Actionaid Nigeria in partnership with the Centre for Information and Communication Technology (CITAD), have organised  a 3-day training on Social Audit for 48 activists and facilitators from 18 hard-to-reach communities in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.

The training aimed at building capacity of participants to engage implementing agencies for transparency and accountability.

Actionaid is an international  non-profit governmental organization that works with communities to reduce poverty, promote human rights and justice worldwide.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on the other hand, is committed to the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development and promotion of good governance.

The Country Director of Actionaid Nigeria, Ene Obi said  the  Social Audit Training of Trainers held at Dutse-Alhaji in Bwari Area Council  was predicated on the believe in the power of one person standing right and doing the right thing- starting a change from an environment.

She said that Nigeria is at its present level  because many politicians managing the affairs of  the country have no sanity.

Obi who stated this  on Tuesday while declaring open the 3-day training  said our leaders take the centre stage at every point in time but at the end of their rule,  bequeath no positive change to the country.

Blaming the present predicaments of the country to the failure of our leaders,  she regretted that despite the volume of its  young which are great potential  for development, Nigeria is still at a standstill after many decades.

“Many of our politicians have no sanity. There is a lot of insanity in the environment. If  you don’t leave the stage better than you met it then you are a failure.

“So what we are having is a colossal failure of many leaders.  We have maternal mortality rate like no other time, violence  everywhere, violence against women and girls,  so many people are idle due to unemployment. But we will continue to work hard,” Obi said.

While congratulating the participants for being part of the training, she admonished them not  to give up but stand against bad when it is bad. “Lets work together,  network together, exchange ideas and stand for what is right at all times because that is what will change the future,” she said.

The Actionaid Nigeria Country Director also congratulated the Centre  for Information and Communication Technology( CITAD)for the training.

The training had 48 activists and facilitators from  18 communities in four area councils of the Federal Capital Territory where the organization with support from CITAD is offering interventions.

They include among others:Leleyi Gwari, Leleyi Bassa, Kilankwa,  Pai in  Kwali area counci, Tunga-Ashere, Jiwa, Dakwa, Tunga-Nasara,AMAC, Gaube, Kayache, Tukpechi, Bwari-Pasepa,  Guto, Igu, Kuchibuyi  in Bwari area council.

In an interview with journalists, the Social Mobilization  Manager for Actionaid Nigeria, Adewale Adeduntan said the training was to conscientize community members and facilitators on how to apply social audit as an approach to engender good governance, accountability and transparency in terms of the relationship between the lead and the leaders.

He said:”We realize that people in public offices take the citizens for granted a lot. They act arrogantly as if they are doing community people favour. Remembering that the resources they use is our common wealth, they should be used judiciously in such a way that the people can benefit.

“We are  therefore, trying to create an approach whereby we can interact with our leaders interms of the projects and intervention they bring to the communities.”

He said the organizations wanted to create a situation where the people could engage their leaders constructively, ask questions about the project cost, specification to ensure they don’t just dump projects  on the people but execute them according to specifications as this will bring about a new order and good governance in Nigeria.

“The engagement is not going to be an individual thing. The participants will be working on a platform which we call social audit committee which will be formed in the course of the training on Wednesday. They will be officially introduced to the government so that they can now begin to take their decision forward with the government from there,”he explained further.

Adeduntan noted that  at the community level,  local governance is suffering in Nigeria, adding that development should be demand-driven.

“It is the people  that should  demand what they need you to do for them. But   here in Nigeria, people just campaign and say when I  become chairman, I will do this for you. If this is reversed and we have a community assembly where people come together and  say what they need and submit their charter to the government and say this is what we want, the spate of abandoned projects will be reduced.
“It is a natural model that if you are doing things for the people, they should be aware. So confidently, people’s involvement or participation will  accelerate development in Nigeria,” said the Social Mobilization Manager.

Earlier while delivering a presentation  on “Understanding Social Audit and its Importance” Adeduntan explained that Social Audit is a process to establish accountability which empowers the community to ask questions and demand answers from the implementing agencies.

“It is done by the community or beneficiary group. It is an audit of the implementing agency that examines physical, financial and  process-related issues. Both quantitative and qualitative inputs are publicly verified,” he explained further.

Actionaid Nigeria’s  Local Rights Programme Advisor, Hajara Opaluwa-Adamu said also while responding to questions from journalists that the workshop is a social accountability  capacity building  aimed at  training the community people on how to access government intervention in their communities.
“We are trying to see how this facilitators will be able to audit any firm that comes to their communities and hold their representatives accountable to the community. Political office holders are supposed to serve us, so whatever they do is not a favour but their rights, so we are trying to build their rights consciousness so they don’t look at it like its a previlege but their right. What we want to achieve more or less is to have social auditors in the communities,” she explained.

Speaking in the same vein, CITAD Program Officer, Salma Abdulwaheed explained that the training aimed at educating   the community people about social audit- how to seek accountability and transparency in government project in their respective communities.

She said the training became necessary because “we noticed that much is not being done in communities in the FCT like basic infrastructure. There are budgets for constituency projects  but where are those constituency projects?. The  training will help the community activists to  track those project, the progress and where these projects are implemented.”

The programme officer said after the training,  participants  are expected to return to their respective communities to do a  step down training for others in their respective communities “so that we can begin to see changes in constituency projects in their communities.”

“Our expectation is that participants will do a step down training for others in their communities to get other members of their communities to join them in the advocasy. After this they will engage their community leaders to join in the campaign and with their supports, they will be able to engage any politician and demand for accountability and transparency,” Abdulwaheed said.

Participants who were also interviewed at the training by journaliats were greatly delighted to participate in the training.

One of them, Ishaya Gbashe from Kilankwa 11 Community, Kwali Area Council, says he feels so excited about the training because before now  he couldn’t differentiate between financial audit and social audit.
However, with the training, he says he now understand that he has a right to demand for  details of projects being executed by implementing agencies and the government in his community.

The training has opened our eyes to understand that it is very crucial for us to approach our councillors and local
government chairman politely and demand for project documents, budget documents on constituency projects and make enquiries to ensure that intervention deployed is according to specifications.

He  said in due course, he will form a group to engage implementing agencies and government Representatives executing projects in his community.

A female participant, Jamila Inusa from Guto community in Bwari Area Council, said the training has made her knowledgeable about the subject, adding, she can confidently pass on the knowledge acquired to other members of her community.

“The training  has benefited me very much because I now  know what what I didn’t know before,  that I have the right to ask questions about projects in my community. I know how to face my local government chairman or councillor to question them about what they are doing and what they are not doing for our community,” said Inusa.

The training which  continues on Wednesday with other interesting activities, will be concluded on Thursday.

Actionaid Nigeria in partnership with the Centre for Information and Communication Technology (CITAD), has commenced a 3-day training on Social Audit for 48 activists and facilitators from 18 hard-to-reach communities in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.

The training aims at building capacity of participants to engage implementing agencies for transparency and accountability.

Actionaid is an international  non-profit governmental organization that works with communities to reduce poverty, promote human rights and justice worldwide.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on the other hand, is committed to the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development and promotion of good governance.

The Country Director of Actionaid Nigeria, Ene Obi said  the  Social Audit Training of Trainers held at Dutse-Alhaji in Bwari Area Council  was predicated on the believe in the power of one person standing right and doing the right thing- starting a change from an environment.

She said that Nigeria is at its present level  because many politicians managing the affairs of  the country have no sanity.

Obi who stated this  on Tuesday while declaring open the 3-day training  said our leaders take the centre stage at every point in time but at the end of their rule,  bequeath no positive change to the country.

Blaming the present predicaments of the country to the failure of our leaders,  she regretted that despite the volume of its  young which are great potential  for development, Nigeria is still at a standstill after many decades.

“Many of our politicians have no sanity. There is a lot of insanity in the environment. If  you don’t leave the stage better than you met it then you are a failure.

“So what we are having is a colossal failure of many leaders.  We have maternal mortality rate like no other time, violence  everywhere, violence against women and girls,  so many people are idle due to unemployment. But we will continue to work hard,” Obi said.

While congratulating the participants for being part of the training, she admonished them not  to give up but stand against bad when it is bad. “Lets work together,  network together, exchange ideas and stand for what is right at all times because that is what will change the future,” she said.

The Actionaid Nigeria Country Director also congratulated the Centre  for Information and Communication Technology( CITAD)for the training.

The training had 48 activists and facilitators from  18 communities in four area councils of the Federal Capital Territory where the organization with support from CITAD is offering interventions.

They include among others:Leleyi Gwari, Leleyi Bassa, Kilankwa,  Pai in  Kwali area counci, Tunga-Ashere, Jiwa, Dakwa, Tunga-Nasara,AMAC, Gaube, Kayache, Tukpechi, Bwari-Pasepa,  Guto, Igu, Kuchibuyi  in Bwari area council.

In an interview with journalists, the Social Mobilization  Manager for Actionaid Nigeria, Adewale Adeduntan said the training was to conscientize community members and facilitators on how to apply social audit as an approach to engender good governance, accountability and transparency in terms of the relationship between the lead and the leaders.

He said:”We realize that people in public offices take the citizens for granted a lot. They act arrogantly as if they are doing community people favour. Remembering that the resources they use is our common wealth, they should be used judiciously in such a way that the people can benefit.

“We are  therefore, trying to create an approach whereby we can interact with our leaders interms of the projects and intervention they bring to the communities.”

He said the organizations wanted to create a situation where the people could engage their leaders constructively, ask questions about the project cost, specification to ensure they don’t just dump projects  on the people but execute them according to specifications as this will bring about a new order and good governance in Nigeria.

“The engagement is not going to be an individual thing. The participants will be working on a platform which we call social audit committee which will be formed in the course of the training on Wednesday. They will be officially introduced to the government so that they can now begin to take their decision forward with the government from there,”he explained further.

Adeduntan noted that  at the community level,  local governance is suffering in Nigeria, adding that development should be demand-driven.

“It is the people  that should  demand what they need you to do for them. But   here in Nigeria, people just campaign and say when I  become chairman, I will do this for you. If this is reversed and we have a community assembly where people come together and  say what they need and submit their charter to the government and say this is what we want, the spate of abandoned projects will be reduced.
“It is a natural model that if you are doing things for the people, they should be aware. So confidently, people’s involvement or participation will  accelerate development in Nigeria,” said the Social Mobilization Manager.

Earlier while delivering a presentation  on “Understanding Social Audit and its Importance” Adeduntan explained that Social Audit is a process to establish accountability which empowers the community to ask questions and demand answers from the implementing agencies.

“It is done by the community or beneficiary group. It is an audit of the implementing agency that examines physical, financial and  process-related issues. Both quantitative and qualitative inputs are publicly verified,” he explained further.

Actionaid Nigeria’s  Local Rights Programme Advisor, Hajara Opaluwa-Adamu said also while responding to questions from journalists that the workshop is a social accountability  capacity building  aimed at  training the community people on how to access government intervention in their communities.
“We are trying to see how this facilitators will be able to audit any firm that comes to their communities and hold their representatives accountable to the community. Political office holders are supposed to serve us, so whatever they do is not a favour but their rights, so we are trying to build their rights consciousness so they don’t look at it like its a previlege but their right. What we want to achieve more or less is to have social auditors in the communities,” she explained.

Speaking in the same vein, CITAD Program Officer, Salma Abdulwaheed explained that the training aimed at educating   the community people about social audit- how to seek accountability and transparency in government project in their respective communities.

She said the training became necessary because “we noticed that much is not being done in communities in the FCT like basic infrastructure. There are budgets for constituency projects  but where are those constituency projects?. The  training will help the community activists to  track those project, the progress and where these projects are implemented.”

The programme officer said after the training,  participants  are expected to return to their respective communities to do a  step down training for others in their respective communities “so that we can begin to see changes in constituency projects in their communities.”

“Our expectation is that participants will do a step down training for others in their communities to get other members of their communities to join them in the advocasy. After this they will engage their community leaders to join in the campaign and with their supports, they will be able to engage any politician and demand for accountability and transparency,” Abdulwaheed said.

Participants who were also interviewed at the training by journaliats were greatly delighted to participate in the training.

One of them, Ishaya Gbashe from Kilankwa 11 Community, Kwali Area Council, says he feels so excited about the training because before now  he couldn’t differentiate between financial audit and social audit.
However, with the training, he says he now understand that he has a right to demand for  details of projects being executed by implementing agencies and the government in his community.

The training has opened our eyes to understand that it is very crucial for us to approach our councillors and local
government chairman politely and demand for project documents, budget documents on constituency projects and make enquiries to ensure that intervention deployed is according to specifications.

He  said in due course, he will form a group to engage implementing agencies and government Representatives executing projects in his community.

A female participant, Jamila Inusa from Guto community in Bwari Area Council, said the training has made her knowledgeable about the subject, adding, she can confidently pass on the knowledge acquired to other members of her community.

“The training  has benefited me very much because I now  know what what I didn’t know before,  that I have the right to ask questions about projects in my community. I know how to face my local government chairman or councillor to question them about what they are doing and what they are not doing for our community,” said Inusa.

The training which  continues on Wednesday with other interesting activities, will be concluded on Thursday.

DATE: 10^TH TO 15^TH AUGUST, 2020

VENUE: ZOOM

The challenge to livelihood and food security in FCT communities disrupts and threatens the sustainability of agricultural and pastoral production and invariably the sustainability of livelihoods of rural communities. Land grabbing have a direct impact on the lives and livelihood of the people by disrupting and threatening the sustainability of pastoral production and agriculture.

This issue reinforces circles of extreme poverty, hunger and destroys social status; food insecurity affects the most marginalized groups that include women and children. The livelihood structure, food security and wellbeing of farmers are threatened and compromised which contribute to poverty, food and nutrition insecurity and poor health of farming communities, and further escalation of conflicts.

Due to the marginalization and the land grabbing issue in FCT, Centre for Information, Technology and Development (CITAD) organized a five days virtual workshop which took place via zoom platform. The five ICT Centres (Dakwa, Tungan Ashere, Leleyi Gwari, Pasepa and Gaube) in FCT participated in the workshop with 25 community activists in attendance: 5 participants from each centre.

The 5 Day training became necessary due to frequent land grabbing that has become a major issue affecting the FCT natives; the aim is at designing campaign strategies to mitigate the menace of land grabbing.

Majority of the FCT natives are predominantly farmers and the issue with land grabbing had lead to some of them lost their lands and their means of livelihood.

Speaking at the virtual meeting, Mr. Thomas Edor discussed on the concept of Land Grabbing and FCT development plan.       According to him, all land in the FCT belongs to the government and land grabbing can be legal and illegal. He said land issues in Abuja is quite different from land in other states, land grabbing not does exist in Abuja according to some school of thought he said, but it should be noted that for you to go about the issue of land you need to consider and study the land use acts, land tenure laws, the pre-colonial, colonial and the post colonial land laws. He cited some examples of land grabbing issues in Rivers State and Borno States.

AbdulAziz Nasiru, he is a Building technology expert. He discussed on agencies responsible for land related issues in FCT and proper ways to acquire land in the FCT. Abdulaziz said for an individual to acquire land there is need to follow all the stages stipulated by law and land layout.

At the moment there is issue of double allocations of land in the FCT.

It was a rewarding and educative moment as representatives of youths from these communities and resource persons discussed on various topics, the activity ended with question and answers.

 

 

 

 

The guest was Mal. Mohammed Chiroma Hassan, ICT officer and Head of Bauchi Office who discussed on the Impact of Technology Tools during Covid19 Pandemic.

The #Covid19 pandemic is revolutionizing digital and online engagements across the globe. And I think it is right to openly confess that #COVID19 has exposed the education divide in Nigeria and we must all work hard to bridge this gap.

When children in some communities in Nigeria are not equipped to adapt or transit to new methods of learning and the new methods remain the only avenue to learn. That is the condition that we describe as “EDUCATION DIVIDE”

In countries such as South Korea they have integrated digital technology into government coordinated containment and mitigation process including surveillance, testing, and contact tracing and strict quarantine

And it appears to be the only entity that resisted the negative impact of the pandemic across the globe.

It is obvious that in 21st century, access to the Internet and digital devices and technical skills is a most for full participation in the society and economy.

It has started already partially here but greatly in developed nations.

The solutions are already in existence, we only need enabling environment (right infrastructures) to transit from the manual ways of doing things.

We have seen how digital health tech facilitated pandemic strategies and responsive ways that could have been very difficult or even impossible to achieve manually.

Yes we can, and that is even the reason for the advocacies and campaigns by @ICTAdvocates for government and relevant Stakeholder to help bridge the digital gap in Nigeria.

Technology Tools are software and hardware’s that aided online and offline computation processes. This include all, digital devices or defined set of instructions (software/applications) that help in computation or automation.

It could be recalled that when the Federal Government of Nigeria locked all schools on 19th March, 2020. Some states such as Lagos scheduled TV and radio shows for students. But the truth is not all the students can join i.e those in rural and undeserved communities.

Unlike Nigeria that is still battling to have access and affordable Internet services, development nations are now working on Big Data (date science) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to facilitate Covid19 preparedness and tracking of people.

Government should introduce reforms in the national curriculum that would help bridge the gap in inequality through capitalizing in public private partnerships.

@NCDCgov, CSOs and other media bodies have tried in feeding citizens with the right information regarding the pandemic and precautionary measures to help curb its spread.

It is also good to note that some people/communities are still left behind despite abundance of information floating in cloud because they have no means to access anything posted online.

This children or communities are left behind in instances like this, and not just education, they are marginalized in so many basic fundamental rights; access to education, health care services obtainable online, information, adding their voices in governance processes & more.

HIS RECOMMENDATIONS ARE:

To digitalise Nigeria, Federal Government should give priority to ICT sector, invest heavily and all relevant actors (CSOs, Telecommunications companies, @NgComCommission, @NITDANigeria and all) should join and develop a nation digital agenda for all by all.

