Canada, CODE Renew Partnership to Galvanize Mass Action Against Gender-Based Violence

Communications November 11, 2021 3

With its unique approach of training and empowering gender advocates, Nigeria’s leading civil society organization, Connected Development (CODE) is taking peculiar steps towards eradicating gender-based violence in northern Nigeria, focusing on Kano State. 

On November 9, the organization announced the launch of the second phase of its Galvanizing Mass Action Against Gender-Based Violence in Kano (GMAA-K) campaign, highlighting its target to develop a multi-year Kano State Action Plan to end all forms of gender-based violence as well as drive the adoption and integration of the Violence against person prohibition (VAPP) Act and the Child’s Right Act.

The GMAA-K campaign which is supported by the Canadian High Commission is a direct response to the menace of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) that is common practice in many states across Nigeria. Currently, Nigeria has the third highest rates of SGBV in the world, with data showing that at least 30 percent of women and girls aged between 15 and 49 have experienced one or multiple forms of sexual abuse. 

These numbers are a representation of deep-rooted gender discrimination and a notorious culture of impunity – where access to justice and support remains a challenge for victims and perpetrators often walk free. The challenge is further heightened by a lack of laws and policies to protect the most vulnerable and punish convicted offenders. 

While speaking on the organization’s approach of extirpating SGBV, Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive of CODE revealed that during the course of the first phase of the project, the Kano State government opted to harmonize the VAPP Act provisions into the Penal Code Law.

“For the first quarter of this year, we worked towards the adoption of the Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in Kano and recorded success as the government opted to harmonize/incorporate the VAPP Act provisions into the Penal Code Law, in order to reconcile provisions and have a single comprehensive law that addresses SGBV; the legal document is pending validation and enactment by the Kano state House of Assembly.”

He further stated that the new phase of the project will propel the validation exercise of the VAPP and Penal Code Law and equally work towards enhancing women’s rights. 

Acting Canadian High Commissioner, Kevin Tokaron and CODE’s Chief Executive, Hamzat Lawal, signing the partnership contract

On his part, the Acting Canadian High Commissioner, Kevin Tokaron, submitted that SGBV is a crisis in Nigeria that must be condemned, stating that this campaign is both timely and necessary. 

“It’s a crisis in Nigeria that we must condemn and work together to eliminate. For the past few years, we’ve seen a number of states in Nigeria pass and start to implement the VAPP Act which has given us hope but not all states have achieved this important milestone and much more work is needed, which is where our partnership with CODE comes into play. With Canada’s support, CODE will continue to galvanize mass action against SGBV in Kano State by ensuring the passage of the VAPP and Child’s Rights Act.”

Speaking on the health implication of SGBV and emphasizing the need for education, Dr Halimah Nuhu Sanda, who was also present at the press conference held at Bassan Plaza, Central Area, said that SGBV must also be viewed as a public health issue because many victims are left traumatized after being abused and not enough support is provided for them. 

“SGBV is often regarded as a human rights violation which is correct but it should also be viewed as a mental health issue because victims are often left traumatized after sexual violence and it affects their mental state. When no mental health support is provided to victims, we harbour a mentally oppressed society, she concluded.”

Dear Alfred: Now That You’re An Angel In Heaven, Keep Watching Over Us

Hamzat Lawal November 8, 2021 0

by Hamzat Lawal

I have been asked, many times, what  makes Connected Development (CODE) and Follow The Money (FTM) thrive so well. My answer has never been ambivalent; People. At the centre of our work, are the passionate people who drive the campaigns, coupled with the digital space. Simply put, the marriage of technology and people birthed the revolution and success of FollowTheMoney and CODE, I just happened to be in the middle of the dynamics.

Now that our mission has expanded beyond the shores of Nigeria, it is easy to see the fundamental role played by digital technologies in harnessing the vast potentials of young people across the world, as they commit their talents towards advancing their communities by holding governments to account. Hence, our line of work at CODE requires painstaking analysis and cross-border innovations. The ever-evolving social media space and highly volatile multimedia models are our allies. We depend on them to keep marching forward.

