The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Osun State on Civil Society Engagements, Comrade Ebenezer Olusegun Ige has called on the leadership of civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and other not-for-profit platforms in the state to ensure they register their organisations with the state government with a view to identifying fake operators.

According to him, the registration would afford stronger synergy between the civil society groups and the state government in the efforts of transforming the state.

Ige gave this charge while speaking at a one day training for CSOs, NGOs, and media organisations in Osun State. The training was with a view to ensuring self-regulation and maintaining globally accepted standards on code of conduct.

The step-down capacity training being organised by the Open Government Partnership of Osun State, in partnership with the State Champions (Osun State Civil Societies Coalition, Network of NGOs in Osun State, Federation of Osun State Cooperative Societies, and Media Organisations) was held at NETNOS Secretariat in Osogbo on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

The participatory and educative session was attended by some eminent personalities in Osun State which include: the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Osun State on Civil Society Engagements, Ebenezer Olusegun Ige, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs, represented by Olumide Ajani, Desk Officer of NGOs), Chairman of Osun State Internal Revenue Service being represented by a team of Senior Officials of the agency, led by Mr. Oladejo.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Waheed Lawal, the Chairman of Osun State Civil Societies Coalition, Wale Ogungbemi, President of Network of NGOs in Osun State, Mr. Olanrewaju, the Personal Assistant to the SSA to the Governor on CSOs Engagement, and few others from different organisations.

During the session, Ige, the SSA to the Governor gave the opening remarks, said the importance of civil society organisations, NGOs and NPOs cannot be overemphasised, telling participants that “Your works are germane to the development and growth of the state and society at large.”

He urged CSOs, NGOs and other relevant bodies to take cognizance of regulations and ensure that their conducts align with laid down rules and law.

Identifying the need for registration with the state government, Ige stated, “This government has asked that organisations working within the state should register with government and their activities can be monitored. We want to identify the real NGOs to fake ones. We are in Nigeria where fake Federal agencies are existing and even getting budgetary allocations.

We have had instances where organisations are being used to launder money through CSOs and NGOs, and we have others who sponsor terrorism through NGOs and CSOs. So, I urge you all to register your organisations with the Osun State Government.

The SSA added, “Osun Government recently gave certificates of commendation to NGOs and token amounts of money to support what they are doing. The state government has been attaching importance to activities of civil society groups.

Some members of the CSOs have been appointed into key decision making. After the election, the state government created three committees Victims relief to take care of people who suffered violence with N500milliom and backdated to cover pre-local government violence in 2024. Either political attacks or vandalisation.

Another committee has been set up to review causes of political violence that characterised the entire process and the committee to make recommendations to forestall the bitter experience.

Government is ready to partner with us. The Osun State Government will continue to partner with us to ensure the space is free and we continue to operate freely,” he assured.

Michael Olusesi Ebofin who facilitated the training highlighted key topics which include: Overview of CSOs Self-Regulations, Code of Conduct Modalities, Practical Simulation, Self-Assessment Modalities, and a few practical details.

The Convener educated participants on practical steps towards differentiating CSOs with NGOs, stressing the need for all organisations to be self-regulated for optimum output.

He warned them against falling into dubious hands who may want to make use of their platforms to perpetrate fraud, reminding them of the importance of recording-keeping, registering with the state government and assessing themselves from time to time.

Some of the regulators on attendance including the Ministry of Women Affairs and Osun State Internal Revenue Service presented their separate lectures on the roles and expectations of CSOs on regulatory compliance.

Mr Ajani further called on CSOs and NGOs to register their organisations with the Osun State Government and also take seriously the renewal of their registration.

He disclosed some of the benefits inherent in them collaborating with the state government.

Questions of participants were adequately answered by the resource persons, Convener, Chairman of Osun State Civil Societies Coalition and the SSA to the Governor as CSOs, NGOs and NPOs in attendance called on the state government to reduce the registration fee.