International Day of the Girl Child 2018 (celebrated 11 October), themed “With Her: A Skilled Girl Force”, join UN Women as we stand with girls everywhere as they inspire, innovate and take charge of their own future.

The 1.1 billion girls of today’s world are challenging the status quo. They’re redefining girlhood, and they’re doing so against the odds.

Across the world, girls face adversities that hinder their education, training and entry into the workforce.

They have less access to information, communication technology and resources, such as the internet where the global gender gap is growing.

And yet, they persist, they succeed. They are innovating technology to solve global challenges, they are standing up for the environment, they are raising their voices against violence and they are preparing to run for office.

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Guest ; Atiku Samuel, Head of Research Unit, BudgIT

Despite the projections of violence ahead of the 2019 General Election, the United States Institute of Peace has said there are signs of hope noting that some states across the country have developed successful election conflict-mitigation practices.

USIP's comment about the election is hinged on its report forthcoming general election. USIP said the report is based on its interactions with Nigerians from different sectors.

The report, which analysed the chances of violence marring the elections, has said it is less likely for President Muhammadu Buhari to be defeated in the 2019 election.

USIP advised the Independent Electoral Commission and the Police to undertake a number of key reforms in the short amount of time remaining before the elections. It also said The United States, along with other international supporters of the electoral process, should also intensify their efforts to reinforce the work of these key Nigerian institutions.

The Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa has said that the rule of law, transparency and accountability are key to improving public governance in Africa.

Musa made this known while giving his welcome remarks at the two-day Transparency International (TI) SDG Africa Common Assessment Workshop which held in Abuja.

Musa said his conviction about the keys to improving public governance in Africa is because of the present state of Nigeria. He explained that despite huge deposits of oil and gas, solid minerals and human capital, monumental corruption and cleptocratic governance have brought Nigeria to the nation with the highest number of people living under the extreme poverty level in the world.

The CISLAC director who commended the leadership of the Senior Special Assistant to the President of the SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs) for ensuring that Nigeria ardently adopt the SDGs much more than it did with the MDGs however noted that much needed to be done to ensure that the implementation of the SDGs, particularly SGD 16 are institutionalised in governance and systems.

The assessment workshop is an opportunity for Participants from Transparency International chapters (Togo, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria) to share progress made in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16 which seeks to ‘Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has launched its latest publication titled Uncovering Corruption in Nigeria: A Manual for Investigative Journalists.

The manual was presented by journalist and human rights activist Richard Akinnola at an interactive session for investigative journalists from across Nigeria which held at the CITIHEIGHT Hotel, Lagos.

According to Akinnola, “The public has a right of access to information which is a public concern and of which the public ought to know. The newspapers, TV and radio stations are the agent, so to speak of the public to collect the information and to tell the public of it.

In support of the right of access, they should not, in general, be compelled to disclose their source of information. Neither by means of discovery by trial nor by questions or cross-examination at the trial nor by subpoena.”

The manual published with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) read in part: “Painstaking research and patience are the dual hallmarks of an investigative journalist. Fortunately, google is everybody’s friend.

You need to check and double check whatever your sources are giving you. Anyone who walks to you to give you documents incriminating someone has a purpose or agenda, and it may not be altruistic.

“Corruption is not just when someone in public office is engaged in financial malfeasance. It encompasses abuse of office and public morality.”

The Goalkeepers Report 2018

The report is the second edition published by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to discuss several aspects of work done across the globe.

In this year’s Goalkeepers report, we take an honest look at the challenges presented by the demographics of extreme poverty. We explore what it will take in the areas of health, education, and economic opportunity to position Africa’s booming youth population to transform the continent.

Guest: Akinfolarin Oluwaseun is the Director of Civic Media Lab based in Lagos, a center which intersects journalism, technology and design to help build a stronger democracy and sustainable development in Africa.

About Development Report: Development Report provides listeners with in-depth information and analysis by experts and stakeholders on a wide range of issues that affects citizens lives as unscripted discussion of fact and opinion.

Breaking: INEC declares Osun governorship election inconclusive

APC 254,345; MMN, 125; MPN 124; NCP 526; NEPP 121; NNPP 122; NPC 321; PANDEL 249; PDC 2016; PDP 254698; PPA 2596; PPC 919; PPN 672; PRP 259; PD 449; RP 636; SDP 128049; SNP 1534; SPN 391; UPN 787; UPP 220; YDP 156; YPP 180;

TOTAL VALID 720122; REJECTED 47843; 747955 VALID CAST

News Update for 23-09-2019

Summary :

- BudgIT Fiscal Index: Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa lead ranking

- Bill Gates restates investment in human capital as way out of poverty for Nigeria

- NYSC replies Minister Shittu, says political office not replacement for national service

Produced by : Mayowa Adeniran

News Caster : Perpetua Ohacho

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Feature Story is on Amnesty International