……As it launches new Country Strategy Paper, ‘Citizens Action Against Poverty and Injustice (2024-2034)’
In the quest to fight against poverty and injustice in the land, ActionAid Nigeria reiterates its unwavering commitment as they launch the new country strategy paper, which signifies a renewed commitment, to eradication of poverty and injustice.
The new strategy recognizes, that the fight against poverty and injustice, cannot be waged by a single entity or through isolated efforts.
The launch of ActionAid Nigeria’s new Country Strategy Paper, titled Citizens Action Against Poverty and Injustice (2024-2034), took place on Thursday, August 8, 2024 in Abuja with many in attendance.
Speaking, Andrew Mamedu, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, in his welcome remarks, said, “as ActionAid Nigeria embarks on its new country strategy paper, ‘Citizen’s Action to End Poverty and Injustice 2024-2034’, I reflect on the incredible journey we have undertaken, over the past decade.
“This strategy is a testament, to our unwavering commitment, to eradicating poverty and social injustice, building on the solid foundation of our previous strategies, and the relentless efforts of our dedicated team, partners and communities.
“We are confronted, with the stark reality of deepening poverty and social injustice across Nigeria. Despite its 226 million people, Nigeria has not really leveraged its demographic advantage to drive economic growth and prosperity.”
According to him, “The ‘Citizen’s Action to End Poverty and Injustice’ strategy, represents our bold response to these entrenched issues.
“It is rooted in our commitment to empower communities, particularly women, young people, and persons with disabilities, to assert their rights, and challenge the structure that perpetuates inequality.
“We will continue to innovate, collaborate and advocate, for policies that foster social justice and economic empowerment. Together, with our partners, movement and allies, we will confront poverty head-on, to create a pathway, to more just and equitable society.
Also speaking, Dr. Jummai Umar, Chairman Board of Directors, ActionAid Nigeria, stated that, “the continuous rise in citizens consciousness and engagement, in demanding for social justice is an indication of the progress recorded by ActionAid Nigeria and our partners over the last decade, in the struggle for a better governance, poverty eradication and greater inclusion.
“Our ‘Citizens Action to End poverty and Injustice (2024-2034)’, is ActionAid Nigeria’s commitment to collective action and expanded partnerships to dismantle the deep-rooted causes of poverty and social injustice in Nigeria.
“To this end, we empower communities of actors to organize, mobilize, act, shift awareness and thrive as they institutionalize change.
“ActionAid will actively support the movement of change, to amplify collective capabilities in actualizing equity, access, dignified living and sustainable development.
According to Dr. Jummai, “Our strategy for the next decade is our conviction that strategic and deliberate partnership can only catalyze change through purposeful coalition, forged from common interest and alliance, for social justice.
“As we usher in a decade of partnership, collective response and shared progress, we are excited about the vista of opportunities, to create an atmosphere of camaraderie across the public, private and non-profit sectors.
She concluded by saying that, “ActionAid Nigeria will continue to be an organization of positive change, energizing citizens into agents for social transformation as we collectively work to eradicate poverty and enthrone social justice.”
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who was present at the event, commended the efforts of ActionAid in the dismantling of the deep-rooted causes of poverty.
In his words, “when I assumed office, we decided to elevate engagement, so that we can hear more from those with different experiences, to enrich our policy framework.
In his words, “In generating support, what everyone does matters, what ActionAid does matters and if we are all angry at each other, then we will not move anywhere. One blessing we have in our Country, is that we are all hard working, both men and women looking for opportunities to be better, and that is what Governmental programmes are about and are attending to.
“Even as we are diverse, the agony of poverty is similar. So, it is important that we include all and be less judgmental. We are not alone, as some of the challenges we currently face are global.”
Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Executive Director at African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), in his key note address, expressed pleasure for the launch and the significance to him at a personal level.
According to him, “in 2004, twenty years ago, I was appointed the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria. In 2004, the poverty rate was at 54.7 percent representing about 74.8 million people. Today, the poverty rate is projected to be 40.7 percent, representing 93.3 million people. So, in spite of our best effort, poverty is still increasing.
“This launch of ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Strategy Paper is taking place at a critical juncture for Nigeria. The Country is facing huge political, economic and social challenges. Scholars have identified the challenges to include, among other things, poor leadership; bad fellowship; bad strategy for development; lack of capable and effective state bureaucracy; lack of focus on sectors that will improve the condition of citizens such as education, health, agriculture and building of infrastructure, corruption; undeveloped, irresponsible and parasitic private sector; weak civil society; emasculated labour and student movement and poor execution of policies and programmes.”
Dr. Otive Igbuzor, continued by saying that, “globally, ActionAid has been in the forefront of efforts to eradicate poverty and injustice. Since its formation in 1972, it has worked tirelessly to advocate for the rights of the poor and excluded people, and influence policy changes, that foster equity and social justice. ActionAid has demonstrated its commitment to eradication of poverty and injustice.
According to Dr. Otive Igbuzor, “the launch of this new country strategy paper signifies a renewed commitment to eradication of poverty and injustice, reflecting a deep understanding of the evolving dynamics of poverty and injustice in our country. The new strategy recognizes that the fight against poverty and injustice cannot be waged by a single entity or through isolated efforts.
He stated that, social movement organizing could contribute a lot to poverty eradication and social justice. But it must be recognized that, social movement organizing is not sufficient to bring about required change, to eradicate poverty and injustice.
According to him, “there are many other things that we need to do to bring about the change and they include; fixing of policies; need for a developmentalist coalition to pursue the deepening of democracy, development of transformative leaders; need to give more attention to strategy; promotion of appropriate development approaches and many more.
The ceremony was well attended by the Ambassadors of ActionAid; Femi Adebayo, Damola Olatunji, Mark Angel and Oluwabukola Arugba, who also commended the efforts of ActionAid Nigeria and showed support.
A seven man panel was set up during the event, to discuss on the topic: Social movement organizing: the role of citizens and other critical Stakeholders in creating a path to poverty eradication and the achievement of social justice.
The members of the panel included; Comrade Hauwa Mustapha of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Hassan Soweto, the National coordinator, Education Rights Campaign, Prof Joy Ezeilo, Women Aid Collective(WACOL), Femi Falana, SAN Human Rights Activist, who was to attend but could not due to network challenges.
