By Nwajiobi Ijeoma 9news Nigeria, Nnewi
No fewer than 50 selected youths from all local government areas of Anambra State have commenced training to monitor and document over 100 public infrastructure projects across the state under a youth-led accountability initiative aimed at strengthening transparency, citizen participation and good governance.
The initiative, known as the Anambra Youth Accountability Hub (AYAH), is being implemented by the Creative Minds Center for Youth and Community Development (CM-CYCD), with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF).
Addressing the selected Accountability Fellows in Awka, Executive Director of CM-CYCD and Project Lead of AYAH, Ugochi Freeman disclosed that the training covered public budget tracking, procurement and infrastructure monitoring, Freedom of Information Act, data collection, documentation, verification and evidence-based advocacy.
She however noted that the project was not designed to confront government or embarrass public officials but to promote constructive engagement based on credible information.
She said, “The initiative is founded on the belief that young people should not be regarded merely as leaders of tomorrow but as active citizens and accountability champions capable of influencing governance today.
“Equipping young people with the right skills and opportunities for meaningful participation could improve public service delivery and strengthen institutions.
“The six-month training is expected to
build the capacity of 50 fellows across the three senatorial zones in the state to monitor, track and document at least 100 public infrastructure projects as well as demand accountability through evidence-based engagement.
“Accountability is not about fighting government or embarrassing public officials. It is about asking right questions, seeking accurate information, identifying gaps, presenting credible evidence, and engaging constructively with relevant authorities to encourage improvements.”
Freeman advised the fellows to insist on evidence than rumours, dialogue as against unnecessary confrontation, while upholding integrity, impartiality, respect, inclusion and confidentiality in carrying out their assignments.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Chukwukadibia Okoye, while providing government’s perspective, described citizen participation as critical to ensuring public resources addressed the actual needs of communities.
Okoye, represented by Rev. Dr Jude Nwadavid said the Ministry was responsible for planning public priorities, allocating scarce resources and coordinating development programmes with development partners to ensure government interventions produced measurable benefits.
“Policy design and resource allocation are only half of the equation. True accountability happens when citizens, especially the youth, have the capacity, tools, and courage to track implementation, evaluate results, and ask the right questions,” he said.
According to the Commissioner, the state’s development blueprint, anchored on the Anambra Vision and annual budgets, draws from citizens’ needs, available data and the state’s medium-term development plan.
“Government practices participatory and evidence-based budgeting, prioritising sectors such as health, education, infrastructure and youth empowerment in alignment with the state’s long-term Vision 2070,” he noted.
While highlighting relationship between public budgeting, development planning, citizen participation and accountability, Okoye noted that government resources could only deliver meaningful benefits when citizens were involved in monitoring their utilisation.
“Public budgeting without proper development planning is wasteful. Development planning without citizen participation is blind. And citizen participation without accountability is fruitless,” he stated.
Describing the fellows as future budget champions, development monitors and accountability ambassadors, the Commissioner assured open engagement with young people interested in understanding and contributing to the governance process.
Also speaking, Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Anambra State, Mr Dio Emmanuel described integrity and accountability as essential foundations of good governance.
Dio, represented by Superintendent Sanni Ohiare Samson said corruption thrived where integrity was weak and accountability absent, stressing that young people had an important role to play in preventing corruption and promoting transparency.
“As young people, you are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are partners in the fight against corruption today,” he said.
The ICPC representative explained that the commission’s mandate covered enforcement, prevention and public enlightenment, noting that the fight against corruption required the active involvement of citizens and community stakeholders.
He charged the fellows to uphold personal integrity, demonstrate accountability in their daily activities and challenge corrupt practices through lawful means.
“Challenge corrupt practices through lawful, civil and constructive engagement, not through violence or defamation,” he advised.
Dio further assured the fellows of the commission’s support and partnership, encouraging them to promote transparency, monitor public projects and ask relevant questions responsibly.
State Directory, Project Evaluation, Monitoring and Supervision Unit (PEMSU), Prof. Ebuka Nwankwo said the group’s vision is to ensure every government project in the delivered its intended benefit to the people.
“Our Mission is to track, assess, evaluate, and now supervise public projects to ensure quality, value for money, and timely delivery. We cannot do this alone,” he added.
While the fellows pledged their commitment to the objectives of the project, AYAH promised to provide them with practical opportunities to examine the nexus between government budgeting, project execution and service delivery at the community level.
