The Conference of Civil Society Organizations Enugu state, COCSEN, plans to protect the integrity of civil society and Non-Governmental Organizations, NGOs, in the state.

The chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Acha made this known in Enugu, at a meeting marking the end of its activities in 2023.

He said “I want to officially announce that this group formally known as Enugu state Civil Society Advancement forum now has a new name which is Conference of Civil Society Organizations Enugu state, (COCSEN).  With this new name we are saying no to political infiltration of the civil society sector in the state because if we allow them, politicians and surrogates will hijack CSOs, then it will affect us as a community.

We need to be professional in this sector so that we can achieve our mission which is to create a self-inclusive and enabling environment for CSOs in Enugu state.”

Emmanuel Acha who is also the chairperson Entrepreneurship Initiative for Africa continued “we need to regulate and harmonize Civil Society’s regulations framework in this state while advocating for collaborative mechanism cum dialogue between civil society, government and donor agencies.

At the end we will be satisfied to see in existence core psycho social supports for CSOs, Human Rights Activists and defenders. We will have focus on thematic areas where everyone would belong to emerging competence.”

The secretary, Mr Ikenna Ugwu encouraged those who have NGOs to identify with COCSEN so as to have and maintain society that cares for the vulnerable.

In a contribution, the Executive Director, Women and Child Justice Initiative Nigeria (WOCJIN) and member of COCSEN, Barr. Nneamaka Ilodigwe lamented the impression those politicians parading themselves as NGOs have painted the sector. She said “the impression created by public regarding the great work done by Civil Society groups as persons who only gather to take pictures and post to attract huge sum of money is wrong and the civil society organization must work very hard to erase such impression from the public through awareness creation and making visible what they do in their communities and State as this will help the public appreciate them as the watchdog of government.”

Another member and Executive Director, the Potters Wheel Foundation, Godsown Onuzulike described those infiltrating the sector as potential criminals and cautioned them to cease from the act.

A representative of Bina Foundation, Esther Asoronye advocated for a collective programme that would portray CSOs and attract donors. According to her “do not take or embark on any project you want to do personally because some of these donors think people use this kind of name to enrich their pockets. With collaborative efforts, we can achieve a lot and affect lives positively”. Highlight of the event was a plan to work with the government to implement and enforce new measures to ensure that only legitimate NGOs operate in the state.