To deepen fiscal transparency and improve governance at subnational levels, the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) has partnered with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in areas of fiscal transparency and accountability.
As a strategic institution, the NGF exists to promote collaborative development and ensure excellence in governance at sub-national levels; hence the courtesy call was inspired to seek ways both organizations can work together to improve governance at state and local government levels.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Center, Umar Yakubu commended the NGF’s efforts in forging collaboration that promotes good governance among state governments through its activities.
Given the shared vision of both organizations and the Center’s current drive to promote transparency and accountability at subnational levels, Umar said that partnering with the NGF would be critical in awakening citizens’ consciousness of the need to hold leaders accountable.
Citing the performance of Local Government Areas (LGA) from the preliminary reports of the Center’s Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) due for presentation, Umar noted that advocacy should be intensified to mobilize citizens to ask relevant questions about how resources are utilized.
Umar also sought collaboration with the Forum to promote conversations and advocacies to counter organized crime in society. He said that the Center’s Countering Organized Crime Program explores and adopts effective strategies in tackling organized crime, a menace that continues to threaten global stability, security and the rule of law.
Welcoming the Center to the Forum, the Director General of the NGF, Asishana Okauru, Esq, commended the Center for developing what he described as a “robust database” on measures to promote transparency and fight corruption in the public sector.
Okauru said the NGF looked forward to structuring its partnership with the Center towards improving governance at subnational levels.