Proactive Vigilance: How Citizens can hold their government accountable
Oludotun Babayemi
18 July 2016
“Abeg, you cannot come and fix a programme that will start at 8 am on a Saturday morning, I will not be able to attend, please postpone it for another day or cancel it” responded Ijiwere to her colleagues, who wanted to visit another friend; “Let me tell you, If you want me to come for that ‘owambe’ party on Saturday, then you should let it start at 10 am” affirmed Giringori, to his friends who were planning an event for Saturday.
“Imagine, those my friend wanted to suggest 8 am as a time for that party, I totally disagreed, and told them Jigida will be aired on radio at that time, and that is the only way I can report the lack of water in Kagara” said Giringori to his elder brother – Ijiwere.
These are the kind of conversations that go on in Kagara community, with everyone looking forward to Jigida, a weekly, one – hour radio programme that allows for citizens to call – in and express their community needs, which afterwards are been documented and sent to the various local government chairmen, and State House of Representative for response and decisions to be made. That’s not all, the first 30 mins of the programme is dedicated to the Councillor of the community sharing with the community, how much and what they will be spending on in the week. This is what proactive vigilance is all about!
Although proactive vigilance or public participation in budgeting or government spending is relatively new, the evidence attesting to its impact on resource allocation and service delivery is growing. Many of the existing findings are based on the well-known Brazilian experience with participatory budgeting, established first in Porte Alegre in 1989, and now replicated in over 40 countries around the world. Nigeria, is not left out as well, as its government hopes to encourage citizen participation, with its recent commitment to joining the Open Government Partnership, a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.
You might be wondering, how many – landlord associations,vigilante groups, market women associations, community development associations, we have in rural communities. A lot of them! When are we going to start having “project vigilante” in rural communities, that will become voices of several communities, because by the time you wake up tomorrow morning, the news will be agog with “one billion dollars to be released to provide water in Kagara” only to go to Kagara after one year, you will find out that Kagara has no water source or a broken water source. Quite pathetic, and that’s is the way we are – the leaders and followers.
Nevertheless, I am excited that the Story Story writers at BBC Media Action are focusing on how citizens at the local government level, can be proactively vigilant on such issues of government spending in their communities, and I recently had some hours of session brainstorming with the crew, on how citizens can become vigilant themselves, I hope all will be reflected in their popular radio drama coming up sometimes in fall. Thanks to Nkem, our Reseach Lead on government finance, who took some notes on the highlights, and I have added them below:
Citizens can at every stage of this budget cycle engage their various government, but limited participation is expected during during formulation
- There is the local government or state government budget, a document that highlights government spending and revenue which can be for a financial year, or a multiyear.
- The Budget has its on cycle starting from formulation (when Ministry, Department, Agencies, put together their budget), to enactment (when the national or state legislative arm assent to the budget), to implementation (the stage at which contractors start executing projects in your communities), and lastly, the assessment stage (where everyone assesses the implementation of the budget, to provide feedback on how the next stage should look like)
- At every stage of the budget, citizens can make noise about their plight, and join in the conversation. They can form themselves as vigilante group or association, and always knock on the door of their local government officer or Councillor.
- They can forward a freedom of information request letter to the local government chairman to request for their budget immediately it passes the enactment stage, and even ask more question like who is the contractor, what is the work plan for the project, how much is the contractor getting, and when will the project be concluded. Here is an example of a freedom of information letter if you want to write one
- Government at the local government and state government level should starting providing platforms as well, for the assesement stage. E.g. using local radio programmes like Jigida, create a referendum mechanism for your local government area for people to have their say on projects proposed for next financial year. It should not be only during elections, that citizens see chairmen of local government or governors of states canvassing for votes.
- Like I always say, the budget is not only the means by which government declare their spending, in fact 50% – 60% of what’s on it might not be relevant. The other way is to always listen to the state news on your local radio, projects will be announced at all times, especially when they are project funded by other partners, such as the federal government or international donor agencies.
Ijiwere and Giringori have decided to do away with social gatherings, and focus on becoming a vigilante for community projects in Jigida, and if you are reading this, you should be towing same way, and you should share this piece. I look forward to the final drama series on this – If you have listened to Story Story, Voices from the Market program, then you should be more expectant. See you all in Kagara town, listening to Jigida on radio!
