by ppdc | May 22, 2024 | Press Release
Abuja, Nigeria— May 7th, 2024—The Public and Private Development Center (PPDC) strongly condemns the recent arrest and detention of Daniel Ojukwu, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). Ojukwu’s detention is a violation of press freedom and stands as a threat to the fundamental democratic principles of transparency and accountability.
Daniel Ojukwu was arrested for carrying out an investigative report. His detention undermines the vital role of journalists in holding the government accountable and providing the public with crucial information.
According to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. Section 35(4), a person arrested should be released within 48 hours if not charged with a crime. However, Daniel Ojukwu remains detained since his arrest on May 1st, 2024, without formal charges being brought against him, raising serious concerns about due process and the potential abuse of power by the authorities.
PPDC asserts that the press plays a crucial role in ensuring the transparency and accountability of governments, especially with public funds. Journalists like Daniel Ojukwu are instrumental in uncovering corruption, abuse of power, and other wrongdoings that impact society.
The freedom of the press is a cornerstone of any democratic society. Without a free press, citizens are deprived of the information they need to make informed decisions and hold their leaders accountable.
PPDC calls for the immediate release of Daniel Ojukwu and urges the authorities to respect the rights of journalists to carry out their work without fear of intimidation or persecution.
Furthermore, we call on the Nigerian government to uphold its commitments to press freedom, as enshrined in international agreements and the Nigerian Constitution. The protection of journalists and the freedom of the press are essential for democracy.
PPDC stands in solidarity with Daniel Ojukwu, his family, and all journalists who courageously pursue the truth despite the risks they face. We will continue to advocate for press freedom and the protection of journalists’ rights in Nigeria and beyond.
Jubril Shittu,
Chief Executive Officer
The Public and Private Development Centre
by ppdc | May 22, 2024 | Press Release
Abuja, Nigeria— April 26th, 2024— The recent jailbreak at the Suleja Custodial Center has sparked widespread concern over public safety and highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive reform in pre-trial detention systems. On Wednesday, April 23, 2024, 118 inmates were reported to have escaped from the facility after heavy rainfall broke down a section of the facility’s security perimeter fence, prompting a manhunt and raising questions about the effectiveness of security measures in correctional institutions.
The jailbreak at Suleja Custodial Center highlights the dangers such incidents pose to society. Unlawful absconding of inmates not only jeopardizes the safety of citizens but also undermines public trust in the justice system.
The said Suleja Custodial Centre is a project location of the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC). In light of this incident, PPDC reaffirms its commitment to reforming pre-trial detention systems. PPDC recognizes the need for a holistic approach that ensures the safety of both inmates and the public while promoting a fair and speedy dispensation of justice.
PPDC’s Reforming Pretrial Detention Phase II project supported by the US government through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) focuses on increasing the capability of Nigeria’s corrections and judicial sectors, in collaboration with Nigeria’s law schools and local bar associations, in properly handling pre-trial detainees to carry out justice, ensure rule of law, and build public confidence in the country’s justice process. PPDC is also providing pro bono legal aid for inmates. Through collaboration with government agencies, community organizations, and private partners, PPDC aims to create a more equitable and effective criminal justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment.
“We believe that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, tribe or orientation, deserves a chance to have a fair hearing,” said Kenechukwu Agwu, Senior Programs Manager, Access to Justice, PPDC. He goes further to add that “our efforts are aimed at creating a system that not only safeguards public safety but also fosters positive change in the lives of those who have come into contact with the criminal justice system.”
While we appreciate the Nigerian Correctional Service for their efforts at utilizing the Corrections Information Management (CIMS) to ensure the recapture of the escapees, PPDC urges government officials to prioritize the implementation of reforms, especially the 2019 Correctional Services Act, that enhance security measures in correctional facilities, improve conditions for inmates, and promote alternatives to incarceration where appropriate. By investing in preventive measures and rehabilitation programs, policymakers can address the underlying issues that contribute to crime and ensure a safer and more just society for all.
Signed, Nnenna Eze
Communications Manager,
Public and Private Development Centre.
by ppdc | Apr 25, 2024 | Press Release
Ghana – April 23rd, 2024 –
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) showcases its strategic vision for digital governance in Africa at the 11th edition of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF24) held in Accra, Ghana. As a participant in this influential gathering of digital rights and inclusion advocates, PPDC hosted a Fireside Conversation titled “Shaping Africa’s AI Renaissance: Perspectives from Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa for Global Impact.
“The overarching theme of DRIF24 is “Fostering Rights and Inclusion in the Digital Age,” aligning closely with PPDC’s commitment to empowering Nigerians with equal access to digital opportunities and understanding their rights and responsibilities in the digital era.
