Our Programme and the Role of Non-Governmental Organisations: Preliminary Observation

NIGERIAN NATIONAL ADVANCEMENT FORUM

 

Our Programme and the Role of Non-Governmental Organisations: Preliminary Observation

 

Over many years ago since the formation of NNAF we have patiently created a vision with many conceived programme of activities to raise the social, political, cultural, and economic development of Nigeria in general and Northern Nigeria in particular.

 

The feeling of the development of Northern Nigeria is not based on ethnic sentiment but to push and extend development of the region to narrow the development gap with other regions with a view to reintegrate all parts of the country which would ultimately result in deeper inter-ethnic harmony.

 

In order to make this a reality the NNAF is bound to search for all available instruments to reach the goal. Non-Governmental Organisations are examples.

 

First, a clarificatory point needs to be placed here that the NGOs are non-state actors playing important roles especially in neo-liberal society where the state withdraws vital contributions for social, political, and economic development of the people.

 

On the contemporary terrain of Nigerian society one can easily identify "Old" and "New" NGOs both in the urban and rural areas. The old ones like community organizations, self-help groups, cooperative organizations, peasant associations, etc; although remain in existence but are incapacitated by lack of resources and contact. Some of them like workers unions are in transition to new kind of NGOs.

 

The New ones are New because:

1. They have sources of finance nationally and internationally.
   
2. They have new type or style of leadership.
   
3. There are many of them as Women's Associations; Youth Organizations; Human Rights Movements; Environmental Groups; Service NGOs; etc.
   

 

In the context of Nigeria, they can be differentiated by their contact with foreign donors, ability to generate resources internally and by the frequency of programmes they are able to organize.

 

The history of June 12 struggles in Nigeria show that these organizations both 'Old' and 'New' could become agents of mobilization and resistance. As far as development is concerned they become like shock absorbers by providing cushioning service which the state failed to offer.

 

It is indeed desirable to engage the NGOs on the NNAF programmes of activities. But the task is enormous. Would include some of the following:

1. A theoretical perspective to studying these organizations and their strategies beyond where they got money and to do what. This can be done by the NNAF organizing discussions inviting people from such NGOs to participate.
   
2. It is not impossible to make preliminary survey of especially the "New" NGOs and what they do, to facilitate contact with them.
   
3. In the contemporary communicative global network system we can work out how we could exchange ideas about social justice, human rights, development, democracy, etc through the new information technology.
   
4. Whatever the nature of contact with them, it is to carry them gradually by joint partnership in running educational, developmental and other programmes before we think of using them to carry on our agenda.
   

 

There is need of caution in order to allow smooth relationship to prevail for quite long time. These "New" NGOs are involved in all sort of sourcing of fund to carry out some programmes. The funding breeds discord between individuals and groups which may result in breaking the relationship.

 

M. M. Yusif

31 – 12 – 09