ABOUT US
Organizational Overview
CISLAC is a Non-Governmental, non-profit, advocacy, information sharing, research, and capacity building organisation. CISLAC has actively engaged in legislative advocacy work since 2005 and integrated as a corporate body (CAC/IT/NO22738) with Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on 28th December 2006. Prior to this incorporation, however, CISLAC has actively engaged in legislative advocacy work since 2005.
The organisation emerged from the need to address the gaps in legislative advocacy work of civil society and government access to civil society groups. CISLAC’s engagement with Federal Ministries, National and State Assemblies, Local Government Administrations, private sector interests, and non-government organisations, has opened a window through which the public and policy officials can interact and corroborate.
Vision
To ensure that the voiceless are constructively heard and their views are reflected in the mandate of the Nigerian legislature at all levels in furtherance of making democracy accessible and responsive to all. As Alexis de Tocqueville profoundly expressed, democracy is “the power of the people” and it is our goal that this characterization is met.
Mission/Purpose
CISLAC’s mission is to strengthen the link between civil society and the legislature through advocacy and capacity building for legislative members, their staff, and civil society groups on policy processes and governance issues. Through advocacy visits, capacity building, and collaborative partnerships, CISLAC has improved government transparency, responsiveness, and effectiveness in delivering service to the people.
CISLAC’s organizational purpose is twofold. CISLAC works to train and enlighten civil society on its role in policymaking, the responsibilities of the legislature, and on existing decrees and issues affecting Nigerians. Alternatively, CISLAC aims to ensure that the legislature at state and federal levels are aware of its relationship with other government bodies, its role in policymaking and oversight, and its responsibility in acting as a voice for the people. It is the later objective that this proposal addresses.
Key International Donors/Partners
Since CISLAC’s inception, it has been an important implementing partner for legislative capacity building activities with OXFAM GB, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), PACT Nigeria, Heinrich Boll Foundation (HBF), European Union/National Planning Commission, British Council, Canadian International Development Agent (CIDA), National Democratic Institute (NDI), and Action Aid. With partnership support, CISLAC has expanded its coverage to include 12 states— Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Nassarawa, Jigawa, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, and Rivers States—plus the Federal Capital of Abuja.
Priority Areas of Interest
CISLAC’s issues of focus include budget and extractive industry monitoring and reform, transparency, accountability, anticorruption, human rights (gender equality, educational equity and improvement, sexuality and reproductive health—ensuring government allocation of resources for health facilities, etc., children and other vulnerable groups including beggars—Almajirai, pensioners, refugees, and internally displaced persons), security/conflict management, and environment and livelihoods. CISLAC’s engagement with Federal Ministries, National and State Assemblies, Local Government Administrations, private sector interests, the media, non-government and civil society organisations, and communities across Nigeria has opened a window through which public and policy officials can interact and corroborate.
Participation at Public Hearings/Ensuring CSOs Participation
CISLAC and partner CSOs have been visible participants at public hearings to prosper legislative activity. Since CISLAC emerged in 2005, it has mobilized and worked with CSOs and media personnel on certain pieces of legislation such as the Public Procurement Bill. Public hearings have been successful in engaging members of civil society in advocacy efforts, increasing awareness on policy and legislative business, pressurizing lawmakers to act, and urging greater public participation in policy matters.
Media Engagement
· In all political undertakings, CISLAC has made a deliberate and conscious effort to mainstream media into all programmes carried out by the organization. For instance, from the 15th to 17th of May 2006, CISLAC organized a Media roundtable on the Fiscal Responsibility Bill at the Lagos Airport Hotel in Lagos State, which prompted an increase in media intervention on the progression of the bill.
Paying visits to media executives, houses, and individual journalists to inform them on important legislation being discussed and to attain their support on key issues CISLAC is working on has been a successful strategy in increasing public enlightenment and placing pressure on government. CISLAC submits regular press statements and organizes press conferences to sustain media engagement in its work. Electronic and print media have always been responsive and supportive of CISLAC’s efforts in policy implementation and intervention.
