The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) Monday renewed its advocacy against corruption and promotion of accountability in the country at a One Day Interactive Session and Citizens Campaign tagged: “Stand up for Human Rights” held in Abuja.
This is coming three years after SERAP established the SERAP Accountability Club (SAC), an initiative of SERAP in 2021.
The annual event aims at raising the banner in the fight against corruption within universities and localities to promote the rule of law, transparency and accountability in the system, especially the execution of projects and social goods and services meant for the citizens.
At the well-attended event, participants drawn from the University of Abuja, University of Jos, University of Ilorin, Imo state University, Enugu state University and Bayero University among others brainstormed on ways to improve transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, and respect for human rights.
The hallmark of the event was the presentation of prizes to winners of its national essay and debate competition.
Speaking at the event, SAC Coordinator/Program Officer, Folashade Arigbabu, said SERAP will continue to empower young Nigerians across the country to enhance effective advocacy, knowledge and support to be able to engage meaningfully on issues that borders on human rights, freedom of expression and participation in governance.
She added: “There is a structure to it and we nominate about 10 participants three times yearly. It is designed in such a way that a feedback medium is also created to monitor them and aid the ripple effect of their activities.”
Also making a remarks, SERAP legal adviser, Andrew Nwankwo noted that democracy entails asking questions, making questions and holding government accountable, which according to him can only be sustainable by training the next generation by teaching them on how to use the Freedom of Information Act (FoI) to get certain information that citizens are entitled to.
Two of the participants, Dakup Jongcha Fredrick and Ibiloye Simbiat Ibilola from the University of Jos and Bayero University Kano respectively promised to replicate what they learnt and also step it down in their various campuses to further propagate the SERAP ideas.
