In a move seen by CSOs to enhance Nigeria’s development landscape, Ene Obi, former Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, has been elected to chair the Advisory Committee of the Nigerian Endowments through Asset Transformation (NEAT) Initiative.
This decision was reached during the inaugural meeting of the committee, organized by the Africa Network for Environment & Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and the East West Management Institute (EWMI) in Abuja.
Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of ANEEJ, announced the outcome to journalists, expressing optimism about the initiative’s progress.
Ugolor stated, “We are excited that the NEAT Initiative is gradually taking shape in Nigeria with the constitution of the Advisory Committee and the inaugural meeting of the committee which produced Ene Obi as the Chair.”
He added, “We found Ene Obi credible, with vast experience to lead the Advisory Committee of the NEAT Initiative and we have confidence in her capacity to take on the role.”
The Explainer learned; the NEAT Initiative aims to establish endowments that will fund independent, locally-focused foundations supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria. This innovative approach has garnered support from various sectors, including government, academia, and civil society.
Dr. Orji O. Orji, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), emphasized the need for a tailored approach, stating, “We need to develop a Nigerian model of the NEAT Initiative and adopt a country workplan that will work for us as the NEAT idea is clear and the objectives were well spelt out.”
Juliet Ibekaku-Nwangu, Executive Director of the African Centre for Governance, Asset Recovery and Sustainable Development, praised the initiative’s potential.
“The model that the NEAT Initiatives comes with is a very innovative approach which should be explored to address pressing development needs, empower communities and strengthen Nigeria’s CSO sector,” she remarked.
Monday Osasah, Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), expressed his commitment to the cause, saying, “I am delighted to be part of the NEAT Initiative and will contribute my best to promote the idea.”
The Advisory Committee, comprising eight members from diverse backgrounds, is set to work closely with ANEEJ and EWMI. Their primary focus will be advocacy efforts aimed at actualizing the NEAT Initiative in Nigeria, potentially transforming the landscape of civil society funding and support in the country.
This development marks a crucial step towards creating sustainable funding mechanisms for civil society organizations in Nigeria, potentially enhancing their capacity to address pressing social and economic issues.
