The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Civil Society and Donor Agencies, Prof Ini Udoka, made the appeal in Abuja on Monday.
He spoke during the signing of 9.2 million dollars grant to 15 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria by the U.S. Government.
His remarks came against the backdrop of Monday’s attack on a school in Potiskum, Yobe by the Boko Haram sect, in which several students were killed.
The legislator said it was worrisome that the U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle had been credited as saying that the U.S may not be able to sell arms to Nigeria.
According to Udoka, Entwistle was reported as saying that this was due to alleged human rights abuses by the Nigerian military.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the government of the United States to reconsider the stance on the issue of insecurity in Nigeria.
“This morning, we received very sad news that many students of Comprehensive School in Potiskum have been slaughtered by a suicide bomber during the morning devotion.
“We know that the assistance of the U.S. in combating insurgency in Nigeria would help us to a large extent to curb some of these atrocities.’’
The lawmaker thanked the U.S. government for the grant to civil society groups and challenged the grantees to live up to expectations reposed in them.
He, however, advised that in undertaking the assignment, civil society groups must avoid partisanship in their conducts and actions.
“My attention has been drawn to the fact that some consider advocacy for good governance to mean disparaging government and aligning with political opposition.
“Your ability to exercise independence of thought, conditioned by international best practices, should engage your advocacy to government personalities and institutions to ensure that expected reforms are undertaken in the country.’’
In a swift reaction, Entwistle said the report in some sections of the media was fabricated.
“The comments he (Udoka) was referring to was at a press conference I gave in Adamawa.
“I didn’t say what was attributed to me; those comments came from an article in the Guardian newspapers which was a complete fabrication.
“We have asked them to retract and they have not.
“We have put out op-ed in almost every newspaper explaining what I actually said, which I think the Chairman (House Committee on Civil Society) didn’t have time to read.
“We have made it clear that my government stands firmly with the Nigerian government in the fight against terror and in the fight against Boko Haram’’, Entwistle said.
The envoy added that Nigeria and the U.S had “a rich military and security relationship’’ and reiterated U.S. commitment “to the non-military aspect of the struggle.
“We are committed to helping the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), we are committed to working with your government to ensure that those displaced by this conflict were not disenfranchised.’’
On the grant, the U.S envoy challenged the recipients to partner with government at all levels to improve the rule of law, reduce corruption and strengthen health and education.
He urged CSOs in Nigeria to set the agenda and advocate issues that politicians need to address in their manifestos in the build up to the 2015 general elections.
The envoy appealed to Nigerians to denounce violence before, during and after elections. He underscored the key role of CSOs in ensuring political, economic and development success in Nigeria.
He cited the role civil societies played in ending apartheid in South Africa and abolition of slavery in the U.S.
Also, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education, asked government officials to stop seeing CSOs as irritants.
Ezekwesili advised civil society groups not to relent in demanding good governance and accountability from the government and those in public positions.
“CSOs in this country must be determined to keep everybody that holds public position on their toes.
“The U.S functions in its democracy because of the power of civil societies; it makes the biggest of difference.
“No matter what laws and agencies you create, until you get effective demand and scrutiny, demand for accountability in the performance of those agencies, they will not transform into institutions’’, she said.
The grant to 15 Nigerian CSOs was awarded under the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) “Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement Project.’’
According to USAID, the grant will support the CSOs’ efforts to promote democratic reforms through greater transparency, accountability and good governance.
Some of the projects will focus on public finance management, local governance reform, youth empowerment and advocacy, among others.
Vanguard: Nigeria
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