From Our Correspondent
Abuja, Nov. 29, ’25 (TNZ) Oxfam has marked the close-out of its five-year ‘Power of Voices, Fair for All’ (F4A) and ‘African Activists for Climate Justice’ (AACJ) programmes in Nigeria.
TheNewsZenith reports that Oxfam Country Director, John Makina, at the occasion in Abuja, described the programmes as “a journey of courage, partnership and transformation.”
Makina said that the initiatives demonstrated the power of communities, when equipped, to “speak, act and lead” in governance, climate justice and economic accountability.
He said that the journey had been more than a development intervention.
“It has been a collective effort to shift power, amplify voices and place citizens where they rightfully belong.
“People should be at the centre of governance, climate justice and economic accountability in Nigeria,” TheNewsZenith quotes Makina as saying.
He highlighted key achievements of the programmes in the past five years.
These include cultivation of 15,500 seedlings through community nurseries and distribution of 3,500 clean cooking stoves in Bauchi State to reduce emissions and improve health.
Furthermore, the programme trained 256 community volunteers, including persons with disabilities (PWDs) in briquette production and other nature-based solutions.
“Oxfam also supported the development of new climate laws.
“It unlocked ₦15.5 billion in local climate financing and expanded climate-smart livelihoods.
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“Bee-keeping, briquette production and tree planting are concrete evidences of these achievements.
“Women beneficiaries earned between ₦150,000 and ₦300,000 through climate-friendly enterprises.
“The programmes reached more than 10 million Nigerians through the “Follow the Money” media platforms.
“We strengthened civic participation through freedom of information coalitions, youth civic clubs and improved security commitments from the police,” TheNewsZenith quotes him saying.
Makina expressed appreciation to some implementing partners, such as Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Connected Development (CODE) and BudgIT Foundation.
He noted that their support and dedication contributed to the success of the initiatives.
The country director also commended the Government of The Netherlands for funding the project.
Speaking on behalf of the partners, CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, said the programmes delivered ‘transformative reforms, bold advocacy and unprecedented community-led impact’ across Nigeria.
Rafsanjani remarked that the projects strengthened tax justice campaigns, boosted transparency in the extractive sector, and improved compliance with beneficial ownership rules.
According to him, the sustained civil advocacy also helped in shaping the passage of four new tax laws. It equally contributed to government’s approval of over 1 billion dollar for the upgrade of major ports. (TNZ)
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