FGN STATE (CRS)

TERM OF REFERENCE

Nigeria REDD+ Federal-level Governance Working Group Terms of reference Background The Federal Government of Nigeria joined the UNREDD+ Programme in 2010, and submitted a national REDD+ readiness programme in March The Nigeria REDD+ Readiness Programme envisions a two-track approach to achieve REDD+ readiness in Nigeria, with the development of institutional and technical capacities at Federal level and, simultaneously, carrying out intense institutional, strategy- building and demonstration activities in Cross River State. It is envisioned that state-level progress will in turn inform the national process and guide pragmatically other states interested in REDD+.

Overall mandate of the Federal-level Governance Working Groups The Federal-level Governance Working Group (GWG) provides overall leadership, guidance and direction to the Participatory Governance Assessment (PGA) process, including awareness-raising and sensitization of the Nigerian public. It ensures the integrity of the process by promoting transparency, inclusivity, and accountability to the citizens of Nigeria.

Membership to the GWG is in person and Federal and Members missing more than three (3) sittings will be considered for replacement unless they can assure the GWG of their continuous availability in the future in CRS. The GWG shall be chaired by permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Environment. Membership to the GWG shall comprise a maximum of twelve (12) members, drawn from the following categories;

Three (3) members from the Government of Nigeria (i.e. relevant Ministries and public institutions that have a direct bearing on the process) Three (3) members representing civil society and non-governmental organizations at Federal level, including (if possible/appropriate) one representative of a womens’ group/organization working on gender issues, one representative of forest-dependent communities, and one representative of an organization working on environmental/forest conversation issues Four (4) representatives from each one of the four (4) States that are likely to undertake a PGA in the near future (Taraba, Ogun, Nasarawa, Lagos)

Functions of the Federal-level Governance Working Groups The functions of the Federal-level GWG shall be: 1.To provide leadership, guidance and overall direction to the PGA process, including awareness-raising and sensitization of relevant government institutions, private sector, civil society, development partners and the Nigerian public (in close coordination with the PGA communication specialist); 2. To guarantee the integrity of the PGA process in Nigeria by ensuring that it is transparent, inclusive, and accountable to the citizens of Nigeria; 3.To promote the active participation of Government, parliament, oversight agencies, civil society, academia, the private sector, the media and all other relevant stakeholders in the PGA process; 4.To ensure the independence, professionalism and credibility of the research process led by the Research Team;

5.To ensure that the media community is well briefed on REDD+ and on PGA progress on a continuous basis, and to popularize REDD+ and the PGA process through different channels, including radio, TV, newspapers, etc. (in close coordination with the PGA communication specialist); 6.To liaise closely with the Cross River State-level GWG throughout the process; 7.To meet regularly, review progress reports and drafts of the PGA methodology, and provide recommendations to the PGA Coordinator and the PGA Research Team; 8.Upon completion of the first round of data collection in Cross River State, to sensitize key Federal-level stakeholders and the general public on the results of the process and the corresponding recommendations for strengthening governance safeguards for the successful implementation of REDD+ in Nigeria; 9.Upon completion of the first round of data collection in Cross River State, to promote and support the replication of the PGA process in other interested REDD+ candidate States.

Background The Federal Government of Nigeria joined the UNREDD+ Programme in 2010, and submitted a national REDD+ readiness programme in March The Nigeria REDD+ Readiness Programme envisions a two-track approach to achieve REDD+ readiness in Nigeria, with the development of institutional and technical capacities at Federal level and, simultaneously, carrying out intense institutional, strategy-building and demonstration activities in Cross River State. It is envisioned that state-level progress will in turn inform the national process and guide pragmatically other states interested in REDD+.

Overall mandate of the Cross River State Governance Working Groups The Cross River State Governance Working Group (GWG) provides leadership, guidance and direction to the Participatory Governance Assessment (PGA) process in Cross River State, including awareness-raising and sensitization of the public in Cross River State. It ensures the integrity of the process by promoting transparency, inclusivity, and accountability to the citizens of Cross River State.

Membership to the Cross River State (GWG) cannot be delegated. Members missing more than three (3) sittings will be considered for replacement unless they can assure the GWG of their continuous availability in the future. The GWG shall be chaired by the Chairman of the CRS Forestry Commission. Membership to the GWG shall comprise a maximum of twelve (12) members, drawn from the following categories;

Two (2) members from the Forestry Commission Two (3) representatives from CRS government agencies that have a direct bearing on the process Two (2) members representing civil society / non-governmental organizations in CRS (possibly one organization representing forest-dependent communities, and one organization working on environmental/forest conversation issues) including 1 youth representing other organizations in the communities Two (2) representatives from local government authorities in CRS One (2) representative of traditional leaders in CRS One (1) representative of a womens’ group / organization working on gender issues in CRS

Functions of the Cross River State Governance Working Groups The functions of the Cross River State GWG shall be: 1.To provide leadership, guidance and overall direction to the PGA process in CRS, including awareness-raising and sensitization of relevant government institutions, private sector, civil society, development partners and the public (in close coordination with the PGA communication specialist); 2.To guarantee the integrity of the PGA process in Nigeria and in Nigeria by ensuring that it is transparent, inclusive, and accountable to the citizens of CRS; 3.To promote the active participation in the case of CRS of Government, local elected assemblies, oversight agencies, civil society, academia, the private sector, the media and all other relevant CRS stakeholders in the PGA process;

4.To ensure the independence, professionalism and credibility of the research process led by the Research Team; 5.To ensure that the media community in CRS is well briefed on REDD+ and on PGA progress on a continuous basis, and to popularize REDD+ and the PGA process in CRS through different channels, including radio, TV, newspapers, etc. (in close coordination with the PGA communication specialist); 6.To liaise closely with the Federal-level GWG throughout the process; 7.To meet regularly, review progress reports and drafts of the PGA methodology, and provide recommendations to the PGA Coordinator and the PGA Research Team; 8.Upon completion of the first round of data collection in Cross River State, to sensitize key Federal- and CRS-level stakeholders and the general public on the results of the process and the corresponding recommendations for strengthening governance safeguards for the successful implementation of REDD+ in Nigeria;

INTRODUCTION AND PRESENTATION OF MEMBERS

1.Salisu Dahiru 2.Kingsley Nwawuba 3.Hauwa Uwar 4.Dr. Okolo D. A. 5.Raymond Ebonine 6.Umar Uji 7.Ochuko Odibo 8.Najega Bala Rufai 9.Peter Ekwuezor 10.Dr Essoka Pauline 11.Tijjani Ahmed 12.Alamatu Ibrahim 13.Aisha Bello

1.Mr. Odigha Odigha (Chairman) 2.Mr. Patrick Agida (Secretary) 3.Hon. John Gaul – Lebo 4.His majesty Fredalin Akando 5.Hon Chris Obasse 6.Mr. James Odey 7.Rev. (Mrs.) Rose Archibong 8.Rev. Anthony Essien Offiong 9.Okang Oku Okang 10.Blessing Daniel Okikpor 11.Mark Otu 12.Ntufam Gab Orji

I hereby, in collaboration with the National UN-REDD+ Nigeria coordinator and the CRS coordinator present to the house the members of the Governance Working Group to drive the process on, in Nigeria (Federal) and in the CRS

Thank you