- Umeh emphasised the importance of Nigerian CSOs being objective and not allowing themselves to be used by politicians or those with a vested interest.
Victor Umeh, chairman of the senate committee on diaspora a non-governmental poganisations (NGOs) says the Nigeria civil society organizations need to be ready and courageous enough to confront wrongdoing.
Umeh said that they must do so in order to set the country on a road toward a sustainable future.
He revealed this at a workshop held for the senate committee on diaspora and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the house of representatives clmmittee on civil societies and development matters.
Umeh asserted that, in contrast to the past, civil societies were once primarily about courage and tenacity in bringing about constructive social change, rather than being instruments in the hands of certain politicians.
According to the senator, CSOs ought to be led by individuals who are committed to enacting the necessary systemic changes.
“It is not something those who are afraid will venture into,” Umeh said.
“They were reputed to be die-hard people who were ready to even go to jail and risk their lives and lose their personal liberties, so.long as they were challenging wrong actions in the society.
“We want to encourage the current generation of CSOs to do same thing and know that life that is worth living now is life that is dedicated towards bringing change in the society and making necessary impacts.”
“When they lend themselves for misuse, they will lose relevance.”
Umeh emphasised the importance of Nigerian CSOs being objective and not allowing themselves to be used by politicians or those with a vested interest.