CHARS-Africa

05/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE

5 June 2026

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2026: CHARS-AFRICA URGES COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR A GREENER AND CLIMATE-RESILIENT FUTURE

The African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa) joins millions of people around the world in commemorating World Environment Day 2026, celebrated under the theme: “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”

The theme for this year highlights the critical role that nature plays in addressing climate challenges and sustaining human life. It reminds us that environmental protection is not the responsibility of governments alone, but a shared obligation that requires the participation of communities, institutions, businesses and individuals.

Across Nigeria, environmental challenges such as flooding, erosion, deforestation, poor waste management, pollution, and the effects of climate change, continue to threaten livelihoods, public health, food production and sustainable development. These challenges are increasingly affecting vulnerable communities, particularly women, children, persons with disabilities and rural populations.

CHARS-Africa notes that a healthy environment is indispensable to human advancement. Access to clean air, safe water, productive land, and a stable climate are essential conditions for social progress, economic growth, and human wellbeing. Consequently, environmental sustainability must remain a central component of public policy and development planning.

We commend efforts by governments, development partners, civil society organisations and community groups, working to promote environmental sustainability and climate resilience. However, much more remains to be done to address environmental degradation and strengthen adaptation measures in communities vulnerable to climate-related disasters.

CHARS-Africa calls for increased investment in environmental education, sustainable waste management, renewable energy, afforestation programmes, climate-smart agriculture, and community-based environmental protection initiatives. We also encourage citizens to embrace environmentally responsible practices, including proper waste disposal, tree planting, conservation of natural resources, and reduction of plastic pollution.

As we mark World Environment Day 2026, we urge all stakeholders to translate commitments into practical action. Protecting the environment today is an investment in the wellbeing, prosperity, and security of future generations.

Together, we can build a greener, healthier and more climate-resilient future for Nigeria and Africa.

Happy World Environment Day 2026.

Signed:
AMAKA BIACHI, ESQ
Executive Director, CHARS-Africa
[email protected] | +2348035532707

27/05/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

27th May, 2026

CHILDREN’S DAY 2026: CHARS-AFRICA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING THE RIGHTS AND FUTURE OF EVERY CHILD

The African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa) joins millions of Nigerians in commemorating Children’s Day 2026, celebrating the innocence, creativity, resilience, and limitless potential of every child.

As we mark this important occasion, CHARS-Africa reiterates that children remain the foundation of a better future and must be provided with safe environments to learn, grow, dream, and thrive.

CHARS-Africa reaffirms its commitment to promoting policies and initiatives that advance child protection, education, welfare, safeguarding, and equal opportunities, while advocating against all forms of abuse, exploitation, violence, neglect, and discrimination affecting children.

We further call on governments, parents, schools, communities, development partners, and all stakeholders to strengthen collaboration towards building a society where every child enjoys protection, dignity, quality education, participation, and a safe future, both offline and in the digital space.

As we celebrate today, let us renew our collective responsibility to raise not only educated children but protected, empowered, and respected children.

Happy Children’s Day to every child in Abia State, Nigeria, and beyond.

Signed:
CHARS-Africa
Promoting Peace, Equity & Justice

05/04/2026

08/03/2026

8th March, 2026

Happy International Women’s Day 2026!

Today, CHARS-Africa joins the global community in celebrating the strength, resilience, and achievements of women and girls.

As we mark International Women’s Day 2026 under the United Nations theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” we reaffirm our commitment to advancing gender equality, protecting women’s rights, and strengthening justice and opportunities for every woman and girl.

Empowered women build stronger families, communities, and nations.

Happy International Women’s Day! 💜

21/02/2026

19th February 2026.

On 19th February 2026, African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa) participated in the Southeast Summit on Reviving Local Governance – Citizens-Led Advocacy for Local Government Accountability and Reform, convened by the Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR) at Bishop Nwaedo Pastoral Centre, Umuahia, Abia State.

CHARS-Africa was ably represented by Amaka Biachi Esq, who joined critical stakeholders from across the Southeast to deliberate on advancing local government autonomy, strengthening transparency and accountability in LGA finances, promoting credible and independent local elections, deepening citizen participation, and improving grassroots service delivery in key sectors.

At the summit, CHARS-Africa reaffirms her commitment to democratic governance by identifying civic engagement and community-driven accountability as indispensable pillars for inclusive development and sustainable local economies.

"We believe that revitalizing Local Government Areas is central to restoring public trust, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring that governance truly works for the people".

CHARS-Africa remains steadfast in promoting accountability, participatory governance, and institutional reforms that empower communities across Southeast Nigeria.

