By Godwin Ajom
Cross River, along with six other States of Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Anambra, and Ebonyi have been selected for the pilot phase of the European Union’s Delegation to Nigeria and West Africa (EUDEL)’s program aimed at improving the operational environment for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria.
The initiative seeks to establish partnerships for a sustainable operational environment for the non-profit sector in Nigeria, involving funders and other partners. Stakeholders have noted that at sub-national levels in Nigeria, CSOs face overbearing regulations that often hinder their productivity, imposed by various state governments.
During the first phase of the pilot project held in Calabar, Cross River State’s capital, on Thursday, Mr. Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation for the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the challenges faced by CSOs.
“CSOs face numerous challenges, including complex registration processes, restrictive laws, and limited access to funding. These hurdles not only impede their operations but also stifle their potential to contribute meaningfully to national development.”
Stakeholders agreed to adopt the project’s focus and collaborate with the State Houses of Assembly of the seven benefiting states to formalize the initiative into legal documents.
A nationwide data presentation revealed the ratings for CSO-friendly and operational environments. Sokoto and Katsina States scored the highest, with 94 and 93 percent respectively. Kano, Rivers, Kaduna, and Gombe States each scored 83 percent.
In terms of legal recognition for CSOs, Sokoto and Katsina States scored 94 percent. For legal personality, Kano and Katsina were the highest, each with 15 percent. On advancing CSOs, Katsina and Sokoto led with 20 percent each. For sanctions and remedies, Kaduna topped the list with 20 percent.
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