, Edo State will not relent in ensuring that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) residing in camps in the state are provided with adequate structures to make their stay comfortable.

    “The IDPs would be further assisted in recovering from the trauma of terrorism, as it will facilitate their rehabilitation and integration into society.”

    The governor said more could still be achieved if well-meaning, public-spirited individuals, Civil Society Organisations (CSO), international donor agencies, among others, work closely with governments in scaling up assistance to victims of terrorism.

    Read Also: Eid-el-Kabir: Obaseki felicitates with Muslims

    Obaseki noted that the state government will continue in coordinating efforts to assist IDPs in the state.

    According to the UN, “While more countries are affected by terrorism today, the number of victims has largely been concentrated in a small number of member states. In 2017 alone, nearly three-quarters of all deaths caused by terrorism were in just five countries: Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia and Syria.

    “Few members’ states have the resources or the capacity to fulfil the medium and long-term needs required for victims to fully recover, rehabilitate and integrate back into society. Victims can only recover and cope with their trauma through long-term multi-dimensional support, including physical, psychological, social and financial, in order to heal and live with dignity.”

    The global body added, “The primary responsibility to support victims of terrorism and uphold their rights rests with member states. The United Nations has an important role in supporting member states to implement Pillar I and IV of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy through standing in solidarity and providing support to victims, capacity building assistance, establishing networks of, and offering support to, civil society organizations, particularly victims of terrorism associations, and encouraging member states to promote, protect and respect the rights of victims.”

  • How Abacha loot should be spent-ANRP

    Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) on Friday advised the Federal Government to invest the Abacha loot on human development such as healthcare and education.

    Mr Sesugh Akume, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, gave the advice in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

    “Such a large amount can also be invested in upgrading and equipping at the National Hospital, Abuja and other federal government hospitals across the country many of which are at various states of dysfunction and dilapidation.

    “This amount could also be positioned as counterpart funding toward public-private partnerships to upgrade General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) all across the federation.

    “Government can also use the amount set up schemes that make drugs and medical supplies readily available on a sustainable basis,’’ the national publicity secretary said.

    Read Also: $322m Abacha’s loot: Group faults disbursement plan

    He said that by so doing, the healthcare sector would be functional such that many Nigerians going abroad for medical treatment would be attended to in the country with less bills, compared to what obtained abroad.

    The party also urged that the loot be used to improve the education sector with a view to ensuring that children of the poor enrol in schools to receive quality education.

    The Special Assistant to the President on Justice Reform, Juliet Nwagwu, had at a News conference in Abuja, confirmed federal government decision to share the money put at $322 million.

    ‘’Nobody is going give anybody any cash; it is going be through an electronic payment system which we want Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to verify,’’ she said.

    “The party has expressed deep concern that whereas, conditional cash transfers are a palliative for people living in extreme poverty to cushion the effect, it has never lifted up the poor out of poverty,” Akume said.

    He said well equipped healthcare facilities  would also give the poor in the society to have access to good healthcare.

    Akume said the party disagreed with Federal Government decision to share the money because previously recovered loot ended up being re-looted.

    He, however, said the money should not be spent without recourse to the National Assembly.

    NAN

  • LG polls: Obaseki lauds Edo people, security agencies, others

    LG polls: Obaseki lauds Edo people, security agencies, others

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obseki, has expressed his appreciation to Edo voters, civil society organisations, the media, security agencies and other stakeholders for the successful conduct of last Saturday’s local council polls in the state.

    In his message of appreciation on the sideline of the swearing-in of the elected officials, Obaseki noted that “the elections will go down in the annals of history as the most peaceful and most organised elections, devoid of chaos and disorderliness, unlike what we have been used to in this part of the world.”

    He said: “As a government, we are extremely proud of Edo voters for changing the narrative of how Nigerians participate in elections. For the first time in our recent political history, voting was done in the most civilised manner.

    He lauded security agencies, traditional rulers, party leaders, members of the civil society and other stakeholders for their roles in setting the stage for the peaceful conduct of the local council polls across the state.

    “Voters took their time, went to their various polling centers, cast their votes and went home without any troubles. The Edo LG Polls have set a new template for future elections in the country and will go down in the annals of Nigeria’s recent electoral history as the most peaceful and orderly elections in the country.

