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Self-Regulatory Framework For CSOs, Out in April

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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.”

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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

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Coalition Of APC Youths  Groups Harps On Ambassador Musa Tsoken’s Contribution To APC

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Coalition Of APC Youths  Groups Harps On Ambassador Musa Tsoken’s Contribution To APC

By JABIRU A HASSAN

APC Youth Groups  Across Six-Geo Political Zones have commended the national president of the APC Initiative For Good Governance, (APC-IGG), Ambassador Musa Muhammed Tsoken for his utmost contribution towards the  APC victory during the 2023 general elections.

The groups made the commendation in a joint press statement issued to our correspondent by the APC Youths groups secretary general Alhaji Murtala Adamu at the end of their routine strategic meeting held Thursday in Kano.

“APC Youths Groups from the Six-Geo Political zones have found  Ambassador Musa Tsoken as a great contributor who worked with determination towards the success of the ruling party during the 2023 general elections and how he worked day and night to ensure that APC Remained in power for the actualization of genuine con tu unity” said the statement.

The groups coalition called on president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reward Ambassador Musa Tsoken for his sacrifices and working for the promotion of All Progressive Congress at the time when the party is in need, and assured that Mr. Tsoken would certainly make more impacts to APC  especially at present when the gang up against the party  before the 2027 general elections is looming.

In conclusion, the APC Youths groups remind all bonafide members of the APC that Ambassador Musa Muhammed Tsoken together with some patriotic Party faithfuls mobilize the people to support and vote APC at wards, local governments states and at the National levels which has been a challenging task he carried despite many odds.

Coalition Of APC Youths  Groups Harps On Ambassador Musa Tsoken’s Contribution To APC

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UN Set to Host Peace Building Programme to Tackle Insecurity

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UN Set to Host Peace Building Programme to Tackle Insecurity

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations (UN) in Nigeria on Wednesday said its maiden peace-building programme tagged: “Summit of the future-new agenda for peace” is aimed at advancing measures at tackling security related issues.

UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall disclosed this during national stakeholders consultation in Abuja to map out strategies for the upcoming summit scheduled to hold from Sept.22 to 23, 2024 in New York.

The event organised by the UN in collaboration with Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) seeks to promote the use of dialogue as tool in tackling security challenges.

Fall said although Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, it has role to play as regional power in shaping regional and global agenda on peace and security.

He said: “There are a number of idioms that notes how crucial Nigeria is to the subcontinent and the world, the most notable is the following “when Nigeria sneezes, the whole continent fall sick”.

He noted that the promotion of peace and security is central to the UN and enshrined in the organisation’s Charter to save generations from the scourge of conflict.

According to him, dialogue has become important toward supporting Nigeria capture and articulate efforts in tackling peace and security challenges.

He added that: “The new agenda for peace is a fresh look at the changing security landscape and a call to reinvigorate collective security system based on principles of trust, solidarity and universality.

“The agenda stresses importance of preventive diplomacy to tackle poverty, inequalities, climate change and closing development gaps that lead to conflict in the first place.

“This would strengthen both the regional peace architecture and the global framework for addressing contemporary threats to peace and security across Africa.

“By assertively participating in these high-level deliberations, Nigerian stakeholders can amplify their nation’s voice and advocate tailored solutions that better reflects realities on the ground,” Fall said.

On his part, the Director-General of IPCR, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, underscored the need for stronger international cooperation among institutions and relevant stakeholders to tackle spate of violent conflicts.

According to him, it has become imperative to tackle root causes of conflict, prevent crises before they escalate and build equitable world for all.

“As we reflect on the profound challenges that confront us, we must recognise the critical role of solidarity in fostering sense of shared responsibility and mutual support.

“As we embark on new agenda for peace, let us heed the call for unity, compassion and collective action, the challenges we face may be daunting but they are not insurmountable.

“Only by embracing this paradigm shift where peacebuilding is viewed as everybody’s business, can we truly create the conditions for lasting peace and security.

“The time to act is now before these threats escalate and engulf us, let us rise to the occasion and fulfill our responsibility as stewards of peace and security for all,”

UN Set to Host Peace Building Programme to Tackle Insecurity

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Nigeria Currently Working on Deepening Bilateral Relations with US, Says Tuggar

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Nigeria Currently Working on Deepening Bilateral Relations with US, Says Tuggar

By: Michael Mike

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar has revealed that Nigeria is currently working to deepen bilateral relations with the United States in line President Bola Tinubu’s Nigeria’s foreign policy thrust and initiatives.

Tuggar, made the revelation at the 248th U.S. independence anniversary dinner organized by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Minister who was represented by the Director of Regions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Janet Olisa, said deepening Nigeria-U.S. ties would further cement their many years of cooperation and friendship.

The minister noted that the signing of the Nigeria-U.S. Binational Cooperation was one of the major foreign policy initiatives of the Tinubu administration that would be strengthened, while others would be explored.

He noted that Nigeria-U.S. bilateral relations had been nurtured over the years with various cooperations that have strengthened their ties.

He said: “Since our independence, we have been two nations that have continued to watch our friendship, our bond, and cooperation very tightly.

“One of the major things that happened this year was the Nigeria-U.S. Binational Cooperation agreement, and it is a testament of how important and cordial our relationship is.

“The Secretary of State just left Nigeria not too long ago. And to ensure that we had a smooth running, the Deputy Secretary of State, who had just been confirmed, hurried up to Nigeria to ensure that we had a very successful by Binational.”

The minister said that there were several other agreements and cooperations with the U.S. that Nigeria was looking into with a view to deepening and strengthening them.
“We are also looking into security, which is key to the African nation and very key to Nigeria. We are looking at strengthening the security bond between us we are thankful for all the security cooperation that we receive,” he said.

The Minister also expressed Nigeria’s gratitude to the U.S. for the various interventions in the country’s health sector challenges.

He said: “We are also grateful that in the Ministry of Health, we’ve been able to get some collaborations as well in all the AIDS programmes that have been going on.

“That is the bond of friendship, as we welcome also the incoming ambassador. We know he’s going to have a wonderful time here. I must say that we Nigerians are a people that have always understood the importance of nationhood.

“Nationhood is key to us and for that our security cannot be taken for granted. So I wish you all a very fruitful celebration and we join you to say Happy Independence.”

Speaking earlier, Amb. Richard Mills, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, said the two countries were two proud federal republics that shared a commitment to democracy and freedom.

He said that they both shared the belief that was expressed in the US Declaration of Independence 248 years ago, adding that every Nigerian and U.S. citizen shared in the right to life to liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

“As I settle into Abuja and into my role as the 22nd U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, I look forward to meeting with many of you and how we will work together to strengthen our ties.”

Also speaking, Amb. David Greene, U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission and Charge d’Affairs, said that the occasion was an opportunity to take a quick look at the state of the two nations’ ties, particularly given the incredible momentum in their relationship.

The U.S. envoy disclosed that there are 700,000 Nigerians living and working in the U.S., saying it underscored the significance of the U.S.-Nigeria people-to-people ties, which is the bedrock of the relationship.

Greene added that: “Our bond has always been strong. But lately it feels like we’re really sprinting forward together to make Nigerians and Americans more secure, more healthy, more prosperous.”

Nigeria Currently Working on Deepening Bilateral Relations with US, Says Tuggar

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