 

ENGAGEMENTS:

@a_sabo12

 

Hello everyone, Do join me in welcoming our today’s guest on

 

ICT officer and Head of Bauchi Office who is going to discuss on the Impact of Technology Tools during Covid19 Pandemic. Welcome sir.

 

 

@a_sabo12

 

 

Mr

 

@ChiromaHope do you think technology can replace our physical activities looking at how it is playing significant role during this Covid19 pandemic? #CITADAgainstCovid19

 

@ChiromaHope

 

Replying to @a_sabo12 @ICTAdvocates and 9 others

 

The #Covid19 pandemic is revolutionarizing digital and online engagements across the globe

 

@ChiromaHope @a_sabo12 and 10 others

 

We have seen how digital health tech facilitated pandemic strategies and responsive ways that could have been very difficult or even impossible to achieve manually. #CITADAgainstCOVID19 @macfound @a_sabo12 @YZYau @kamalkano

 

@ChiromaHope

 

@a_sabo12 and 11 others

 

This is because they are not equipped to adopt to new methods of learning. The reasons varies from owning TV set/Radio or lack of basic ICT infrastructure to access the online learnings

#CITADAgainstCOVID19

@macfound

@a_sabo12

@YZYau

 

@a_sabo12 @ICTAdvocates and 10 others

 

It could be recalled that when the F.G of Nigeria locked all schools on 19th March, 2020. Some states such as Lagos scheduled TV and radio shows for students. But the truth is not all the students can join I.e those in rural and undeserved communities

@ChiromaHope

 

Unlike Nigeria that is still battling to have access and affordable Internet services, development nations are now working on Big Data(date science) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to facilitate Covid19 preparedness and tracking of people.

#CITADAgainstCOVID19

 

@ChiromaHope

 

Replying to

 

@a_sabo12

 

@ICTAdvocates

and 10 others

 

And I think it is right to openly confess that #COVID19 has exposed the education divide in Nigeria and we must all work hard to bridge this gap. #CITADAgainstCOVID19

@a_sabo12

@macfound

@APC_News

@ParadigmHQ

@YZYau

 

@a_sabo12

Replying to

 

@ChiromaHope

@ICTAdvocates

and 11 others

 

So what steps do you think we can follow in order to replicate this giant stride looking at how important it is?

 

What do you mean by “Education Divide”, Sir? #CITADagainstCovid19

 

@ChiromaHope

 

Replying to

 

@a_sabo12

 

@ICTAdvocates

and 10 others

@NCDCgov CSOs and other media bodies have tried in feeding citizens with the right information regarding the pandemic and precautionary measures to help curb its spread. #CITADAgainstCOVID19

@a_sabo12

@kamalkano

@macfound

 

@ChiromaHope

 

Replying to

@a_sabo12

 

@ICTAdvocates

and 10 others

 

It is also good to note that some people/communities are still left behind despite abundance of information floating in cloud because they have no means to access anything posted online. #CITADAgainstCOVID19

 

@a_sabo12

@macfound

@YZYau

@APC_News

 

@ChiromaHope

 

Replying to

 

@a_sabo12

 

@ICTAdvocates and 13 others

When children in some communities in Nigeria are are not equipped to adapt or transit to new methods of learning and the new methods remain the only avenue to learn. That is the condition that we describe as “EDUCATION DIVIDE” #CITADAgainstCOVID19

 

@a_sabo12

 

Replying to

 

@ChiromaHope

@ICTAdvocates

and 13 others

 

Comrade as we are heading towards the end of the discussion, what is your final suggestions towards digitalization of Nigeria? #CITADagainstCovid19

 

@realtechmarket

@NITDANigeria

@NgComCommission

@FMoCDENigeria

@DrIsaPantami

@KashifuInuwa

 

@ChiromaHope

 

Replying to

 

@a_sabo12

 

@ICTAdvocates

and 18 others

 

To digitalise Nigeria, F.G should give priority to ICT sector, invest heavily and all relevant actors (CSOs, Telecommunications companies,

 

@NgComCommission

@NITDANigeria

 

and all) should join and develop a nation digital agenda for all by all. #CITADAgainstCOVID19

@a_sabo12

 

1. M Chiroma

 

@ChiromaHope

 

Replying to

 

@a_sabo12

@ICTAdvocates

and 13 others

 

Am excited being with you this afternoon. Bye for now! #CITADAgainstCOVID19

@a_sabo12

@macfound

@YZYau

@APC_News

@ICTAdvocates

 

In continuation of its educative programs on Covid19 in Nigeria, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) held its 40th twitter chat on the 25th of August, 2020 with guest was Abubakar Sadiq Mu’azu, the executive director, centre for Advocacy, transparency and accountability initiative on the topic “How Citizens can Demand for Accountability on Covid19 Spending”

He started the chat by saying that Members of the community can play a vital role in holding government and intervening partners accountable through many social accountability frameworks.

According to him Citizens’ participation in the process of demanding accountability is key and vital in addressing the pandemic, with many resources being allocated to the health sector to fight against the pandemic and alleviate the suffering of citizens.

He said Citizens can demand accountability through Increased civic and political knowledge; a greater sense of how the allocation is being done in addressing the pandemic. This will help in understanding the context of what has being allocated.

In response to a question on who is responsible in educating the citizens their right to demanding for accountability from government officials, he suggested that; this is a role that civil society groups need to play in supporting citizens to understand the magnitude of engaging government. Citizens need to have an influence in the budgetary process especially releases and implementation.

He opined that as a nation, Nigeria is suffering from weak institutions, making it difficult for us to have adequate information in addressing corruption within the COVID-19 intervention. We need to advocate for in having strong institutions that will support.

He suggested that to some extent the key role citizens can play in demanding accountability in the situation of COVID19 will be through radio programs asking duty bearers questions about some of the key interventions especially Palliative distribution.

When he was asked how citizens can go about demanding accountability on COVID19 spending? He suggest Citizens can go about demanding accountability by engaging duty bearers constructively. Especially through appropriate platforms of both aspect of Government, Executive arm, legislative arm and the judicial arm.

He said Government both at the federal and the state levels have not been doing enough in providing adequate information that will enable citizens to hold them accountable, the office of the Accountant General of the federation is yet to provide citizens with adequate information, making it difficult for a citizens group to hold them accountable. Access to information is one of the major challenges in demanding accountability in the process of COVID-19 intervention especially in the aspect of palliative distribution. This was in response to the question “whether the government is supporting the course of increase in transparency and accountability in the management of COVID19 funds through provision of right information at the right time?”

In another response to the question whether he thinks freedom of information (FOI) can work here? He said FOI to some extend is a tool being used in some states to have access to information, but it has been challenging in implementing the punishment and fines making it easier for many states to bridge the provision of the existing law. There is a need to review the law.

At the end he applaud Civil society groups  for doing a lot in creating awareness and sensitization for Citizens to hold government accountable.

He concluded by saying that in the past weeks, his own organization “centre for Advocacy, transparency and accountability initiative” focus on how to build the capacities of citizens in demanding for accountability.

ENGAGEMENT:

Hello everyone, Do join me in welcoming @ICTAdvocates‘s today guest on twitter chat on #CITADagainstCovid19, @AS_MUAZU, E.D, @CataiCenter, Muaza is an Accountability Advocate. He is going to discuss on How Citizens can Demand for Accountability on Covid19 Spending. Welcome sir.

Abubakar Sadiq Mu’azu

@AS_MUAZU Aug 25

Replying to

@a_sabo12 @ICTAdvocates and 9 others Citizens’ participation in the process of demanding accountability is key and vital in addressing the pandemic. With many resources being allocated to the health sector to fight against the pandemic and alleviate the suffering of citizens. #CITADagainstCovid19

Members of d community can play a vital role in holding government & intervening partners accountable through many social accountability frameworks. In the recent times, many campaigns have being on going on tracking palliatives and support to the ministries addressing #COVID19

Thank you so much for having me to discuss this great topic today. #CITADagainstCovid19

nissimase@nissimase @AS_MUAZU How can citizens go about demanding accountability on COVIR19 spending? @ICTAdvocates @a_sabo12 #CITADagainstCOVID19 Sir, who responsible in educating the citizens their right to demanding for accountability from government officials? #CITADagainstCovid19

Government both at the federal and the state level have not been doing enough in providing adequate information that will enable citizens to hold them accountable. The office of the Accountant general of the federation is yet to provide citizens with adequate information.

Making it difficult for a citizens group to hold them accountable. Access to information is one of the major challenges in demanding accountability in the process of COVID-19 intervention especially in the aspect of palliative distribution. #CITADagainstCovid19 Ali Sabo @a_sabo12

Replying to @AS_MUAZU @ChiromaHope and 3 others Do you think FOI can work here, sir? #CITADagainstCovid19 FOI to some extend is a tool being used in some states to have access to information, but it has been challenging in implementing the punishment and fines making it easier for many states to bridge the provision of the existing law. There is a need to review the law.

