In a bid to raise awareness on the level of compliance by Nigerian government on the implementation of African Union Instruments, the media and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has ended a one day Roundtable on the monitoring and compliance level with African Union Instrument in Nigeria.
The event which took place in Port Harcourt drew the attention of the media and the civil society organizations on the poor performance of government after signing to some of the Instruments and their refusal to domesticate it.
In his presentation, the resource person Mr. Okeke Anya speaking on the topic: Nigeria, Media and Compliance with All Instrument (2015 Compliance Report) regretted how the Nigerian government over the years has neglected, refused and has not complied with charter they have earlier signed to.
He stated that part of the discussion centred on sensitization and broader perspective on the way about African Union and the role of citizens to ensure ratification and domestication of the treaties by government as they have signed unto over 50 instruments, some of which are legal instruments.
Some of the Instruments includes African charter on Human and People’s Right in Africa, which are universally acceptable Rights, Africa Charter on Democracy Election and Government.
The Treaty establishing the African Economic Committee, African Union convention on preventing and combating corruption; African Youth Charter (2006) and African Health Strategy among others.
Mr. Anya maintained that the key among the AU Instrument is African Charter on Democracy and governance, which include but not limited to participatory democracy, in Africa, holding of credible elections, separation of powers, gender equality and removal of impunity.
In the presentation of Group Work by Media/C80, some of the following suggestions were highlighted, to identify strategies to promote African Union Instruments. These are promoting of Bill for implementation of the charter by lobbing on the domestication, to interface with our policy makers, strengthening the capacity of our policy makers on the African Charter, Media Engagement, Town Hall Meeting, Name and Blame Strategy, Advocacy Brief and Canvassing for All Instrument in our Educational Curriculum, etc.
In an interview with journalists shortly after the event, the programme officer of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Mr. Austin Erameh, explained that the Roundtable was organized so that citizens can question their government on the level of compliance of the All Instrument, especially on critical sector like Agriculture, Health, Child Rights amongst others because they use tax payers money in the process of meetings and signing the various instruments.
Mr. Erameh expressed hope that the media and CSO who attended the programme will be well equipped to muster courage to challenge governments who fail to implement the instruments noting that it’s aim is to sensitized and empower participants.###
Pius Dukor
