CHRICED trains 40 activists on anti-corruption, constituency project monitoring in Kano

The Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has trained 40 community actors and activists on enhancing community-driven anti-corruption initiatives in Kano state.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday, CHRICED’s Executive Director, Dr Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, said the training aimed at equipping the participants with the knowledge and skills to track constituency projects in their respective local government areas.

SolaceBase reports that CHRICED organized the event with support from the MacArthur Foundation.

 “This workshop is designed to provide essential knowledge and practical skills for effectively monitoring and advocating accountability in the implementation of constituency projects across Kano State,” Dr Zikirullahi explained.

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He also acknowledged the critical role of partners like the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in combating corruption.

“The training aims to equip participants with the necessary tools to track and report the mismanagement of public resources, which is a vital step toward fostering a transparent and just society,” he added.

Dr. Zikirullahi lamented the devastating impact of corruption on Nigeria’s socio-economic development, describing it as a “national curse.” He expressed concern over the increasing scale of financial improprieties, from billions to trillions of naira, emphasizing the urgency of addressing systemic corruption.

 “This workshop seeks to empower participants to actively monitor and advocate against such practices, thereby promoting good governance and reducing the exploitation of public resources,” he said.

He also stressed the need for systems that prioritize citizens’ welfare, reduce poverty, and address factors driving criminal activities.

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In his presentation on Effective Petition Writing: A Potent Tool for Combating Corruption in Constituency Project Service Delivery, Assistant Commissioner of the ICPC for Kano and Jigawa, Malam Abubakar Jibrin, highlighted the importance of writing well-structured petitions.

He explained that NGOs must understand the basics of effective petition writing to enable the ICPC to act on corruption cases.

“Many petitions we receive in Kano are politically motivated,” he said, urging people to avoid filing petitions that do not serve the public interest. He emphasized that petitions should be clear and concise, specifically defining the issues and desired outcomes. He advised petitioners to:

•             Target the right audience, such as decision-makers or relevant authorities.

•             Set clear objectives with specific, achievable demands.

•             Use evidence-based arguments, incorporating facts, statistics, and real-life experiences.

•             Maintain a respectful and persuasive tone.

•             Provide contact information and include a follow-up plan.

Representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Detective Ekene Ikpeama, an investigator with the Kano directorate, reiterated the commission’s commitment to preventing corruption.

He discussed the primary goals of constituency projects and emphasized strategies for combating corruption, including transparency, accountability, stakeholder engagement, technical strategies, and capacity building.