CRPDS Hosts CSOs To Combat Shrinking Civic Space In North-East

BY NAJIB SANI, GOMBE

In a move to tackle the growing threats to civic space in the northeast, various stakeholders from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from Gombe, Yobe and Borno States have gathered in Gombe State for a Focus Group Discussion on the problem. While similar discussion held earlier in Bauchi for Adamawa, Taraba and Bauchi States.

The meeting, organised by the Center for Policy Research and Development Solutions (CPRDS) and anchored by its Programme Manager, Maryam Mohammed, aimed to identify challenges, propose solutions, and amplify civic space activities.

The discussion highlighted critical concerns, including government restrictions, insecurity, and societal silence.

Our correspondent reports that participants shared experiences of illegal detentions, attacks on journalists, and censorship saying these factors contribute to the shrinking civic space and declining of democratic values in the nation.

To counter these threats, participants proposed strategies emphasising civic awareness, legal support, and proactive engagement with the government.

They also suggested encouraging periodic dialogues between CSOs and stakeholders to foster collaboration and community sensitisation programmes to educate the public on their civic rights.

In his remarks, the chairman Association of NGOs (ANGO), Gombe State, Bachama Yusuf, advocated legal support for activists to encourage them even as he pointed out that more awareness creation can spread civic knowledge at all levels.