11/02/2026

"Abia CSOs commit to self regulation, ethical leadership - Businessday NG"

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) operating in Abia State have agreed to fully embrace a hybrid self-regulation model, a nationwide...

01/02/2026

PRESS RELEASE

CHARS-AFRICA COMMENDS ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT ON DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY VALIDATION: CALLS FOR SUPPORT WITH LEGAL FRAMEWORKS AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION.

Aba, Abia State | 1st February, 2026

The African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa) commends the Abia State Government, through the Ministry of Environment, for the successful validation of the Abia State Climate Change Policy, with a deliberate and commendable emphasis on disability inclusion and multi-stakeholder participation.

We particularly acknowledge the inclusive stakeholder engagement process which brought together climate desk officers from Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and local government. Also participants from disability clusters, women’s groups, farmers’ associations, private sector actors, and civil society organisations, which reflected a participatory governance model consistent with international best practices in climate policy development.

CHARS-Africa notes with approval the policy alignment with the sustainable development vision of Governor Alex Otti, as well as the policy coherence demonstrated across sectors, including green budgeting, climate-friendly infrastructure, renewable energy adoption and environmentally sustainable public projects. These steps reflect practical compliance with the principles of sustainable development, climate resilience, and environmental justice as recognised under global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

We further commend the deliberate integration of disability inclusion in the policy validation process, particularly the contributions of the Abia State Disability Commission and disability-focused organisations, which aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under:

✓ The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018

✓ The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

✓ The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

✓ The principles of inclusive governance and social protection.

CHARS-Africa affirms that persons with disabilities are disproportionately vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, including flooding, erosion, heat waves, displacement, and food insecurity, thus they must not only be participants in consultations but central actors in climate planning, adaptation, mitigation, and implementation processes.

STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS

While commending this landmark initiative, CHARS-Africa respectfully makes the following policy-strengthening recommendations in line with international standards and Nigeria’s extant legal frameworks:

1. Legal Frameworks
The policy should be backed by enabling legislation or regulatory instruments to ensure enforceability, continuity, accountability and protection from arbitrariness;

2. Disability-Responsive Implementation Frameworks
Clear disability-inclusive climate action guidelines, budgets, and operational protocols should be developed, ensuring accessibility, inclusion, and targeted protection mechanisms for vulnerable populations;

3. Dedicated Climate Justice and Inclusion Fund
A state-level climate justice and inclusion fund to support adaptation, resilience building, disaster response and community-level interventions, especially for vulnerable groups should be established;

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Accountability Mechanisms
Structures for transparent monitoring and reporting should be put in place, with civil society and disability group participation, to track implementation, impact and compliance; and

5. Civic Education and Public Awareness
Sustained climate literacy and community sensitisation programmes, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.

CONCLUSION

CHARS-Africa views the validation of Abia State’s Climate Change Policy as a progressive and forward-looking governance milestone, capable of positioning Abia as a model sub-national government in climate governance, inclusion and environmental justice in Nigeria.

We reaffirm our institutional commitment to supporting rights-based climate governance, inclusive policy development, and sustainable environmental reforms, and call for collaborative and transparent partnerships between government, civil society, communities and development partners during implementation to translate policy into making measurable and people-centred impact.

Climate action must not only be sustainable: it must be just, inclusive, enforceable and accountable.

Signed:
Amaka Biachi Esq.
Executive Director
[email protected]

25/01/2026

CHARS-Africa Leads Abia CSOs to Enugu for 2-Day Capacity Training on CSO Self-Regulation

The Executive Director of CHARS-Africa, Amaka Biachi, Esq., led civil society actors from Abia State to Enugu for a two-day regional capacity development training on CSO self-regulation, held January 21–22, 2026.

The workshop, implemented by International IDEA with support from the European Union (EU) CSO Strengthening Bridge Project, aimed at building the capacity of participants on accountability, ethical leadership, peer collaboration, and coordinated advocacy across the South-East, while deepening understanding of the Hybrid CSO Self-Regulation (SR) framework.

Participants resolved to champion state-level adoption of the CSO Self-Regulation Framework and sustain inter-state collaboration for enhanced civil society impact.

CHARS-Africa commends the Ethics and Good Leadership Awareness Initiative (EGLAI), led by Dr. Harry Udoh (Team Lead), and its partners for convening this timely intervention, and also acknowledges Shiiwa Mnenga, Programme Officer (EGLAI), for effective coordination and delivery of the programme.

