By Abbati Iro
GIGGS, once a respected Civil Society Organization (CSO), has taken a drastic turn for the worse. Its recent actions have left many people questioning its motives and integrity.
In recent weeks, GIGGS has launched a relentless assault on the Kano State Government, spewing forth press statements that are nothing short of propaganda. The language used is akin to that of an enemy of the state, leaving no doubt about their mission.
It’s no secret that GIGGS is being manipulated by powerful individuals with their agendas. Their statements are crafted by well-known cronies in Abuja and surrogates in Kano, all working to undermine the Kano State Government.
What’s most disturbing is that GIGGS has compromised its values and principles for financial gain. This CSO has relegated itself from a respected advocate to a conflict entrepreneur, prioritizing profits over the welfare of the people.
GIGGS’s journey to this point wasn’t surprising, considering the characters behind it. They’ve always displayed traits of political jobbers who believe in the cash-and-carry theory, where loyalty is bought and sold.
The people of Kano will not be fooled by GIGGS’s antics. They deserve better than an organization that prioritizes its interests over their welfare.
It’s time for GIGGS to change its ways or risk losing the trust of the people forever. The people of Kano demand transparency and accountability from all organizations that claim to be working in their interests.
GIGGS must be held accountable for its actions. Its leadership has been opaque, and its funding sources are shrouded in mystery.
GIGGS’s actions have undermined the trust of the people in civil society organizations. Its behavior has been unacceptable and must be addressed.
The people of Kano demand a higher standard of behavior from all organizations that show support for greater Kano. GIGGS must put the interests of the people first.
Kano expects and demands the CSO to align itself with best practices, and we asked, will GIGGS reform and prioritize the people’s interests, or will it continue down its destructive path?
A stronger Kano requires better leadership, not just from its government but also from its civil society organizations. GIGGS must step up and adopt global best practices in its statutory role.
Therefore, the time for change is now. GIGGS must reform and prioritize the people’s interests to revamp its image.
GIGGS should have at the back of their mind that a new path forward is needed, one that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the welfare of the people.
A call to reform is necessary. GIGGS must reform and prioritize the people’s interests to regain the trust of the community. The future of GIGGS hangs in the balance. Will it reform and prioritize the people’s interests, or will it continue down its destructive path?
Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration has kickstarted a new era for Kano that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the welfare of the people, and it remains incumbent on GIGGS to see through and turn a new leaf.
Iro is a Human Rights Activist who writes from Life camp Palm City Estate, Abuja. Can be reached at iro4life@yahoo.com
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Rejoinder: A Call for Responsible Civic Engagement — In Support of Abbati Iro’s Perspective on GIGGS
By Comrade (Dr.) Yahaya Danjuma Yusuf, FIPSS, FISDMAS
Director General, International Peace and Secure Society (IPSS)
The recent piece by Abbati Iro titled “GIGGS: The Downward Spiral of a CSO” presents a sobering and timely critique of the unfortunate decline in ethical standards within segments of Nigeria’s civil society space. As someone who has spent decades championing peace, security, and civic integrity, I find it imperative to lend my voice in support of the truths courageously expressed by Mr. Iro.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are integral to democratic development, when they operate within the bounds of transparency, responsibility, and people-centered advocacy. Unfortunately, the trajectory taken by GIGGS, as rightly highlighted in the article, reveals a deviation from these principles. Instead of engaging in constructive criticism that drives reform, some CSOs have found comfort in unsubstantiated propaganda, driven by personal or political vendettas.
Let it be clear: criticism is vital in any democracy, but when it becomes a weaponized tool to mislead the public or destabilize governance for ulterior motives, it loses its moral foundation. GIGGS’s recent utterances — filled with inflammatory rhetoric and unverified accusations, only serve to distract from real issues affecting Kano and erode public trust in the civic space.
As a peace advocate, I have worked with numerous CSOs across Nigeria and beyond, and I understand the weight of civic responsibility. The role of CSOs is not to fan the flames of discord, but to be partners in nation-building. When organizations begin to prioritize financial gain over public interest, they lose the very legitimacy they claim to uphold.
I commend Abbati Iro for speaking truth to power and for reminding us that civil society must realign with its core values. I also commend the current administration in Kano under His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for its commitment to accountability, social justice, and people, driven governance.
To GIGGS and any CSO that may be treading a similar path, the message is simple: the people are watching. The time for reform is now. Return to the ideals that once defined your credibility, or risk being remembered as footnotes in the sad history of opportunism in civil advocacy.
Let us raise the bar for civic engagement in Nigeria, with honesty, patriotism, and integrity as our guiding lights.
Comrade (Dr.) Yahaya Danjuma Yusuf, FIPSS, FISDMAS
Director General, International Peace and Secure Society (IPSS)
dg.ipssnigeria@gmail.com