CISLAC Builds Capacity of Kaduna Stakeholders on Early Warning, Response
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, said that Early Warning is key in the provision of effective and timely information through conflict signal identification, outbreak anticipation and impact mitigation to aid proactive response by relevant authorities.
CISLAC revealed this in a communiqué issued after a ‘Capacity Building Workshop for Community Observers, Response Networks and the Media on Early Warning and Early Response’, in Kaduna State.
Organized by CISLAC with Support from Open Society Foundation Africa, OSF-AFRICA, the workshop was aimed at building the capacity of Community Observers, Response Network and the Media within the state for more collaboration, communication, coordination and collective support for early warning and conflict prediction mechanisms.
There were Opening Remarks from the Executive Director of CISLAC/TI-Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani); Kaduna State Governor represented by Honourable Commissioner and Administrator of Kaduna Capital Territory Authority, Samuel Aruwan; Executive Vice Chairman, Kaduna State Peace Commission, Dr. Saleh Momale.
It was attended by over 40 participants including Security Agencies, Community Observers, Civil Society and the media.
After brainstorming exhaustively on various thematic issues, the following observations and recommendations were made: “As conflict fragility spreads rapidly across Nigeria, the criticality of multi-dimensional approach to internal security giving cognisance to Community participation and coordinated response has become imperative.
” The heavily-placed reporting responsibility of Early Warning signals on response agencies backpedals active participation at individual and community levels, while posing a major barrier to timely and collective response.
“Lack of transparency and accountability coupled with unattended mismanagement identified in the implementation of security votes at state levels has paved the way for embezzlement that manifests in escalated conflict and threats to lives and property in various parts of the country.
“We therefore recommend the followings; strengthening Legislative Constituency offices across the country as a mechanism to enhance coordinated feedback and information gathering on Early Warning signals for timely and targeted response.
“Also, embracing well-informed information gathering, factual presentation and publication as well as high-level professionalism in Early Warning reporting for timely response and purposeful development.
“Again, encouraging transparency and accountability in the implementation of Defence and Security funds; and adequate funding for Kaduna State Peace Commission for efficient service delivery that positively impacts intelligence gathering on Early Warning signals and well-coordinated Response.
“Similarly, the in-depth conflict analysis by relevant stakeholders in Early Warning and Early Response to support coordinated response to emerging signals.
“Equally, the adequate data collection and analysis through open-minded observation to objectively interrogate/analysis conflict signals for conflict sensitive reporting that elicits proactive Early Response.
“Among other things, the leveraging the existing reporting system (including the web application: www.kspcewer.com.ng or 09062547287/09139382457 or mobile App – CEWER KADUNA or [email protected]) and structure institutionalised by Kaduna State Peace Commission in reporting of Early signals to elicit appropriate and coordinated response”.
