EU to FG: Sustain achievements made in deepening democracy through ROLAC programme

The European Union (EU) has asked the federal government to sustain the achievements recorded during the rule of law and anti-corruption (ROLAC) programme in Nigeria.

The programme which started in 2017 was implemented in the federal capital territory (FCT) and five other states including, Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano and Lagos.

The goal of the programme was to enhance good governance in Nigeria by contributing to the mechanism that strengthens the rule of law and curbs corruption in the system.

Speaking at an event marking the close-out of the EU-funded programme, Chikodi Onyemerela, British Council’s director of programmes, said it is expected that the federal government would surpass the results recorded during the programme.

“Over the years, RoLAC has reached over 1 million direct and indirect beneficiaries across the six locations of the programme,” Onyemerela said.

“It has ensured that justice reform remains on the agenda of national discourse.

“It is our expectation that you will sustain the results that have been achieved through this programme and even surpass them.”

In her speech, Samuela Isopi, EU’s head of delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, reiterated that the union remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s democratic efforts.

“About 200 projects and initiatives are currently funded by the EU around the world, seeking to promote democracy and the rule of law and benefit the most vulnerable in the society particularly women and children so that they can have access to basic needs such as education and healthcare, and live free from violence and strife,” Isopi said.

“With this in mind, the EU remains committed to supporting the Nigerian government at all levels in order to deepen its democracy and endeavour for development for the citizens of Nigeria.”

In his remarks, Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, commended the level of cooperation across nations in the fight against corruption.

Represented by Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, director of the administration of criminal justice and reform department, Malami said the federal government was able to make “laudable achievements in the reform of the justice sector in line with international best practices with the support of ROLAC”.