Thoughts and Mace Advisory

Policy, Legal and Third Sector Consulting Firm. Empowering civil society organizations through strategy, dialogue, and innovation.

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

We wrapped up activities of the Luminate Nigeria mid-year retreat on day 4. Morning started off as every other day with group aerobics activities. The morning sessions centered around effective leadership in turbulent times, facilitated by Chinedu Nwagwu; and Tax compliance for Non-profits, facilitated by Johnson Olugbenro.

The afternoon sessions centered on updates from the cohort on their work under the luminate partnership. As well as, update and discussions on collaboration between the cohort.

The sessions for the day came to an end with discussions on the state of the digital space and review of the trends report.

The day ended with a dinner and award presentation for sports and special categories among the cohort members.

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

The sessions had multiple group discussions/plenary. The day ended with group sporting activities.

@accountlabng @citizen_gavel @Cc_HUB @fijnigeria @TechSocietal @Gatefieldco @YIAGA @hopebehindbar @MRA_Nigeria @Spaces4Change @DigiAfricaLab @TechHerNG @digicivic @SERAPNigeria

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

The third day of the Luminate Nigeria Cohort Mid-Year Retreat saw conversations move beyond storytelling and narrative building to CSO resilience and sustainability .

The day was facilitated by @iniabims, and @UdoIlo, Through conversations on governance, strategy, leadership, and organisational systems, participants examined the structures behind sustainability and the choices that shape long-term impact.

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

Through the Folktale Lab, Story Anatomy, Audience & Purpose session, and Story Clinic, the cohort worked through practical ways to shape clearer, more ethical, and human-centered stories from their work.

The day closed on a lighter but equally important note, with group sports creating space for connection, laughter, and team bonding.

Many thanks to our facilitators for the day Nadine Ibrahim Ishaya Bako

@Gatefieldco @TechHerNG @YIAGA

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

Day 2 of the Luminate Nigeria Cohort Mid-Year Retreat brought together deep learning, creative practice, and team bonding.

The day focused on storytelling and narrative building, moving from reflection to hands-on work. Participants explored storytelling as a tool for translating complex issues into narratives that people can see, feel, understand, and act on.

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

Today’s storytelling and narrative-building session was facilitated by Ishaya Bako and Nadine Ibrahim.

The focus was not just on telling stories but on translating complex civic and technology issues into narratives that are clear, human, ethical, and understandable.

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

Luminate’s introductory address by Toyin Akinniyi @teewai_toyin framed the importance of the cohort’s work and the value of strengthening how stories are shaped, shared, and connected to action.

#Luminate #LuminateNigeriaCohort #TechJustice #NarrativeBuilding

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

Kicking off the day with a welcome session led by Joy Ekanem, Program Manager, Thoughts and Mace Advisory.

The tone for the retreat was also reaffirmed by our founding partner, Udo Jude Ilo @UdoIlo. Walking participants through the objectives, agenda, and planned outcome of the retreat.

#LuminateNigeriaCohort #MidYearRetreat #StorytellingForChange

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

The hall is set for Day 2 of the Luminate Nigeria Cohort Mid-Year Retreat.

Today, we begin a deep dive into storytelling and narrative building, exploring how storytelling for Digital Access & Tech Justice can help translate complex ideas into something people can see, feel, and act on.

#LuminateNigeriaCohort #MidYearRetreat #Storytelling #NarrativeBuilding

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

It’s today!

The Luminate Nigeria Cohort Mid-Year Retreat is here. From Beyond-the-Grant to now, we’re reflecting on progress and strengthening collective action for Nigeria’s digital civic space.

Follow along as we share insights, tools, and conversations for stronger civil society.

#LumimateNigeriaCohort #Retreat #CSO #Day1

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

It’s Tomorrow! 1 day till we begin the Luminate Nigeria Cohort Mid-Year Retreat.

We’re picking up from the questions and commitments of Beyond-the-Grant retreat and going deeper on much more.

