NGO advocates transparency, accountability at Yobe summit

The Spotlight for Transparency and Accountability Initiative, Yobe State chapter has organised a Youth Idea Summit to strengthen local government governance.

The group, which also held the graduation ceremony of its new fellows in the state alongside the summit on Monday, featured the theme thus: “Re emerging Youth Civic Participation in Local Governance and the Applications of AI/Technology in Various Aspects of Human Endeavor.”

Arewa PUNCH reports that the event aimed to strengthen transparency and accountability in local government governance.

The Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Ma’azu Alhaji Modu, explained that the fellowship was an intensive training program designed for young people to develop multidimensional capacities.

The program also provided training in leadership, social services, public finance management, and accountability within their communities.

Modu disclosed that the fellows participated in a series of training camps focused on civil engagement and leadership development. Additionally, he noted that they attended a leadership training program at a London institute, where they learned from experts in various fields and civil society organisations about scaling up their ideas to create a positive impact in rural communities.

More importantly, “the fellows also engaged in a peer mentorship training program, receiving resources to support their individual initiatives and empowering them to implement programs and projects in their local areas,” Modu further revealed

While stressing “the transformative role of technology in enhancing communication and collaboration between citizens and government decision-makers, he emphasised, “the need for a constructive approach to addressing challenges rather than resorting to aggressive criticism,” advising thus, “By leveraging technology, individuals and organisations can channel their concerns into meaningful engagement that supports public financial management and accountability.”

The group CEO said that “20 fellows, comprising seven females and 13 males are ready to return to their communities, armed with the knowledge gained from their training programs. Their mission is to foster growth and development within their communities and to advocate for accountability from local government councils.

“We expect these fellows to leverage the skills and knowledge they’ve acquired and share them widely,” Modu stated.

“Our goal is to cultivate the next generation of civil leaders. We believe it is crucial for these emerging leaders to take ownership of local issues, promoting transparency and good governance in their communities.”

He maintained that the fellows’ role will be to engage actively with their communities, empowering them to hold local authorities accountable and drive positive change. Through their efforts, Modu hopes to instil a culture of civic responsibility and engagement that will resonate throughout their communities.

He pointed out that while the 21st century presents unique opportunities for engagement, contrasting this with more confrontational tactics used in previous years, he underscores the importance of fostering positive relationships with government officials, which has been a focus of the fellowship program.

“This program has successfully built partnerships between fellows and local government councils, ensuring that community leaders can share innovative ideas and programs directly,” the CEO posited.

Addressing criticism regarding the selection of fellowship participants, Modu clarified that candidates were chosen based on the merit of their ideas and the potential impact of their projects rather than on personal connections.

He proudly noted that “a majority of the fellows have launched initiatives that significantly benefit their communities, showcasing the program’s effectiveness in driving social change and development,” even as he insisted, that “the fellowship program mentioned has fostered civil relationships between fellows and local government councils.

“This collaborative approach enhances communication and cooperation, leading to mutual understanding and effective governance,” he further explained.

Modu remarked that addressing the major challenges in the different beneficiaries’ work would require intensified efforts in resource mobilisation.

“This would enable them to engage more individuals in the fellowship. Currently, there are 1,400 applications awaiting approval for entry into the fellowship, and the goal is to support these new members in implementing their projects.”

Our correspondent reports that among the graduating fellows were Zainab Musa Shuaibu and Mohammed Hassan Dagona, who both narrated their experiences and achievements. They shared that they have successfully implemented several projects focused on important issues, including girls’ education, gender-based violence (GBV), and advocacy for good governance in their communities.

Zainab Musa Shaibu specifically noted her work in Potiskum Local Government, where she drove a program aimed at supporting girls’ education. Her initiatives focused on encouraging girls to return to school and deterring them from engaging in street hawking, especially at night.

She advocated the crucial involvement of school teachers, traders, and parents in helping children understand the dangers they face in their communities.

Zainab also urged the government to implement policies that would ban nighttime street hawking by young girls and provide financial support for their education.

“We need to address these pressing challenges,” she said, highlighting the vulnerability of children to sexual harassment and violence.

“Many girls face severe risks, and even when they report these incidents to authorities, they often find themselves further victimised in the legal process.

“In many instances, they end up having to defend themselves instead of receiving the support they need from the police or the courts,” she explained.

Zainab referred to these girls as potential role models, impressing the importance of education and support in helping them build successful futures.

“We can’t predict what they might achieve with the right guidance and resources,” she noted, but many are currently forced to hawk goods in the streets because their families struggle to make ends meet.

“Their parents often can barely provide a proper meal, which is why they send their daughters out to sell,” she noted, “underscoring the dire circumstances that drive these girls into dangerous situations,” Zainab concluded.