They were advised by stakeholders at the 2nd National Conference on Civil Society Operational Environment with the theme, ‘Sustaining public benefit from CSOs through collaboration and enabling regulation’ in Abuja on Wednesday.
The two-day programme is organised by the CSO Accountability and Transparency Initiative and funded by the European Union, British Council and other four international organisations.
Speaking at the event, the Head of the EU delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Samuela Isopi, stated that the CSOs must set an agenda for lawmakers on enabling an environment for a civil space.
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 “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.
