“Change is brought about by people like us! We all have a voice and what matters is how we use it and that we do use it .”

Aisha Oyebode

(CEO, Murtala Muhammed Foundation)

Dear Active Citizen,

Our team has been busy bees lately buzzing around from one local government area (LGA) to another in the mission to establish Citizen Help Desks. This week alone we toured Obi LGA, Nasarawa Eggon LGA, Lafia LGA, Akwanga LGA, Keffi, and Karu LGA in Nasarawa State!

At each stop, the conversations with LGA officials are always enlightening. On one hand, they speak passionately about bringing meaningful change straight to citizens through localized governance. "We know our people's needs best," one executive commented. On the other hand, they express the fiscal limitations hindering their capacities. "How can we implement projects without adequate funding and autonomy?" a local official asked.

It's a complex balancing act trying to drive grassroots growth when budget constraints from above are a harsh reality. And yet, the enthusiasm for the Citizen Help Desks we propose is palpable despite the challenges. With these direct links between local governments and citizens, issues can be tackled quickly. Leaders can communicate about resources. Questions can be answered.

"If we're able to set these up, just think of the trust we'll build," an LGA secretary remarked. "For too long there's been a gap between governments and the governed. It's time to bridge that gap."

We couldn't agree more! And so the journey continues… Government functions best when it listens to its people. We applaud the commitment to bringing governance down to the grassroots, even in trying fiscal climates. Let's keep nurturing local change!

As we continue on our journey to set up these help desks, visit mylg.ng. This website shares details on providing local feedback and resources for local governance.

A Decade On, Chibok Girls Still Held Captive!

April 14^th will mark 10 years since 276 schoolgirls were violently ripped from their dormitories at the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Nigeria by Boko Haram terrorists. Over 100 of these young girls remain unaccounted for after a decade in captivity.

Even more tragic, this seminal tragedy has not prevented similar atrocities. Just last month, there were approximately 245 reported kidnapping cases, underlining the persisting threats endangering access to education. As we rapidly approach this tragic 10-year milestone, we call upon the Tinubu administration to take immediate and concrete action to bring back our remaining girls. A decade in captivity is 10 years too many.

Bring back our girls - now and without delay!

Opportunities

The Global Citizen Scholarship is a fully virtual scholarship program that empowers young African change-makers to address one or more of the SDGs in their community.

Apply here.

Stay safe this weekend.
The EiE Nigeria Team.

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