As part of its grassroots empowerment programme, the World Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (WANGO) Nigeria Chapter recently hosted leaders and representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) from across the five local government areas in Kogi central senatorial district of Kogi state.
The event, which held in Okene, had in attendance over 40 CSOs working in different areas from the zone, including some notable sons and daughters, such as the Clerk to the National Assembly, Prince Mohammed Ataba Sani Oniolori, the Ciroma of Ebira, President of Ebira Peoples Association (EPA), Dr. Abdulrahman Adeiza, former Kogi State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mohammed Sule and Hajia Maryam Ibrahim, President of Ebira Great Advancement (EGA) among others.
In his opening remarks, Country Director for WANGO and convener of the meeting, Mr. Mohammed Attah, said the forum was part of WANGO’s ongoing strategic empowerment programmes that will translate into development agenda aimed at promoting unity among the people, as well as build their capacity for increased results. He noted that that through there are several commendable initiatives in the past by well meaning individuals and organisations, WANGO’s involvement at this stage, and as a global organisation connecting and serving NGOs beyond borders, is to guide NGOs and/CSOs at all levels in service delivery. Attah thanked the participants for responding positively to the invitation.
The President, EPA, Adeiza, commended the initiative for gathering of CSOs in the area to discuss their common challenges. He called for more trainings and meetings of this nature as a channel for sustained growth. He implored everyone to take special interest in ICT education and others, as he maintained that education has no age limit nor can it be enough. He also thanked WANGO through the country Director, Attah, for creating the platform for networking.
Oniolori joined other well-wishers in commending WANGO for initiating this process. On his part, development can only occur among various groups and interest when there is synergy and coordination among civil society organisations. He commended the work done so far because it is service to humanity and expressed happiness that service-oriented people have come together for results. He said the measure of man lies in his ability to serve the people, thanked the participants and said he was willing to receive the reports of the meeting as a means to support the outcome.
Chairman of the meeting, Mal. Yusuf Onipe, who is the founder and chief executive of Avabe Initiative, also commended the convener of the meeting for serving as a tool for change in the zone. He enjoyed the participants to take advantage of the opportunity provided by WANGO to network and share innovative ideas that would assist them in meeting their goals.
The meeting ended with various resolutions, which include the establishment of a ‘Network of CSOs in Kogi Central’ setting up of a Steering Committee of seven members to work out the modalities for sustaining the network, and a promise from WANGO to continue to the empowerment of the zone through series of capacity building programmes for CSOs and unemployed youths in the zone.
