Terrorism Victims’ Support Fund and politics of fund-raising

It is perhaps the most significant non-military effort in dealing with the problem so far. We must continue to combat violence, but we must also think of how to help its victims.The Terrorism Victims’ Support Fund has achieved three things. One: it might have diluted the government’s effort of borrowing N160 billion to fight terrorism, […]

It is perhaps the most significant non-military effort in dealing with the problem so far. We must continue to combat violence, but we must also think of how to help its victims.
The Terrorism Victims’ Support Fund has achieved three things. One: it might have diluted the government’s effort of borrowing N160 billion to fight terrorism, even though the loan was meant to purchase weapons and not to support the victims. Two; it has indicated that the government has changed  its mind from taking care of terrorism victims only after the war has been brought to an end, which was never a good idea. Three, it has united Nigerians; it has shown that we care for one other. We are all victims of terrorism; it is only that some are more affected than others.  Terrorism has affected our economy, international image and internal unity.
 However it is too early to celebrate. This is because fund raising is quite different from funds receipts and proper distribution and utilisation of funds. We will celebrate only when at least 75% of those who made promises that night, redeem their pledges and the funds raised reach the actual victims without ending up in the pockets of corrupt bureaucrats.
Let’s take a short walk down the memory lane. In 2012, an unprecedented flood ravaged several states in Nigeria, affecting over 7 million people, displacing about  2.3 million people, killing over 363 persons, destroying about 597, 476 houses. In October 2012, the government, apart from providing almost N18 billion, also mobilised wealthy Nigerians to raise funds to help the flood victims.  Several months after many communities are still agitating for the funds.  Where did all the funds go?
A 34-man Presidential Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Committee, co-chaired by business mogul, Aliko Dangote and frontline lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba, were left with loads of empty promises from well-respected ‘big’ people. The committee at its inauguration at the Presidential Villa stated that it was targeting the sum of N100 billion, and instantly, donations and pledges made by prominent Nigerians amounted to over N11billion.
Many of the prominent Nigerians, who made pledges in the presence of President Jonathan at the launch of the fund refused to redeem their promises, several months after.  
Concerning fund raisings for one philanthropic reason or the other, I would like to raise three issues.
First, must all funds be raised from the richest people in Nigeria? Aren’t we troubling them by asking them to donate their money all the time or whenever there is any calamity?  
Secondly, why don’t we make fund raisers to support whatever emergency, a completely Nigerian issue, rather than a rich and big men affair? Although people handling the fund raisers usually announce that donations are made open to the public, but they seldom put in place any practical framework to make that happen.  
Thirdly, I once heard a state governor said, whenever you hear a government setting up committees, task forces, fund raisers and so on, then someone is not doing his work somewhere.  
While I acknowledge that, some exceptional cases of emergencies may not be effectively handled by the government without the intervention of private individuals. I strongly advocate that governments must limit fund raising activities to the barest minimum.

Amir Abdulazeez, Foundation for Better Initiatives <[email protected]>;