Technology can aid CSO efforts — Stakeholders

Some stakeholders have stressed the pivotal role of technology in enhancing the efforts of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in West Africa.
The stakeholders spoke at the West Africa Civil Society Week 2024 organised by Spaces for Change /S4C West Africa , on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised in partnership with the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI).

The theme of the event was “Leveraging Technology for Civic Engagement and Social Change in West Africa.”

Mrs. Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Executive Director of S4C said that technology can both empower civic engagement and also pose risks to civil society work.

“Today, we gather not only to reflect on the vast potentials of digital technologies but to explore how these innovations can be harnessed to enhance public accountability, governance, and the protection of civil liberties.

“As we embrace the promise of technological innovations, we must also remain conscious of their dual-use nature.

“While technology offers powerful tools for progress, it also presents significant risks, particularly when use suppresses civic freedoms, invades privacy, or stifles civic participation,” she said.

The executive director expressed the commitment of S4C in addressing these risks through research evidence and an array of digital rights initiatives.

According to her, the organisation is mandated to ensure that civil society and human rights defenders are well-equipped to navigate and counter these challenges.

She urged civil society groups to collaborate and leverage technology to effectively defend and drive the country.

Also speaking, Mrs. Catherine Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director of the Ford Foundation, West Africa, stressed the importance of equipping CSOs with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital landscape effectively.

According to Aniagolu-Okoye, technology should not only be a means of consumption but a tool for production and advocacy, helping organisations to drive social change.
She called for a collective responsibility among individuals and organisations to protect their communities from the risks associated with technology.

She also reiterated the need for collaboration between civil society and government to foster a safer, more transparent environment for all citizens.

“With this focus on technology, Civil Society Week aims to empower organisations to harness digital tools responsibly.

“This is to ensure that they can effectively contribute to the development and democratic processes in Nigeria and beyond,” she said.

The Executive Director of WACSI, Mrs. Nana Afadzinu, reiterated that it was important for CSOs to advance with the global trend utilising technology.

She also expressed hope that the meeting would engender a stronger civic space through active participation and collaboration of stakeholders.

Similarly, Mrs. Lydia Odeh, Chief of Party, Palladium, USAID- SCALE, Nigeria reiterated the importance for collective effort to ensure that technology served as a tool for growth in the country and the continent.

NAN reports that one of the high points of the event was the inauguration of the report titled ” The Proliferation of Dual-use Surveillance Technologies in Nigeria: Deployment, Risk and Accountability”.

In the report, S4C raised alarm on the expanding use of surveillance technologies and the implications for privacy protections, human rights and the civic space in Nigeria and beyond.

It revealed concerns on importation of dual-use technologies used for both civilian and military purposes, and their deployment for purposes different from their original lyrics declared intention.