Hamzat Lawal and Alfred Oji

However, we rely more on key human talents to coordinate these efforts. These skilled humans of CODE, navigate through the morass of progress reports and present them in a way that portray development details and resonate with our teeming volunteers, partners and wider public. This is why our social media posts and monthly newsletters have never failed to evoke the tenacity of our vision and the gravity of our projects, in Africa and beyond.

It is therefore instructive to note that someone was behind the curtain, on the keyboards, pushing out our labors in words and pictures. A young man whose heart burnt with an unquenchable fire for societal change, followed us day and night, as we “Follow The Money”, so that the world could keep tabs on what we were doing at every turn of the road. A man who was creative, clear and concise in all our communication materials. A man who made it possible for CODE to maintain a resounding presence in the digital space, where it all began. 

Dear partners, supporters, friends and citizens, with extreme sadness, I announce that the gentle man who manned our online presence, Alfred Anicho Oji, CODE’s digital media officer, passed away on Friday, 22nd October, 2021. This came as a rude shock to all of us at CODE.

Alfred was dedicated and committed to the work of advocating for improved public services in Nigeria, Africa and beyond. He was someone who, in every way possible, embodied CODE’s values and principles of justice, social accountability and empowering marginalized grassroots people. He was a committed development worker who held together our social media assets and consistently grew CODE and FTM’s online community simultaneously – showcasing our work and impact to local and international audiences.

Alfred was good-humored, friendly and, simply, a warm person to be around. His death was unimaginable and we will miss him sorely. We mourn this egregious loss of a fellow comrade in the fight for human rights and a fair world.

On a personal note, I can say that Alfred was not just a staff of CODE; he was a remarkable colleague, a trusted fellow and a perfect gentleman. He was dedicated to his job, and friendly to everyone. He was supportive, and vividly carried the vision of CODE. Indeed, I have lost a comrade in the struggle.

Alfred lived a full life. He gave himself completely to the cause he believed in. Thinking back now, it was as if he was in a hurry to finish his assignment before leaving. He was a hard worker. This was evident in his work etiquette. We saw that whenever the CODE team was on a field trip; he followed us virtually – in order to get the best stories for our digital platforms. In fact, his professional tenacity inspired everyone to be more productive.

Certainly, even to the last hour, there was a sense of urgency in his push for excellence and delivery. I remember that a day before he passed, Alfred shared his thoughts on the EndSARS protests anniversary. My personal photographer, Jide Ojediran, made the video. Jide said that he had wanted to make the recording the next Monday, but Alfred insisted that the video be made that Thursday. He was gone the next day. Thankfully, we now have Alfred’s three-minute perspective on police brutality in Nigeria. Obviously, here was a man that wanted to change the world, and make it a better place, with the little time he had.

He was a calm, content man who hardly got angry. For Alfred, CODE was a family. He recently brought his fiancée whom he was just about to wed to the office; apparently to introduce her to his second home. I remember the warm moments I had with the promising couple. My heart now bleeds at the pain his fiancée is presently going through at losing such a wonderful soulmate.

I remember when we traveled to Osun for our colleague, Busayo Morankinyo’s traditional and white wedding, and how we played, joked and made fun of life. Alfred insisted he became my “orderly” for the occasion – opening doors for me, and calling me “Boss”. I never knew it was the last CODE-play to feature our indefatigable brotherly comrade, Alfred. Oh, what a life!

That fateful Friday was the darkest of days for me, when I received a call that Alfred was no more. Even more painful, when I was told that as the CEO, I was the one to make the call to his family. It was one of the toughest moments of my human existence. I had yet to adjust to the shock, and was told that I was to be the bearer of the same bad news.

In all, I am profoundly encouraged to have worked with a young man like Alfred. He embodied what the quintessential Nigerian youth should be: Hope for a New Nigeria, dedication to work, family and colleagues. The phrase “fierce dedication to what is right” defines the way Alfred lived his life. And I am proud that I was part of that short but glorious sojourn.