17/01/2026

PRESS RELEASE

CHARS-AFRICA SEEKS URGENT REVIEW OF NEW TAX LAW OVER RIGHTS AND EQUITY CONCERNS

Aba, Abia State | 17th January 2026

The African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa) expresses serious concern over the implementation of Nigeria’s newly enacted tax regime which came into force on 1 January 2026, anchored in the Nigeria Tax Act and related tax reform laws. While we recognise the government’s stated objectives of reforming the tax system, broadening the tax base, and improving revenue mobilisation, critical analysis by KPMG Nigeria (a globally respected professional services firm) has highlighted errors, inconsistencies, ambiguities, gaps, and omissions in the law that threaten to undermine equity, economic growth, and public trust.

KPMG warns that several key provisions lack clarity, contradict fundamental principles of fair taxation and legal certainty, and could trigger widespread disputes, deter investment, and even fuel capital flight. For example:

✓ The law’s definitions of taxable entities, including inconsistency in whether communities are taxable, undermine legal clarity and risk arbitrary enforcement.

✓ Provisions on profit computation, deductions, and treatment of capital losses are ambiguous, potentially imposing undue tax burdens contrary to the constitutional guarantee of fair and equitable treatment under the law.

✓ Sections on capital gains taxation fail to adjust for inflation, meaning taxpayers could face unfair liabilities that do not reflect true economic gains.

CHARS-Africa is particularly alarmed that, in practice, these flaws could contravene Nigeria’s constitutional principles of equality before the law (Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended) and the right to fair hearing in tax disputes (informed by the rule of law and statutory safeguards). Ambiguous tax provisions introduce the risk of arbitrary assessments and enforcement actions without proper safeguards, contrary to the principles of legal certainty and due process.

The Federal Government and relevant arms of the National Assembly must urgently act to clarify, amend, and harmonise the tax laws to reflect the original reform intent without ambiguity. Where provisions conflict with existing statutes or constitutional rights, corrective legislative amendments must be prioritised to uphold public confidence and protect taxpayers’ rights.

CHARS-Africa notes with concern that government responses to KPMG’s critique have downplayed the substantive issues as mere differences in interpretation or minor clerical lapses rather than fundamental legal misalignments requiring immediate correction. This posture undermines public confidence in the Rule of Law and weakens the legitimacy of tax governance in Nigeria.

Accordingly, CHARS-Africa calls on:

1. The Federal Government to immediately review and amend ambiguous or contradictory sections of the Nigeria Tax Act and associated tax laws.

2. The National Assembly to engage in transparent parliamentary scrutiny, including public hearings, to ensure tax laws respect constitutional rights and protect citizens from arbitrary enforcement.

3. The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to issue clear administrative guidelines that align with constitutional protections and the principles of fairness, equity, and non-discrimination.

4. Civil society, media, and professional groups to monitor implementation and advocate for fairness in tax administration.

Tax reform should not be a vehicle for confusion, opaque enforcement, or undue burdens on citizens and investors. Nigeria’s fiscal policy must uphold human rights, economic justice, and the rule of law, ensuring that taxation promotes development without punishing compliance or discouraging investment.

Signed:
Amaka Biachi Esq.
Executive Director
[email protected]

01/01/2026

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YEAR: CHARS-AFRICA CALLS FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND HUMANE FISCAL POLICIES IN 2026

Aba, Abia State, Nigeria | 1st January 2026

The African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa) in her New Year goodwill message to Nigerians called for improved governance rooted in justice, human dignity and accountability as the country enters 2026 amid deepening socio-economic and security uncertainties.

In its New Year statement, CHARS-Africa acknowledging the resilience of Nigerians in the face of rising living costs, job insecurity and social uncertainty, urged governments at all levels to prioritise people-centred policies that will protect livelihoods and restore public trust.

CHARS-Africa expressed concern over emerging fiscal and economic reform directions, particularly proposed tax measures expected to take effect in 2026. The organisation cautioned that poorly designed or inadequately consulted fiscal policies risk worsening hardship for already overburdened citizens and this will undermine confidence in governance.

The organization stated that taxation and economic reforms must be humane, transparent, and constitutionally grounded. Also, that a nation cannot tax its way out of crisis by bleeding the majority vulnerable citizens. Equity and justice, was advised, not pressure, to be the currency of national renewal.

The human rights body called on the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and sub-national governments to ensure that all fiscal policy reforms are subjected to genuine and inclusive public consultation and should align with the living realities of ordinary Nigerians.

As the New Year begins, CHARS-Africa reaffirmed its commitment to defending human rights, amplifying citizens’ voices, promoting social justice, and holding public institutions accountable in the collective interest of the Nigerian people.

The organisation expressed hope that 2026 will usher in compassionate leadership, responsive governance, and policies that will genuinely serve the people.

Signed:
Amaka Biachi Esq.
Executive Director, CHARS-Africa
[email protected]