The Convener cum Board of Trustee, Delta State Civil Society Organizations Forum (DELCOF), Chief Sheriff Mulade, has assured the state government that the organization is to add value to what the Dr. Ifeanyi Olowa-led administration has put on ground.
Mulade, who doubles as the National Coordinator of Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), gave the assurance on Thursday March 10th 2022, during the inauguration of the State, local government Executive and senatorial Coordinators of DELCOF, in Asaba, the State capital.
He assured the government that the various groups that make up DELCOF are registered with the headquarter of the Corporate Affairs Commission “CAC) In Abuja.
According to him, “This body is recognized and individually known because of our registration. We are the voice of the voiceless, hope of the vulnerable. This is the time to come together and individually speak and to complement the efforts of government.
“We support what the government is doing but we are not a political group, we are apolitical. This is to attract development to the State. We have done a lot within our capacity. I believe unity is strength. We believe in the government of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. The government is committed to the development of the State and civil society groups” the environmental activist cum UN Ambassador, noted.
He said the Forum, is the umbrella body of non-state actors, saying “DELCOF comprises over 250 registered member organizations focusing on different thematic areas of development, all of which work to support the sustainable development goals in Delta State and in Nigeria at large .
“DELCOF is aimed at strengthening the underlying principles of good governance, and 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”.
He disclosed that the structure of DELCOF include Board of Trustees, Executive Council, Senatorial Coordinators and Assistant Coordinators, 3 each, LGA Coordinators and Assistants, 25 each.
“We have six cluster heads (Media Cluster, NGO Clusters, CBOs Clusters, FBOs Clusters, Human Rights Cluster, and Persons living with disability cluster), as the umbrella body of non-state actors, DELCOF is to facilitate effective advocacy on issues of sustainable development goals, key policy reforms, and other development matters.
Speaking further, he revealed that the vision include but not limited to a body of non-state actors enjoying effective partnership for sustainable development in the state, while the 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.
DELCOF’s AIMS:
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).
Others are 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.
The State Chairman, Dr. Andrew Agboro, assured that the body would work in synergy with the government to ensure development was achieved across all sector just as he thanked those who came to witness the inauguration ceremony.
