The Senior Special Assistant to President on Community Engagement (North Central), Mrs Abiodun Essiet, has reiterated the commitment of Federal Government to bridge the disconnect with citizens.
Essiet made this known during the launch of Citizens’ Assembly in Kogi state at a town hall meeting in Lokoja on Wednesday, organised by the office of the SSA on Community Engagement in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
She said the Citizens’ Assembly will provide a platform for residents to express thoughts, share ideas, and collaborate on solutions to community problems.
Essiet said a March 2024 survey conducted across the North Central region, made up of Kogi, Benue, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states as well as the FCT revealed a disconnection between the federal government and the citizens.
She explained that the study, which was conducted to gain a clearer insight into the challenges facing the people at the grassroots, revealed that 48.2% of participants perceive a lack of engagement from the Federal Government, 78.3% feel unrepresented in the government’s policies and decision-making processes, 62.1% consider community engagement organizations effective, while 68.7% believe the government does not consult with local communities before implementing projects.
She noted that about 90% of respondents believe that co-creation can lead to more sustainable and contextually relevant solutions.
“These findings clearly indicate a substantial gap in trust and communication between the federal government and local communities, a gap stemming from unfulfilled promises by successive governments over the past 25 years since the return to democratic rule.
“To address this gap, President Bola Tinubu appointed six Senior Special Assistants on Community Engagement across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones in September 2023,” she said.
Also, 239 Citizens’ Assembly volunteers were inaugurated representing each ward in Kogi state.
“Nearly a thousand volunteers from the region applied to participate in this grassroots engagement effort. Selected individuals will represent at least one ward across the six North Central states and the FCT, serving as agents of change within their communities.
“These volunteers will serve as agents of change and influencers within their communities, developing actionable solutions and ensuring challenges are addressed at the highest levels.
“To our volunteers, you are all leaders within your sphere of influence, no matter how small. Let today’s event inspire you to contribute meaningfully to grassroots development, which will eventually lead to national development,” she added.
She urged other government appointees and elected leaders to take a cue from this initiative and replicate the model in their respective communities, states, and regions for the nation’s collective prosperity.
The guest speaker, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, commended President Bola Tinubu for his policies aimed at rebuilding the nation.
He, however, called in the President to address the aggravated hunger in the land, stressing that Nigerians will not fully appreciate his vision for the country on empty stomach.
Prof Salisu also urged President Tinubu to check the perception of selective justice under his administration.
Pointing at alleged corruption accusations in Rivers, Kano and Zamfara states where the accused actors are celebrated leaders within the current administration, he asked, “why is Kogi different”.
He urged the federal government to be fair and just in its anti-corruption fight.
State Director of NOA, Mr Abdulganiyu Dare, said the agency was collaborating with the office of the SSA to the President on Community Engagement, as part of its mandate to inform the public about the policies and programmes of the federal government.
He reaffirmed NOA’s commitment to ensuring swift information dissemination, stakeholder engagement, and project participation, among others.
