The President of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGOs), Dr. Bartholomew Okoudo, has charged members of the organization to unite and synergise to better reposition the organizations for optimal performances.
He gave the charge during his inaugural address at the seventh Executive Council meeting of CONGOs held in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Dr. Okoudo, who was sworn in recently as president of CONGOs, said while the executive council gives direction, the reality is that we must all note that we are stronger when we are synergised. “Even as the onus to determine the thread of engagement devolves from the Executive Council, the dialectics that produce our point of arrival will be distilled from members in the outcome of the sessions of the General Assembly,” he said.
According to Dr. Okoudo, the Executive Council would draw from the deliberations of the General Assembly as well as the advice, guidance and inputs from the Board of Trustees and the Advisory Board.
He called on members of all Civil Society Organizations in the state to maintain political neutrality and collaborate with the government on issues of mutual concern that are development focused.
For him, our focus is clear and our vision is apt. Conscious of our status as a coalition, we are sensitive to the diverse cultural, religious and specialist focus of member organisations and its people. He added: “We will insist on strengthening the mutuality of member organizations, appreciate their peculiar areas of engagement and strengthen their visibility and authenticity”.
He assured of youth empowerment through acquisition of basic skills via engagements, which includes seminars on analysis of concepts, the understanding and interpretation of theory and the essence of CONGOs was formed.
The out-gone president of CONGOs, Mrs. Daisy Abiola Igaga, earlier in her speech, thanked all members of CONGOs for their resilience and steadfastness in the past 14 years of its existence and appealed to them to continue on that path to take the organisations to an enviable height.
Mrs. Igaga said: “We are leaving behind better and more enhanced CONGOs, CONGOs with larger collateral than what we met. We urge the 7th Executive Council to transcend the glamour of today and look into the reckoning of its credentials in one year, two years or three years time”.
Chief Marculay Omo Azugbene, former chairman, Board of Trustees, National Youth Council, in his opening remark, said, “Today is a significant day because CONGOs is transiting from one administration to another. Comrade Bartholomew Okoudo has been very active and a bundle of excellence, prolific writer, who has mentored and brought up a lot of young people. His assumption of the presidency of CONGOs has been a long time coming but today it’s a reality. God’s time is the best”.
Elections are fast approaching, I urge all executives to work for the success of this administration, he charged.
In his goodwill message, the representative of the Head of Service, Edo State, Anthony Okungbowa, noted that the role of non-government organizations can not be overemphasised; expressing optimism that with the new executive, he would be very active and a lot of new things would emerge.
Father of the day, Chief Dr. Festus Osagiede, Enogie of Iguogie Dukedom and coordinator of Enogie in Edo South, was in attendance.
Mr Oki Efa, Ag. Director, EFCC Benin Directorate, ably represented by Ibrahim Boyi, stated that we must all work together to make the system free of crime, so no one hides under the guise of NGO and starts defrauding individuals and companies.
Hon. Harrison Izekor, leader, Oredo Local Government Area Legislative Arm, congratulated the out-going president and reassured the new executive that the People’s Democratic Party, speak truth to power in accordance with the rule of law, so our people will do what is right. Let’s begin to engage those who will be our leaders in the forthcoming Edo gubernatorial election.
Representive of APC governorship candidate, Hon. Emmanuel Momoh, said the APC candidate acknowledges the vision of CONGOs and supports the initiative, particularly in the area of social justice. He also acknowledged the role of the people with disabilities.
Hon. Commissioner of Arts and Culture, Uyi Oduwa Malala, said NGOs are the backbone of a healthy society, may your commitment to inspire others create an encouraging environment.
Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, chairman, board of trustees, CONGOs, encouraged the new executive to work as a team, saying, “The environment is not for sale, it is our life. What is essential to this new excitement is to do fund raising and reach out to their partner and donor so they can make an impact”.
