Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been urged to push for wholistic attitudinal change, particularly among leaders at the states’ level, for the overall benefit of the country.
Mrs Maryam Uwais, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari for Social Protection Plan, made the call at an interactive programme with members of civil society groups on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised by USAID Nigeria with the theme: “Strengthening Advocacy and Civil Engagement”.
According to Uwais, state governments are one of the major challenges confronting the N-Power programme designed by the Federal Government in reaching out to the poor particularly those at the grassroots.
“The challenge in reaching out to the poor people is one of the biggest challenge confronting the Federal Government, the people in the state have interest in the N-Power project.
“Instead of submitting the names of the right people who need the empowerment to this project in their various states, they submitted only names of their people especially those they have interest on.
“When the Federal Government releases the money for the N-Power project, where the major problem always come from is the state,’’ she alleged.
Uwais, however, called on CSOs to use their power in bringing about the change in the mind of leaders at the state and local levels.
Mr Japhet Omojuwa, one of the resources person at the programme called on Nigerians to use technology within their reach to bring about the desired change the country is yearning for.
“The power of the social media is very effective to bring change, citizen journalism apart from the conventional media will go along way in achieving this change.
“Journalism, citizen NGO must be promoted to bring about the change we are all yearning for, civil society groups must see the need for change in Nigeria.
“Civil society groups must strive hard to influence the present generation to imbibe the change Nigerians desire,’’ he said.
Another speaker, Mr Olodotun Babayemi called on Nigerians to always pay more attention to what is going on in the society and employ the power of technology to report it.
According to him, there is need for Nigerians to use technology through knowledge sharing to drive their engagement that will result to positive change in the country.
“We can build a movement that will be based on knowledge sharing through technology, sustainability is the only challenge to what we do.
“The NGOs need to have a rethink, they need to be focus on their strength, NGOs must look inward in recruiting their staff, they must recruit A-Class people, people that have vision.
“You must also be ready to train the member of your movement to in line with the change agenda and influence the government for positive project,’’ he said. (NAN)