Abubakar Sadiq Mu’azu@AS_MUAZU Replying to @AS_MUAZU @a_sabo12 and 10 others To some extend the key role citizens can play in demanding accountability in the situation of COVID19 will be through radio programs asking duty bearers questions about some of the key interventions especially Palliative distribution. #CITADagainstCovid19

Abubakar Sadiq Mu’azu @AS_MUAZU Replying to @AS_MUAZU @ChiromaHope and 4 others Making it difficult for a citizens group to hold them accountable. Access to information is one of the major challenges in demanding accountability in the process of COVID-19 intervention especially in the aspect of palliative distribution. #CITADagainstCovid19

This is a role that civil society groups need to play in supporting citizens to understand the magnitude of engaging government. Citizens need to have an influence in the budgetary process especially releases and implementation. #CITADagainstCovid19 #COVID19 #COVID__19

Abubakar Sadiq Mu’azu

@AS_MUAZU Replying to @AS_MUAZU @a_sabo12 and 10 others The most important role citizens need to play in demanding for accountability is through using d existing structures of demanding access to information especially on allocation 2 d health sector. Allocation to alleviate the suffering of people by using Freedom of Information act. Civil society groups have been doing a lot in creating awareness and sensitization for Citizens to hold government accountable. In the past weeks, our work @CataiCenter focus on how to build the capacities of citizens in demanding for accountability. #CITADagainstCovid19 Making it difficult for a citizens group to hold them accountable. Access to information is one of the major challenges in demanding accountability in the process of COVID-19 intervention especially in the aspect of palliative distribution. #CITADagainstCovid19

Government both at the federal and the state level have not been doing enough in providing adequate information that will enable citizens to hold them accountable. The office of the Accountant general of the federation is yet to provide citizens with adequate information.

Abubakar Sadiq Mu’azu @AS_MUAZU Replying to @AS_MUAZU @a_sabo12 and 10 others To some extend the key role citizens can play in demanding accountability in the situation of COVID19 will be through radio programs asking duty bearers questions about some of the key interventions especially Palliative distribution. #CITADagainstCovid19

As a nation, Nigeria is suffering from weak institutions, making it difficult for us to have adequate information in addressing corruption within the COVID-19 intervention. We need to advocate for in having strong institutions that will support. #CITADagainstCovid19 #COVID19

Here we come to the end of this discussion with @AS_MUAZU On How Citizens can Demand for Accountability on Covid19 Spending, on behalf of @ICTAdvocates‘s E.D, @YZYau

We thank everyone for joining us & most importantly we appreciate Mr. Muazu for taking educating us on this topic

Sagiru Ado Abubakar @sagiru_ado @a_sabo12 @AS_MAAZU @ICTAdvocates @kamalkano As an advocate and someone with pationate accountable mind, how accountable is the recent distribution of govt palliative of Covid 19 for only 5ppl in each polling box? @ChiromaHope #CITADAgainstCovid19

Ever since the arrival of the deadly virus called Covid19; a member from Corona virus family, there have been lots of disinformation and misinformation in circulation regarding the pandemic. According to World Health Organization (WHO) Covid-19 pandemic is accompanied by over abundance of information some of which are accurate and some are not from truth worthy sources, this makes it hard for people to find a reliable guidance they need.  Infodemic is term coined by WHO to describe high float of misinformation at the time of pandemic.

WHO and fact checking organizations across the globe warned that information speeds very fast on internet, but infodemic spreads faster than Covid – 19 viruses and poses greater thread in the fight against the pandemic.  In its series of twitter chats initiated to help fight Covid – 19, the Centre for Information and Development (CITAD) invited Tajudden Idris Wawo, a lecturer from the department of Geography, Sa’adu Rimi College of Education, Kano to clear air on the relationship between weather and Covid – 19 .

He began the discussion by explaining what whether and climate are, the relationship between the virus and weather and justify claims that cold regions in the world have high tendencies to catch the virus while hotter regions are at lesser risk.

Below is the thread of the chat as extracted:

Hello everyone,

Do join me in welcoming our today’s twitter chat guest, @TWawu, a lecturer with Department of Geography, SCOE who is going to discuss on the Relationship between Covid19 and Weather. Welcome ir

 

Thank you

My Name is Tajuddeen Idris Wawo from Saadatu Rimi College of Education Kano department of Geography I’m here to discuss on the Topic relationship between Weather and  Coronavirus

 

 

@a_sabo12 @TWawu @ICTAdvocates Doc. One of the reasons ppl mentioning on low effect of Covid 19 in African Countries is hot weather. What is the real fact on this? @hamzaish

 

This is very true because African countries lies very close to equator and receive high amount of sunshine which makes the temperature to be high

 

Weather has some important components such as follows

a Elements of Weather

b Factors of Weather and Climate

1. Weather and Climate regions in the world

These are some of the important sub topics which comprises weather and Climate

 

Sir @TWawu Will warm weather really kill off Covid-19?

 

Of course yes because we Africans lives in Tropical regions which have high temperature

 

 

There are six weather regions of the world

Tropical regions

Temperate regions

Mediterranean regions

Arid regions

Polar regions

Continental regins

 

Dr, @TWawu Pls, will climate change make the COVID-19 pandemic worse or not?

 

Tropical regions are xterised with high temperature

Temperate regions are xterised wit mild temperature

Polar regions are xterised with ice

Arid means desert region

 

@TWawu is there any relationship between Temperature vs. Case Numbers

 

 

 

Yes as I explained that Asian Countries like China, India are among the countries having the higher number of infected persons because the have low temperature while African countries have the low number of infected persons because the temperature conditions high

 

 

What is the seasonal bahaviour of diseases?

 

Low temperature contributes to the spread of the visus that is why you see that areas having low temperature experience high number of infected persons while area having high temperature like African countries having low infected persons

 

These are some basic issues about weather while COVID 19 is a pandemic diseases which affects all part of the world

 

 

There is Strong correlation between Weather and COVID 19 Pandemic

 

@TWawu Do weather conditions influence the transmission of the coronavirus?

 

Yes of course the variables of Weather which influences the transmission include Temperature, Wind and Humidity

 

 

#CITADActionAgainstCOVID19

Sir @TWawu, some people are relating #Covid19 resistant of most Africa nations to high temperature. Can you please shade more light on this; whether or not the claim is right.

 

@TWawu it is true that cool weather increases the virus. @ICTAdvocates

 

Yes of course because if you look at the areas having the high number of infected persons you will see that they have low temperature that is why the Virus doesn’t kill and spread much in Africa

 

 

@TWawu @ICTAdvocates @a_sabo12 #CITADagainstCovid19 At this point we come to the end of today’s Twitter chat. With this we are saying BIG THANK you Doctor. We hv short of words to express our gratitude 4 your participation. Happy New Hijri Year 1442.

 

You’re highly welcome I’m ready to give you support and contributions as the need arises.

 

 

Corona virus originates from Wuhan in China this is an area where by the temperature is relatively low and going by what has happened as regard to the number of infected people you will find out that the area having cold temperature eg China, India, USA, Brazil Russia  etc

 

Of course yes because we Africans lives in Tropical regions which have high temperature

 

 

 

 

@TWawu Coronavirus seasonality: Is the spread likely to vary?

as occurs with other respiratory diseases such as influenza.

 

 

Yes of course the variables of Weather which influences the transmission include Temperature, Wind and Humidity

 

Low temperature contributes to the spread of the visus that is why you see that areas having low temperature experience high number of infected persons while area having high temperature like African countries having low infected persons

 

 

 

 

Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) initiated a sensitization program on COVID19 in Nigeria. This week twitter chat which makes it the 38th edition held on the 18^th August, 2020 with Comrade Rabi’u Shamma, Founder, Centre for Awareness on Good Governance and Development. The guest discussed on How Civil Society Organizations can Promote Transparency in the Fight against Covid19 in Nigeria. Here is how the discussions went.

 

*Welcome remarks*

@a_sabo12

Hello everyone Please join me in welcoming our today’s guest on @ICTAdvocates ‘s twitter chat on #CITADagainstCovid19, @R_Shamma who is going to discuss on How CSOs can Promote Transparency in the Fight against Covid19 in Nig. Welcome sir.

 

@ChiromaHope

 

Welcome Mr. @R_Shamma! We are all excited to be here with you this afternoon!

 

@mukhtars_s

My pleasure, @R_Shamma maraba! lale!! marhabun!!!

 

@ R_Shamma Response

Thanks, I am glad to be here.

 

Q 1. @ChiromaHope:

 

Mr. @R_Shamma, can you please start the conversation by briefing us on ways civil actors can promote transparency and accountability in the fight against #COVID19 in Nigeria.

 

*Response*

@R_Shamma:

 

Civil society the world over are known to be great pushers of transparency in government spending, transparency is one of the important tenets of good governance

 

Q 2

@ChiromaHope:

 

Mr. @R_Shamma, can you please enumerate the ways these actors employ in achieving their common mandates.

