How MacArthur Foundation supports, strengthens CSOs in Nigeria

A Civil society organisation (CSO), Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), has commended the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for its support to CSOs across Nigeria.

CHRICED Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, gave the commendation during the visit by President of the Foundation, John Palfrey, and members of his delegation to CHRICED office in Gwarimpa, Abuja.

The CHRICED helmsman noted that the Foundation’s support has enabled CSOs in Nigeria to enlighten citizens on their rights and responsibilities, especially in holding government accountable on use of public resources earmarked for basic social goods and services.

Zikirullahi noted that with the MacArthur Foundation’s support, CHRICED was able to monitor education interventions at state and federal levels to ensure delivery of dividends to children and their families.

The CHRICED Director said: “Today, the governor of Kaduna State has moved the state basic education coordination officer to his office, where he receives regular updates about the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund, the state work plan, priority projects and project performance. Working with other members, jointly funded by the Foundation, enabled us to track at least 10 per cent of basic education spending in the state. Parents associations, students and school administrators are now in better place to demand benefits from the projects.”

On other accountability projects, he said the group has been working to promote transparency and accountability in Kano State by tracking constituency projects funded by both the state and federal governments, using the technical and grant support provided by the Foundation.

He said: “We are working with local non-profits in Kano State to press for transparency through the state adoption of open government partnership (OGP) and implementation of a state action plan. We are working with other MacArthur grantees to demand accountability, using the instrumentality of the Kano State anti-corruption agency. We are working with community-based groups to track constituency projects and demand transparency in the management of recovered assets by the Federal Government. Through these projects, MacArthur Foundation is building an army of community voices that are enabled and motivated to lead the demand for accountability in Nigeria.”

Similarly, the CSO leader expressed appreciation to the Foundation for promoting the rights of Original Inhabitants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He said: “Let me assure you that the Original Inhabitants in the FCT will never forget the historical bond proceeds invested by the Foundation to mitigate and accelerate recovery from one of the biggest events of the 21st century.”