The need for a functional synergy between Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Media has been stressed with the emphasis that this was critical to societal development and achievement of the public good.
This was the fulcrum of discussions at a roundtable discussion organized by the European Union Agents for Citizens-Driven Transformation (EU-ACT) on Monday, September 5, 2022 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with participation from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and media practitioners.
Speaking at the event, the EU-ACT Focal Person in Rivers State, Temple Oraeki stressed the need for collaboration between CSOs and media practitioners in the State, noting that such relationship would make the society a better place for all.
Oraeki explained that the EU-ACT, which was aimed creating an enabling environment for a harmonized engagement between CSOs and the Media with the key objective of pursuing the public good and societal development, was designed by the EU in response to the identified need to invest in, engage with and provide capacity building for selected CSOs.
He said that ACT was working with over 200 CSOs across 10 states in Nigeria – Rivers, Edo, Sokoto, Kano, Adamawa, Lagos, Plateau, Enugu, Borno and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), disclosing that, so far, the EU has supported over 20 NGOs in Rivers State which had been at the frontline promoting sustainable development in various sectors.
On her part, an environmentalist and media practitioner, Wonne Afronelly stressed the need for the Media to champion the development of the society in collaboration with civil society organizations, emphasizing that it was imperative for the Media to avoid derailing from upholding its position as the fourth estate of the realm.
She urged the Media to assist CSOs and NGOs to identify quality content that would promote sustainable development and liaise with them to development and promote such contents across the media space.
Enjoining the media practitioners to mainstream grassroots development in concert with the CSOs, Afronelly urged the Media to always engage government in every way possible in order to maintain the trust as the watchdog, noting, however, that funding was key for CSOs to achieve sustainable development, appealing to the Media to support sponsorship to them.
The event also had a breakout session where strategic discussions aimed at seeking solutions to some critical issues and challenges confronting partnership between the Media and civil society organizations in Nigeria.
The EU-ACT programme, which is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the British Council, aims at contributing to more inclusive, effective, accountable and gender responsive development through enhancing the credibility and role of CSOs as drivers of change for sustainable development in Nigeria.
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