 

*Response*

@R_Shamma:

 

People for example have complained of spending over hundreds of millions of naira on feeding school children, when the children were actually at home

 

3

@mukhtars_s

 

My Chairman @R_Shamma In Nigeria, Private sector and the international community has contributed money and materials to support the fight against COVID-19.

 

*Response*

@R_Shamma:

 

With the increase as a result of donations of funds from the private sector and the international

community and the presidential task force, there is an urgent need to promote transparency in the collection and disbursement of these funds

 

Q 4

@a_sabo12:

 

What ways do you think are best to follow to ensure govt MDAs have become more transparent in way they handle this

pandemic especially in the area of their

spending?

 

*Response*

@ R_Shamma:

Sadly, the roughly more than 500 billion so far spent by government and the donations generated have been marred by secrecy

 

Q5

@a_sabo12

 

Comrade what do you think is the reason behind govt secrecy in this fight?

 

*Response*

@R_Shamma:

 

Certainly there is always the factor of corruption, which has been a cankerworm that

has eaten deep into the fabric of governtment parastatals in Nigeria

 

Q 6

@a_sabo12

 

@R_Shamma What ways do you think are best to follow to ensure govt MDAs have become more transparent in way they handle this pandemic especially in the area of their

spending?

 

*Response*

@ R_Shamma:

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development for example have said to distribute billion of naira palliatives but so far there have been no breakdown of how these spendings were carried out, they usually give a sweeping statement

 

Q 7

 

@ a_sabo12

 

Can we say the money is possibly being diverted for other activities looking at how public requesting the Ministry to provide them with

necessary info but the Ministry has refused to do so?

 

8

 

@a_sabo12

 

What ways do you think are best to follow to ensure govt MDAs have become more transparent in way they handle this pandemic especially in the area of their spending?

 

*Response*

@R_Shamma

 

There is the need to ensure periodic release that can be verified by anyone, their spendings need to also be publish online, the Civil Society groups

must also be incorparated in distributions that has to do with communities

 

9

 

@mukhtars_s

 

In whatever doing there must be a challenge`s.

@R_Shamma In Nig., What challenges do CSOs facing in their effort to promote transparency in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic?

 

*Response*

@ R_Shamma

 

There have been challenges certainly, many of the MDAs have not been responding to request for information even after applying the Freedom of information law, CSOs have also not been carried along in the formation of distribution committees, especially during the COVID19 pandemic

 

Q 10

 

@ChiromaHope

 

Mr. @R_Shamma, there are a number of cries by concern citizens and CSOs over mismanagement of #CovidFunds , the recent been the findings by @CivicHive that N37.

06m spent on the purchase of just 1808 pieces of ordinary face masks.

 

 

@ChiromaHope

 

And the purchase of Prado Jeep at the cost of 39.75m and the description of what the vehicle will be used for is not stated. Plus many

others. And we have not seen any thing beyond having the figures trending on media.

 

*Response*

@ R_Shamma

 

The Covid19 pandemic is another opportunity that the corrupt leadership in Nigeria have used to further milk the country dry, CSO have therefore a very big challenge to demand for transparency in all

government spendings in order to effectively deal

with this global chall enge

 

 

11

 

@ChiromaHope

 

@R_Shamma, what other action can we take aside making this figures known to the public?

 

*Response*

@R_Shamma

 

There is the need for CSOs to track all funds said to be spent on COVID19, either in terms of palliatives or provision of necessary healthcare facilities and if we found anything fishy then we can petition the relevant anti corruption agencies, EFCC and ICPC to

demand for account

 

13

*Conclusion:*

 

@ChiromaHope

 

Mr. @R_Shamma, we have come to the end of this chat. On behalf of our E.D., @YZYau and the entire management of @ICTAdvocates, we

thank you so much for honoring our invitation.

It has been an interesting session

 

@ R_Shamma

 

Thank you very much, it is my pleasure, may we all

rise up to the challenge of ensuring transparency in

governance during and after the covid19 pandemic.

@ICTAdvocates you are doing great, cheers!

 

Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) initiated a sensitization program on COVID 19 in Nigeria. The twitter chat with Abduljalal Nadabo makes it 37th edition of the Twitter Chat on the 13th August, 2020.

The guest was Abduljalal Nadabo (RPH), a Production Pharmacist at RHG Health Pharmaceuticals Limited, He discussed on The Race for the Production of COVID-19 Vaccines and the Fate of Developing Countries. He started by saying, The COVID 19 Pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities and disabilities of even some of the most developed nations on earth. The discussion reminds him of a statement from Chapter 2 of the book “The “Lizard Shape” No Nation can effectively control what it does not produce. Mr. Nadabo defined developing Countries as a country having a standard of living or level of industrial production well below that possible with financial or technical aid, a country that is not yet highly industrialized. He went further to respond to question on developing vaccines, he said it is an extremely tedious process involving many years and stages of research (experimental and clinical) technicalities, intricacies, risky undertakings and copious amount resources. He made reference to Madagascar produced vaccine some months back and it cured COVID 19. He also reference to China, produced a traditional medicine to cure the disease.

 

In responding to another question, he said developing countries have no control over these vaccines because most can neither develop nor produce them nor can they afford to make huge financial deals with Big Pharma corporations, their fate is filled with uncertainties. Africa is far from vaccine race, all efforts are dependent on WHO and other International Organisations. It either you develop the vaccine yourself or invest with Big Pharma if you have the resources.

 

At the end, he summarized the outcome of developing nations with regards to the vaccine race; developing countries should rely on World Health Organisations and other institutions like CEPI, GAVI to be considered for cheaper people’s vaccine, await the controversial Gate’s charity vaccine like the ID2020 conspiracy4, become victims of vaccine hoarding as it has happened in the past. Finally, he said the quest for COVID 19 Vaccine in play is but interplay of international politics and financial interest of pharma corporations, hopes and lots of uncertainties, leaving the developing nations with very limited options available to select at their own peril. This calls for the coming together of the countries to come up with a particular multilateral goal. It is also a wakeup call for developing countries to invest heavily in science if they want to survive through the next century.

 

Engagements:

 

