SERAP launches Accountability Club to encourage students’ participation in the fight against corruption
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has launched Accountability Club to “mobilize and encourage Nigerians particularly students of tertiary institutions to participate in the promotion of transparency and accountability and the fight against corruption in Nigeria.”
The SERAP Accountability Club (SAC), was inaugurated today in collaboration with Luminate Foundation. The SAC aims to “promote the inclusion of students and student bodies in accountability processes and awareness among students on procedures for activating accountability mechanisms to contribute to the fight against corruption and to improve transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, and respect for human rights.”
Femi Falana SAN who gave the Keynote Address at the event which took at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja Lagos encouraged the students to “be more engaged and better-informed citizens to play critical roles and participate in the efforts to transparency and accountability and improve respect for human rights and the rule of law in the country.”
Toyin Akinniyi, Associate, Luminate said: “I would like to commend SERAP for this initiative. I believe SERAP Accountability Club will raise awareness about how students of tertiary institutions can contribute to improve Transparency and Accountability in the management of public resources.”
According to SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare: “Through SAC, students will be able to identify the issues that they are most passionate about, and to engage in activism campaign on issues of transparency, accountability and human rights, including socio-economic rights. The aim is to enhance young people’s participation in these important areas of constitutional and international human rights.”
The statement, read in part: “Corruption affects the ability of government at all levels—federal, state and local governments–to allocate resources and to make decisions based solely on the interest of the majority of the population. Ultimately, it deprives government and public institutions of the financial resources to fulfill their obligations.”
“SAC provides students with a platform to voice their concerns about corruption, which is a problem that plagues most aspects of governance in the country. Corruption is a pervasive problem that touches and taints nearly all aspects of our private and public lives, including in schools.”
“Promoting transparency and accountability, and ending impunity are the keys to combating this problem. Doing so should involve the participation of students, who are critical stakeholders to push public and private authorities to implement the necessary changes and reforms that would improve socio-economic development, human rights and the rule of law in the country.”
“These efforts will enable and drive coalition-building that will hopefully and eventually create the environment that will overcome public and private sectors corruption.”
“Education is central to preventing corruption. Even clear laws and regulations and well-designed institutions will not be able to prevent corruption, unless citizens actively demand accountability from government and institutions. The attitudes and expectations of citizens are crucial in building a responsive public administration.”
“Students have potential to put the country on the road to development by contributing to the fight against the menace of corruption. Corruption in Nigeria can be more satisfactorily prevented and combated through the active support and participation of students.”
“Students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria can become members of SERAP Accountability Club by subscribing to the membership form on SERAP’s website.