Mohammed Shosanya
Stakeholders in the country’s civil space has implored civil society organizations to extend their anti-corruption advocacy to states and local government areas in Nigeria.
They said,doing so will enable the organizations to develop a new comprehensive and robust conversation around anti-corruption fight in Nigeria,as such critical advocacy need not be limited to the federal government alone.
Rising from a recent National Dialogue on Anti-Corruption in Nigeria organized by Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice,ANEEJ-SCALE project,the stakeholders implored the CSOs to endeavor to tell their good stories and engage with government development programs as they affect the populace especially the success aspect of use of the social register for Cash Transfer Program.
In a communique issued at the end of the confab,the stakeholders advised the CSOs not to be discouraged about criticism or attacks by those in position of authority.
David UgolorAfrica Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ;Mohammed Attah;Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative and Adekunle Lukeman Adefolahan;21st Century Community Empowerment for youth and Women Initiative signed the communique.
They urged the media to work more closely with the civil society organizations to develop and build their capacity on key areas of development needs as well as around whistleblower protection law.
According to the communique,CSOs should engage in more strategies and learning principles that will enhance their capacity to engage critical issues of corruption, especially as it relates to ethics and standards expectations in public procurement and good governance.
The stakeholders reasoned that though a lot has been done, there is need to do more in the areas of judicial reforms through case management of corruption and criminal cases as well as advocacy for credible practitioners such as lawyers and judges in the system.
The communique stated that development partners, donors and CSOs should unite in supporting weak CSOs to deliver on key issues of development, such as anti-corruption and to build their capacity for effective engagement.
The CSOs leaders should encourage and provide more space for government as partners in the fight against corruption by carrying out more advocacy to enlighten the government on the importance of the issues,it added
It advised the federal government to ensure the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and the Proceed of Crime Act.
It added that:”The Nigerian Government should provide leadership for Africa Union in the implementation of the AU Common Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR) and the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) Principles”.