Reports
The meeting of the Nigerian Working Group (NWG) on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs) held at the Swiss Residence, Maitama, Abuja, on 24th September, 2019 by 2pm, had a total of 20 attendees. The agenda (Annex 1) and a list of participants (Annex 2) are annexed to this report.
Roundtable-Introduction (New participants/Observers):
The Co-Chairs welcomed everyone in attendance and expressed appreciation for their early arrival. A tour de table was done for the benefit of new participants and observers. The members acknowledged the presence of Observers institutions and organizations from Solid Minerals Development Fund, under the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development represented by its Executive Secretary Mrs. Hajiya Fatima Umaru Shinkafi and Mr Al-Amin Ebhota. As well as Natural Resource Governance Institute represented by Mr. Zira John Quaghe.
Opening Remarks by the Co-chair:
The co-chair Anne-Beatrice Bullinger of the Swiss Embassy and the NGO co-chair Joel Bisina from LITE-Africa welcomed all participants. She appreciated and commended everyone (the Corporate pillar, NGO pillar and government pillar) for the effort made so far in the implementation VPs in Nigeria. Joel Bisina made remarks which highlighted the enthusiasm of the Nigerian Working Group on Voluntary Principles and Security and Human Rights. Thereafter, Mr. Babatunde Ajala applauded everyone in attendance and explained the absence of some members on account of ill health and other reasons. Subsequently, Anne-Beatrice Bullinger and the NGO co-chair, Joel Bisina led discussions on the agenda items.
Discussion of developments over the past couple of months.
- Status of funding for the NGWVP/project activities: Mr. Joel Bisina informed participants that NWG has been able to secure a grant from the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) to enable the group to continue to promote the implementation of Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights in Nigeria. The contract was signed between LITE-Africa on behalf of NWG and DCAF. The project is captioned “Promoting the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights in Nigeria (VPiN) September 2019 to January 2020.
- Funding for Secretariat of the NWGVP: Mr. Bisina informed members of efforts being made by the Group to secure funding for the NWG VPI secretariat. He however stated that the contract for the funds has not be signed, but was in the final stages.