He certainly made the world a better place. And his memory means a lot to CODE. Although his physical presence is gone, the lessons he taught us will strengthen our lives and our digital space for many years to come.

Alfred, with your death, I have learnt more lessons about life. Our time here on earth is brief and what always counts and matters is how we lived – the lives we touched and the difference we made in our society. You were very brilliant and very selfless. You believed so much in Nigeria and your work is evident of how much good you wished for our dear country, and how much better you would have made her, if you had the time. Like our heroes’ past, may your death not be in vain. I will miss your tenacious dedication to service. Till we meet again, Adieu, my friend and brother!

Hamzat Lawal is an activist and leads various grassroots campaigns across Africa. He is the Founder of Connected Development [CODE] and Follow The Money. 

CODE Mourns the Passing of its Dearest Colleague

Communications November 2, 2021 2

It is with immeasurable grief that we share the news of the demise of our dearest colleague and exceptional Digital Media Officer, Alfred Anicho Oji.

“If you have followed our social media posts and monthly newsletters, you can tell Alfred was dedicated and committed to the work of advocating for improved public services in Nigeria, Africa and beyond. He was someone who, in every way possible, embodied CODE’s values and principles of justice, social accountability and empowering marginalised grassroots people”.

Alfred was good-humoured, friendly and simply a warm person to be around. His death is a shock to us all and we will miss him sorely.

“Alfred was a committed development worker who held together our social media assets and consistently grew CODE and FTM’s online community simultaneously – showcasing our work and impact to local and international audiences”. 

In remembrance of him, we will coordinate a physical and virtual gathering to share memories and stories of Alfred, but more importantly, to collectively grieve the loss of a fellow comrade in the fight for human rights and a fair world.

We ask that you please remember his family and loved ones in your prayers in this difficult time.

Hamzat B. Lawal 

Founder, CODE & Follow The Money

Adamawa State Lawmaker Becomes CODE’s Education Ambassador

Communications September 1, 2021 7

Kate Mamuno, Honourable member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly representing Demsa constituency, has been decorated as Connected Development (CODE)’s education ambassador following her expressed commitment to promoting gender equality and girl-child education in the State. 

The honourable member who is also the Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development/ Finance, Appropriation and Budget, vowed to the cause during an official meeting with delegates from CODE, led by the Chief Executive and Malala Fund Education Champion, Hamzat Lawal, on August 24, at the Adamawa State House of Assembly. 

Commending her dedication to social development, Lawal in an introductory statement, acknowledged Mamuno for being a role model and a team player in advancing the rights of women and girls to education and a better life. 

In crowning her efforts and rewarding her reiterated commitment, Lawal, assisted by the project lead, Zaliha Lawal, honoured Mamuno with a sash indicating the dawn of her ambassadorship and a newly forged path towards improving the state of education in the North-East, focusing on Adamawa State.

During the peak of COVID-19, CODE conducted a study on the impact of the pandemic on Girl-child Education in the North-East and found a high prevalence of early girl-child marriage and out-of-school children in Adamawa state. This propelled the organization’s strategy and intervention towards developing the state of education as well as initiating policy to increase school re-enrollment, especially for the girl-child in the State. 

Plugging into the grind, Honourable Mamuno voiced her eagerness to serve and beckoned on the organization to not relent in ensuring every child is educated, adding that she would need all the help she can to develop an adoptable Child Rights Bill that guarantees the safety of the girl-child.

Notably, Mamuno, was instrumental to the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in Adamawa, imprinting her commitment towards working to eradicate violence against women and children. In her new role as CODE’s ambassador, she looks to not only stop violence against women and girls but also ensure they are well-educated and are empowered to thrive in the society. 

CODE is a Non-Governmental Organization, on a mission to improve citizen’s access to credible information and empower local communities in Africa. It achieves this by amplifying their voices and building their capacity to hold their government accountable.

Its Follow The Money initiative advocates and tracks government/international aid spending in health, WASH, and education across grassroots rural communities to ensure and promote open government and service delivery. Since 2012, CODE has tracked an estimate of USD 307.6 million (in budgeted sums for projects) across 257 communities in Nigeria, improving over 4.8 million rural lives.