From left, Oludotun Babayemi, Nkem and the BBC Media Action Writers
Simply want to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness
to your publish is simply great and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject.
Well along with your permission allow me to grasp your RSS feed to stay up to date with imminent post.
Thanks 1,000,000 and please continue the rewarding work.
Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year
old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.
There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this
is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!
My family members every time say that I am wasting my time here at net, however I know I
am getting familiarity everyday by reading such nice posts.
Helpful information. Lucky me I discovered your site accidentally, and I am surprised why this
coincidence didn’t came about in advance! I bookmarked it.
I am curious to find out what blog platform you are using?
I’m having some small security issues with my latest website and I
would like to find something more secure. Do you have any suggestions?
What a material of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious know-how concerning unexpected feelings.
I’m gone to inform my little brother, that he should also visit
this webpage on regular basis to take updated from most recent news update.
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you create this website yourself or did you
hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond
as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know where u got this
from. thanks a lot
Yes! Finally something about du recorder apk download.
Wߋw, amazing weЬlog structure! How lengthy have you eᴠer been running
а blⲟg for? you make running a blog glance easy. The full glance of your ᴡeƅ site is fantastiс, as weⅼl as the content materiaⅼ!
Have you ever considered writing an ebook or guest authoring on other
websites? I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information.
I know my viewers would value your work. If you are even remotely interested,
feel free to send me an e-mail.
online porn video
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet
I never found any interesting article like yours.
It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as
you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.
my web page – example
Hello! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog.
Is it very hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but
I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m
thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you
have any tips or suggestions? Thanks
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i got here to go back
the choose?.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my web site!I suppose its
good enough to use some of your ideas!!
Hi there, I want to subscribe for this blog to obtain hottest updates,
therefore where can i do it please help.
نیاسین خرید
Every weekend i used to go to see this site, for the reason that i want enjoyment, since this this website conations
in fact pleasant funny material too.
Also visit my web page … seniors
Wow cuz this is excellent work! Congrats and keep it up.
https://www.lubelska.tv
Mitch Gould has “retail” іn his DNA.
А thіrd-generation retail professional, Gould learned tһe
consumer gօods industry fгom his fatherr aand grandfather ᴡhile growing սp in New York City.
One of hіs fіrst sales jobs ᴡas taҝing orders frοm neighbors fօr bagels every wｅek.
As an adult ѡith a career tһаt spans mогe than tһree decades,
Gould moved ᧐n froim bagels, cream cheese, ɑnd lox to represent many of the leading
product manufacturers ⲟf consumer gоods іn America: Igloo, Rubbermaid, Sunbeam, Remington, Chapin, Paramount, Miracle-Gro, Naive Remedies,
Flora Health, Steven Seagal’ѕ Lightning Bolt, Body Basix, ɑnd Hulk Hogan’ѕ extreme energy granules.
“Ӏ ѕtarted in the lawn and garden industry ƅut expanded my
horizojs еarly on,” saiԁ Gould, CEO aand founder of Nutritional Products International Mitch Gould Proucts International, a global brand management firm
based іn Boca Raton, Fl. “I ᴡorked with Igloo, Sunbeam,
Remington — аll major brands tһɑt hɑve
ƅeen leaders іn tthe consumer ɡoods industry.”
Eventually, Gould segued іnto nutritional products.
“Ι realized еarly tһe nutritional supplements ѡere mսch
morｅ thɑn just multivitamins,” Gould ѕaid.
“American consumers ԝere ready tо take
dietary supplements аnd health and wellness prolducts into
a wһole new level of retail success.”
Gould soliidified һіs success iin tһe health and wellness industry through hіs partnerships
ѡith Ꭺ-List celebrities who wanted to develo nutritional
products ɑnd his place in Amazon history wһen tһe online ecommerce retyailer expanded Ьeyond books,
music, aand electronics.
“Ɗuring my career, Ӏ attended many galas and charity events wheree I mеt differtent celebrities,
ѕuch as Hulk Hogan ɑnd Chufk Liddel,” Goul
ѕaid, adding that һe eventually partnered wіth seνeral ᧐f thеsｅ famous entrepreneurs аnd developed nutritional products, ѕuch as Hulk Hogan’s
Extreme Energy Granules.
“Ꮤorking witһ thеm to сreate new health ɑnd wellness
products ցave me a fіrst-hаnd look into thhe burgekning nutritional sector,” Gouldd ѕaid.
“І realized that staying healthy ѡas very impoгtant to myy generation.Ꮇʏ kkids wеre even mode focused on staying
fit аnd healthy.”
Whеn Amazon decided tо addd a health andd wellness category, Gould ѡas
alrready positioned tօ placе moгe thɑn 150 brands аnd even moге
products onto thｅ virtual shelves tһe online giantt waas adding ｖery day in thе early 2000s.
“I met Jeeff Fernandez, whho was on thе Amazon team that was building the new category fгom the ground սp,”
Gould saіd. “I also һad contacts іn the health ɑnd wellness
industry, ѕuch as Kenneth E. Collins, wһo ѡas vice president оf operations for Muscle Foods,
one of thee largest sports nutrition distributors inn tһe
worⅼԀ.
Gould said tthis “Powerhouse Trifecta” сould not hwve asked foг a better synergy ƅetween the threе ⲟf them.
“Tһis ᴡas capitalism at its best. Amazon demanded neᴡ
high-quality dietary supplements, aand ԝe supplied tһem wwith morе than 150 brandds ɑnd products,
” һe aⅾded.
The “Powerhouse Trifecta” worҝeԀ out sօ ѡell that Gould eventually hired Fernandez
tо wߋrk forr NPI, where hе iѕ now president оf the company, and Collins, who iss the neѡ executive vice
president ⲟf NPI.
“Ԝe work wｅll together,” Gold adԀeԀ.
Fernandez, whо also ѡorked aas a buyer fоr Walmart, ѕaid the
tһree of tһem haᴠe close to 75 years of retail buying and selling experience.
“NPI cliejts benefit fｒom oսr уears of knowledge,” Fernandez
аdded.
Gould said product manufacturers arе unlikely to find thｒee professionals with օur experience representing retailers аnd brands.
“We know ԝһаt brands need to do, and wｅ understand what retailerrs ԝant,” Gould saiԁ.
After his success witһ Amazon, Gould founded NPI and solidified һis plaϲе in the dietary supplement ɑnd healthh and wellness sectors.
“Ιt was time tⲟ concentrate оn health products,” Gould ѕaid, adding tһаt hе hаs worкed ᴡith mоre tһаn 200 domestic and international brands that wqnted tо launch
new products оr exzpand their presence іn the largest consumer market іn the world: tһе United Statｅs.
“As I visited thе corporate headquarters oof ѕome of thе largewst retailers іn tһе world,
I realized that nternational brands ѡeren’t ƅeing represented
inn American stores,” Goud ѕaid. “I realized tһese companies, eѕpecially the international brands, struggled tߋ gain a footholld іn American retail stores.”
Ԝhen Gould surveyed tһe challenges confronting internattional product
manufacturers, һe visualized a solution.
“Тhey were burning thгough tens оf thousands of dollars to launch tһeir
products,” Gould ѕaid. “By the time thy sold tһeir first unit,
they һad eatfen awаy аt thwir profit margin.”
Gould ѕaid the biggest challenge was learning twο new cultures: America
and Wall Street.
“Thｅy didn’t undersrand the Amsrican consumers, and they ԁidn’t know how American businesses operated,” Gould ѕaid.
“That is where Ӏ ｃome in wіth NPI.”
Τo provide tһе foreign companies witһ the business
support they neеded, Gould developed hiѕ lauded “Evolution оf Distribution” platform.
“Ӏ brought tоgether evеrything brands needed to launch tһeir
products іn the U.S.,” he ѕaid. “Insteaԁ of opеning a new ofice
іn America, I mae NPI theiir headquarters іn tһｅ U.Տ.
Sіnce I already һad a sales staff in plaсe,
thｅy didn’t have to hire a sales team ѡith
suypport staff. Ιnstead, NPI Ԁiɗ it foг them.”
Gould sɑid NPI supplied every service thаt brands neеded tߋ sell products
іn America ѕuccessfully.
“Sіnce many օf theѕe products needed FDA approval, Ӏ hikred a food
scientist ѡith m᧐rе thɑn 10 years experience to streamline the approval օf thе products’ labels,” Gould sɑid.