1. Join @ICTAdvocates on its 37th edition of Twitter Chat on Covid19 as it hosts Abduljalal Nadabo (RPh), Production Pharmacist at RHG Health & Pharmaceutical LTD who is going to discuss on The Race for the Production of Covid19 Vaccines & the Fate of Developing Countries @ICTAdvocates have assigned me with the task of discussing this very interesting, yet sensitive topic as it deals with international politics and public health. I’ll try to do justice to it. so follow us…
2. Thank you very much. I’m honoured to be here.
3. The COVID 19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities and disabilities of even some of the most developed nations on earth. The topic of discussion is an interesting one but not a pleasant one if the blatant truth about the situation is to be discussed.
4. The topic of discussion reminds me of a statement from Chapter 2 of the book “The Lizard Shape,” authored by my Professor and Boss, @ProfATMora  “No Nation can effectively control what it does not produce.”
5. I think it provides an inkling of the outcome of developing countries with regards to the race of COVID 19 vaccine. What is a Developing Country anyways?
6. Dictiorary.com defines a developing country as a country having a standard of living or level of industrial production well below that possible with financial or technical aid; a country that is not yet highly industrialized. No examples needed.
7. Developing vaccines is an extremely tedious process involving many years and stages of research (experimental and clinical), technicalities, intricacies, risky undertakings and copious amount resources.
8. Even so, the process is full of uncertainties as only a small fraction of preliminary vaccines (7%) reach human trials and only about 17% pass human clinical trials. Still not a 100% guarantee it will work
9. These uncertain figures give an edge to rich countries, endowed with the advanced technologies to engage in these processes and the resources to sign multibillion-dollar vaccine deals with the Big Pharma corporations
10. But it is also filled with peril for poor countries, which lack the resources to sign these deals, or middle-income states that risk gambling on a small number of tentative vaccines.
11. Now before I discuss firsthand the possible fate of these developing nations with regards to the vaccine race, let’s discuss ‘Political Multilateralism and The Quest for Vaccine Nationalism’
12. When I say “Vaccine Nationalism,” I mean every nation for itself and when I say “Multilateralism, I mean all nations coming unbiased coming together of all the nations to confront the vaccine challenge.
13. Ever since the early stage of the pandemic, many advanced countries, including the US, China, Russia, UK, France, Germany, and Italy, have been making moves, intellectually, politically & financially to either develop or secure a vaccine for the virus.
14. A few days ago, the Russian President announced the registration of the first Corona Virus vaccine. The Chinese are also at the forefront of this race with over 5 experimental vaccines with one already approved for limited use by their military.
15. Carolyn and Eva of the Washington Post in an article, described this race between US and China as this generation’s Sputnik moment as it echoes technological dominance just like the space race after the launch of Sputnik in 1957.
16. In return, of course, the 1st 100 million doses produced will be secured for the Britons. Meanwhile, the same Big Pharma Company had made a separate agreement to make 300 million doses available for the US once it is available.
17. The EU also not left out as in the race because, amongst other individual efforts to develop vaccines, in June they made their own vaccine deals through Inclusive Vaccine Alliance forged by Germany, France, Italy & Netherlands to also secure 400 million doses.
18. Many other countries including Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea are also in their own races. These are just a few examples. But the big question here is where do most developing countries fit in this global quest?
19. So, let’s not deceive ourselves about multilateralism is only a political display, it’s every nation for itself out there!
20. The way I see it since developing countries have no control over these vaccines because most can neither develop nor produce them nor can they afford to make huge financial deals with Big Pharma corporations, their fate is filled with uncertainties.
21. On June 18th Aljazeera published a worrisome article ‘the race for the virus vaccine could leave poor countries behind.’ Clearly, the rise of this “vaccine nationalism” threatens the future of developing nations once a vaccine is found!
22. Sir, now that a vaccine is claimed to be registered by Russia. What’s the fate of Developing countries? Are we going to fall our hand waiting anything from them, or there’s still hope about our research
23. @AJNadabo What Is the World Doing to Create a COVID-19 Vaccine? Most countries in the advanced world are busy using every available technology and pumping an enormous amount of resources to secure vaccine deals for its people. The WHO is tracking most efforts on its end.
24. Dr. @AJNadabo, what is your comment on claims by some medical practitioners that Chlorine cures #COVID19 patients?
25. @AJNadabo  Is Covid 19 share similar vaccine with maleria? And Why all treatment given to the Covid 19 patients is similar with that of maleria fever? NO. COVID and Malaria are two different diseases requiring different approaches and treatments. they are nothing alike, I think the only link is the Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine
26.  is there any procedure or procedures before producing any vaccine? Yes. developing a vaccine is a very tedious process involving many intricacies. There are several procedures to it and it requires a minimum of 6 phases over many years. Many are being overlooked due to the urgent global need in terms of COVID’s.
27. Madagascar some months back product vaccine and it cure Covid 19, China has a product from it’s traditional medicine to cure the disease and just last week Russian govt produced it’s own. Why the differences in a single disease?
28. @AJNadabo what efforts does Nigerian pharms are doing to ensure they try to produce vaccine for the control of Covid 19.
29. Many governments have warned that daily life cannot return to normal until their populations have built up antibodies to fend off the virus. So pls, What is the status of a COVID-19 vaccine?
30. @AJNadabo some people have been saying that politics is playing an important role with regards to production of covid-19 vaccine, is that true? This is actually very true, there is a lot of politics with regards to COVID-19 vaccine development. Exemplified by the US, a COVID 19 vaccine can serve as a very good tool for the campaign against next election.
31. The Race for the Production of COVID-19 Vaccines and the Fate of Developing Countries
32. Interesting discussion going on with @AJNadabo, this young & resourceful professional is leading a discourse on the “Race Towards Getting a Vaccine for #COVID19 & the Fate of Developing Countries”. Drop your questions/comments here on the theme of the discussion @YZYau @a_sabo12
33. I’d like to summarize the outcome of Developing Nations with regards to the vaccine race:
34. 1.Rely on WHO and Other International Institutions like CEPI, GAVI (COVAX) to be considered for cheaper ‘People’s Vaccine 2.Reluctantly wait for the Chinese Vaccine with a Latent Price 3. Await The Controversial Gate’s Charity Vaccine linked to ID2020 Conspiracy4. 3.Become Victims of Vaccine Hoarding as it has happened in the past with other infectious diseases like H1N1, or swine flu, pandemic. The quest for Covid19 vaccine in play is but an interplay of international politics, financial interests of pharma corporations, hopes and lots of uncertainties, leaving the developing nations with very limited options available to select at their own peril. This calls for the coming together of the countries to achieve this particular multilateral goal. It is also a wake-up call for developing nations to invest heavily in science if they are to survive through the next century. #CITADagainstCovid19 Thank you!
35. Here we come to end of this discussion with Pharmacist Abduljalal Nadabo (@AJNadabo) who discussed on The Race for the Production of COVID-19 Vaccines and the Fate of Developing Countries. Thank you so much Pharm for taking your time to educate on this topic #CITADagainstCovid19. Thank you very much for having me. I’ll respond to some of the individual questions at my leisure.
36. Dr. Good afternoon, Is African countries part of this race or they should wait for the super power countries? Frankly, Africa is far from the vaccine race. All efforts are dependent on WHO and other International Organizations. It’s either you develop the vaccine your self or you invest in BigPharma if you have the resources.

 

In continuation of its educative programs on Covid19 in Nigeria, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) held its 33rd twitter chat on the 30th of July, 2020. The guest was Dr. Jide Ojo, a development consultant, author and a public affairs analyst on the topic “How Corruption is Undermining the Fight against COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria”. Dr. Jide started the chat by responding to the question on how deeply corruption has interfere with fight against Covid19 in Nigeria. According to him, the issue of corruption during this COVID-19 pandemic is very heart rending. He said Even Nigerians have queried the FG’s spending on this COVID-29 palliatives especially the homegrown school feeding program. He further stated that if you have been following the news, you would have heard of the N1.32bn NDDC claimed to have spent on COVID-19 palliatives. He went further to cited some examples of states with Covid 19 related cases, among the examples was a case of a Councilor in Niger State who diverted 6 bags of rice and other grains given to him for distribution to personal use.

 

Another one was, few days ago, the Nasarawa State House of Assembly decided to probe over N500m allegedly spent by the State Task Force on COVID-19 headed by the Deputy Governor. He also talked about some allegations level against the federal government, he said all manner of breach of procurement processes were committed due to the emergency nature of containment of COVID-19. Till date, none can say categorically how much cash and in-kind donations have been received by the FG or States on this COVID-19. Yet a lot of donations were received.

 

Another corruption allegations levelled  against the FG is how the Social Register for the 3.6m beneficiaries were compiled and why the distribution across the states was lopsided in favor of some northern states. He said it is also believed that cash disbursement to the beneficiaries of N20, 000 conditional cash transfer is prone to corruption and that payment should have been made via their bank accounts. He also highlights that is it not shocking that Federal Ministry of Agriculture is allegedly doing the procurement for the Federal Ministry of Health. He said this was brought to his attention during a radio program, if this is true, he said it is sad!

 

In answering a question on what strategies can support civil society anti-corruption and social accountability initiatives during & after the pandemic, he responded by saying that  “We need to document and follow through some of the public announcement on donations and make an independent compilation”

He stated that in fairness to the FG, Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 was more forthcoming with information on donations than many of their state counterparts.

 

He also faulted the government by saying that all manner of breach of procurement processes were committed due to the emergency nature of containment of COVID-19.

 

He made some recommendations which include:

The civil society and the media owe it a duty to follow through some of the alleged sharp practices and malpractices that have been committed during this Covid-19 pandemic.

Secondly we need to document and follow through some of the public announcement on donations and make an independent compilation.

 

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in partnership with Actionaid Nigeria commemorated the 2020 International Youth Day with a call on youths, especially those in local communities to fully engage them for global change.

The International Youths Day marked every year around the world on 12th August was observed with youths from the five ICT centres which was setup by Actionaid and CITAD in FCT: Dakwa, Tunga Ashere, Pasepa,  Leleyi Gwari and Gaube communities.

The youth engagement for global action highlighted the ways in
which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes.

The day draw lessons on how youth representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced.

The commemoration took place via Zoom platform. The session was moderated by Salma who discussed on the significance on celebrating the International Youth Day.

It was followed by a presentation with  Hassan Sarkin Noma who is a Program Officer for Economy and Empowerment Network for Community Advancement, he discussed on Youth Exploring Opportunities a the Grassroot, he urged the youths to tap the resources within their localities and to take advantage of opportunities at their doorstep as well as explore other available opportunities.

Kehinde Obafemi who is a Youth Corps Member and Volunteer with SDG Mobile Library, she discussed on Youth Volunteerism, as a key to creating lifelong change. She task the youth to be open to learn, relearn and unlearn.

Joseph Augustine of Actionaid Nigeria discussed on 2020 theme: Youth Engagement for Global Actionaid. He urged the youth to raise awareness of their participation in the communities and also mainstream their voices, actions and initiatives.

It was quite a rewarding and educative moment as representatives of youths from these communities and resource persons discussed on various topics in line with the theme of this year’s celebration, tagged: “Youth Engagement for Global Action”

 

By Sarauniya Usman, Abuja

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD),
commenced a 5day training on implication of land grabbing in respective communities in the FCT, for people in the participating communities.

The 5-Day training which is expected to be concluded on Friday, aims at designing campaign strategies to mitigate the menace of land grabbing.

CITAD, said the training became necessary due to frequent land grabbing that has become a major issue affecting the FCT natives.

Majority of the FCT natives are predominantly farmers, and the issue with land grabbing had lead to
some of them lost their lands and their means of livelihood.

Speaking at the virtual meeting,
Program Officer, CITAD, Salma Abdulwaheed, said the International Youth Day is a significant event that offers the opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young people’s voices, action and initiatives

She explained that youth engagement for global action seek to highlight the way at which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels.

Salma,urged the youths to fully engaged in the civic space and political activities.

She said, youth representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced.

