Rt. Comrade Emmanuel Johnny Urges Government to Institutionalise Engagement with CSOs for National Development

Rt. Comrade Emmanuel Johnny Urges Government to Institutionalise Engagement with CSOs for National Development

The President of the National Council For Civil Society Organisations, NACCSO, and Founder of Vision-One Leadership Development Initiative, VOLDI, Rt. Comrade Emmanuel Johnny, has called on Civil Society Organisations across Nigeria to remain purposeful, patriotic, and committed to the growth and development of the country.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja, Rt. Comrade Johnny said this is the time for civil society to reawaken its consciousness to the ideals of nation building and to see itself as a strategic partner to government and its institutions. He stressed that the role of CSOs is to complement the efforts of government, strengthen public institutions, and ensure that the benefits of democracy get to the people at the grassroots. According to him, civil society must continue to be useful by adding value through research, advocacy, citizen mobilisation, service delivery, and by providing constructive feedback that helps government to serve better.

Rt. Comrade Johnny reminded Civil Society Organisations that their mandate is rooted in voluntary service to humanity and in promoting good governance. He noted that the work of CSOs should be carried out with a clear sense of responsibility and national interest. He urged CSOs to reject any engagement that seeks to undermine national unity, destabilise the economy, or incite citizens against constituted authority. He said civil society must not be used as a tool for destruction or economic sabotage, but must instead be seen as a force for stability, accountability, and progress. The country, he added, needs patriots who are willing to build, to correct in a responsible manner, and to work for the common good.

He also used the opportunity to speak directly to government officials at the federal, state, and local levels. Rt. Comrade Johnny said officials must recognise the role and impact of Civil Society Organisations in helping government to actualise its core mandate. He stated that governance cannot succeed in isolation and that the challenges facing Nigeria require the collective effort of government, the private sector, and civil society. Partnership, he said, is the key to inclusive government and to sustainable national development. When government and civil society work together, policies become more responsive, implementation becomes more effective, and citizens become more involved in the process.

Rt. Comrade Johnny therefore urged government officials to create real opportunities for CSOs to be part of the system. He called for open platforms where civil society can contribute to planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of government programmes. He said CSOs, as volunteer bodies with deep community presence and technical expertise, have a lot to offer in the areas of health, education, social protection, human rights, and project delivery and governance. He encouraged ministries, departments, agencies, and the legislature to institutionalise engagement with CSOs and to see them as allies in development rather than as opponents.

As President of NACCSO and Founder of VOLDI, Rt. Comrade Johnny reaffirmed his commitment to building a civil society that is professional, credible, and solution-driven. He charged CSO leaders nationwide to embrace advocacy that is evidence-based and focused on solutions, and to always put the interest of Nigeria first in all engagements. He also called on government to protect civic space and to foster an environment where citizens and civil society can freely contribute to national discourse.

In conclusion, Rt. Comrade Johnny said Nigeria needs all hands on deck. The government has a critical role to play, the private sector has its part, and civil society has an equally important responsibility. When these sectors collaborate in trust and mutual respect, the result will be a more accountable government and a country that delivers prosperity to all its people. He urged all affiliates of NACCSO and partners of VOLDI to continue to stand with the people while also standing with the nation, so that together we can build a Nigeria that works for everyone.

Rt. Comrade Emmanuel Johnny

President, National Council For Civil Society Organisations – NACCSO

Founder, Vision-One Leadership Development Initiative – VOLDI