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In an effort to promote good governance and civic participation, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, in collaboration with the Youth Participation in Progressive Development Initiative (YPPDI), has conducted a comprehensive capacity-building training for Community Based Organizations (CBOs) hailing from all 34 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Katsina State. This initiative, the second of its kind in the state capital, focuses on empowering marginalized groups, especially people living with disabilities, emphasizing their inclusion in the budget tracking process during the execution of the 2024 budget year.
The training, a collaborative effort with YPPDI and supported by the FCDO, aims to equip participants in rural communities with the knowledge and skills needed for effective budget tracking. The Executive Director of YPPDI, Kamaluddeen Kabir, highlighted the project’s dedication to promoting good governance through civic education and active citizen participation in the budgeting process.
Yahaya Lugga, the Program Officer of YPPDI, emphasized that the training is tailored to enable participants working in rural areas to actively engage in the budgetary process, ensuring that their perspectives and needs are incorporated. The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner in the state, Mahadi Lawal (represented by Sani Tarauni), lauded the training as timely, acknowledging its potential impact on the ongoing fight against corruption.
Against the backdrop of Katsina State’s 2024 budget estimate, themed “Building Your Future,” allocating significant funds to agriculture, water resources, and education, participants are urged to embark on physical monitoring and evaluation of government-sponsored projects. The goal is to ensure their full implementation for the benefit of all citizens. The one-day training emphasized the urgent need to make budgets in Nigeria not only realistic but also fully implemented.
In a separate incident, the Rivers State Police Command paraded three officers—ASP Doubara Edonyabo, ASP Talent Mungo, and Inspector Odey Michael—suspected of extorting $3,000 USDT (equivalent to 4.2 million) from two residents. The Public Relations Officer of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, announced that the money has been returned to the victims, and the rogue officers will face an orderly room trial.