According to her working with the poor and excluded Communities to erradicate poverty, ensure development and good governance, will not only increase the fairness of political processes but reducing democratic deficits, contribute to better and more sustainable policies, but also contribute to restore trust in public institutions, especially among youth.

Actionaid Nigeria Representative, Joseph Augustine said the theme was apt to sensitise and guide youths who are the potential future leaders to be prepared to take their rightful place in their respective societies in the nearest future.

He encouragement the youth to participate in the civic space and political arena, stressing, “their participation is very key.”

Program Officer for Economy and Empowerment Network for Community Advancement, Hassan Sarikin- Noma harped on the need for youths to tap the resources within their localities as he spoke on Youth Eploring Opportunities at the Grassroot.

He urged youths to take advantage of opportunities at their doorstep as well as explore other available opportunities.

Sponsorship Officer,Mubarak Ekute, emphasised on advocacy as key for communities advancement.

He therefore, charged the youths in the communities to see advocacy as the key to global change.

The International Youths Day is marked August every year around the world.

The theme for this year’s celebration, tagged: “Youth Engagement for Global Action”.

From Dakwa, Tunga Ashere, Pasepa in Bwari Area Council, Leleyi Gwari in Kwali Area Council and Gaube in Kuje Area Council of the FCT, youths were engaged via Zoom Platform.

It was quite a rewarding and educative moment as representatives of youths from these communities and resource persons discussed on various topics

Actionaid Nigeria and Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) have commemorated the 2020 International Youth Day with a call on youths, especially those in local communities within Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory(FCT), to be fully engaged in the civic space and political activities.

The organizations respectively, working with the poor and excluded to ensure justice, erradicate poverty, ensure development and good governance, believe that this will not only increase the fairness of political processes by reducing democratic deficits and contributes to better and more sustainable policies, but also contribute to restore trust in public institutions, especially among youth.

The International Youths Day marked every year around the world, was observed with youths from five local communities-Dakwa, Tunga Ashere, Pasepa in Bwari Area Council, Leleyi Gwari in Kwali Area Council and Gaube in Kuje Area Council of the FCT, where  CITAD with support from Actionaid Nigeria, is offering interventions, via a Zoom platform, on Wednesday.

It was quite a rewarding and educative moment as representatives of  youths from these communities and resource persons discussed on various topics in line with the theme of this year’s celebration, tagged: “Youth Engagement for Global Action”.

Speaking on the theme during the Zoom meeting, Actionaid Nigeria Representative, Joseph Augustine said the theme is apt, to sensitize and guide youths who are the potential  future leaders to be prepared to take their rightful place in their respective societies in the nearest future.

He said youths  needed to be encouraged to participate in the civic space and political arena, stressing, “their participation is very important.”

Program Officer for Economy and Empowerment Network for Community Advancement, Hassan Sarikin- Noma harped on the need for youths to tap the resources within their localities as he spoke on Youth Eploring Opportunities at the Grassroot.

He urged youths to take advantage of opportunities at their doorstep as well as explore other available opportunities.

On her part, Youth Corps Member and Volunteer with SDG Mobile Library, Kehinde Obafemi discussing on Youth Volunteerism, said it is the key to creating life-long change.

Earlier, CITAD Program Officer, Salma Abdulwaheed said the International Youth Day is a significant event that offers the opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young people’s voices, action and initiatives.

Emphasizing the significance of the theme, she explained that youth engagement for global action seek to highlight the way in
which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes.

Furthermore, it draw lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced, she noted.

Also CITAD Sponsorship Officer, Mubarak Ekute who discussed on The Way Forward and Advocacy, emphasized on advocacy as key for communities to achieve their goals.

He therefore, tasked the youths in the communities to see advocacy as  the key to global change.

As part of activities to mark the celebration, the non governmental organizations had also, since Monday, commenced a training on implication of  land grabbing in respective communities in the FCT, for people in the participating communities.

The 5-Day training which is expected to be concluded on Friday, aims at designing  campaign strategies to mitigate the menace of land grabbing.

Abdulwaheed said the training became necessary because land grabbing has become a serious issue affecting the FCT people, some of whom have lost their lands, thereby, losing their livelihood as majority of them are into farming.

Actionaid Nigeria and Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) have taken the International Youth Day celebration to local communities in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory(FCT).

The non-governmental organizations which marked the Day with youths from five local communities-Dakwa, Tunga Ashere, Pasepa in Bwari Area Council, Leleyi Gwari in Kwali Area Council and Gaube in Kuje Area Council of the FCT, via Zoom platform, on Wednesday, urged the youths to fully engaged in the civic space and political activities.

This, according to the NGOs working with the poor and excluded to erradicate poverty, ensure development and good governance, will not only increase the fairness of political processes by reducing democratic deficits, contribute to better and more sustainable policies, but also contribute to restore trust in public institutions, especially among youth.

The International Youths Day is marked August every year around the world.

It was quite a rewarding and educative moment as representatives of  youths from these communities and resource persons discussed on various topics in line with the theme of this year’s celebration, tagged: “Youth Engagement for Global Action”.

Speaking on the theme during the Zoom meeting, Actionaid Nigeria Representative, Joseph Augustine said the theme is apt, to sensitize and guide youths who are the potential  future leaders to be prepared to take their rightful place in their respective societies in the nearest future.

He said youths  needed to be encouraged to participate in the civic space and political arena, stressing, “their participation is very important.”

Program Officer for Economy and Empowerment Network for Community Advancement, Hassan Sarikin- Noma harped on the need for youths to tap the resources within their localities as he spoke on Youth Eploring Opportunities at the Grassroot.

He urged youths to take advantage of opportunities at their doorstep as well as explore other available opportunities.

On her part, Youth Corps Member and Volunteer with SDG Mobile Library, Kehinde Obafemi discussing on Youth Volunteerism, said it is the key to creating life-long change.

Earlier, CITAD Program Officer, Salma Abdulwaheed said the International Youth Day is a significant event that offers the opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young people’s voices, action and initiatives.

Emphasizing the significance of the theme, she explained that youth engagement for global action seek to highlight the way in
which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes.

Furthermore, it draw lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutional politics can be significantly enhanced, she noted.

Also CITAD Sponsorship Officer, Mubarak Ekute who discussed on The Way Forward and Advocacy, emphasized on advocacy as key for communities to achieve their goals.

He therefore, tasked the youths in the communities to see advocacy as  the key to global change.

As part of activities to mark the celebration, the non governmental organizations had also, since Monday, commenced a training on implication of  land grabbing in respective communities in the FCT, for people in the participating communities.

The 5-Day training which is expected to be concluded on Friday, aims at designing  campaign strategies to mitigate the menace of land grabbing.

Abdulwaheed said the training became necessary because land grabbing has become a serious issue affecting the FCT people, some of whom have lost their lands, thereby, losing their livelihood as majority of them are into farming.

Since the eruption of the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria people were hit badly by the disease which led to the announcement of strict lockdown measures across the country to prevent the spread of the disease. Government banned all travels in and out of the country.  People could only leave their homes for essential reasons such as to buy food and other basic necessities of life. Also, when going out people have to wear face masks, ensure social distancing and in many instances with declaration forms. Despite the negative effects of the pandemic, many people in Nigeria do not believe that the virus is real. Number of audio and video clips went viral on different social media platforms of people infected with the virus in isolation centers claiming that they do not believe that they are contracted with the virus. In Gombe state, one of the clips shown a group of people demonstrating to be accommodated with people in quarantine in attraction of the food given to the Covid-19 patients. In another clip, in Jos, capital city of Plateau   state, group of youth infected with virus demonstrated isolating them at the one of the quarantine centers claiming that they were there only because they are Hausa tribe. While in Kano people were trooping to Kwanar Dawakin isolation center only to have eye contact with the Coronavirus patients and accusing the state government of manipulating figures to get money from the federal government. In view of the growing mistrust between citizens and Nigerian government, in its 36th edition of Twitter Chat and in its effort to fight against the pandemic, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on 11th of August, 2020 organized a Twitter Chat and invited Mrs. Ayo Obe, Partner at Ogunsola Shonibare LP as a discussant to discuss on the theme ‘Covid 19 Pandemic and the Growing Mistrust between Citizens and Nigerian Government’. The following discussion emanated from the Twitter Chat.

 

Engagements:

 

 

 

Q

Ma’am can you please explain to us why citizens are losing confidence in governments in the fight? #CITADagainstCovid19

A.

Nonetheless, I think that because we are not seeing massive deaths from #COVID19, and also because @NCDCgov is having a good rate of recovery among those who do test positive for #Coronavirus, people still have some confidence in NCDC.

However, the main area where @NCDCgov seems to have failed is in falling woefully short of its declared ambitions with regard to #COVID19 testing. According to its April promise, by now we ought to be seeing “mass testing”. But instead, we have tested fewer than 300,000!

There is already a trust deficit that Government in general faces vis-à-vis Nigerian citizens, but we started out with people ready to give @NCDCgov the benefit of the doubt as the lead agency in the fight against #COVID19.

