LEAD-Nigeria Seeks Media Support in Tracking UBEC Projects in Kaduna
By ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
An NGO, Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW), also known as LEAD-Nigeria, has solicited support of the media in monitoring interventions of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Kaduna State.
Mrs. Rebecca Sako-John, the Executive Director of the NGO, made the call on Monday in Kaduna, at the opening of a sensitisation meeting with media executives to enhance reportage of UBEC projects and public procurement process.
Sako-John said the measure was to ensure accountability and transparency in usage of government resources toward improving quality of education at basic level.
“Media engagement will promote the needed sustainable development through improved reportage of government interventions in the education sector.
“Enhanced media reportage will also promote citizens’ engagement and participation needed for quality service delivery.”
She explained that the NGO, with support from the McArthur Foundation, is tracking UBE interventions in 20 schools in three local government areas of the state including Chikun, Soba and Kaura.
Also, Mrs Hanatu Ahuman, a member of the Board of Trustee of the NGO, explained that the meeting became vital as it was necessary to sensitise the media on UBE interventions in Kaduna state.
According to her, engagement will spur journalists to develop interest to create the needed awareness that will mobilise community members for active participation.
“What we hope to see at the end of the day is citizens’ participation in the planning and implementation of the interventions for the benefiting communities to take ownership of project, as well as ensure sustainability.
“This cannot be achieved without media engagement that will create the needed enlightenment and awareness through reportage,” she said.
Also, speaking, Mr Otive Igbuzor, Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership and Strategic Studies, commended the MacArthur and LANW for the effort.
He said that such initiative was needed for Nigeria to make progress.
“Until we monitor every project in Nigeria to improve transparency and accountability to curb corruption, we will not see any progress because of corrupt practices’’.