Leadership by example: Periscope of a grassroots campaigner

Hamzat Lawal September 1, 2021 5

Defining leadership in the 21st century is easy but can also be conceptually complex. In this digital era, as the world shifts to espouse a digital economy, the characteristics of leadership have transitioned from controlling, directing and organizing to influence, but not just simply – It has now become expedient for today’s leaders to operate beyond management and become an embodiment of a unique vision that is implanted in their followers or team members in order to achieve a goal or a greater good.

Growing up, we read about leaders like Julius Caesar, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandella, who led their people to victory in either war or non-violent protests. In fact, history records their feat as the utmost symbol of leadership. But as society evolves, a new crop of leaders are emerging and their legacy isn’t being built on just their ability to stand or speak against oppression or injustice but in creating institutions and influencing a generation of people to improve society. 

Leadership is no longer about occupying an executive office, a true leader is one who deposits or brings to life the leadership capacity in every individual he meets (even virtually).

A young activist that clearly exudes these progressive qualities of leadership is Hamzat Lawal. He founded Connected Development (CODE), from a place of distress and discomfort for injustices happening to marginalised people in remote communities. Through CODE, Lawal has led advocacies and government’s actions towards providing timely intervention to these deprived communities in the areas of healthcare provision to reduce needless deaths and maternal mortality; education infrastructure to ensure more children in these regions are able to learn and have access to future opportunities; provision of water and sanitation services.

As CODE intensified its work in rebuilding society, Lawal developed a unique socio-digital accountability initiative called Follow The Money(FTM). Through FTM, over eight thousand young Africans tagged community champions have been empowered to demand and drive accountability and transparency in governance in hundreds of communities across the continent.

With FTM, Lawal kindled young social activists across Nigeria and Africa to become active citizens who are invested in good governance and accountability in order to ensure public money is used for public good. 

In 2020 alone, despite the COVID pandemic, these ‘new-born’ activists visited over 250 communities, inspected and monitored the implementation of projects, created online and offline campaigns to demand better from the government and impacted over four million lives. 

By influencing a new generation of activists who are demanding better from governments in Africa and impacting lives of people living in the most marginalized communities, Lawal is demonstrating qualities of a Global Citizen – which in today’s context is the prime definition of leadership.

With a mission to build a movement of 100 million people to end extreme poverty by 2030, Global Citizen is developing a community of leaders like Lawal, who can use their voices and work to address deep-rooted causes and combat systemic poverty across the globe.

To achieve its mission in Africa, the organization recently launched its 2021 fellowship program powered by pop star Beyoncé Knowles (BeyGood) and funded by top American filmmaker Tyler Perry. The program is set to empower 15 Africans, including five Nigerians with network and resources to become global leaders.

As part of fulfilling its objectives, Global Citizen selected eight individuals to serve as advisory council board members, all providing support for fellows and the fellowship program.

Lawal, widely known as the anti-corruption activist, was selected to work as an adviser in the area of citizenship. The year-long program will provide the opportunity for Lawal to once again partake in the moulding of young future leaders.

His role will include spearheading special projects and providing mentorship and guidance for fellows. He will work alongside other influential African youth leaders such as: Aisha Yesufu, Bonang Matheba, Charmaine Houvet and Nozipho Tshabalala, to mention only a few. 

As the progenitor of socio-digital accountability in Nigeria gears up to impact the lives of young, global leaders, his contributions towards fostering transparency in governance has earned him recognition as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in Nigeria for the year 2021. 

Organized by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) the award features change-makers from various sectors who have not only excelled in the work and created positive impact, but also blazed the trail for socially responsible leaders all around the world. 

Lawal will be getting awarded for his strides in the political, legal and government sphere. Beyond fruitful legacies, notable awards and recognitions, the path of the grassroot campaigner and activist shines forth as a beacon for all those who desire a better-developed continent and works toward creating the change they so desire. 

