Civil Society Organizations tasked to support National development

By Zeniat Abubakar, Abuja

Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria have been urged to make meaningful contribution to the development of the country.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege stated this at the inauguration of the Rufus Ebegba Center for Development, Leadership and Environmental Sustainability and Book Presentation held in Abuja the nation’s capital.

Senator Omo-Agege remarked that the development of any nation requires the partnership and collaboration between the Government, Private sector and the Civil Society, sector.

“For Nigeria to developed we must place some emphasis on civil society organization, because it is only Civil Society in Nigeria today that addresses normative issues, like issues of credible elections, issues of taking care of the poor and excluded in the society issues of disability issues of gender issues of morality, as a country we cannot leave the development of this nation in the hands of few people, we must join hands together for the development this country.” Omo-Agege stated.

He said that the initiative by Dr Ebegba to establish the Centre is commendable, as it focus on the issues of leadership, governance and environmental sustainability.

“Unveiling of the book which focuses on development is very critical in our nation today there’s no doubt that as a country we are in need of accelerated developments many scholars have argued that what we have in Nigeria is either arrested development or under development and any book that is focus on strategies for driving development is a welcome addition.” He said.

The Emir of Nasarawa and Former Minister of State for Environment, Mallam Ibrahim Jubril said that the establishment of the Rufus Ebegba Center would assist in building the needed Capacity for environmental Sustainability in the country.

He applauded the effort of Dr. Ebegba for the establishment of the Centre for Leadership and Environmental Sustainability, and called on all academia’s to help promote the book and also help the private sector buy into it for the benefit of all.

“There are environmental issues in all parts of Nigeria, if you look at the southern part, if you are not talking about the extreme gully erosions, particularly in the southeast, we will be talking about the rising sea level and coastal erosions, we will be talking about the destruction of the mangrove, oils spillages particularly in the Niger delta areas these are issues that should always be at the front burner, in the North the prominent things of environmental issues is the drying of the Lake Chad, these has enormous consequences on the Northeast and social economic activities of the entire country, for us to have a Center like this to be able to research, to document to published and get the youths to know issues relating to the environment, is a big plus for the nation.” He added.

The founder Rufus Ebegba Centre for Leadership and Environmental Sustainability, who is also the Director General, National Biosafety Management Agency, NBMA, Dr Rufus Ebegba said the establishment of the Center is based on a Developmental Drive and Strategies Solution Approach that is geared towards People, Justice, Peace, Security, United and Prosperous citizens.

He said the Centre was established to foster ideal leadership in all spheres of human endeavor for a just world, strong and prosperous economy, freedom, and liberty for all with a sustainable environment.

“According to him, the Centre will promote ideal leadership that will promote love for citizens and ensures a happy, prosperous, and just world, a better life for people without poverty under a sustainable environment. We may not have the power to build the Future for our youths but we build the youths for the future”. Dr Ebegba added.

The Book reviewer, Professor Paul Anyaegbu said that the Book tilted, Developmental Dives and Strategies captures the philosophy of Dr Ebegba which evolve around giving, touching others and expanding the circle of concerns and given of ideas.

He noted that the content of the book clearly underscores the experiences ability and the desires of Dr, Ebegba to take gradual steps in changing the political narratives and environmental sustainability.

“This book came at the right time, the time when solutions are being sought for the right leaders, that would lead the country to it’s economic development and these solution are contain in the book.” He explained.

Professor Anyaegbu further said that the book classically discuss the current state of the nation today, and also provide solution for a suitable and stable state of the nation, Nigeria.

The fifteen chapter’s book with one hundred and eighty-eight pages is a tool to politicians of conscience and administrators, civil servants, students of various disciplines, traditional rulers, foreign investors, amongst others.