NPI’s import, logistics, ɑnd operations manager woｒked wіth neᴡ clients to makｅ sure shipped samples Ԁidn’t
end սp in quarantine bу the U.Ѕ. Customs.
“Ouг logistics team haѕ decades оf experience importing neԝ products into thee U.Ⴝ.
tto our warehouse аnd then shipping them to retail buyers and retailers,
” Gould ѕaid. “NPI ߋffers а one-ѕtop,
turnkey solution tо import, distribute, ɑnd market new products in the U.S.”
Tо provide aⅼl the brands’ services, Gould foundedd а
new company, InHealth Media, tο market the brands t᧐ consumers
and retailers.
“I sаw the companies wasting thousands οf dollars ߋn Madison Avenue
marketing campwigns tһat failed to deliver,” Gould ѕaid.
Instеad of outsourcing marketing tⲟ costly agencies ⲟr
building ɑ marketng team fｒom scratch, InHealth Media
ѡorks syndrgistically ԝith its sister company, NPI.
“InHealth Media’s marketing strategy іs perfectly aligne with NPI’s retail expansion plans,” Gould ɑdded.
“T᧐gether, wｅ import, distribute, and market new products
aｃross the country by emphasizing speed tо market at an affordable ⲣrice.”
InHealth Media recеntly increased its marketing efforts by adding
national and regional TV promotion tо itѕ services.
“Lifestyle TV hosts are the original social media influencers,” Gould said.
“Our clients are getting phenomenal coverage that can reach more than 100 million TV households in America. In addition, we are giving them high-quality TV promotions.
Gould said IHM also has increased its emphasis on “earned media,” which is when journalists and bloggers offer coverage for free instead of the pay and play model that exists in many formats today.
“We have access to thousands of media professionals that we reach out to on a regular basis,” Gould said. “Because our clients have created innovative products, we have been able to get them coverage in top trade publications and general mass websites, such as HGTV, Forbes, and Vitamin Retailer.
“You cannot buy this kind of credibility, prestige, and coverage because it is not for sale,” Gould said. “Our team has developed contacts with these major news outlets, which is how they found out about our clients’ products.”
NPI works with large and small product manufacturers.
“We emphasize timeliness and affordability,” he said. “We know all the costs, so there are no surprises. When the brand sells its first product to a consumer, they have the profit margin they set as a goal months earlier.”
Gould is proud of his “Evolution of Distribution” platform.
“I developed it to help international brands succeed,” Gould said.
During the years, Gould successfully used his “Evolution of Distribution” to help new brands, such as Scitec Nutrition and Native Remedies, both of which succeeded in conquering the U.S. market..
“We saw that NPI had lots of experience in helping companies get a good foothold in the U.S. Working together, NPI has been instrumental in introducing us to various key distribution channels (including The Vitamin Shoppe),” said a Scitec Nutrition executive.
Native Remedies also benefited from NPI’s “Evolution of Distribution.”
“We are thrilled to have our products available at these top retailers,” said George Luntz, then president and co-founder of Native Remedies. “It is great to have a business partner like NPI helping to expand our market reach. We expect this to be a banner year for us.”
Gould said he is proud that these companies succeeded with NPI’s help.
“This is what NPI does,” Gould said. “We find innovative and creative health, wellness, and beauty products, and the NPI and IHM teams work together to introduce them to consumers and retailers.”
For more information, call 561-544-0719 or visit nutricompany.com.
It’s genuinely very difficult in this full of activity life to listen news on Television, so I simply
use web for that purpose, and take the hottest information.
Feel free to visit my page :: blank november 2022 calendar
Tom Carper as his running-mate during his successful campaign for governor and served as lieutenant governor for eight years.
Tom Winter, who’d reportedly been contemplating a bid, stated this
week that he’ll run for Montana’s new 2nd Congressional District.
● Atlanta, GA Mayor: Former Mayor Kasim Reed conceded in his comeback bid to once again run Atlanta on Thursday, falling simply in need of the second
slot for the Nov. 30 runoff. ● MT-02: Former state Rep.
The 35th is open as a result of Democratic Rep.
She later rose to the state Senate, then in 1992 was tapped
by Rep. To date, the only person working for this safely blue seat in Austin is Democratic Rep.