In the words of John Maxwell, “the growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.”

Advocating Effective Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Services in Niger, Delta and Taraba

Communications August 9, 2021 5

Focusing on the E-WASH program broader objectives of “strengthening policy, institutional, and regulatory frameworks for improved WASH services; and building a national and state WASH advocacy, coordination, and communications for reform,” The Effective Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (E-WASH ) program is a one year (1) program funded by the United States Agency for International Development with the goal of Improving Nigeria-Urban WASH Service Delivery.

The USAID E-WASH program sought to “support civic advocacy and WASH stakeholder engagement, coordinate with government and other WASH service providers (including private sector) to improve urban WASH service delivery.” Similarly, the project mobilised all relevant stakeholders at the state level on E-WASH service delivery and created platforms for engagement between the government and civil society. As such, focusing on Niger, Delta, and Taraba States, CODE leveraged on its citizen mobilization and multidimensional engagement expertise, resources, and strategies; presence and network in the aforementioned states. It also leveraged WASH accountability capacity; as well as its social accountability innovation, Follow The Money, to broaden collaborations between relevant government agencies, State Water Boards (SWB), lawmakers, community-based associations/organizations (CBA/O), Water Consumer Associations, Media and the general public to expand and improve urban water service delivery.

This report provides key activities undertaken as well as the outputs and foreseeable outcomes from them. In the months, CODE visited three (3) states- Niger, Taraba, and Delta States.

Download the Close Out Report and view successes recorded during the project implementation phase.

Strengthening State Capacities & Women’s Participation

Communications August 4, 2021 0

The ‘Strengthening State Capacities and Women’s Participation in Covid19 Response and Broader Peacebuilding Initiatives’ a campaign funded by UN Women in collaboration with
the British High Commission, had the goal of enhancing Women’s leadership and participation in decision making in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project sought to advance women’s meaningful participation in the COVID-19 response and beyond in Kaduna state.

Through implementing coherent, comprehensible and multi-dimensional civic engagement, Connected Development [CODE] leveraged on its citizen mobilization and multidimensional engagement expertise, resources and strategies; presence and network in Kaduna states to broaden collaborations between relevant government agencies, enhance the capacities of 45 women, girls and men in the development of a checklist and tracker that served as a tool for monitoring and tracking government’s response and recovery decisions from a gender perspective. 18 out of these groups we trained using the checklist and monitored the Kaduna State Government’s COVID-19 response, actions and policies, across 5 local government areas in Kaduna state.

Click to read full project report

Strengthening-State-Capacities-Womens-Participation-1

Amplifying Voices for an Effective Auditable Financial System

Communications August 4, 2021 3

The fight against corruption and illicit financial flow plays an indispensable role in ensuring state security, wealth redistribution, economic prosperity, realization of socio-economic rights and sustainable development. Corruption endangers unimpeded functioning of the public sector, weakens public trust and as such citizens must take this fight as an obligation for a better Nigeria. The Malabu Scandal is adjudged to be one of Africa’s most controversial and corrupt oil deals. It has been 23 years (1998) since the illegal award of the OPL 245 and 9 years (2011) since the deal was consummated for about $1.1b.

Connected Development [CODE] in partnership with OXFAM Novib, galvanized Nigerian citizens against corruption by amplifying the putrid details, investigative reports and developments of the Malabu “OPL 245” Scandal – effectively calling on the federal government and key anti-corruption agencies to properly investigate and accelerate their prosecution of the actors indicted in the scandal which robbed Nigerians of $1.1 billion – through a series of strategic advocacy campaigns and activities designed to achieve the project goals notwithstanding the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Click to read the project report

Amplifying-Voices-Auditable-Financial-System

Beyonce’s Global Citizens Fellowship Appoints Hamzat Lawal to Advisory Council

Communications July 28, 2021 2

BeyGOOD Global Citizens Fellowship has appointed leading social accountability activist and one of Africa’s most influential leaders in youth development, Hamzat Lawal, on the advisory council for the 2021 Global Citizen Fellowship Program. 

