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WACSOF Elects New Board Of Directors

Published

3 years ago

July 1, 2022

Joel Ajayi

The West African Civil Society Forum WACSOF has elected new Board of Directors, members who are made up of women and men with proven expertise, solid networks of contacts, and high moral and intellectual probity.

WACSOF is the apex civil society network in West Africa, covering 18 thematic areas, with representation in 15 West African countries.

The general was held in an Hybride mode with participants from countries covered by WACSOF on the Thursday, June 30th, during General Assembly (People’s Forum) of the West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) the Platforms coordinators of the 15 ECOWAS countries constitute the People’s Forum of WACSOF at the Cotonou Bourse du Travail, in Benin Republic.

After the Opening Ceremony of General Assembly, a presidium of 2 members was set up with Mr NANA Osei of ECOSOCC as President and Mrs Rosa EDOH of the NGO Happy Children as secretary.

After the presentation of the participants, the validation of the agenda, the summary presentation of the WACSOF management report, the WACSOF charter of 2003 in Accra, was amended, article by article and adopted by the participants according to the recommendations of the 6th general assembly of WACSOF in 2016.

The draft revised Charter, having been initially prepared by various specialists who worked on it, since 2018 with the outgoing Executive Committee. A charter committee made up of coordinators from several ECOWAS countries has been set up to work on it as well and submit it to this WACSOF general assembly.

Also, participants noted and took note of the fact that the mandate of the outgoing Executive Committee, elected on August 16, 2016, has ended since August 2020, in accordance with article 9 of the WACSOF charter and internal regulations. The Peoples’ Forum therefore gave discharge to the outgoing executive committee.

General Assembly was also the opportunity for the renewal of the governing bodies of WACSOF, with the election of a new Board of Directors composed of 7 members in accordance with the provisions of the revised charter of June 30th, 2022.

However, the Board of Directors newly elected on June 30 is made up of women and men with proven expertise, solid networks of contacts, and high moral and intellectual probity.

To avoid any form of conflict of interest, the function of member of a WACSOF body is incompatible with that of member of another body of WACSOF. The bodies of WACSOF are; the General Assembly (People’s Forum), Board of directors, The Executive Direction, National Platforms, thematic groups.

The newly elected Board members are: Mrs Bernice Banybah, Épse Noudegbessi: Dr in Human Rights/Legal Studies, UNESCO / UAC Chair; Expert in Gender, Gender-Based Violence and Human Rights (BENIN), Ms. Penda Mbow; Experienced Woman, Activist, Former Minister. Professor at the CHEIKH ANTA DIOP University of Dakar and president of the citizen movement, (Senegal); Mr. Kangni Afanou, Jurist, and journalist. He is “CCPR (Centre For Civil And Political Rights) coordinator for West and Central Africa, (Togo).

other Board members include; Mr. Buba Khan, Senior Consultant. Former Continental Advocacy Coordinator for Actionaid International, (Gambia); Mr. Huco Joao Jose Silva Monteiro, Former ECOWAS Commissioner, Human Resources; (Guinnea-Bissau); Mr. Jeddlee Stephens Kinnii, National Coordinator Of Liberian African Youth Peer Review Committee, (Liberia) and Ms. Josephine Alabi, Activist, Peace and Security, Kin Care (Nigeria).

In his welcome speech, the General Secretary of WACSOF, Mr Komlan Messie commended the commitment of all the participants to the cause of WACSOF and specified the context in which this People’s Forum is organized.

Meanwhile, in her introductory remarks, the representative of the ECOWAS National Office in Benin Mrs. Arlette AHAMIDÉ stressed the need for civil society to regularly organize its statutory meetings for the vitality and the legitimacy of this sub-regional general assembly, then gave her full support for its smooth running.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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