Govt Assures CSOs Of Partnership For Effective Service Delivery, Improved Livelihoods

By Solomon Umanah 
UYO
Civil Society Organisations operating in Akwa Ibom have been assured of the state government’s partnership with a view to ensuring effective service delivery and improved livelihoods.
The commissioner for women affairs and social welfare, Mrs Inibehe Etukudo, who gave the assurance, Friday, while receiving a delegation from the Community of Practice on Civic Space Strengthening (CPCSS), who were in her office on an advocacy visit, said her Ministry’s decision to partner Civil Society Organisations in the State was in line with the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno’s administration which, she noted, was aimed at achieving an all-round improvement in the socio-economic lives of Akwa Ibom people.
Etukudo, who pledged synergising role and collaboration with the relevant regulatory body, expressed appreciation to the leadership of the group for the visit, assuring them of her commitment to honour their invitation to attend the upcoming South South conference of the body billed to hold in the State.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation, Mr Tijah Akpan, commended Etukudo for her steadfastness and hard work since assumption of office, particularly in her demonstration of unwavering support to “marginalised constituencies,” including women, children, and persons with disabilities.
Akpan, who is also the executive director of Policy Alert and member, Steering Committee of the South South Conference of Community of Practice on Civic Space Strengthening (CPCSS), emphasised the importance of partnership between the ministry and Civil Society Organisations in the State.
He explained that their organisation’s objective was to promote transparency and accountability in the society, with a view to ensuring economic well-being of the people.
Akpan, however, presented a formal invitation to the women affairs boss to attend their upcoming South South Zonal Conference with regulators and relevant stakeholders scheduled for June 19, 2025 in the State.
Highpoint of the meeting, which was attended by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mrs Margaret Edem, was the presentation of an advocacy brief by the leader of the delegation, Mr Tijah Akpan to the commissioner.