By Aisha Mohammed
Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, have been an essential catalyst for grassroots development by bridging gaps in state services, empowering marginalized communities and facilitating Local capacity building.
They enhance livelihoods through skills training, promote democracy, advocate for policy changes and foster peacebuilding at the community level.
A cross section of a Network of Civil Society Organizations in the Northeastern part of Nigeria revealed to Radio Nigeria Fombina News that some government policies hinders their operations and create gaps in state interventions that provide essential services like education, healthcare and infrastructure improvements.
However, their operations face challenges in trying to foster accountability in governance to ensure projects are culturally suitable in promoting economic growth and enhancing social inclusion for marginalized groups.
They therefore solicited government collaboration in providing skills training in the areas of agriculture, tailoring, and handicrafts for the rapid development of Local underserved populations.
Team Lead, Ethics and Good Leadership Awareness Initiative, EGLAI, Henry Udoh, said the harmonization of CSO groups including those at the Local Government Area level will go a long way in increasing policy influence and recognition of Civil Society’s role.
Udoh further emphasized the need for Self-Regulation which he said is vital to building trust and respect between members of the CSOs and the Society in Strengthening internal governance for service delivery to the Grassroot.
The CSOs advocated collaborative efforts in fostering stability by mediating conflicts, monitoring Local Government activities and amplifying the voices of marginalized groups through the media in ensuring local needs are considered in both regional and national governance.
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