The Delta State Civil Society Organisation Forum (DELCOF) has inaugurated state, senatorial and local government executives to champion the activities of the civil society in the state.
The event which drew all the over 250 registered members to Asaba was held at celebration hall at the state capital.
Speaking during the swearing in ceremony and oath taking, the convener, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, who is also the coordinator of Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), said DELCOF comprises over 250 registered organisational members who focus on different thematic areas of development in Delta state.
He said DELCOF objective is primarily to sustain the development goals in Delta state and Nigeria at large. He added that their goal is also to strengthen the principles of good governance through collaborative efforts of non-state actors to create sense of cooperation and mutual harmony.
He said the vision is to facilitate effective advocacy on issues of sustainable development goals, key policy reforms and other development matters.
Comrade Mulade commended the Delta state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for his receptive attitude to civil society members in the state.
He particularly said the governor’s good disposition towards civil society members is evidenced in the appointment given to some members of the body in the state.
He listed Barrister Bridget Anyafulu, Voke Ighorodje, Rex Anighoro and Caroline Osikpedo as some of the civil society members whom the governor has appointed into different positions in the state.
He said the primary responsibility of the forum is to compliment the efforts of Delta state government, noting that the forum was not established to attack the government of the state but to contribute to the growth of the state.
He said the body is established to attract development and build on the efforts of the state government. He noted that some members have been in the practice for over 20 years and have made significant impact in their respective areas of influence.
“We believe in unity of strength, that is why we came together to support the state government. Okowa is committed to developing the state and we have seen his footprint all over the state.
“Governor Okowa sees us as important to strengthening the state. And to contribute our quota, we deem it fit to come together and add our force to the strenght of the governor.
“Government cannot provide all the needed development projects and as such we believe that there’s need for this platform in the state. We have gone through hrough all the processes and we are poised to support the government and help society.”
Co-convener and executive director of Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative, Pastor Edewor Egedegbe said the objective of the forum was to gather registered organisations working in the same thematic areas to galvanize expertise to attract development to the state.
He said from conception to implementation the forum has no political coloration, noting that “we are adding our voice to the development of the state. We dont have ulterior motives but to complement the efforts of any government in power.
“We know there are people who cannot speak for themselves, as non-state actors, we give such people voice. Hence, nobody should lose sleep because of our emergence. DELCOF has come to stay. It has long been expected. With this development, we know Delta will be a great state.”
Chairman of the forum who was sworn in along with other executives said: “We are not here to fight government or criticise anyone but to correct anomalies through constructive engagement.”
