BUILDING NIGERIA TOGETHER: ISERH HONOURED THE INVITATION OF MINISTER OF BUDGET AND NATIONAL PLANNING – HON (SENATOR) UDOMA UDO UDOMA

As a recognition of the impacts of the Initiative for Sound Education, Relationship & Health (ISERH), the Honourable Minister of Budget and Planning – Hon. Udoma Udo Udoma, sent us an invitation to be part of the Stakeholders Consultative Forum on the 2017 – 2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework held at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja on Monday 25th July, 2016.

ISERH was represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Abdulahi Abayomi Abdulraheem, who joined other Stakeholders from Civil Society Organizations, Nigerian Labour Congress and Organized Private Sectors at the Forum.

At the event was the Hon. Minister of Budget and National Planning – Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning – Hajiya Zainab Ahmed; and the Director-General Budget Office – Mr. Tijjani Mohammed Abdullahi. Senator Udoma Udo Udoma rolled out figures and statistics to give the overview of the status of the present (2016) Nigerian Budget, and the proposed figures for 2017, 2018 and 2019 Budgets. He had ab initio apologized for the lateness of the Invitation Letter and the failure to send necessary documents to the invitees prior to the Forum. Many representatives of CSOs, NLC and OPS who spoke during the Forum commended the Minister’s efforts for holding the Forum and as well gave their own contributions towards building Nigeria of our dream.

In his contribution, the Executive Director of ISERH – Mr. Abdulahi Abayomi Abdulraheem drew the attention of the Ministers to the need to increase Public Awareness and improve on Information Dissemination. He pointed out the short-comings in the on-going N-Power Applications where almost everyone believes it is all about Teaching, with only few knowing and having a perfect understanding of the program. He pointed out how those who don’t have NYSC Certificate are applying for N-Power Teach, N-Power Agro, N-Power Health and N-Power Community Education instead of either N-Power Knowledge or N-Power Build, consequent to improper dissemination of information on N-Power Application. He pointed out how ISERH rose up to helping the timid young population in registering for N-Power at no cost. He as well requested the inclusion of Leadership Training and Curriculum Vitae Class in University’s syllabus.

He spoke on the need to leave the past and concentrate on the present/future. He expressed the view of few Nigerians as to the need for this administration to stop referring to the previous administration as an excuse for their slowing pace of moving this Nation forward, against expectations. He expressed that Nigerians knew that we, as a Nation, had/have problems before voted for the present Administration that promised change and willingness to address those problems.

He however pointed out the need to include Logistics in every program that has to do with inviting CSOs across the Nation. He pointed out that CSOs are grant-dependent and that no Donor would ever allow them to include the cost of participating in any National Issue in his own Project Costs. He thereafter requested the inclusion of Logistics such as Transportation and Accommodation Allowance in National Programs.

ISERH hereby appreciates everyone that supports us with Logistics to attend this Forum: Lugbe Guest House, Alh (Hon.) Sodiq Anwo Sanusi, Mr. Maaruf Aweda Salam, Mr. Adedamola Adejobi, Mr. Musa Akinola Onifade, Mr. Abdulkabir Sanni, Mr. Ridwanullah Oyegoke, and Alhaja Sherifat Onifade. We appreciate our Executive Director’s Buddy – Mrs Evelyn Ezeagu (CEO, Phelyn Skills Acquisition Center, Abuja) and Mrs. Oby Ezeilo (the Phelyn Skills’ Volunteer who humbly drove us in her car to the State House) for making our Exec. Director have a great experience. We appreciate you all as you join us in ‘Building Nigeria Together’.

Signed:
Management, ISERH