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EU-ACT, British Council Call for Govt, CSOs Collaboration to Create Enabling Laws and Increase Compliance
EU-ACT, British Council Call for Govt, CSOs Collaboration to Create Enabling Laws and Increase Compliance
By: Michael Mike
The European Union and the British Council have urged Civil Society organisations in Nigeria to collaborate with the government in mapping out an enabling environment for the sector.
The National Programme Manager, Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT) Programme, Damilare Babalola said the European Union and the British Council through the ACT programme aim to facilitate the relationship between government, CSOs, and regulatory agencies to promote mutual understanding, enabling environment and sustainable development programmes across the country
The European Union-funded ACT Programme was inaugurated in Nigeria on September 24, 2019, to contribute to inclusive, effective, responsible, and gender-responsive development in the country.
Babalola said this on Thursday in Abuja during a knowledge share fair with the theme: “ Nigerian CSOs Translating Knowledge to Capacity and Impact.”
While lamenting the gap in the nongovernmental organizations, NGOs, he said: “There are misconceptions that civil organisations are not regulated but the fact is that they are well regulated but there are issues around compliance but ACT seeks to promote compliance “
He also explained that: “We also notice weak capacity in some CSOs. Civil society is part of the mechanism used to drive sustainable development globally. They are involved in policy advocacy and policy engagement at different levels hence we need them to have a strengthened capacity. They need to put the internal governance in place, HR policies, account policy to aid their functionalities.”
He said the government needs to understand the space before setting laws and regulations.
“Regulatory agencies should come out and sensitize civil society organizations on the need for regulations. The FIRS should come out and enlighten CSOs more about the taxes and the consequences of not complying. PENCOM should enlighten actors in CSOs the government shouldn’t make laws on assumption,” he noted.
In his remarks, Executive Director, of Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO), Oyebisi Oluseyi said CSOs are interested in regulations that enable smooth operations but kick against those that shrink civic space and stand against them performing social responsibilities to the communities they are meant to reach
He said: “We don’t want laws that will not allow us to do our work effectively. There’s a myth that nonprofit organizations are not regulated, but experience from what we have done showed that there are 54 existing laws that guide our operations.
We don’t want a law that will not allow us to help the common man. If government policy is not working and we spark up, we don’t want a situation where the law will be used to arrest us. We also want to carry out projects in communities without government shrinking resources meant for community development projects.”
Senior Director for Advocacy, Centre for Civilians in Conflict, The Hague, Netherlands Udo Ilo,, said CSOs must focus on sustainable programs, in line with the government policies, and will impact the Nigerian community.
He emphasized the need for CSOs to strengthen internal governance and control for accountability, public confidence, and trust. He also urged Civil societies to engage with the government for more understanding.
While commending the European Union and the British Council for the ACT Program, Mina Ogbanga, chief operations officer, of Rivers Network of NGOs said Regulatory agencies should make policies easy for compliance and not make processes unnecessarily cumbersome especially when it comes to registration.
EU-ACT, British Council Call for Govt, CSOs Collaboration to Create Enabling Laws and Increase Compliance
Gombe: Jos DisCo condoles families of victims of electrocution
The Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc, has commiserated with the families of those who died on Saturday from electrocution.
The commiseration is contained in a statement signed by Saratu Aliyu Dauda, the Ag. Head, Corporate Communications, JED and issued to journalists on Saturday.
The statement partly read: “the Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc is deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident that occurred at approximately 00:45 hours today, affecting customers connected to the Tudun Wada Pantami Distribution Transformer 2 in the Riyel community, Gombe.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was caused by a high-tension line snapping and making contact with low-tension lines, leading to a voltage supply outside permissible limits.
“We are closely monitoring the situation, particularly in light of the palpable tension within the affected community, and will continue to provide accurate updates as more facts emerge.”
Dauda stated that the company was already carrying out a thorough evaluation to determine the root causes of the incident, and subsequently ensure appropriate corrective and preventive measures would be implemented to avoid a recurrence.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families impacted by this tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.
“We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Traditional and Community Leaders in Riyel for their invaluable support in helping manage the aftermath of the incident.”
Gombe: Jos DisCo condoles families of victims of electrocution
North East APC Forum Endorses Tinubu/Kashim Ticket for 2027
By: Michael Mike
The North East chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially endorsed President Bola Tinubu/ Vice President Kashim Shettima ticket for the 2027 presidential election.
The endorsement was made on Sunday during the North East All Progressives Congress Consultative Meeting in Gombe, the Gombe State capital.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno, Mai-Mala Buni of Yobe, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe and other top APC officials in the northeast were among thousands of party members that attended the meeting.
The forum noted that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have transformed Nigeria in their short terms of leadership with their renewed hope agenda.
They call on all Nigerians to rally behind a ticket that promises unity, progress and hope for the country.
While delivering his speech, the governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, noted that in the last two years, the Tinubu/Shettima-led government has done a lot in the areas of health, education, youth and women empowerment, revenue generation, and improving the lives of citizens.
Other prominent personalities present at the meeting include the National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Deputy National Chairman, Dr Ali Bukar Dalori, and other members of the APC.
End
Thirteen suspects including notorious kidnappers, escape from police cell in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Thirteen suspects escaped from police detention after breaking through the wall of their cell at the Area Command in Nasarawa State, a Police sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama on Sunday.
The incident occurred on June 14, 2025, at about 06:30 hours when suspects held by the OC Anti-Kidnapping and OC Anti-Cultism broke out of their cell from the rear wall, sources at the command said.
The suspects, now at large, include Jamilu Abdulsalam chain theft and kidnapping, Abdullahi Yahaya (chain theft, kidnapping and culpable homicide), Usman Yerima (chain theft, kidnapping and culpable homicide), Abba Musa (chain theft, kidnapping and culpable homicide), Idris Hussaini (chain theft, kidnapping and culpable homicide), Abu Amu (chain theft and kidnapping), Usman Hassan (chain theft, intimidation and attempted kidnapping), Hussaini Sani (chain theft and kidnapping), Ibrahim Shuaibu (chain theft, kidnapping and culpable homicide), Hamza Abubakar (chain theft, kidnapping and culpable homicide), Usman Ibrahim, a.k.a Tecno (chain theft, causing grievous hurt, belonging to unlawful society and culpable homicide), and Abdullahi Muhammed (on court order).
The police say efforts were ongoing to arrest the suspects and bring them back into custody.
Meanwhile, the Cell Record Officer, incident duty officer, cell guard, and visiting-round officer have been queried and held accountable for their respective roles in the incident.
Thirteen suspects including notorious kidnappers, escape from police cell in Nasarawa
Gombe: Jos DisCo condoles families of victims of electrocution
Kashim Shettima: The endorsement, the interpretations, and the strategic nuances ahead of 2027.
North East APC Forum Endorses Tinubu/Kashim Ticket for 2027
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