Dodeye Ebri, Program Officer, Digital Governance at PPDC, commented, “As Africa emerges as a key player in the global technological landscape, PPDC is at the forefront, poised to contribute significantly to the continent’s AI renaissance. Our Fireside Conversation provided a platform for esteemed speakers from Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya to share insights on how AI can drive local economicdevelopment while positioning Africa for global impact.”
The Fireside Conversation attracted a diverse audience comprising policymakers, government officials, tech entrepreneurs, civil society representatives, activists, academics, researchers, media professionals, international tech companies, and organizations. The session was designed to facilitate an engaging and laid-back conversation, allowing speakers to share anecdotes, challenges, and success stories, fostering a genuine connection with the audience.
During the discussion, PPDC highlighted its Digital Governance program, which focuses on empowering underserved communities, youth, businesses, and policymakers in Nigeria. The program’s objectives include:
● Bridging the Digital Divide through the Digital Inclusion and Safer Internet(DISI) Project: Integrating online safety curriculum into the Nigerian National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), equipping learners with in-demand digitalskills, and expanding the DISI project to reach digitally excluded individuals inmarginalized groups and underserved communities.
● Digital Rights Awareness: Promoting comprehensive digital rights legislation,raising public awareness of fundamental digital rights, and influencing digitalrights policy formulation and implementation through evidence-basedresearch, advocacy efforts, and collaborative engagement with policymakersand stakeholders.
● Fostering a Thriving Digital Economy: Empowering businesses, startups, andentrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the digitaleconomy, providing targeted support to facilitate their growth and scalability,and advocating for the development of sound government policies thatfoster innovation and create an enabling environment for sustainable business growth in the digital economy.
About Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC):
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) is a non profit organization that is committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance through technology-driven solutions and advocacy; With a focus on leveraging technology to transform public governance monitoring, PPDC aims to bridge the gap between government and citizens, promoting mutual benefit and participation in Nigeria and Africa as whole.For more information about PPDC and its initiatives, please visit www.ppdc.org
by ppdc | Feb 14, 2024 | Press Release
Abuja, Nigeria – February 14, 2024
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) and AFRIGOS Film & Media Academy are delighted to announce a groundbreaking partnership aimed at promoting integrity in film-making and citizens engagement through the HomeVida Initiative.
HomeVida, is an initiative of PPDC that focuses on building the capacity of young filmmakers to produce films, reactive content that educates and inspires behavioral change. PPDC and AFRIGOS have collaborated on key aspects of the initiative to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen awareness.
Speaking on the collaboration, PPDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Jubril Shittu stated, “We are thrilled to partner with AFRIGOS Film & Media Academy to further our mission of promoting integrity in film-making and using film as an educational medium to raise awareness and increase citizens participation in governance. Our collaboration, through creative means, will bridge information gaps on the effectiveness of public service delivery and provide avenues for citizen feedback, while also highlighting initiatives aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in Nigeria.”
Similarly, Paulgold Olalekan Joseph, CEO of AFRIGOS Film & Media Academy, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “This partnership with PPDC presents an exciting opportunity to leverage our expertise in film education for the greater good. We look forward to equipping filmmakers with the skills and knowledge needed to produce compelling films that inspire social change.”
The partnership between PPDC and AFRIGOS aims to promote integrity in film-making through jointly designed masterclasses and raise citizen awareness by bridging information gaps and encouraging participation in governance.
About PPDC
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in Nigeria.
About AFRIGOS Film & Media Academy
AFRIGOS Film & Media Academy is Abuja’s foremost film institute and production company offering hands-on experience to emerging talents in all aspects of film and media education. AFRIGOS is an accredited learning partner (ALP) of the Skill Development Council Canada and the sole delivery partner for the British Council’s Creative Economy E-learning program (SoCreative) in Nigeria.
by ppdc | Feb 11, 2024 | Press Release
Plateau, Nigeria— February 9, 2024 — The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) is set to host a two-day Access to Justice town hall meeting and public presentation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Rules.
The event will feature the launch of the Administration of Criminal Justice Rules;
- The Plateau State Administration of Criminal Justice Law Rules 2024
- The Plateau State Administration of Criminal Justice Inter-Agency Service Charter 2024
- The Plateau State Administration of Criminal Justice Standard Operating Procedures 2024
In line with the objectives of PPDC’s Access To Justice Programs, these instruments represent a significant step forward in streamlining processes within the criminal justice system to ensure fairness, transparency, and expediency.