Democrats presently management each the state House and Senate and can virtually actually remain in charge in this solidly blue state that voted for native son Joe Biden 59-40 last yr.
● NH Redistricting: New Hampshire Republicans have released a draft congressional map that, as
they’ve been promising since they re-took control of state authorities final
12 months, gerrymanders the state’s two House seats to make the first District significantly redder.
Despite the loss, many Democrats-and progressive activists particularly-might be glad to see Sweeney gone,
notably for the reason that party retained management of both chambers
of the legislature in Tuesday’s elections.
Nice Web site, Maintain the useful work. thnx!
https://www.extra-plonsk.pl
Application of diatomaceous earth
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your efforts and I
will be waiting for your further post thanks once
again.
Hey! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with
us so I came to take a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and
will be tweeting this to my followers! Exceptional blog and terrific design and style.
Hello there I am so grateful I found your website, I
really found you by mistake, while I was
searching on Aol for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like
to say cheers for a marvelous post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design),
I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I
have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will
be back to read more, Please do keep up the great job.
Howdy! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so I
came to take a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Outstanding blog and brilliant style and design.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and
in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole
my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be
a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views.
I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Hey there! I know this is kind of off topic but
I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one?
Thanks a lot!
This post is in fact a pleasant one it helps new internet users, who are wishing in favor of blogging.
These are miles that can be collected within the
account of a member and be used to purchase flights,
upgrades, and merchandise from Miles & Extra partners.
Customers can add further safety to their account by enabling a security lock as a way to make payments.
Machines can produce fabrications components based on the preferences
that you’ve. Furthermore, ensure you search for knowledgeable, who
has the ability of helping you to handle the machines with precision. Web faxing bypasses the necessity for fax machines
and telephone strains completely. Additionally, they can be used in computers for printable classes
if ever they need it. Parents can engage their children in joining Free children’s church lessons.
Free children’s church classes also have lesson books to provide away to the youngsters so they’ve tangible things to use and study
with. Contents about serving to and sustaining the training strategy of
the children are being included in free children’s church lessons.
The best July 4th sales are right here and retailers like Walmart are offering some seriously stellar mid-summer deals.
Alexander Miles (May 18, 1838 – Might 7, 1918) was an American inventor and businessman, best identified for being awarded a patent for automatically opening and closing elevator doorways.
Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Ⲩour web site is so cool.
I am impressed Ƅy thee details tһat ｙou haѵe on thіs blog.
It reveals һow nicely yoս understand thіs subject. Bookmarked thіs website page,
wilⅼ сome baсk for mоre articles. You, my pal, ROCK!
I found јust tһe info I aⅼready searched all ovcer the рlace and simply cօuldn’t
come aсross. What ɑn ideal website.
Hello this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or
if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog
soon but have no coding knowledge so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
Any help would be enormously appreciated!
Ꭲhanks for thiѕ wondrous post, I ɑm glad I observwd tһіs
web site on yahoo.
free Windows 7 key
I was recommended this blog by way of my cousin. I’m not certain whether this put up is written via him as no one else know such certain approximately my problem.
You’re amazing! Thanks!
Link exchange is nothing else but it is simply placing the other person’s web site link on your page at proper place and other person will also do same in favor of you.
Online poker
Incredible quest there. What happened after? Good luck!
Hi there colleagues, its wonderful paragraph on the topic of tutoringand
entirely defined, keep it up all the time.
%%
My site Online (https://drpoundhistoricalfarmstead.org)
Ahaa, its pleasant dialogue regarding this post at this place
at this website, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.
I every time emailed this web site post page to all my associates, since if like to read it afterward my links will too.
my web site – printable yearly calendar
I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s
to be exactly what I’m looking for. can you offer guest
writers to write content to suit your needs?
I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on a lot
of the subjects you write with regards to here. Again, awesome
web log!
Glad t᧐ bee one of the visitants on this awing sitte :
Ⅾ.
Why is it I always really feel like you do?
● Some casinos do not permit the use of the Martingale System.
My website: Genie
Are you looking for escort girls in Tel Aviv ?18escortgirls can make you Want to invest quality young escort girls in your home or hotel?
Looking for Russian escorts, Ethiopian escorts or VIP escorts?
Trying to find escort services in Tel Aviv with the great method
of getting 18escortgirls Index can fulfill all your fantasies discreetly.