Sola POPOOLA
The Coalition of Ekiti Civil Society Organisations (COECSO) has promised to partner critical stakeholders towards ensuring credible and violent-free elections in Nigeria .
Rising from the first quarterly General Coordinating Meeting for the year 2023. and presided over by its chairman ,Professor Christopher Oluwadare,the coalition used the occasion to appreciate donors and other development partners for their supports.
The re-emphasized the importance of organizational capacity enhancement and online visibility. Also New members were recognised and admitted into the forum .
Another highlight of the meeting was the filling of the two vacant positions of Financial Secretary and Legal Adviser with Mr Ogunkorode Kayode and Rita Ilevbare respectively.
The meeting hailed the establishment of the office of community mobilisation by the current administration in Ekiti describing it as novel.
The coalition also hoped for a better working relations especially to drive grass root development and citizens’ participation in governance.
While presenting the report on the review of the 2022 activities, Oluwadare acknowledged the successes recorded in areas of electoral process, public procurement, open government partnership, water and sanitation as well as campaign against -gender based violence .
The Coalition is an umbrella body of non-governmental organisations working in thematic areas of health, environment, water and sanitation, governance (anti-corruption, election, and procurement),
Other areas of focus were ; the gender development, community mobilisation, youth and persons with disability.
Professor Christopher Oluwadare who expressed appreciation to all NGOs and CBOs and other partners for their supports during 2022 gubernatorial election
He therefore advocated greater collaboration with the media, governmental bodies, and international organisations.
Oluwadare appreciated members for their passion, sacrifice and team spirit as they work in a resource sparse environment.
One of the Coalition’s Patrons , Sir Olu Ogunrotimi in his remarks encouraged members to be more focused on non-profit interventions to promote inclusive development across the State
Ogunmoroti also urged the coalition to step up advocacy for the youth taking more interest in civil society services.
The coalition urged the Ministry of Women Affairs to encourage more community based organisations to thrive as it used to be.
It also pledged to work more with all stakeholders including traditional, public, and private institutions to record a more peaceful and credible general election in March and February 2023.
The Coalition expressed gratitude to the proprietor and management of Jacob and Susan Guest House for the release of its Hall for the meeting at no cost.