Nation
NGO Tasks FG On Transparency, Open Governance In MDAs
The Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW), an NGO, has called for transparency and open governance in all government’s financial activities to check corruption.
This is contained in a statement by Victor Agi, Head of Public Affairs, CeFTIW, issued yesterday in Abuja.
Agi said that the centre had earlier launched the Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) Methodology Handbook which represents its response to systemic corruption in the public sector.
He frowned at refusal by some agencies of government to comply with certain statutory directives to ensure transparency and accountability in their financial transactions.
He called on the Federal Government to ensure that all its agencies complied with a presidential directive to publish daily treasury summary statements of their financial records above a certain threshold.
“Through the TII, we advocate for transparency by insisting that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) comply with national laws and international conventions that promote open governance.
“By President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive after inauguration of the treasury portal in December, 2019, MDAs are statutorily required to publish daily treasury summary statements of their financial records above five million Naira.
“They are equally required to publish monthly budget performance reports, including their functions and economic activities, within seven days to the end of the month.
“Failure by the MDAs to comply with this statutory directive also contravenes the provision of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); which should not be swept under the carpet,” he said.
According to Agi, the journey to a transparent public sector begins with accountability.
“When government agencies and officials violate laws and there are no consequences for such violations, then we cannot expect a society that thrives on sound democratic principles and the rule of law.
“The culture of impunity, where public servants deliberately contravene laws and institutional frameworks for selfish reasons and are not held accountable for such actions should be discouraged.
“It is important to reiterate that laws do not just implement themselves, but require the people who make up the system to function effectively,” he said.
Agi also called for thorough investigation into recent reports of missing records in the Federal Government open treasury portal.
According to him, stiff sanctions should be metted out against public officers who are found to be involved in acts of sabotage against the portal.
“According to reports, the portal which was down for several days was restored with records missing, including those of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) which oversees it.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
