Nasiru Yusuf

The Agents for citizens-driven transformation (ACT) programme has kicked started a new initiative aimed at bringing Civil Society Organisations and media practitioners under one proof.

KANO FOCUS reports that a one day roundtable between Civil Society Organisations and journalists was conducted on Monday to chart ways forward on sustainable relationship.

Speaking at the occasion the ACT program State Focal Person, Hajiya Rabi Adamu said the meeting is to strengthen the relationship between media and CSOs to influence government on its responsibilities.

She also said the gathering will create synergy between CSOs and the media for sustainable development.

“That is to set Agenda setting for the media and CSOs for better partnerships. Facilitate a constructive dialogue on how to improve CSO-Media relationships. To discuss EU-ACT support to CSOs in the State. To engage the high level media personnel and compliment their effort in nation building as drivers of change,” Mrs Adamu said.

Turning to ACT, Mrs Adamu said the objectives of the program is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in Nigeria through improving the credibility of CSOs and enhancing their role as independent development actors and drivers of change.

According to her, to achieve this objective, the programme will focus on strengthened selected CSOs, Networks and Coalitions working in EU focal areas in 10 States, across the country.

She said,’’The Agents for citizens-driven transformation (ACT) programme works with civil society  organisations to enable their effectiveness, and credibility to become drivers of change in Nigeria.’’

‘’ACT is implemented nationwide, with work in Lagos, Kano, Abuja, FCT, Adamawa, Edo, Enugu, Rivers, Sokoto, Borno and Plateau states.’’

In a paper titled ‘The Role and Impact of Civil Society in Strengthening Civic Space’ the Executive Director, Organization for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN) Nigeria, Abdulrazaq Alkali said robust civic space is essential for good governance, the rule of law and for enabling citizens to shape their societies.

He said that civic space refers to an enabling environment that empowers members of the society to communicate and interact freely, address issues of concern, air grievances without hindrance, engage in dialogue as well as influence various delicate public processes affecting them.

He said it is undoubtedly true that open and pluralistic civic space that guarantees freedom of expression and opinion as well as freedom of assembly and association is a prerequisite for democratic consolidation and sustainability.

‘’Unfortunately, today civic space is under pressure due to politics, repressive laws with increased restrictions on the freedom of civil societies to express, participate, assemble and associate in a civic space.

‘’Though new technologies have helped civil society networks to grow, but they’ve also given governments excuses to control civil society movements and media freedoms, often under security pretexts.

‘’The civil society operating environment is getting titter with regulations, civic activists and journalists are being repressed and some are forced into exile,” the activist said.

Alkali lamented that civil society movements, political activism and political advocacy in Nigeria have been largely held back due to antecedents in the country’s political history’ and rivalry among the geopolitical regions.

‘’Negative politics of ethnicity and regionalism have created apathy and lack of trust, resulting in many civil societies to fold hands in moments that require collective actions. As a result, civil societies have failed to distinguish their affiliation from the government in a manner that can affirm and promote their autonomous and independent growth.

“Ultimately, such a posture has undermined the civil society’ cause and has confined them to issues that do not fundamentally challenge or affect the status quo,” he observed.

On her part, the chairperson of Nigerian Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Kano state chapter Bilikisu Ado Zango said media collaboration with the CSOs would enhance good governance, transparency and respect for rule of law in the society.

In her paper titled ‘’Finding common grounds in addressing negative perception between Media and CSOs’’, Zango said civil society organisations and the media can play key oversight role in the different sectors and build public support for more accountable democratic governance

‘’Efforts are needed to promote an enabling environment for civil society and the media. Initiatives should include ongoing dialogue to foster cooperation and trust between the government, civil society (broadly defined) and the media, ‘’ Mrs Zango said.

Also speaking Khadija Abdullahi Yahaya said the media is part and parcel of civil society. Adding that having access to the media is critical to actors involved in pursuing transparency and fairness to the voiceless.

The one day round table resolved to ensure more synergy between the media and CSOs to achieve the set goals and encourage periodic meetings with the two actors.

The meeting also observed the need to create a common platform for CSOs journalists where they will exchange information.

The program, Agents for Citizens-driven Transformation (ACT) is a four-year programme (2019 – 2023) funded by the European Union and implemented by the British Council.