Bilkisu Ado Zango
A civic tech organization that applies technology for citizens engagement with institutional improvement to facilitate social change or BudgIT organized a two days capacity building workshop on Budget Monitoring and Advocacy for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Media in Kano, Nigeria.
BudgIT, Head of Office, Abuja, Tolutope Agunloye explained the aims and objectives of the workshop which includes building the capacity of participants on the need for CSOs and media to participate in the budget process right from the preparation stage to monitoring implementation of the budget and to develop their skills in budget data presentation.
Mr. Agunloye further explained the steps involved in Budget Development process, Epidemic preparedness advocacy, issues and solutions. He emphasized on “Call Circular”being the starting point of budget process and called on CSOs to engage with relevant MDAs to make input in all the processes.
The program officer, Mr Henry Omokhaye dealt with how to monitor state and federal projects, health financing advocacy and monitoring, and the need to involve relevant stakeholders and community members in the process.
Participants went through hands-on Data Visualization training using Corel Draw software which BudgIT made available with support from Segun Adeniyi, the graphic consultant.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Agunloye said we need to hold government accountable involves all CSOs and urged them to use this period of call circular to engage and get citizens inputs into the 2021 budget of the state.
Participants at the event promised to engage the budget process for 2021.
