FG Advocates Citizen-Led Volunteering for National Progress
The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged patriotic citizens to contribute through voluntary services across various sectors to complement government initiatives for nation-building.
The call was made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, during an event marking the 2023 International Volunteer Day (IVD) in Abuja.
The SGF emphasized the recognition of volunteerism as a crucial force for socio-economic development in Nigeria, particularly in rural communities.
Representing Sen. George Akume, Mrs Esuabana Nko-Asanye, the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, highlighted the pivotal role of volunteerism as a development tool.
She acknowledged the challenges posed by economic contractions and stressed the need for collaborative efforts by citizens to address them.
Nko-Asanye underscored the relevance of volunteerism in achieving the government’s developmental agenda, especially in poverty reduction, food security, economic development, and job creation.
Sen. Akume expressed optimism that coordinated volunteerism would significantly contribute to the government’s ‘Eight-Point’ development priorities outlined in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted the potential of volunteerism in harnessing human resources and social capital, influencing social investment, and supporting job creation.
The SGF highlighted the government’s commitment to volunteerism, citing the development and approval of the National Policy on ‘Inclusive Volunteerism’ in 2020.
This policy aims to guide the effective management and coordination of volunteerism for development, with a focus on poverty reduction, job creation, and social interventions.
Mr Simon Stephen, the Director of the Nigerian National Volunteer Service (NNVS), spoke about the International Volunteer Day (IVD) as a platform for engaging people in addressing development challenges and transforming the pace and nature of development.
He emphasized the inclusive nature of volunteerism and its role in fast-tracking development, particularly in rural communities.
The 2023 IVD theme, ‘If everyone did,’ encourages collective and inclusive voluntary action towards development.
Source: NAN