 

Q.

@naijama Nigerians are skeptical about the daily assurances given by govt about Nigeria’s preparedness to fight the covid19 in the event of a possible outbreak. How can you rate the govt in responses to these assurances?

#CITADagainstCovid19 @ICTAdvocates @a_sabo12 @YZYau

 

A.

It is clear that while the daily assurances are met with a lot of skepticism by citizens, the greater problem is that because people don’t trust what government says about #COVID19, many ignore the basic procedures to stop the spread of the disease.

Again, for the bulk of the population, the impact of #COVID19 is less a clinical or medical problem, and more a financial problem. And in that regard, there is doubt and skepticism about the way government is handling the financial palliatives aspect of its response

Thus many think #COVID19 is either a “rich man’s disease” or (by some unfathomable reason or inexplicable process) a ‘scam’ by government. And if the relevant orientation agencies have been carrying a different message, it is having a hard time getting through.

But because (fortunately) we are not dying in large numbers, people are not taking the threat as seriously as perhaps they ought to.

I would also add that there is a tremendous amount of false information on social media and in traditional rumour mills about #COVID19.

 

Q.

@naijama Following years of disappointment failed campaign promises,unfulfilled state programmes,large-scale corruption & failure to deliver on the dividends of democracy,does the aforementioned factors have any effect on D fight against covid19?

@ICTAdvocates @YZYau @a_sabo12

 

A.

This is why I said that government is already facing a trust deficit. And when the response to #COVID19 demands huge sacrifices by the people, that trust deficit becomes important.

#CITADagainstCOVID19

Moreover, at the height of the #LockDown, it seemed as though members of the government were not adhering to its own regulations, and this made people less inclined to believe that “we’re all in this together”, or to make sacrifices to fight #COVID19 themselves.

However, I don’t think that people are refusing to join the fight against #COVID19 because of failed campaign promises of unfulfilled state programmes, because Nigerians are used to that, and anyway, some promises have been met and some states programmes have worked.

Thus many think #COVID19 is either a “rich man’s disease” or (by some unfathomable reason or inexplicable process) a ‘scam’ by government. And if the relevant orientation agencies have been carrying a different message, it is having a hard time getting through.

 

Q.

@naijama Does Religion also intersects with distrust in determining how Nigerian citizens have responded to COVID-19?

#CITADagainstCovid19 @ICTAdvocates @YZYau @a_sabo12 @ooomiiiii @ChiromaHope @nissimase @abdullahi_ari @Mairo_Ado @HariraWakili

 

A.

Some religious leaders have been less than helpful in sensitising the populace on the #COVID19 threat and how to meet it.

But while religion plays a factor as many people believe that their faith may see them through, I don’t see it as a factor in distrust.

#CITADagainstCOVID19

 

 

Q.

@naijama looking at recent happenings in Edo state where govt officials are violating the @NCDCgov’s guidelines including governors that subjected their people to total lockdown in the past, who do you think the citizens will blame for this uncalled behavior? #CITADagainstCovid19 https://t.co/U25x5jH4Ee

 

A.

That problem didn’t start in Edo State: it has been constant from political leaders throughout the #COVID19 crisis, even during #Lockdown.

We discussed the range of state government responses on @ideasradiong here: https://t.co/8NGSK6ZdPx

#CITADagainstCOVID19

While some, e.g. here in Lagos, behaved responsibly, others were treating #COVID19 as a political jest, or were in complete denial.

And at the end of the day, at election time, campaign is the life blood of politics, and it seems many politicians are ready to take the risk.

 

Q.

@naijama do you think there is possibility of citizens to start disobeying @NCDCgov’s guidelines or any rules place by either federal or state govt referencing to recent event in Edo state? @YZYau @MubarakEkute @ChiromaHope @nissimase #CITADagainstCovid19 @teemerh_beekay

 

A.

I’m not aware of any specific event in Edo State with reference to @NCDCgov anti #COVID19 guidelines, but as I said, there have been enough examples of breach of such guidelines across the country for citizens to decide whether they will obey the guidelines in their own interest.

 

Q.

Ma’am can you please explain to us why citizens are loosing confidence in governments in the fight? #CITADagainstCovid19 @YZYau @ChiromaHope @MubarakEkute @nissimase @ooomiiiii @teemerh_beekay @naijama

 

A.

I have already said that there is a massive trust deficit. So the question is whether government has put in place what would erase that when it is at the same time putting citizens under tremendous pressures as to how they earn their daily bread.

#CITADagainstCOVID19

While ventilators may be being donated to Nigeria, very few of us lived under the illusion that should we require them, ventilators would be available to save us from #COVID19.

Therefore, citizens start from a position of knowing that they have to fight COVID19 themselves.

For that reason, losing confidence is not really the issue: government must first build it up. But when it e.g. imposes an inter-state travel ban, and everyone knows it requires only bribery to defeat it, government does more to undermine itself in the fight against #COVID19.

 

Q

@naijama what do you think is the role of CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION in all of this. And how is the government adequately partnering with CSOs in the fight against the Virus and also building trust?@ICTAdvocates @YZYau @a_sabo12 @ChiromaHope @abdullahi_ari #CITADagainstCovid19

 

A.

CSOs can only amplify the messages of @NCDCgov guidelines, #SocialDistancing etc.

I cannot speak about the medical or clinical aspect, but CSOs have also a role to play in monitoring palliative measures and how donations are applied or spent.

CSOs like @ZODML have assisted in efforts to provide facilities for online learning, but the main area of concern for most people is financial and #DomesticViolence: in both these CSOs can help identify those in need and also provide protection.

 

 

 

 

Q.

#CITADActionAgainstCOVID19

@naijama, recent revelation by @CivicHive shows that government mismanage funds meant for #COVID19 and they are yet to respond to the allegations. Looking at the sensitivity of this pandemic and some of the “I don’t care attitude by the government”

Can we relate this to why some people see this pandemic as a mere politics or money making venture by corrupt gov’t officials?

@a_sabo12 @nissimase @kamalkano @MubarakEkute @YZYau @macfound

 

A.

Full transparency is always key here, but when government picks out specific issues in what @CivicHive has said to dispute those, its silence on the others implies an acceptance that those other charges are correct.

With is full transparency (including from bodies like @cenbank about what it has received and what it is spending), such mismanagement will be difficult.

But when Nigerians see what @NDDCOfficialNGR spent on its own officials as ‘#COVID19 palliative’, there are bound to be …

… fears about how other bodies are spending #COVID19 funds, hence a lot of skepticism about how School Feeding and other palliative measures are being administered and the prices government claims to be paying for all these.

I don’t doubt that government’s fundamental hope is to defeat #COVID19 and send the #Coronavirus packing from Nigeria.

But when it continues to tolerate egregious examples of corruption in the administration of funds meant to fight the disease, it destroys the chance of doing so.

 

 

The Centre for Information Communication Technology (CITAD) has urged youth to engage in community development.

The Programme Manager CITAD, Salma Abdulwahid, who stated this on Wednesday, during the International Youths Day celebration webinar meeting with the theme: Youth Engagement for Global Action in Abuja, described youth as the leaders of tomorrow.

She said: “To make a great leader, we will have to start looking out for not only ourselves but for the people around us most especially the less privileged from our prime time. As youths, we should learn to volunteer willingly to contribute positively to our community and in return, the person in question will reach out, learn, and have experience in every activity involved in.”

She further urged youth to disengage from the monetary gain and engage in community service saying, “and all we need will surely come by eventually.”

Speaking, the representative of Actionaid Nigeria with the local right programme (LRP) Mr. Joseph Augustine, said the future Nigeria and the world at large is looking forward to is in the hands of young people. “We need to take charge, play roles especially in our local communities. The voices of young people have been subdued especially in those local communities due to politics, sidelining, cultural activities. These young people’s voices aren’t heard.

“The aim for this event is to create awareness for the young to know that they can drive change with their potentials wherever they find themselves. For instance, tungashere community didn’t have schools, but advocacy was used to acquire such by CITAD.

He urged youths to know their rights in their community, using such opportunity wisely to benefit all. Adding that, youths should harness their energies to have what is called the youth power.

“This power gives them the opportunity to speak on issues affecting them around rape, crisis, unemployment, gender base violence, not being included in decision making, drug abuse etc. Another important factor to note is for the youth to know their environment because one cannot solve a problem that one has no idea about.

Augustine advised youths to shun godfatherism and take example from the late South African leader, Nelson Mandela who is still celebrated till date for his selflessness.

Earlier, while presenting his paper on youths exploring opportunities from the grassroots, the CEO of Sarkin Noma foundation Mr. Hassan Sarkin Noma urged advised youth to leverage on the use of networking and ICT.

“Discover your advantage over others, be consistent, know the needs of your community, explore and offer something to your community. You should note that networking is paramount by thinking globally and act locally in order to change from what you’re doing. People in the rural areas are also of advantage these days in the sense that one can be anywhere and yet reach out to many anywhere. Like CITAD that has reached out to people in different communities, leveraging on what they are doing and making a change.”