Connect with us

National News

Self-Regulatory Framework For CSOs, Out in April

Published

on

Self-Regulatory Framework For CSOs, Out in April

Self-Regulatory Framework For CSOs, Out in April

By: Michael Mike

Civil Society Organisations (CSO) operating in Nigeria has said a self-regulatory framework that would ensure that the sector executes its mandate in a transparent and efficient manner would be ready by April.

This was disclosed on Wednesday at the meeting of the General Assembly(GA) National Technical Committee (NTC) and Advisory Council on CSO Self-regulation in Nigeria organised by the British Council in Abuja. 

The NTC, GA and Advisory Council on CSO Self-Regulation are co-facilitated by the European Union Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (EU-ACT) Programme and the USAID Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) Programme. 

Speaking at the event, Harry Udoh, Chairman,  NTC on Civil Society Self-regulation, explained that the decision to develop a framework is informed by the need to build the eroding public trust on the civil society ecosystem. 

He expressed concern that critical stakeholders especially donors and the Nigerian government have scored CSOs performance low and the trust they have in the sector as well as public trust is eroding. 

The Chairman also disclosed that there is poor accountability in the management of funds and execution of project, and interventions in the sector. 

He noted that these issues spurred attempts by the National Assembly to regulate the space,  insisting that the method adopted by the lawmakers is however constricting the civil space, hence the need to develop a self-regulatory model that will ensure that CSOs have the enabling environment to operate while also ensuring that they are responsible and accountable in delivering their mandate. 

He said: “Sometime in 2020, the EU identified state networks across the country  and the discussions began early 2021 to build legitimacy on what we need to do and rebuild eroding public trust. Critical stakeholders like development partners and even government feel that we have not done well. There has been several attempts by the National assembly to regulate the sector, but they have come at it from an uninformed position that seems to restrict the space for civil society to operate. 

“So we thought that for us to respond to the fears that critical stakeholders have we need to ensure that we find ways to hold our self to some basic minimal standards of operations and ensure we also build the public trust needed, to give ourselves the legitimacy we need to continue to operate. Its the need to self preserve and also to build the eroding public trust in the civil society ecosystem, 

“We have gone round the country meeting with critical stakeholders,  development partners and civil society organisations. We have identified various models of self regulation and so we are meeting today  to ratify the findings that we have gotten and thereafter we go ahead and validate.

We will start the validation immediately and we are hoping that the document will be ready before the end of April for adoption.”

Also Read: NYSC: 1,500 corps members to report to Orientation camp in…

He said the process of developing the framework is almost over and by the ending of April, the document would be ready.

Policy and Governance Advisor at the USAID Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) Programme. Abdusalam Bahamas, who spoke on behalf of the Chief of Party, Lydia Odeh, added that the civil society space is expanding and more resources are available in the sector, which reiterates the need to self-regulate.

Executive Director, Nigeria Network of NGOs, Oluseyi Oyebisi, said the self-regulatory framework will ensure that CSOs audit accounts and send to regulatory agencies  in the country. He said: “To curb corrupt practices, We are setting minimum standard on how we utilise funds and also create a feedback system to explain how we have used the funds.”

Oyebisi however disclosed that one challenge non-profit organisation face in complying with other regulations in the country is the ambiguity of some Nigerian laws. “We need some clarity in some aspects of the law, make it easy to ensure compliance,” he said. 

In his remarks, the Component 2 Manager Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (EU-ACT), Idem Udoekong said the EU-funded programme is supporting CSOs to develop a regulatory framework that would create a more enabling environment.  He noted that regulatory framework can enable or disenable the civil society sector. 

He said: “We are also working with government regulators such as CAC, FIRS,  NASS, among others.  It’s important to work with government for reforms.”

Self-Regulatory Framework For CSOs, Out in April

Continue Reading
11 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National News

President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

Published

on

President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

By: Bodunrin Kayode

President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.

The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.

From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.

A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.

“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.

“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.

“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.

Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.

These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001

This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.

And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.

The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.

President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

Continue Reading

National News

NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

Published

on

NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.

This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.

The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).

The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).

Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.

Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.

He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.

“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.

“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.

Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.

He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.

NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

Continue Reading

National News

Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

Published

on

Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

By: Michael Mike

The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.

The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.

In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.

The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.

During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.

His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.

In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.

He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.

The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.

Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights