...Launch N700,000 To Be Competed For By Residents Suggesting Additional Sources Of Revenue Generation
By Joseph Edegbo
Worried by the debt profile of the Seven Northwest States which stands at N1.2 trillion compared to people’s expectations of related development, some CSOs have created some avenues where citizens could discuss and be informed of Who, Why, When and for What the debts were collected as well as giving them the opportunity to air their views.
The CSOs, AID Foundation in partnership with CISLAC and support from Christian AID created the avenues so that citizens are informed and also have the opportunity to air their views on the disturbing debt profile.
To this end, the Executive Director, AID Foundation, Mr. Emmanuel Bonet on Monday in Kaduna, flagged off a competition under the “Northwest Debt Justice Campaign” launched in Dec 2023 during which the States converged on Kaduna to validate their respective debt profile.
The competition is aimed at eliciting views of residents of the Seven States , Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa and Kaduna in diverse ways in which they think their State governments could source funds that would be used for development.
A “token” sum of N700,000 is to be contested for and won by residents of the Northwest.
“‘Each contestant will either record a video or audio of not more than 2 minutes or write an essay of not more than 200 words outlining their suggestions of what they think their State governments should do to generate additional sources of revenue for developing their States.
“The competition is open to all from ages 18 and they should be residents of the States they are providing solutions for..
“Criteria such as adherence to the rules of time, words and hashtags, and also the quality of input or suggestions would be consideration.
“All entries should be sent to @aidfoundation on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and tagging @CAID_Nigeria and @sislacnigeria with the hastag #NWDebtSolutions “.
Mr Bonet said the CSOs strongly believe that for Nigeria to move progressively, governments should explore other sources of funding while improving the areas of inclusion, transparency, accountability and public finance management.
The Executive Director urges everyone to join the discussions that have now moved online as well as participate in the radio programs currently ongoing in the zone .
