Lagos – An International Organisation, Social Impact Consulting Firm has tasked candidates in the 2023 general elections and INEC on more involvement of Civil Society Organisations.
This, it said, was to help them in interpreting, disseminating information on policies and agenda to the grassroots.
The firm also sought for the protection of civil society groups that would be involved in the general elections.
Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mrs Efua Edeh made the call at a pre-screening of its documentary, “Untold Impact” in Lagos on Thursday.
Edeh said there was need to address the disconnect between the CSOs and public knowledge of their critical role in Nigeria’s democracy and national development.
She said the “Untold Impact” Seven Episode documentary on the role of CSOs in development, was aimed at showing the impact that CSOs are still making in the society.
“Currently, there are various perceptions of the roles of many civil society organisations.
“With varied perceptions of the CSOs, it creates a vacuum of distrust that will impede holistic contribution in fundraising and volunteer engagement for national development.
“The misconceptions have sometimes resulted in attack on CSOs through physical, judicial harassment and cyber bully among others.
“This has led to self censoring. According to the Civicus monitor, Nigeria’s Civic Space ranking has been downgraded from obstructed to repressed which should not be so,” she said.
According to her, the documentary will further sensitize the public on the importance of the CSOs which comprise citizen’s freedom of association.
She noted that when government aligned with CSOs, it enhanced development in all sectors.
The documentary, powered by Ford Foundation, Macarthur Foundation among others, shows that the CSOs have not stopped working in Nigeria and showcases most of their achievements in various fields.
The seven episodes include an introduction, the role of CSOs in Education, Health, Nutrition, Youth, Women and Person’s with Disabilities.