The Global Citizen Fellowship Program, powered by the world renowned singer, Beyoncé Knowles Carter’s Charity, BeyGOOD, and financially supported by award-winning American actor and filmmaker, Tyler Perry, is an initiative aimed at unearthing the remarkable potential and talent within African Youths.

According to a statement on the Global Citizen website, “we’re happy to announce an advisory council made up of incredible young leaders from both Nigeria and South Africa whose experience and creativity will help to take the Fellowship Program to the next level. The Advisory Council board will assist in providing insights to break new ground and guide the execution team on meaningful pathways to develop the 2021-2022 Fellows”. 

Expressing excitement about the appointment, Lawal says; “I am truly honoured to be a member of the advisory council. My experience working with young people across Africa will enable me to guide and inspire the selected fellows to achieve the fellowship’s mission of empowering young people with skills that will help them shape policies that will alleviate poverty while being active citizens.”

The Advisory Council board which includes 2 Nigerian advocates— Hamzat Lawal and Aisha Yesufu and 3 South African youth advocates—Bonang Matheba, Charmaine Houvet, Nozipho Tshabalala and Tumi Sole;  will provide insights to break new ground and guide the execution team on meaningful pathways to develop the 2021-2022 Fellows. 

The Global Citizens Fellowship Program is committed to advancing innovations of black youth. Beyoncé has enrolled ten promising young South Africans and five Nigerians to the Global Citizen Fellowship Program. The Program is aligned to Global Citizen’s vision of eliminating extreme poverty by 2030.

PIB Review: CODE Queries Marginalisation of Host Communities

Communications July 28, 2021 249

In the wake of the recently passed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by the House of Senate, fiscal transparency CSOs, Connected Development (CODE) and OXFAM Nigeria, have raised concerns over key issues in the reviewed bill, especially the marginalization of host communities where oil is explored.

According to CODE, the reviewed PIB did not sufficiently address the grey areas affecting host communities and has stripped the oil regions of the management, governance and administration of issues that affect them directly. The bill suggests that the constitution of the host communities development trust shall contain provisions mandating the management committee to set up an advisory committee (“host community advisory committee”), which shall contain at least one member of each host community. CODE believes that this is grossly inadequate and advises that the membership of the host community advisory committee should have at least 50% representation from the host communities. 

CODE notes that the lack of adequate representation of the host communities in the advisory committee is an unfair approach that limits the ability of the Trust to fully develop needs assessment and development plans that can only be designed by the people in the community themselves. 

Expressing displeasure, CODE’s Lead on natural resource governance and the extractives, Dr Onyekachi Onuoha, noted that restricting host communities’ sense of ownership as pointed out in the gaps in the bill, would  fuel agitation in the region as it shows a blatant disregard for the needs and priorities of the people that are the worst hit by the impact of oil exploration. “The Senate is dashing the hopes of people directly affected by oil pollution, terminated livelihoods and underdevelopment caused by environmental degradation and other disasters occasioned by oil spills in the Niger-delta region,” Onyekachi added.

To worsen matters, the draft PIB proposed 2.5% of the annual operating expenditure of the Settlor (operator of an oil licence) to fund development in the area. Although the House of Representatives recommended 5% for settlors operating in the upstream and 2% for the settlors in the midstream and downstream sectors, lawmaker Sani Kaita from Katsina moved an amendment for it to be reduced to 3%, which the senate has adopted.

CODE’s team with community youth in Ogoni Land, Niger-Delta.

In addition to the call by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo- Agege, for the funds from gas flaring penalties to be channelled towards developing affected communities, CODE & OXFAM urge the Senate to rethink the grey areas highlighted and promote a greater sense of ownership that is acceptable and fair to the host communities.

Connected Development [CODE] in partnership with OXFAM since 2018, have driven a campaign in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria that raises awareness on improving accountability and transparency in the dealings between host communities, oil and gas companies, and the government, particularly to address challenges relating to the negative impact of the business operations of the extractive sector in these host communities, which usually has a causal relationship with conflict and fragility.