Maureen Okpe
Civil Society Organisations,(CSO) has been tasked on credibility of it’s processes in line with the laws in their area of operations.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Food Basket Foundation International and Co- Chair National Technical Committee, Dr. Funmi Akinyele, stated this on Thursday during the validation and launch of ‘the model self-regulatory framework for Civil Society Organisation’ organised by British Council National Technical Committee in Abuja.
Akinyele, while reviewing the ‘model self regulation for CSOs in Nigeria’ explained that, self regulation does not mean doing away with extant laws but making a tailored law that goes in line with the organisations vision.
According to Akinyele, “organisations regulate without intervention from external interference, will ensure credibility of Civic societies and public trust of accountability, we know we have bad eggs in this circle but that does not mean all are bad.
“There is a need to accord credibility in it’s dealing with donors in respect to the laws in any jurisdiction, that all it’s stakeholders are aware of its activity and proactively report it’s financial details for transparency.
“It will help incorporate public interest for basically sustainable peace and progress and contribute to common good, while maintaining ethical cooperative and partnership where possible and appropriate for the greater public good.
Funmi noted that in as much as the model have it’s advantages it also have disadvantages as it could breed unhealthy competition, where people are subjective instead of objective.
She said, “window dressing can not be completely put out as some CSOs if self regulate may not actually do the right thing but put up a front like they do.”
Responding, the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC),Garba Abubakar, pledged to CSOs on the use of the self regulation framework.
Abubakar, who was represented by the Special Assistance to the Registrar General CAC, Terver Ayua, said, the organisation is ready to partner with CSOs to reach the highest level of their purpose.
He said, “CSOs perform important activities that cut across different sector, as regulators that register these entities, we have always partner with and we are ready to partner with these CSOs to make sure they achieve their optimum objective.
“If they are going to continue to be relevant to rendering services to the society. We can only do that if we self regulate or statutory regulate. We promise to give you maximum cooperation to make sure the objective is achieved,” he said.
Similarly, Abdulsalam Badamasi,Policy and Governance Reform Advisor USAID-SCALE Nigeria, reiterated the need for CSOs collaboration to work better and more, this is as self regulation makes it possible to know their strength and create a better working condition.
“Self regulation is a matter of survival for the civil society organisation, this is because of the shrinking space for the CSOs and the amount of money flow to these sector, accountability need to be done, as organisation that holds public office accountable should also show great level of accountability.”