CODE Secures Media Commitment on Conflict and Fragility Project in the Niger Delta

Connected Development [CODE] has secured a working relationship with the media for her policy advocacy activities on the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights [NAPBHR] after holding a successful 2-day roundtable for the media on their campaigns around the NAPBHR in the oil and gas sector, especially as it affects host communities and the corporate social responsibility expectation of these communities; as well as the economic, social and environmental sustainability compliance of these operators.


This roundtable came on the heels of community outreaches to at least two host communities of oil wells and flow stations in Delta and Akwa Ibom States respectively in the Niger Deltan.

The roundtable provided media professionals an avenue to share their experiences relating to story collection in the Niger Delta, as well as access to knowledge resources on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the timeline of the National Action Plan to adopt it in Nigeria.

There were also discussions on legal instruments for regulating the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, and deliberations on a strategy for the media to work with CODE to tell human interest stories of the people of host communities, and highlight the fragility and conflict that arises from the activities of operators in their communities.

Through its “Follow the Money” model, CODE provides marginalized and vulnerable communities with resources to amplify their voices with independence and integrity; as well as information that ushers social and economic development through online and offline platforms that close the feedback loop between citizens and the government to enhance social contracting and accountability. Since 2012, CODE has worked in over 100 local communities across Nigeria,

The Gambia and Kenya; impacting over 1,500,000 marginalized lives by engaging national and sub-national governments; and tracked NGN 3 billion (USD 10 million) in budgeted sums for contracts, to provide education, health and WaSH essential supplies and amenities for the communities direly in need. Secures Media Commitment on Conflict and Fragility Project in the Niger Delta

Connected Development [CODE] has secured a working relationship with the media for her policy advocacy activities on the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights [NAPBHR] after holding a successful 2-day roundtable for the media on their campaigns around the NAPBHR in the oil and gas sector, especially as it affects host communities and the corporate social responsibility expectation of these communities; as well as the economic, social and environmental sustainability compliance of these operators.

This roundtable came on the heels of community outreaches to at least two host communities of oil wells and flow stations in Delta and Akwa Ibom States respectively in the Niger Deltan.

The roundtable provided media professionals an avenue to share their experiences relating to story collection in the Niger Delta, as well as access to knowledge resources on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the timeline of the National Action Plan to adopt it in Nigeria.

There were also discussions on legal instruments for regulating the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, and deliberations on a strategy for the media to work with CODE to tell human interest stories of the people of host communities, and highlight the fragility and conflict that arises from the activities of operators in their communities.

Through its “Follow the Money” model, CODE provides marginalized and vulnerable communities with resources to amplify their voices with independence and integrity; as well as information that ushers social and economic development through online and offline platforms that close the feedback loop between citizens and the government to enhance social contracting and accountability. Since 2012, CODE has worked in over 100 local communities across Nigeria,

The Gambia and Kenya; impacting over 1,500,000 marginalized lives by engaging national and sub-national governments; and tracked NGN 3 billion (USD 10 million) in budgeted sums for contracts, to provide education, health and WaSH essential supplies and amenities for the communities direly in need.

Traders Lament Oshimili South LGA Executive's High-Handedness, Imposition Of Union Leaders

* Sends An SOS Petition To The House Leader, OSLGA Legislative Arm, Cry For Intervention

* I Can't Stoop So Low To Join Issues With Traders.....Hon Sunny Obi

Okonta Emeka Okelum, ASABA

A new wave of crisis had recently bedeviled the executive leadership of Oshimili South Council leadership against the traders at one of the markets within the council area.

As contained in a petition addressed to the house leader, legislative arm of the council, and made available to Asaba Post News Wire, one of the self defined patriotic and progressive association 'Confidence Group' had raised their voices against what they termed undemocratic, anti human and human right infringement against their rights as citizens of Nigeria.

The letter jointly signed by Onyemaechi Okeibunor and Pst Kendra Udensi, as the group's chairman and secretary respectively, dated 10th October, 2018, with the subject ' A Grand Design By Officials Of Oshimili South LG Council To Disrupt The Peace In Ogbeogonogo Market And Impose Leadership Upon The Traders, contained some five points charges against the council's executive leadership.

The correspondence expressly condemned the antics of the care taker committee instituted by the council boss to oversee the market union leadership after the expiration of Chief Nwaobodo led executive, which the market's stakeholders cried against over executive high handedness and unnecessary elongation of tenure.

Confidence group's appeal to the legislative arm lamented sins and antics committed against unsuspecting traders by the care taker committee members, who includes, Hon Sunny Obi Nwaose, Vice Chairman; Mr Bonny Akaeze, Secretary; Barr (Mrs) C.E Okolo, Member; Mr Peter Onwuka, Member; Mr Frank Nnama, Member; Mr Andy Omohieme and Mr Anthony Moweta; as Members.

Chief amongst the charges filed against the care taker committee include first, the committee members turning into what they termed an army of occupation, refusing to conduct an election as was expected of them by the council boss and other stakeholders in the market.

