Civil Society Organizations have received a call to actively engage with the new administration, particularly with lawmakers, in order to address legal and regulatory obstacles that hinder their effectiveness.
This advice was given by stakeholders during the 2nd National Conference on Civil Society Operational Environment, held under the theme, ‘Sustaining public benefit from CSOs through collaboration and enabling regulation,’ in Abuja on Wednesday.
The two-day event was organized by the CSO Accountability and Transparency Initiative and received funding from the European Union, British Council, and four other international organizations.
Ambassador Samuela Isopi, the Head of the EU delegation to Nigeria, emphasized the importance of CSOs taking the lead in setting an agenda for lawmakers to create an enabling environment for civil society engagement.
Isopi, represented by her deputy, Zisimus Vargoes, explained, “There should be an expansion of CSOs at the national and sub-national level. With the recent change in government and the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, civil society actors can seize the opportunity to engage with the assembly and set the agenda for the type of engagement they would like to see in the years to come.”
The Chairman, House Committee on Civil Society and Development Matters, Victor Chukwuemele, noted that the “civil society plays a major role in the development of the nation. However, the CSOs should always see the government as their friend because both need to work together.
“CSOs need to close communication gaps so that laws and issues concerning them can easily be communicated.”
The Executive Director, Cedar Seed Foundation, Lois Auta, lamented that Persons with Disabilities are being denied their rights, adding that most structures in Nigeria do not avail them easy access to operate.
Auta stated “PWDs are part of the labours that are developing the country. But, sadly, the level of participation for citizens with disabilities is at a zero level. Talking about the operational environment in Nigeria, most structures were not designed for PWDs to easily gain access.”
The Board Chairman, CATI, Funke Akinleye, said the conference would facilitate collaborative endeavours aimed at enhancing the regulatory environment for CSOs.
“The conference will foster continued engagement across diverse stakeholder groups, to gain a shared understanding of the gains, issues, challenges, gaps and proposed solutions to further facilitate an enabling environment for CSOs to operate within the context of regulations and adherence to best practice and ethical standards.’ Akinleye noted.