    The governor commended the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) for living up to their word, as “the success of the polls would not have been possible without the effort of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC). I salute EDSIEC for living up to their word.

    “I had charged EDSIEC before the local council polls that we wanted a hitch-free exercise devoid of crisis and they promised to do their best and I am happy to report a successful exercise and we are pleased with the outcome of the polls.

    “I congratulate the elected local government chairmen and councilors who were sworn-in on Monday and urge you to commence work immediately by replicating our ‘Wake and See’ approach to governance at the local councils.”

    He told the elected officials that “Governance is about service delivery. You must feel the pulses of the people; attend to their needs by providing tangible, measurable, verifiable and impactful projects that can improve the lives of our people in the grassroots.”

    Read Also: New council executives will deepen strategic leadership, devt at LGAs – Obaseki

  • NGO empowers 40,000 HIV affected children

    The AIDS Preventive Initiative in Nigeria (APIN), on Thursday, said it had trained 40,000 children, who were either infected or affected by HIV and AIDS in Plateau.

    Mrs Chidinma Stevens, the Head of Community programmes, APIN, made this disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos.

    Stevens said the children were empowered through their caregivers.

    “We empowered them through skills acquisition programmes and also granted them ‘start up grants’ to establish their business outlets,” she said.

    She said the number of the children was recorded to enable APIN assist them in their education and cushion the effects of stigmatization meted out to them in the society.

    “We provide care and support services to them to help them improve their lives and live positively,” she said.

    Stevens said some of the children had lost both parents due to AIDS infection, adding that APIN had also reviewed its mode of operation to make them self-reliant.

    “APIN has reviewed this arrangement because we expected these caregivers to be self-reliant after a given period;

    “So we established a village savings and loan scheme so that after empowerment, they can get funds to start their chosen businesses.

    “We presently give only technical assistance through Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

    “In the past, handouts were given to children for books, uniforms, food and other social services but we noticed that it only lasted for a period.

    “It also stigmatized the children because everyone knew that when they went to collect these items, they are either infected or affected,” she said.

    Stevens said empowering caregivers economically through income generating activities, training on positive parenting skills; village savings and loans schemes would ensure the sustainability of the programme.

    She said trainings for improved agricultural skills, better crop yield, poultry farming, and better market assessment services were provided for caregivers through CSOs while APIN could only play supervisory roles.

     

  • People with disabilities want to observe Ondo governorship poll

    People with disabilities want to observe Ondo governorship poll

    People with Disabilities (PWDs), in Ondo State, have called for the deployment of their members as observers in Saturday’s governorship poll in the state.

    The Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Mr David Anayele, made the call at a news conference in Akure on Thursday.

    Anayele said their members were demanding for more inclusive participation in electoral processes and governance across the nation.

    “Leave no one behind, disability votes count.

    “Twenty-seven teams of PWDs trained observers, which include a driver, an observer and a Personal Assistant, will be deployed to 200 polling units.

    “ This is the representative random sample of the 3009 polling units in the state.

    “Observers will rove on election day and answer questions at each of their assigned polling units, using a comprehensive checklist before sending their reports to a central database system via coded text messages.’’

    Anayele contended that PWDs were greatly marginalised from participating in Nigeria’s electoral processes “because polling units are not always physically accessible to those that are unable to walk or have impaired walking.’’

    He listed other hindrances as inaccessible locations of polling booths, high placement of ballot boxes and hearing and visual impairments which often disenfranchised the group from voting.

    The director stressed that these often discouraged Nigerians with disabilities from coming out to participate in elections.

    Similarly, Mrs Grace Jerry, the Executive Director, Inclusive Friends Association, called for the use of sign language interpreters and Braille facilities in elections.

    She demanded more incentives, ballot box accessibility, change in narratives and stereotypes about persons with disabilities.

    She called for national legislation on disability rights.

    Jerry advocated collaboration among Civil Society Organisations before 2019 election.

    “We must work together to remove the barriers that make it difficult for the 25, 000,000 PWDs in Nigeria to participate in our electoral processes on an equal basis with other citizens.’’