Abuja: An NGO, Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), has announced a $4,000 (about N600 million) grant to aid investigative reporting on government transparency and accountability in governance. The announcement was made by the Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, Mrs. Lucy Abagi, during a media convening on ‘Strengthening Civic Voices: The Role of CSOs and Media in Driving Transparency’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative aims to support no fewer than five media practitioners in conducting investigative reports on stories that align with transparency and accountability across communities. Abagi emphasized the importance of exposing untold stories and challenges, such as unimplemented projects and funds not being used for their intended purposes.
Abagi highlighted key issues, including the lack of access to justice and legal representation, and the prolonged detention of inmates without trial. She stressed that the PPDC’s efforts in promoting transnational accountability are rooted in data and storytelling. The goal is to simplify complex issues for citizens and provide government officials with insights to inform policy debates and reforms.
A portal for media partners and individuals to apply for the grant is set to launch in the next 30 days. Abagi expressed hope that the funds would be utilized effectively to produce evidence-based journalism that sheds light on significant community challenges.
Nnenna Eze, the Communication Manager of PPDC, underscored the initiative’s focus on building partnerships that transform information into influence, and stories into sustained public pressure for transparency and accountability. Eze emphasized the importance of rigorous reporting that delves beyond surface claims to uncover accountability trails and highlight governance issues that affect everyday people.
