The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Gombe State, has unveiled Idris Lawanti, as acting Chairman.
Lawanti an erstwhile Director of Health ANGO and the Chief Servant Lawanti Community Development Foundation for an interim period of three months.
Our correspondent reports that his unveiling was sequel to resignation of Ibrahim Yusuf, who was alleged to have held sway for about 10 years.
According to a press statement signed by acting chairman; Idris Lawanti, Deputy Chairman; Gloria Usman, and Secretary; Bachama Yusuf, adding that attempts were made for transition leadership plan through Congress as enshrined in its constitution without success on two occasions.
Yusuf said, “To set the records straight, since the inception of ANGO from 2014, till his resignation in 2024, several attempts have been made for transition of leadership through congress as enshrined in our constitution, with two attempts for transition pLan but without success.
“Having received his resignation letter, the Executive Council of the Coalition held an Extra- Ordinary meeting on Monday 8th April, 2024. After collectively going through the resignation letter and the handing over Note, and having deliberated extensively, we have unanimously come to the following resolutions.
“That Idris Maigari Lawanti (one of our veteran members and grassroots organisers) to serve as the overseeing Chairman of the Coalition for the next three months within which a transition pLan for inclusive and transparent congress would be unveiled.
“That it is deemed necessary considering the scanty, in explicit handing over note received, that further clarifications on numerous areas and issues be demanded from the outgone Chairman to clear doubts, set our records straight, and to enshrine a foundational accountability mechanism with the 10 years of his stewardship in view.
“That we will embark on deeper and wider Consultations from within the CSOs, to our esteemed MDAs, Development Partners, Security Agencies, and our Communities’ Structures to reaffirm our commitment to reenforcing the collaborations so that we consolidate on our gains so far going forward.
“That we shall ensure an inclusive, participatory, accountable and members-driven coalition that is based on constitutional provisions, and the principles of open governance.”
The association called for concerted effort towards enhancing its potentials and ensuring progress, noting that its inaction would be judged by posterity.
“We call on Civil Society Organisations in Gombe State, to rise up to this collective responsibility, of upholding our united front ANGO, whom all of us are indebted to, and responsible for her progress, and having come 10 years with all of us onboard, as our actions and Inactions at this time would be judged by history, and non of us will decide otherwise without guilt!
“We all must be conscious of any divisive tendencies and efforts of the saboteurs among us, whose ego and selfish conscience can make them do anything for personal interest against our collective will. We are aware of the schemes of these elements among us, we are aware that after exploiting ANGO for 10 years, since they see very clearly that it cannot continue, as some of us have risen to seeing the right thing is done, they have run away, and are now parading themselves shamelessly on yet another CSOs Platform, as if they have monopoly.
“Our Society is ours, our Communities are ours, and we are ready, to expose, engage, confront and dismantle every selfish and personal interest in the guise of our collective position, no single selfish individual can replace our collectivity,” he added.
While enumerating the impact of ANGO as a formidable organisation, urged stakeholders to challenge those who have jumped ship on why they left.
Yusuf added, “We call on the general public to take note of our new and responsible leadership for the Civil Society coalition in the state, and question any suspicious efforts against our collective position. If you can abandon the organisation you paraded yourself as as Chairman for 10 years (2014- 2024), for no just reason you recklessly abandoned and left, then you are not fit to float any form of platform again in our name as CSOs. Challenge them when they come to deceive you, ask them why they left ANGO for this new ‘Janhuru arrangements’ of selfish and unpatriotic elements, engage them, cowards!
“As CSOs, we are conscious of our strategic role and position in the Governance Structure of our Society, we are the 4th arm of our Society after the Federal, State, and LGA, then the Civil Society. We are also the 4th tier of our Society after the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary, then the Civil Society. We are the voice of the voiceless, and the conscience of our Society.
“Over the years as a Coalition as a collective or by representation, we have worked with the Government in formulating and implementing laudable Policies and Programmes for the People of Gombe State. For instance, We engaged the Buhari Plan and the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative at the onset of President Buhari’s administration, and one of our Advocacy calls was for the Federal Government to establish the NEDC. Today, we have NEDC, and we all are witnesses to the various Interventions of the Commission in our Communities as Infrastructures, Social Interventions, and capacity building all with the view for reconstruction, rehabilitation, and resettlement of communities ravaged by the Northeast insurgency.
“We have been key actors in the formulation and implementation of numerous laudable policies in our dear state Gombe. We were at the centre of the development of Gombe State 10- Year Development Plan 2020-2030.”
Also speaking, Lawanti urged members to collaborate with the executives in achieving the mandates of the association, noting that the there would be reforms geared towards repositioning the lots of ANGO.
On her part, Usman commended members of the association, noting that current challenges would be succumbed.
