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Tinubu administration strengthening participatory governance for sustainable dev’t  – Aide

By Philip Yatai

Mrs Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, says President Bola Tinubu administration is strengthening participatory governance through community engagement for sustainable development.

Essiet communicated this during town hall meetings organised by her office in Abaji and Kwali Area Councils, Abuja, on Tuesday.

She said that the meetings were organised in partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), MacArthur Foundation and AGURA Policy.

Essiet said that the meetings were expected to generate feedback on issues affecting the daily lives of the people, ranging from infrastructure gaps to social services, and where possible, provide immediate interventions.

According to her, the move is to transform residents from spectators to active participants in governance processes.

“The goal of the community engagement is to harvest grassroots sustainable solutions that will reflect collective and shared goals for all Nigerians.

“We are also using the opportunity to educate our people on flooding and how to protect themselves.’’

She added that implementing citizens and stakeholder engagements communicated government activities and served as a feedback mechanism.

“It creates an inclusive platform where Nigerians, regardless of their social status, can express their concerns, share ideas and contribute to decision-making processes.

“This grassroots approach has allowed the Tinubu administration to bring governance closer to the people.

“Through town hall meetings and direct community visits, the current administration has actively engaged with diverse groups, ensuring that their voices are heard.

“The voice of the people are not just heard, but are translated into sustainable policies, laws and other people oriented programmes and projects.

“We are also looking at infrastructural problems, we are also looking at humanitarian services that need the Federal Government’s intervention.’’

The presidential aide also said that the administration was also generating feedback on infrastructural problems and humanitarian services that need federal government’s intervention.

“Our goal is not just to hear but to act; and we are committed to ensuring that the feedback gathered will inform government policy as sustainable development solutions,” she said.

According to her, bridging the gap between the government and the citizens through strategic engagement with citizens would improve governance, and promote national cohesion.

Also speaking, the Director, Planning Research and Statistics, NOA, Alhaji Nuru Kobi, commended Tinubu’s administration for initiating a comprehensive set of policies, programmes and projects aimed at addressing various challenges and fostering development across Nigeria.

Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, the Onah of Abaji, and Chairman, FCT Council of Chiefs, also thanked Tinubu for bringing the government closer to the people.

Yunusa, who was represented by the Madaki of Abaji, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, said that the move would give residents a sense of belonging.

She urged Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu government.

On his part, the District Head of Kwali, Yunana Yatsu, noted that for any government to succeed, it must bring governance to the grassroots. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Environment

Private sector partners APWEN, presidency to drive WASH Initiatives in Nigeria

By Tosin Kolade

The Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), has partnered with the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) and other stakeholders to advance sustainable WASH initiatives in Nigeria.

This was the thrust at the unveiling of the Partnership for Community Engagement in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (SSAP-CE) in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the partnership aimed to leverage expertise, resources, and networks to address challenges and achieve the sustainable development goals.

OPS-WASH National Coordinator, Dr Nicholas Igwe, emphasised the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration and highlighted specific projects and summits, aimed at promoting WASH initiatives both nationally and internationally.

According to him, the partnership, based on three pillars: Data and Technology, Financial Innovations, and Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy, aims to create sustainable interventions across the six geo-political zones of the country.

Igwe stressed the necessity of collaboration among various stakeholders, including local partners, NGOs, the private sector, and the government, to effectively address challenges in the WASH sector.

He highlighted the importance of not working in isolation and called for collective action to achieve sustainable solutions.

Expressing his passion and patriotism for Nigeria, Igwe underscored the need for proactive involvement from all sectors of society, stating that solely relying on the government is not sufficient.

Igwe emphasised the importance of Nigerian-led initiatives, acknowledging the contributions of development partners such as UNICEF, USAID and others.

He also noted a significant milestone in Nigeria’s engineering community, where a woman assumed the presidency of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, indicating the potential for women to lead transformative efforts in the WASH sector.

Igwe called upon stakeholders across different states in Nigeria to join hands with the government and OPS-WASH to support the Renewed Hope Agenda and ensure the realisation of WASH goals.

The national coordinator highlighted the need for collective action to drive positive change in communities across Nigeria and to support the Federal Government’s development agenda.

APWEN President, Dr Adebisi Osim, highlighted the urgent need to address Nigeria’s water crisis, including flooding, poor water management, and insufficient access to clean water and sanitation.

Osim, represented by Hajiya Hauwa Sadique, stressed the vital connection between water, peace, and sustainable development, advocating for collaborative efforts to prevent conflicts and promote stability.

Osim called for empowered communities and outlined APWEN’s initiatives for engagement, urging investment in water infrastructure and women’s involvement in decision-making.

She encouraged the private sector to invest in innovative solutions and called on the media to raise awareness, reaffirming APWEN’s commitment to leveraging water for peace and prosperity in Nigeria.

Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement highlighted the establishment of her office by President Bola Tinubu as part of his Renewed Hope agenda.

Essiet, represented by Mayowa Akpati, said that these efforts were aimed at positively impacting lives, particularly at the grassroots level, through various initiatives and programmes.

She emphasised collaboration with various private sector organisations, focusing on finance support, community intervention, and technology advancement as pillars of OPSWASH’s mission.

Acknowledging the critical role of water and sanitation in sustainable development, Essiet stressed the challenges in ensuring universal access to safe, clean, and affordable water, advocating for collective action.

“The partnership between SSAP CE North Central, OPS-WASH, and the Association of Professional Women Engineers signifies a commitment to addressing the water and sanitation challenge.

“It bridges public and private sectors, involving professional bodies to tackle complex societal issues”.

Essiet stressed the vital importance of water for life and development, expressing concern over the ongoing lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, worsened by issues like climate change and rapid urbanisation.

She emphasised promoting sustainable water management, raising awareness on water-related issues, and empowering communities, particularly women and girls, in decision-making processes regarding water management.

The SSAP expressed gratitude to OPS-WASH, APWEN, and all partners involved, anticipating a fruitful partnership that would create lasting impacts and transform lives. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru