By Chimezie Godfrey
The Federal Government has charged Civil Societies and Non – Governmental Òrganisations to build strong partnership and capacity to achieve their desired results in the protection of the rights of the vulnerable groups in the society.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq made this known during a one- day forum titled “Strengthening Civil Societies / Non- Governmental Organisations in the COVID-19 PANDEMIC”.
Represented by the Acting Director for Social Development Mansur Kulliya, the Minister said,”Issues concerning COVID-19 Pandemic cuts across the globe and are reflected in all socio-economic pursuit hence the need for strong partnerships and capacity building to achieve desired result in the protection of the Rights of the vulnerable groups in the Society.
“It is in realization of the above, that the FMHADMSD is strengthening alliance and Networks among NGOs and CSOs at all levels of Government.”
She noted that NGOs has been playing vital role from the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the area of building Community resilience, supporting vulnerable Communities through food park distributions, supplying of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), among others.
According to her, it is also a well-known fact that NGOs/CSOs have been playing a vital role in poverty eradication through collaboration and partnership with various MDAs and other development partners.
“The Ministry, in line with our mandate has developed various programmes aimed at improving socio- economic well-being of the vulnerable groups in Nigeria. According to Mr. President’s directive on National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP) which aimed at achieving macro-economic stability.
“It may interest you to know that the Ministry has been implementing many programmes on N-SIP which are also replicated at the National level. These programmes includes: National Home -Grown School feeding programme (NHGSFP) whose objective is to improve the enrolment of primary School Children and to stimulate local agricultural production and boost the Farmer income”.
“Therefore, there is need to ensure that these programmes, really touch the lives of people, particularly those at the grass-roots and Community levels. It is a common knowledge that Non-Governmental organizations when properly organized and coordinated are catalyst for contributing towards the achievement of the Ministry’s mandate.
“It is in recognition of the vital roles played by NGOs that the Ministry attached much importance on the need to build /strengthening their capacities for effective service delivery”.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Nwodo reiterated the need for participants to collaborate despite the challenges of hijackers of programme initiatives.
She recommended that NGO’s should be sincere in their commitment to providing assistance to vulnerable members of the community.
She advised aspiring Non Governmental Organisations to look for consultants for training and writing proposals.
The second presenter Dr. Mai jama’a recommended that NGO’S, Community Based Organisations (CBOs) should work with people at the grassroots.
He recommended an organised reporting format for NGO’s at the grassroots, addeding that they should be coordinated by an umbrella NGO at the National level via focal NGO, down the line.
