Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), held its 34th Twitter Chat on the 4th of August, 2020. The guest was Mal. Isyaku Garba, CITAD NBTE Coordinator and Community Mobilizer. He discussed on the topic  “The Role of Community Based Organizations in the Fight against Covid19 in Nigeria” He started by describing what Community Based Organizations are “These are community initiated non-political, non-biased and non-profit making organizations, committed solely for the total upliftment and all round development of their communities. In Nigeria CBOs are best positioned to effectively carry out activities and plans affecting the lives of the communities: socio-eco development, natural resources management, environmental conservation or disaster management like COVID-19. CBOs are made up of community representatives and one of their aims is to ensure that decision makers take notice of community concerns. CBO role on combatting covid-19 may include:

Raise community awareness and promote community action on coronavirus issues & livelihood options, CBOs Sensitize stakeholders on the importance of helping people (Palliatives) in the community in this period. Sensitized Business people on not to be discourage with their Businesses, guide them according to the WHO and NCDC guidelines, Provide a platform for the community to come together and discuss what is Coronavirus; Analyze the causes and solutions (Preventives Measures Communicate with decision makers to share planned action and obtain their endorsement; Daily build their capacity on what WHO/NCDC says on COVID19.

 

This is a period to further build the CBOs capacity on the requisites mechanisms and strategies needed for a strong viable Organization and for sustainable development in the Era of Covid 19 therefore. Galvanize community members to implement planned solutions; sensitizations on the WHO/NCDC recommendations, Mobilize locally available resources to implement identified solutions e.g. Public Address System, Build capacity of community members on how the virus is and preventive measures.

 

In Nigeria CBOs working in combatting pandemic face a lots of Challenges and the challenges can be viewed mainly from 3 angles;  From the CBOs themselves, eg. Weak Management Structure, from the Authorities (Governments and Traditional Heads) and the Politicians in combatting Covid 19 Collaboration is necessary important because it is a new disease in the world, there is need to work with NCDC, Stakeholders and other Stronger bodies and Voice e.g. media houses both conventional and digital, in order to share experiences As mentioned earlier there are challenges, and the challenges can be viewed from 3 angles; from the CBOs themselves from the Authorities (Government and Traditional rulers) and the Politicians. For the Traditional group, their support for CBOs is sometimes difficult because of fear of their offices. Other Challenges which CBOs face include lack of the preventive measures tools e.g. Masks, Sanitizers that will assist them to carry out their work. Also due to social distances measures as recommended the target groups have low digital experiences that will allow CBOs to meet them virtually.

 

His recommendations to the CBOs are: focused on committed Leadership, Stronger bodies and Voice, Improved Coordination Partnership/Contacts with Health Units services, Stakeholders, Proper and Updated documentation improve digitalization of their work. Observe in their work diplomacy, courage, Sacrifice and equally avoid being easily intimidated, unnecessary talks and overlapping of schedules.

 

 

 

1.@ali_sabo Good afternoon everyone, Please join me in welcoming our guest for today’s twitter chat,

 

@isyaku12 a Community Mobilizer who is going 2 discuss on the Role of Community Based Organizations in the Fight against Covid19 in Nigeria

 

@a_sabo12 Sir, can u start by explaining what Community Based Organizations do in supporting their communities free Covid19 so that we will understand what really their functions are @isyaku12 @YZYau @ChiromaHope

 

3. Answer Provide a platform 4 the community to come togethr and discuss what is Corona Virus; Analyse the causes and solutions (Preventives Measures Communicate wit decision makers to share plannd action n obtain their endorsemnt; dailyBuild their capacity on what WHO/NCDC says on COVID19

 

@mukhtars_s

 

Replying to @isyaku12 @a_sabo12 and 2 others

 

 

Sir as an expert, what do u think will help them to overcome such challenges u hv made mention

 

@MubarakEkute

 

#CITADagainstCovid19

 

@ChiromaHope

 

Replying to @a_sabo12 @ICTAdvocates and 9 others

 

Thank you Sir sparing your time just to be with us. We are grateful!