SERAP sets up the club for students to actively participate in the fight against corruption and contribute to a rule of law-based society.
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A human rights and advocacy organisation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) recently organised its campus Interactive Session Tagged: ‘Stand up Against Corruption’ and inaugurated SERAP ACCOUNTABILITY CLUB in various tertiary institutions in the country to join in the corruption fight.
The interactive session which was held at Radisson Hotels in Lagos involved specifically students nominated from various tertiary institutions across the country. SERAP organized the event in collaboration with the Luminate Foundation.
The interactive session was aimed at promoting the inclusion of students and student bodies in accountability processes and creating awareness among students on procedures/ strategies for activating accountability mechanisms, contributing to the fight against corruption, improving transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, and respect for human rights.
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According to SERAP, the ultimate aim of the interactive session is to foster a network for advocacy, information sharing and capacity building whilst mobilising and engaging Nigerian citizens, particularly students of tertiary institutions across the country in promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria, particularly in monitoring the execution of government and constituency projects.
During the interactive session, students invited from some selected tertiary institutions across the country suggested different ways and channels to mobilize Nigerians in the fight against corruption.
They brainstormed on ways and manners to fight corruption within their 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.
Some of the measures suggested at the interactive session that the SAC should adopt include monitoring the execution of government and Constituency projects within their universities and localities; direct approach to contractors handling such projects on the need for quality work; creating awareness to citizens to know and demand their constitutional rights to social goods and services such as portable water, education and health services.
Other suggested measures include peaceful protest, a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate suspected embezzlement/ diversion of funds meant for projects and poor execution of quality projects.
After the interactive session, some student representatives from the invited tertiary institutions were called out and inaugurated under the auspices of SERAP ACCOUNTABILITY CLUB (SAC) to carry out the assignment for mobilising students in their institution in the fight against corruption.
In meeting the prevailing need for effective public involvement and participation in promoting transparency and accountability in the use of public resources.
SERAP set up the SERAP Accountability Club (hereinafter referred to as “SAC” or “Club”) to encourage young Nigerians, particularly students to actively participate in the fight against corruption and contribute to the effort to promote a rule of law-based society.
SAC is a coalition of volunteers including students across tertiary institutions in Nigeria, working together to promote transparency and accountability in government as well as effective delivery of essential public goods and services in Nigeria.
The goal of SERAP’s Accountability Club (SAC) is to be a national, unified voice and network for advocacy, information sharing and capacity building whilst mobilising and engaging Nigerian citizens, particularly students of tertiary institutions across the country in promoting transparency and
accountability.
As a transparency, accountability, and socio-economic rights-oriented network, SAC is committed to promoting and advancing transparency and accountability among its members, as well as encouraging the government to improve the effective delivery of public goods and services like water, health and education.
Importantly, SAC is a platform to facilitate dialogue among key stakeholders to improve and strengthen transparency and accountability in tertiary institutions, and promote the use of accountability processes, procedures and mechanisms by students.
To achieve the expectations set above, SERAP developed a policy framework to guide the operations of SAC and how individual members are expected to act in a manner consistent with the standard procedures of the Club. The policy guidelines aim to assist members of the Club to put into practice the obligations and principles.