The event aims to bring together key actors, including the Executive Governor of Plateau State, the Chief Judge, various judges from the High Court of Justice, the Honorable Attorney-General, and Commissioner for Justice of Plateau State, along with law professors and other legal experts who have been involved in the development and enactment of these instruments, to present them to a wider audience of stakeholders within the administration of the criminal justice system and the general public.
The town hall meeting and workshop will provide a platform for PPDC to share its experiences, learnings, impact, and challenges encountered during the implementation of the Court Administration and Case Management (CACM) project. The event will feature a keynote paper presented by Prof. Dakas C.J. Dakas (SAN) Additionally, it will offer the judiciary and the Plateau State Ministry of Justice an opportunity to unveil their agenda on access to justice to the stakeholders.
The two-day event will feature insightful discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions focused on the innovations and applicability of the new instruments. It will facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building among stakeholders, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of the criminal justice system in Plateau State.
About PPDC:
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) is a non-governmental organization and social enterprise driven by the desire to have a more transparent and accountable government and to increase citizens’ participation in governance processes. Our programs are designed to promote values and initiatives that drive institutional, behavioural, and systemic change in our society. More information on Public and Private Development Centre can be found at www.ppdc.org
by ppdc | Dec 9, 2023 | Press Release
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) is a leading non-governmental organization in Nigeria committed to promoting wider public participation in procurement governance to prevent corruption. PPDC is the strongest civil society voice in support of procurement reforms in Nigeria. PPDC was solely responsible for including a mandatory clause in the Public Procurement Act 2007 that requires NGOs and professional bodies to monitor every public procurement activity carried out at the Federal level of government in Nigeria. This clause is also being adopted by several state-level procurement legislations.
The United Nations General Assembly designated December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day to raise awareness of corruption and promote the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). The fight against corruption requires transparency, accountability, and participation from all members of society, including governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, and the general public. The UNCAC has achieved significant successes in fostering international cooperation for the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases, enhancing asset recovery from corrupt practices, and encouraging nations to adopt preventive measures. Additionally, the convention recognizes the crucial role of civil society in the fight against corruption, contributing to its multifaceted success.
This year, PPDC is joining other stakeholders to commemorate the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day. The theme for this year’s event is “UNCAC @ 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption”, to highlight the crucial link between anti-corruption, peace, security, and development. International Anti-Corruption Day is an opportunity for political leaders, governments, professional bodies, and advocacy groups to work together to fight corruption by promoting the event and the issues surrounding it. Corruption remains a persistent issue in Nigeria, and it is necessary to establish adequate and effective anti-corruption response mechanisms to tackle the problem.
Public procurement accounts for one-third of all government spending, which equates to more than US $13 trillion in economic value each year. Unfortunately, it is also the number 1 corruption risk for governments. The lack of transparency severely hampers efforts to increase competition, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and minority-owned businesses. One way to address this issue would be to include the valuation of contracts over time, which would provide data users with a better understanding of the expiration dates of relevant contracts.
Furthermore, the lack of transparency makes it difficult to oversee public procurement and reduce fraud and corruption. As the world faces growing debt and inflationary pressures and a limited amount of time to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, it is more important than ever to optimize every dollar of this huge sum of public money. Public procurement is essential for building climate-resilient infrastructure, providing children with a quality education, rolling out vaccination programs, creating economic opportunities for small businesses, and more. Therefore, it is the front line of how people around the world experience their government’s ability to meet their needs.
On this year’s Anti-Corruption Day, PPDC is advocating for the following:
- The inauguration of the Procurement Council as enshrined in the Public Procurement Act 2007;
- Support stronger, more meaningful inclusion of civil society, academia and the private sector in the implementation of reforms and monitoring of public procurement, including through enhanced collaboration with UN country and regional programs.
- Strengthen transparency, integrity and accountability for awarding, granting, and managing contracts, concessions, permits and licenses in the natural resource sector. Create public, central beneficial ownership registers which include adequate, accurate and up-to-date data that is freely accessible and can be used by relevant stakeholders, as well as accountability frameworks, including conflicts of interest policies, political financing rules, and lobbying transparency.
- That gender equality and inclusion be thoughtfully mainstreamed in anti-corruption efforts through the use of inclusive language in policy documents and by ensuring the meaningful participation of diverse groups as mentioned above during all stages of the development, implementation, and evaluation of such frameworks.
- We call on the Nigerian government, at all levels, to promote and raise awareness about the best practices on digitization and transparency of public procurement. This includes highlighting its intersection with Sustainable Development Goals like gender equality, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity. Various e-platforms such as PPDC’s Budeshi, Bureau of Public Procurement’s NOCOPO platform, and other similar initiatives by the government at national and sub-national levels should be utilized to achieve this.
Signed:
Jubril Shittu Agbolade
Chief Executive Officer