The confidence group's second onslaught at the care taker committee was a charge of molestation, harassment, intimidation, threats, assualts, forceful entry, throwing traders wares off their shops and trading places with the aids of thugs, who claim to be acting with the authority of the council's executive.

A third arsenal thrown the way of the care taker committee was that the care taker committee was highly involved in illegal allocation of spaces and walkways to so many squatters, thereby making trading miserable in the market.

The fourth charge against the care taker committee maintained that the committee was not sincere with the issues of commencing actions towards conducting an election for the traders, rather they are buying time to enable them inflict more injuries and pain on poor traders.

Finally, confidence group pointed out that the care taker committee members in response to the traders reactions towards their antics are perfecting a secret plan to impose a surrogate leadership upon the traders contrary to their well accepted and all inclusive choice of leadership by all market stakeholders.

This move if perfected, hatched and served the traders as the committee is intending to dish out, believe us, the traders will resist it, the confidence group maintained in their correspondence to the house leader, Oshimili south legislative arm.

An issue which the confidence group found not palatable was an idea they accused the care taker committee of advancing, which they shared was that only those who will qualify to be voted for and vote in the upcoming market election, shall be traders who keyed into the Delta State Government Identifiable GroupTax, this they reason is a conscious ploy at disenfranchising some poor traders to enable them perfect their anti traders plans and schemes, the confidence group lamented.

Before going to press, our reporter engaged Hon Sunny Nwose Obi, Executive Vice Chairman, Oshimili South LGA and leader of the care taker committee, who shared his views and reactions.

Upon assumption as a committee, we met a complete disorganized market union leadership structure, the market stakeholders were fractured, no peace and trust existed amongst stakeholders, no market leadership constitution ever existed, no atmosphere for peaceful leadership transition was possible.

My brother, you can attest that no care taker committee anywhere in the world can work wonders in this kind of atmosphere, as we had a lot of issues to address before election matters will be entertained, there are a lot of troubled nerves and boiling quarters to be engaged and their positions listened to and considered too, Hon Obi reasoned with our reporter.

Our committee's first line of engagement was to set up an internal structure to first investigate the root causes of the market's many problems, help the market stakeholders prepare a functional market leadership constitution that will guide the incoming market union executives after their elections.

Findings from our committee's investigation was money issues as the root causes of the market's leadership crisis, there were many and counter allegations of sharp practices from the previous market leaders, trust and confidence was at its zero level within the market upon our committee's assumption of duty, today, we had changed the market's leadership narrative, the care taker committee leader emphasized.

Hon Obi with a wave of the hand, out rightly wrote off those crusading the confidence group agitations as traders who had lost focus with the very purpose for which they in the first place found themselves in the market, they are just hopelessly moving from one point to the other, doing no trading but seeking opportunities to cause and sustain trouble making issues.

As of today and by the grace of God, am the executive vice chairman of Oshimili South LGA and having accepted the delegated task of leading the care taker committee, it is my expected responsibility to seek proactive means of making right all loose ends, I took note of upon assuming office.

In the point of fact, my roles are never that of joining issues with traders in the market, more so those who instead of engaging in their trade, are busy seeking trouble making opportunities, Hon Obi stressed.
On election related issues, Hon Obi affirmed that soon the election will be conducted, he also shared that there was an early agreed stakeholder's position on election matters, where all agreed that the market election will be put on hold until all political parties are done with their party primary elections, so now, all political parties are done with their party primary elections, so soon a time table will be rolled out for Ogbeogonogo market election.

Hon Obi dismissed as false allegations, unfounded, malicious, callous as well as unnecessary cheap blackmail against the council's executive leadership and urge all traders to disregard their speculative attempts to discredit the council's pro people committed leadership.

Finally, on the use of Delta State Government Identifiable Group Tax as means of determining who qualifies to vote and be voted for, Hon Sunny Obi, took a firm affirmative position on the matter.
What is wrong in taxation, is tax payment not a measure of good citizenship, in Nigeria do those who seek to contest elections not asked to produce evidence of tax payment.
Mind you the tax policy the confidence group are fighting is one of the SMART Initiatives of our amiable Smart working governor.
Hon Obi pointed out that by reason of this move of the confidence group, it is evident that they are anti government elements, who he pointed out are going everywhere championing and fighting all laudable pro people initiatives of the Gov Okowa led administration.
How do one intend to become market union leader in this state and do not want to key into the SMART visions of the state government.
No matter how you look at it, it is a very worthy idea to use the State's identifiable group tax registration as a means of determining who can vote and be voted for.
To the best of my knowledge, the leadership of confidence group are pure anti government policy agitators, Hon Sunny Obi said.
SOURCE: ASABA Post News WIRE (ONLINE)

Niger Delta NGOs Capacity Built On Oil & Gas Sector Accountability Programming

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Port Harcourt

The need for improved transparency, accountability in doing business within the oil and gas sector, was today, Thursday, emphasized amongst Niger Delta Civil Society Space.

With support from Oxfam, Abuja Based non government organizations, Connected Development (CODE) and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) are building the capacities of non profit organizations working within the governance thematic areas in Niger Delta States.

