The Center for Information Technology and Development-(CITAD)in it’s efforts to fight corruption, has organized a two-day capacity building for youths on accountability and anti corruption.aimed at empowered them with digital tool to investigate and interrogate their representatives in the act of governance
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However,the training which was sponsored by . MacArthur Foundation,was attended by 40 participants were drawn from northern states across the country.
which are Kogi,Kaduna,Kano ,Abuja and other states from the northern part of the country and held at the Ni’ ima hotel in Kano
Speaking at the occasion, the executive director of CITAD, Engineer Yunusa Zakaria Ya’u explained that the training aims at equipping young minds with the necessary knowledge to actively participate in the fight against corruption.
He was however represented by CITAD Campaigns and communication officer, Ali Sabo,who emphasized that, corruption which is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain undermines fairness, justice and efficiency in the nation.
He then disclosed that ” For the next two days, participants will be equipped with knowledge of budget tracking, reporting abandoned projects and elements of accountability”.
The CITAD Executive Director then decried over rising cases of corruption which has become a menace nationwide due to lack of accountability on the part of public office holders by not taking responsibility of their mandate.
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According to him,” When there’s no accountability, corruption will hold ground but citizens can promote accountability through civic engagement, social media to demand transparency”.
When speaking on the paper presented and titled: Introduction to Accountability and Corruption, CITAD Campaigns and communication officer, Ali Sabo identified corruption in the form of bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, cronyism, fraud as major consequences to economic, political and social under development.
He therefore maintained that, transparency as the practice of openly and clearly sharing information about actions, policies and processes within an organization or government involves making data, rules, and procedures accessible to the public.
Alhaji Sabo then stressed that, accountability is crucial to reducing corruption through effective institution and engagement of citizens as well as efforts aimed strengthening anti-corruption systems.
He highlighted that on “Some of the tools for monitoring and ensuring transparency in government projects includes open Treasury portal, tracker, NEITI, FOI ACT, ICPC, and E-GMP among others”.
While other papers presented include Role of Young People in Promoting Accountability by CITAD M&E officer, John Otaro, whistleblowing and Protection for Whistleblowers by Senior Program Officer CITAD, Isah Garba and Social Media and Digital Tools for Corruption by the Innovation and Creativity Officer, Abdurrahman Abdurrahman.
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However some of the participants who were interviewed,commended the CITAD, for educated , enlighten as well equiped them with necessary digital training,which will pave the way for them to contribute their quota towards enhancement of the society
They therefore promised to utilize the huge experience gained during the training by extended them to their fellow people in their respective communities