By Ayodele Abere
The newly elected Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Oganisations in Ekiti State, Comrade Timothy Olasunsanmi Idowu, has called on all members to join hands with him to move COECSO to the desired destination in the State.
The new Chairman made the call while speaking with journalists at the Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ado-Ekiti on Thursday immediately after he took on the mantle of leadership of the coalition.
Comrade Idowu, who is the Executive Director of the Breach Repairer Organisation for Sustainable Healthcare Development BROSHAD, said the election that led to his emergence as COECSO Chairman Speaks volumes about justice and transparency as he recounted that the election had been conducted earlier in the year, but was later cancelled due to allegation of irregularity which according to him was why the election had to be reconducted to ensure that it’s done on a clean note.
While appreciating the members for the confidence reposed in him to lead them for the next three years, he urged them to know that they actually have a leader that would lead well as he promised to collaborate with government and all other agencies of government to work with different organisations of COECSO both at the local and state government levels.
Comrade Idowu, having served as General Secretary to the immediate past CChairman, Professor Christopher Taiwo Oluwadare, promised to run an open door policy by bringing all members together for the progress and prosperity of COECSO without exercising any arbitrary power over any of the members.
“It’s not going to be a one-man-show affairs. Everybody will be carried along “, he pledged.
The Executive Director of PAAM Organisation, and Chairman of COECSO Election Committee, Dr. Peter Akosile advised the new Chairman to be ready to serve, saying winning election is not all. He appreciated the members of the Board of Trustee, and representatives of the Ministry of Women Affairs who were in attendance to be part of the election.
On her part, Mrs. Teyingbola Olorunfunmilayo Abiodun, who was there to represent the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ekiti State thanked God for the success of the election and congratulated COECSO new leadership on the new assignment. Just as she equally congratulated the outgone Chairman for all he was able to achieve during his administration.
She further advised the Chairman not to personalise COECSO affairs, so that Ekiti can have a deserving recognition locally and internationally when it comes to Civil Society Oganisation.
Describing the process of the election, Mrs. Idowu said people’s opinions were respected, adding that it had full participation and involvement of concerned members.
“Everybody was allowed to express himself/herself, and opinions were taken into consideration “, she said.