The capacity building initiative is a two day event currently on going at Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital city.

For two days, the non state actors will gain deeper insights into understanding the United Nation's Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Details contained in copies of consultative draft document on National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights In Nigeria, is designed to help participants understand their roles and potential impacts of the initiatives when fully implemented.

Activities of the day one unveiled that participants took turn to share their experience working on projects, programs and activities within the extractive industry.

BudgIT, an NGO, activively involved in budget monitoring engagements, shared insight into how the organization had successfully mobilized stakeholders in the extractive industry to make impact.

Using theory of change principles, Henry Ushei from Oxfam, explained in detail an overview of the conflict and fragility project.

A project designed to improve transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector as well as promoting agency for host communities.

Two other training sessions exposed participants to ' legal instruments on the regulation of the extractive industry ' and ' income trail of the oil and gas sector.

At the end of the two day capacity building initiative, participants will be exposed to findings from CODE's conflict and fragility community outreach activities in Delta and Akwa Ibom States.

A presentation on the National Action Plan on Business & Human Rights, group works on post capacity building advocacy, awareness creation, feedback mechanism and participants buy-in into comprehensive commitment towards eventual full implementation of the project will define participant's two days capacity building program.

SOURCE: ASABA POST NEWS WIRE (ONLINE)

2019: Which Way Nigerian Youths?

2019: Which Way Nigerian Youths?

* What An NGO Is Doing To Unite Them

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Abuja

As the 2019 general elections approach, Nigerian youth and issues that affect them are central, to what extent they are involved and have their voice heard is also a factor.

An international non partisan and non profit organization, ONE, is out to make sure that Nigerian youths with one voice speak their issues to the next administration.

The challenge before Nigerian youth ahead of 2019 general elections is the idea of carefully selecting who represents them at national, state assemblies; government houses and at the presidency.

It is the responsibility of Nigerian youths to select and vote for a candidate who can effectively represent the issues that affect them, who they believe can help them realize their dreams.

ONE is an international organization, using campaign and advocacy tools to seek an end to extreme poverty and preventable diseases by 2030, so that everyone, everywhere can lead a life of dignity and opportunity.

The organization has about 9.7 million members globally with about 2.6 million members in Nigeria.

One ideology the organization holds high in her engagement, is the believe that fighting poverty is not about charity, but about Justice and equality.

How Nigerian youths select and vote into office who lead the nation come 2019 is a very crucial issue, they need to seek out candidates who knows issues that affects them.

For Nigerian youth's roles to make impact as they prepare to engage in the forth coming 2019 general elections, they must seek out means to understand the problems they face, find out if the aspiring politicians seeking their votes can offer workable solutions.

To this end, elections are very vital process for Nigerian youths to cease as an opportunity to determine what future they think is best for them.

Making this decision in a matter of fact, must not be left completely to the Nigerian Youth.

In response, ONE over the weekend a new campaign, last Saturday, ONE unveiled the #VoteYourFuture Campaign.

According to Serah Zainab Makka Ugbabe, Nigeria Country Director of the organization, #VoteYourFuture is a non partisan governance campaign centered around the 2019 Nigerian elections.

The nonpartisan #VoteYourFuture Campaign is all about reinforcing the known fact that your action of voting (or not voting) affects your future.

It affects the future of your family, your children, and can have an impact on your advancement in life, Serah Zainab Makka Ugbabe pointed out.

Voting matters, not only that, how you votes matters too, how you select th candidates is of crucial importanc, Makka Ugbabe said.

The country director maintained that it is important that the candidates know the issues that affect Nigeria, and most importantly know how to solve them.

Candidates might not have all the anwsers, but they must know how to get the answers and they must demonstrate that knowledge when we, ordinary citizens ask them questions.

As citizens, we also have a responsibility to understand the issues that affect our community, state and nation.

Only when we exercise this responsibility will our votes move us towards the Nigeria of our dreams, Serah Makka Ugbabe emphasized.

This campaign seeks to ensure youth participation in elections as well as to have the elections become an issue based voting rather than one based on ethnicity, religion or other sentiments.

The #VoteYourFuture campaign was officially launched last Saturday at Abuja with a one day youth summit, that brought forth a nationwide attention to the campaign.

At the official launch of the campaign, ONE also ceased same opportunity to unveil various components of the campaign.

Also unveiled was a policy brief, ONE's publication with findings of responses from a research ONE conducted in a poll of over 170,000 Nigerians, as well as a multiplatform video advertisement featuring Tiwa Salvage, Falz the Band Guy and Adekunle Gold and others.

The youth summit was designed to enable Nigerian youths and other citizens to seek out meaningful avanues to engage in the 2019 electoral process, with interactive sessions between presidential candidates and citizens.

The youth summit recorded the presence of ONE members in Nigeria, ONE Champions, university students, youth coalition representatives, policy makers, electoral candidates, social media influencers and media partners.

SOURCE: ASABA POST NEWS WIRE (ONLINE)