*** Signs MoU with UNITAR
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Apparently aware of the excruciating economic hardship many Nigerians are currently experiencing, the Director General of Civil Society Organisations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI), Mr. Kunle Yusuff has pointedly told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government to do something quickly because Nigerians are facing a serious challenge of livelihood occasioned by hard but necessary economic policies of his administration.
This is even as the head of the umbrella body of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (CSOs) said government should also consider a more people’s friendly tariff on electricity in the face of the recent increase in the charges, adding that the persistence of insecurity in the country demands a holistic re- engineering approach.
Yusuff who spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at a media chat with National Leaders of Community -Based Organisation (CBO), Faith-Based Organisation (FBO)
Civil Society Organisation (CSO) also lamented that the cost of public higher education in the country is becoming relatively too high for average Nigerians.
Said he: “We want to use this opportunity to further inform the federal government that Nigerians are facing a serious challenge of livelihood occasioned by hard but necessary economic policies of government” .
He however said: “As a bridge between the government and the masses, it has become a compelling imperative for CSOs to call upon Mr. President, as a matter of urgency to review; The relationship between the government and CSOs, NGOs, CBOs, and FBOs and to also review the Presidential Food Security Committee”.
Speaking further, CSCHEI DG said it is also important for CSOs to play an active role in reviewing the submission of the Presidential Tax Reforms Committee. The Civil Society should also monitor and evaluate 2024 Budget implementations.
Said he: “The Civil Society Organisation should also join various government establishments to fight corruption and encourage the government to fight insecurity. We acknowledge and appreciate Mr. President efforts on the methodology adopted on the Ministry of Humanitarian and Hon. Minster Bette Edu.
“We would also like to thank Mr. President and Commander-In-Chief of Federal Republic of Nigeria for the engagement of John Abase, the Special Investigator on CBN and other Government Business Entities”.
He therefore said the CSOs in Nigeria really want to know the status of the Special Investigator reports, most importantly appealing to permit this bold and professional special investigator to further investigate NNPC, NPA, NIMASA, CUSTOM and others for dear country financial stability.
“As we have all pledged our allegiance to National Unity, the registered Civil Society Organisation under the unbrella of CSCHEI are ready available to partner and collaborate with Government at all levels on Development, Security Enhancement and Corruption Advocacy in accordance with the law of the land”, he stated.
Meanwhile, Yusuff has revealed that CSCHEI has been accredited by United Nations through a partnership MoU signed with UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH (UNITAR), adding that the MoU and mandate also cover UNOSAT, United Nations Satellite Centre.
He also disclosed that the partnership between UNITAR and CSCHEI has granted CSOs access to Global Humanitarian and Development Networks with almost all United Nations Agencies globally, adding that “out of 38 various United Nations establishment systems, Nigeria is home to 24 United Nations Agencies”.
Said he: “It is my honour and privilege to stand before you this afternoon as Director General, Civil Society Organizations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative to present the recent updates within the development space achieved by CSCHEI”
According to him:”CSCHEI in Nigeria is an accredited platform by United Nations that coordinates, mobilises, supervises, organises, and promotes registered Non-Governmental Organization, Community Based Organisations, Faith-Based Organisations within the scope of Social Development, Community Enhancement and Humanitarian”.
He pointed out that: “At CSCHEI, our working policy document completely aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030”.
He said it is worthwhile to mention that there are more than 45,000 various registered NGOs, CBOs, and FBOs in Nigeria, out of which 25,000 are working within the scope of social, community, and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiatives. READ ALSO:
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“Out of this 25,000, CSCHEI has access to 17,000 who are working presently on the social, community, and humanitarian sectors. Currently, CSCHEI is coordinating almost 3,400 NGOs, CBOs, and FBOs”, he revealed.
He said the relationship CSCHEI have established with Donour Agencies, Development Partners, Federal Government Agencies, some State Governments, and ALGON is an indicator that Nigeria is on the right path to achieve SDGs Global Agenda 2030 Goals.
Yusuff therefore warned that the era of “portfolio CSOs” are over as CSCHEI has stepped in to monitor the utilisation of every dime from Foreign Donor Agencies (FDAs) going forward.
The media chat was attended by the representatives of many CSOs in Nigeria including those that have not affiliated with CSCHEI just as they were admonished to perfect their registration online by assessing CSCHEI website.
