By Lucky Isibor
A University Don, Prof. Eddy Erhagbe of the University of Benin has called for the collaboration of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and government to reinvigorate the old communal solidarity of working for the survival of the society through ensuring that all conform to the norms and values of the society.
The erudite scholar who made the call in a lecture he delivered at the 2024 general meeting of the Conference of Non Governmental Organizations (CONGOS), charged Nigerians to change their values and become watchdogs of themselves for us to get the change we desire as a people.
“For the desired change to occur in Nigeria our values, both economic, social and political must change and become entrenched in our society and to achieve this, we must first accept them, and the people must come together to perform the task of being the watchdogs of themselves. What this calls for is that, the citizens must see themselves as being enforcers and protectors of the society’s values. The old communal solidarity of working for the survival of the society through ensuring that all conformed to the norms and values of the society must be re-invigorated. Thus all citizens need to work to expose and condemn violators of our social values. Experience has shown that if you know that your neighbor has the power to apprehend you, then the individual is more likely to conduct himself well”.
While admonishing governments at various levels not to see CSOs as enemies of the government, Erhagbe who is a Fulbright scholar and Professor of History, called for synergy and collaboration between government and CSOs and urged the latter to also set agenda for government and continue to hold them accountable to the people.
Erhagbe who praised some of the decisions taken thus far by the Governor Okpebholo administration, such as the banning of market associations among others, called on CSOs to task the new government on, “A refined and organized style of governance, anchored on the rule of law, decency and co-ordination.
“Input from the governed by way of extensive consultation with all stake holders, respect for the rights of citizens to express themselves; dealing with the menace of the herdsmen, re-orientation of the people in terms of respect for the rights and obligations of citizens, especially on the question of taxation and activities of market unions and the activities of multiple revenue collectors, provision of jobs, to decisively deal with the problem of unemployment, especially through innovative and creative ways and, addressing the problems of infrastructural decay, especially in terms of roads”.
In her opening remarks, Chairperson on the occasion, Mrs. Sabina Idowu Osehoboh eulogised the intermediary role CONGOs as an umbrella body of CSOs having playing between the government and the people.
While stressing the imperatives of strengthening CSOs, Mrs. Osehoboh advocated for consistency, transparency and ethical accountability among civil society actors.
“We cannot compromise and let our people suffer. We must remain conscious, transparent, accountable and resist corruption irrespective of government involvement”.
Welcoming guests and delegates to the annual general meeting earlier, President of CONGOs, Dr. Bartholomew Okoudo praised the Executive Council and members of the organisation for the cooperation he has received from them since assumption of office earlier in the year.
“I owe everything to the members who have supported this organization from the beginning by paying their dues, attending conferences and participating in events”.
Highlight point of the 2024 annual general meeting of the organisation was the presentation of awards to deserving members of the public, former executive members of the organisation, including Prof. Eddy Erhagbe.