Follow us across our socials to stay updated.

#LuminateNigeria #CSORetreat #1DayToGo

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

2 days to go.

After November’s Beyond-the-Grant retreat set the foundation on digital rights, platform accountability & CSO resilience, the Luminate Nigeria Cohort gathers again.

Mid-Year Retreat starts soon. 3 days of learning, unlearning, and building stronger orgs together.

#LuminateNigeria #CSORetreat #MidYearRetreat

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and peaceful Eid!

May the spirit of resilience and unity continue to guide us toward shared growth.

Eid Mubarak from all of us at Thoughts and Mace Advisory.

#EidMubarak #eid #TMInsights

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

In November, the Luminate Beyond-the-Grant Partner Support Retreat opened a space for reflection, peer learning, and collective thinking around Nigeria’s digital civic landscape.

That first convening helped the cohort examine the realities shaping digital rights, platform accountability, online harms, civic technology, strategic litigation, and public-interest advocacy. It also created an important foundation for trust, collaboration, and shared action.

Now, the cohort gathers again for the Mid-Year Retreat, this time to reflect on progress, deepen learning, and strengthen the next phase of collective work.

From conversations on storytelling and narrative building, to CSO resilience, sustainability, leadership, tax compliance, tech justice updates, and the state of the digital space, this second convening builds directly on the questions, lessons, and commitments from the first retreat.

#TM #Luminate #CSORetreat #Retreat

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

“This book is a timely reminder that strong civil society is built on sound governance, adaptability, and trusted partnership.
Across Africa, CSOs continue to demonstrate resilience and leadership in the face of complex challenges.”

— @gillleverobe, Deputy High Commissioner, United Kingdom

She reminded the room that resilience isn’t just an internal job, it’s built through trust, adaptation, and partnerships that actually work.

Building on Solid Ground by @UdoIlo

Get the book now.

#BuildingOnSolidGround #GillLever #CSOPartnerships #TrustedPartnerships #CivilSocietyAfrica

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

“We sometimes assume that the integrity of the founder’s background and history is enough to sustain the organization. However, we know also that no matter how disciplined you are, unless you are able to institutionalize that discipline, you cannot run effectively. That is where governance matters a lot. The book speaks about this.”

— @hussainiabdu , Country Director, @CARE_Nigeria

He named the hard truth many founders avoid: your personal integrity is not enough. You need systems. Structures. Institutionalized discipline.

Building on Solid Ground by @UdoIlo

#BuildingOnSolidGround #HussainiAbdu #InstitutionalGovernance #CSOSustainability

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

“The other lesson is how you organize yourself, and I believe that in this context, it is important to teach people and to tell people that there are certain basic rules that you must adhere to to advance your credibility, not only towards yourself but towards anyone who holds you under scrutiny.”

— Amb. Bengt-van Loosdrecht, Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria

Ambassador Bengt-van brought the diplomat’s precision to a blunt truth: credibility is earned by following the rules, even when no one is watching. Especially then.

Building on Solid Ground by @UdoIlo | Published by @PTBooksGlobal

#BuildingOnSolidGround #CSOCredibility #GovernanceMatters #CivilSocietyAfrica

[Thoughts and Mace Advisory @thoughtsandmace]

“Governance is very key for me, and there is the strategic planning process.

I learnt early that if you do not plan and you do not have a roadmap where you are going. Then you might not be going anywhere.”

— @KemiOkenyodo , Executive Director, Partners West Africa Nigeria

Kemi brought the heat on governance and strategic planning at the launch of Building on Solid Ground. Her message was simple but sharp: resilience without a roadmap is just wishful thinking.

Building on Solid Ground: A Primer on Resilience and Sustainability of CSOs in Africa by @UdoIlo | Published by @pt_books

Does your CSO have a strategic plan that actually guides decisions?

#BuildingOnSolidGround #KemiOkenyodo #StrategicPlanning #CSOGovernance #CivilSocietyAfrica