FG Reiterates Commitment to Fiscal Transparency, Inclusive Governance

The federal government has reiterated its commitment to the
promotion of fiscal transparency, improved public procurement,
citizen engagement and empowerment as part of current efforts at
strengthening anti-corruption reforms in the country.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of
Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), reinforced the government’s
commitment over the weekend while addressing participants at a
Validation Retreat on the 2nd National Action Plan (NAP) for the
Open Government Partnership (OGP) Nigeria.

Malami, who also doubles as the Coordinating Minister, OGP,
Nigeria, disclosed that within the next few months, a service-wide
circular will be published to set out the modalities for the
establishment of the OGP Units in MDAs, adding that efforts are on
to ensure the domestication of the OGP by all states of the
federation.

While noting that Nigeria joined the OGP in July 2016 to foster
transparency and accountability through targeted measures, the AGF
said: “The objective of the retreat is to validate the draft 2nd
National Action Plan ahead of its submission by the end of
September 2019 to the OGP International Secretariat to ensure that
Nigeria maintains an uninterrupted membership of the global
body.

“Equally, the retreat is to provide a good opportunity for
strengthening and broadening ownership of the NAP. I am deeply
grateful to all stakeholders for your zeal and passion in the
implementation of OGP principles in Nigeria since 2016 when Nigeria
signed on to the Global Initiative.”

Malami said successes recorded during the implementation of the
1st NAP, which have been well documented by the secretariat in the
progress report include development of an open budget system,
engagement of citizens in government’s processes and Beneficial
Ownership Register, amongst others.

“With respect to Open Budget, the Budget Office of the
Federation through consultative process with relevant government
agencies and citizens published the Pre-Budget Statement (2018-2020
MTEF/FSP) and has consistently published a Citizen’s Guide to the
Budget since 2018.

“It has also developed the iMonitor platform for citizens’
feedback to government with respect to implementation of projects
within communities,” he stated.

Malami, while describing the development of a Beneficial
Ownership Register as one of the President’s commitments at the
London Anti-Corruption Summit in 2016, said that the Corporate
Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Nigeria Extractive Industry
Transparency Initiative (NEITI) have completed consultations with
stakeholders on the implementation of Beneficial Ownership
Register.

“With respect to the commitment under anti-corruption thematic,
the federal government has approved the harmonised National
Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS). The Asset Recovery and Management
Unit (ARMU) in the Federal Ministry of Justice serves as the
secretariat for the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption
Strategy.

“The ARMU also serves as the central coordinating unit for asset
recovery and has been mandated with ensuring proper record keeping
of assets recovered by the FMOJ.

“Greater transparency in asset recovery have been recorded in
the past three years and these have been applied towards the
implementation of Nigeria’s annual budget as well as in social
investment for the poor,” the minister added.

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FCT Minister to Support African Women
Conference

FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has pledged to
support the Africa Women Conference (AWC), through various
productive dialogues for the sustainable growth of Africa
women.

She made the pledge in Abuja when the co-convener of Africa
Women Conference and Founder of Helpline Foundation for the Needy,
Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, led a delegation of other women on a courtesy
visit.

Aliyu, used the occasion to call on other women in position of
authority to support the course of AWC, noting that the initiatives
of AWC are designed to benefit every woman within and beyond the
shores of Africa.

The FCT Minister of State who is also an inductee of Africa
Women Conference Hall of Fame commended the role played by Helpline
Foundation in promoting entrepreneurial skills of rural women in
Nigeria.

She noted that the foundation has consistently embarked on
programmes for women and children with the singular aim of building
a bond that would ease their individual socio-economic burdens.

She promised to identify with the vision and mission of the
foundation and any other group that will further enhance the
economic growth of women and the less privileged in the
society.

“I am particularly honored to be associated with you and your
foundation and I hope that together, we will fight this good fight
for women to the finish,” she affirmed.

She revealed that an award model will be initiated by the FCT
Administration to recognize hard working members of staff and also
encourage others on the path of diligence and commitment to
duty.

In her remarks, the leader of delegation and founder of Helpline
Foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, pledged the foundation unflinching
support in carrying out programmes that affect women and rural
dwellers in the territory.

According to her, “I and every member of my team would do
everything within our human ability to support you in carrying out
your duties as Honorable Minister of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria in a capacity as sensitive and demanding as the Minister of
State for FCT”.

Recall that the Africa Women Conference was inaugurated in March
2018 with the theme “Repositioning Africa: Role of Women in
Sustainable Development”. The third edition is scheduled to hold in
Marrakesh, Morocco from the 21st to the 23rd November 2019.

Austine Elemue
S.A Print Media To FCT Minister of State
7th September, 2019