By Israel Mbam
Stakeholders including State Government functionaries, Civil Society Organisations and development partners have validated the DIG Foundation sponsored Ebonyi State Citizens Budget Engagement Policy Document, tagged “Ebonyi State Administrative Citizens Engagement and Participation Strategy on Budget Process”
The document was validated in a meeting held at the Ministry of Budget, Planning, Research and Monitoring on Tuesday 17th February, 2026.
Declaring the meeting open, the State Commissioner for Budget,Planning, Research and Monitoring, Mrs. Deborah Chinwe Okah, described the initiative as a monumental achievement buttressing the inclusive posture of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration in the State.
She noted that the document has entrenched citizens’ participation in the formulation of fiscal policies in the State in line with the People’s Charter of Needs agenda of the present administration, adding that the document will also continue to provide the roadmap for citizens’ engagement in the budget process for subsequent administrations in Ebonyi State.
The Commissioner commended DIG Foundation and its partners for developing the invaluable document, which she said was the first of its kind since the creation of Ebonyi State.
Mrs. Okah also appreciated the Organisation and other Civil Society Organisations which have continued to partner the Ministry in enhancing its impact in governance.
She pledged to follow up the document to ensure that its content is implemented to desired level.
In her Welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget, planning, Research and Monitoring, Lady Rose Ibe, emphasised that budget goes beyond mere physical planning to being the very soul of any administration, a tool for administering government policies and improving the quality of life of citizens.
She commended participants for their sacrifices, assuring that the Ministry was poised to welcome all inputs to make its service more impactful and result oriented.
On his part, the Executive Director of DIG Foundation, Chief Oliver Chima Aja, in his remark explained that the draft document emanated from the Committee level through Local and zonal engagements and consultation to its present stage of input and validation from state level stakeholders, in preparation for final production.
He stated that the document was carefully formulated to gear towards consolidation, institutionalization and sustainability of all all reform initiatives in Ebonyi state in line with the people’s Charter of needs.
“The document is for administrative convenience, such that anyone that comes, whether government or partners will readily know how we do our budget and key into the process.” Aja added.
In their goodwill messages, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Mfon Williamson, that of Information and State Orientation, Mrs Patricia Nwobasi, as well as the State Auditor-General, Nnenna Agatha Ekuma, among others, further appreciated DIG Foundation for a job well done.
“This validation is to give the final nod to the draft document before printing and publication.
“The implication of this is that those who may be coming after us will have this handy to run with as a reference document for engaging the citizens in budget process”, Williamson emphasized.
The project consultant, Dr. Ibiam Azu Agwu, represented at the event by his associate, Benjamin Ahange, took time to present the draft document to the stakeholders and also recorded their valid inputs.
The 21 page draft document titled “Ebonyi State Administrative Citizens Engagement and Participation Strategy on Budget Process” was developed through a Civil society organisation initiative led by Development and Integrity Intervention Goal Foundation with support from Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa, under Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Project.
