DELCOF to attract developmental donors to Delta- Mulade

DELCOF to attract developmental donors to Delta- Mulade

Charity Uwakwe

The Convener and BoT Chairman, of Delta State Civil Society Organizations Forum, DELCOF, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, says the primary aim and purpose of the organization is to consolidate the activities of the Government, as well as attract developmental donors to Delta State.

Sheriff, while speaking with newsmen, shortly after the inauguration of the Executives of DELCOF, in Asaba, the state’s capital, reiterated that the essence of the Organization is to drive development to the grassroots, thereby complementing the giant strides of the Government of Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa.

Recounting on the positive impacts of Civil Society Organisations in some parts of the country, among which are; North West, North Central and South West, Mulade insisted that such Organisations had the capacity to attract donors and at the same time facilitate developmental projects in any given state.

Continuing, he said: “The primary aim and purpose of this forum is to complement, support and implement developmental efforts of the Government of the state and also use the opportunity to attract donors especially developmental donors to Delta State.

“We did this not because of any reason but because we saw that in the North West, North Central and South West where a lot of Civil Society Organizations as a coalition, networks, work across and attract projects to the state. Government alone cannot provide the needed development to the state. And as such, we believe that there’s need for us to have similar platform in Delta and that’s what we have just done”

Earlier in his address, Sheriff described DELCOF as an umbrella body of non-state actors in Delta State, which comprises over 250 registered member organisations that focuses “on different thematic areas of development, all of which work to support the sustainable development goals in Delta State and in Nigeria at large”.

Furthermore, he explained that the organization was aimed at “strengthening the underlying principles of good governance, as well as realising the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through collaborative efforts of non-state actors to create a sense of cooperation, mutual understanding, harmony and affection.”

According to him, the structure of the organization, as outlined is:B of Trustees, Executive Council, Senatorial Coordinators and Assistant coordinators, 3 each; LGA Coordinators and Assistants, 25 each.

Others are; six cluster heads (Media Cluster, NGO Clusters, CBOs Clusters, FBOs Clusters, Human Rights Cluster, and Persons living with disability cluster).

He said, “as the umbrella body of NON-STATE ACTORS in Delta State, DELCOF is to facilitate effective advocacy on issues of sustainable development goals, key policy reforms, and other development matters.

“The Vision: A body of non-state actors enjoying effective partnership for sustainable development in Delta State, whilst our Mission is building the capacity of member organizations to promote good governance and development, and where necessary, to act as a clearing house for non-state actors/donors channeling development grants intended for programme implementation.”

The various aims of DELCOF, he outlined are: To strengthen the underlying principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through collaborative efforts of civil societies; To promote development policies that will address the issues of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

” To act as a liaison and link between member organizations and relevant MDAs to promote general understanding and cooperation between the Non-State Actors and Government; And to enhance communication and information sharing through a one-step resource center to meet the needs of development organizations.”

He used the medium to express profound gratitude to the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his receptive attitude to civil society groups in the State since the inception of his administration, hence “his appointment of veterans from the civil society organizations into critical positions in his government.”

Addressing newsmen, Pst. Egedegbe Edewor, Co-Convener reiterated that the Organization was created to complement the efforts of the Government, thereby driving the state to her desired glorious heights.

He stated emphatically that the Organization had no intentions of working antagonistically against the Government of the day, rather to consolidate the existing developmental strides.

Corroborating, Dr. Agboro Andrew, the newly inaugurated Chairman thanked the conveners, stressing that the Organization will serve as a mediator between the Government and the people.

He further explained that the organization would help facilitate grassroots development of the State.

“The essence of the Organization is to constructively engage the Government “in any area we feel there is deficit so that we can negotiate and come together to bring development too. Also, to promote the voice of the voiceless to our Government.