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ACT supports media, CSOs to form a coalition in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
The Agents for citizens-driven transformation (ACT) programme has kicked started a new initiative aimed at bringing Civil Society Organisations and media practitioners under one proof.
KANO FOCUS reports that a one day roundtable between Civil Society Organisations and journalists was conducted on Monday to chart ways forward on sustainable relationship.
Speaking at the occasion the ACT program State Focal Person, Hajiya Rabi Adamu said the meeting is to strengthen the relationship between media and CSOs to influence government on its responsibilities.
She also said the gathering will create synergy between CSOs and the media for sustainable development.
“That is to set Agenda setting for the media and CSOs for better partnerships. Facilitate a constructive dialogue on how to improve CSO-Media relationships. To discuss EU-ACT support to CSOs in the State. To engage the high level media personnel and compliment their effort in nation building as drivers of change,” Mrs Adamu said.
Turning to ACT, Mrs Adamu said the objectives of the program is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in Nigeria through improving the credibility of CSOs and enhancing their role as independent development actors and drivers of change.
According to her, to achieve this objective, the programme will focus on strengthened selected CSOs, Networks and Coalitions working in EU focal areas in 10 States, across the country.
She said,’’The Agents for citizens-driven transformation (ACT) programme works with civil society organisations to enable their effectiveness, and credibility to become drivers of change in Nigeria.’’
‘’ACT is implemented nationwide, with work in Lagos, Kano, Abuja, FCT, Adamawa, Edo, Enugu, Rivers, Sokoto, Borno and Plateau states.’’
In a paper titled ‘The Role and Impact of Civil Society in Strengthening Civic Space’ the Executive Director, Organization for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN) Nigeria, Abdulrazaq Alkali said robust civic space is essential for good governance, the rule of law and for enabling citizens to shape their societies.
He said that civic space refers to an enabling environment that empowers members of the society to communicate and interact freely, address issues of concern, air grievances without hindrance, engage in dialogue as well as influence various delicate public processes affecting them.
He said it is undoubtedly true that open and pluralistic civic space that guarantees freedom of expression and opinion as well as freedom of assembly and association is a prerequisite for democratic consolidation and sustainability.
‘’Unfortunately, today civic space is under pressure due to politics, repressive laws with increased restrictions on the freedom of civil societies to express, participate, assemble and associate in a civic space.
‘’Though new technologies have helped civil society networks to grow, but they’ve also given governments excuses to control civil society movements and media freedoms, often under security pretexts.
‘’The civil society operating environment is getting titter with regulations, civic activists and journalists are being repressed and some are forced into exile,” the activist said.
Alkali lamented that civil society movements, political activism and political advocacy in Nigeria have been largely held back due to antecedents in the country’s political history’ and rivalry among the geopolitical regions.
‘’Negative politics of ethnicity and regionalism have created apathy and lack of trust, resulting in many civil societies to fold hands in moments that require collective actions. As a result, civil societies have failed to distinguish their affiliation from the government in a manner that can affirm and promote their autonomous and independent growth.
“Ultimately, such a posture has undermined the civil society’ cause and has confined them to issues that do not fundamentally challenge or affect the status quo,” he observed.
On her part, the chairperson of Nigerian Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Kano state chapter Bilikisu Ado Zango said media collaboration with the CSOs would enhance good governance, transparency and respect for rule of law in the society.
In her paper titled ‘’Finding common grounds in addressing negative perception between Media and CSOs’’, Zango said civil society organisations and the media can play key oversight role in the different sectors and build public support for more accountable democratic governance
‘’Efforts are needed to promote an enabling environment for civil society and the media. Initiatives should include ongoing dialogue to foster cooperation and trust between the government, civil society (broadly defined) and the media, ‘’ Mrs Zango said.
Also speaking Khadija Abdullahi Yahaya said the media is part and parcel of civil society. Adding that having access to the media is critical to actors involved in pursuing transparency and fairness to the voiceless.
The one day round table resolved to ensure more synergy between the media and CSOs to achieve the set goals and encourage periodic meetings with the two actors.
The meeting also observed the need to create a common platform for CSOs journalists where they will exchange information.
The program, Agents for Citizens-driven Transformation (ACT) is a four-year programme (2019 – 2023) funded by the European Union and implemented by the British Council.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
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