By Nimi Princewill.
In view of the various inadequacies of government in meeting the socio- economic needs of citizens, the proliferation of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) both in Kwara State and the nation at large, has been some sort of solace; particularly for rural communities who are the biggest beneficiaries of these nonprofit groups that work at a local level to improve life for residents.
CBOs are renowned for voluntarily undertaking development programmes and projects that they observe are very needful in their immediate communities, while also seeking government’s attention to those problems.
Despite these remarkable achievements, many Community Based Organizations have risen and fallen; while some others have little or no significant impact since their establishment, for varied reasons; some of which include:
1. Unsettled understanding of their roles and responsibilities towards developing their communities.
2. Getting involved in partisan politics instead of maintaining their lane.
3. Failing to appreciate the fact that they can do a lot without becoming a burden to the government.
4. Organizing carnivals which is alien to our culture, among others.
In a bid to address the shortcomings and other challenges faced by CBOs in Kwara State, the Hannis Institute for Development Studies, HIDS, led by the Convener, Lawal Olohungbebe is championing a CBOs Summit for all Community Based Organizations in the state to share ideas towards community development.
The 2019 KWARA CBOs’ Summit is open to all Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), Professionals and Government agencies who share a common interest in deepening the strategy for CBOs’ activities in Kwara State.
Participating organizations will be provided comprehensive capacity development and advisory support on how to successfully manage their organizations and achieve their organizational goals for community development.
They will also be provided with a viable platform where CBOs in the State can remain partners.
A variety of topics to be discussed at the summit include:
1. The expected roles of CBOs in community development
2. How CBOs source for Fund and Sponsorship for Community Development
3. The use of Communication Media for Community Development
4. Documentation and Basic Accounting Skills for CBOs
5. Strategies of Assessing Community Needs
6. Partnership for Community Development among CBOs.
The 2019 KWARA CBOs’ Summit is scheduled to hold at 10.00 am, June 22, at Hall B, Kwara Hotels, Ilorin.
In recognition of CBOs who have positively impacted on their communities in Kwara State, Nomination of Community Project for 2019 CBOs’ Award ended on June 12, 2019.
Nomination of community projects were invited from suitably qualified Community Based Organisations in the state, in areas of health, education, environment, security and economic empowerment.
For more information, visit www.hids.org.ng or HIDS, Adewole Housing Estate, Ilorin.
