What Nigeria Needs Is Collective Responsibility Not Protest — Activist
By: Femi Mustapha
An Advocate for Good Governance, Public Accountability and Youth Champion Sumayya Abdullahi Hussaini, has said Nigeria’s issues are critical, and must be addressed with determination from all concerned and not through protest .
She asserted this while speaking to the media in Kaduna recently.
According to her, massive thinking, partnerships, and action are needed at this time and religious , traditional leaders are not exempt from this responsibility,saying” We should all be good representatives of ourselves and our dear country. We must put Nigeria first and set aside personal interests if we want to see change.”
Sumayya Abdullahi Hussaini, who is also the Chairperson, Open Government Partnership Technical working Group on Social Protection, opined that the government must re-strategize and align its policies and programs with current realities.
“This involves carrying everyone along, being accountable and responsible, and committing to actions that benefit all states and localities. It is imperative to focus on the agenda of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure that interventions and programs are effective.
“Governments at all levels must concentrate on outcomes by evaluating how building schools has reduced the number of out-of-school children, how health interventions and hospitals have improved health outcomes and reduced mortality rates, and how agricultural development has transformed the sector and contributed to economic stability. Social protection interventions, including palliatives, must reach the right beneficiaries.
Civil society, student unions, youth groups, and persons with disabilities must engage actively in issues affecting their communities and advocate for the voiceless. Strengthening systems and institutions is crucial.
“If the government fails to do what is right, protests might be delayed but will eventually occur. Those who currently oppose might find themselves supporting future protests as they engage with the masses and understand the extent of their suffering.
“Whether you support or oppose the protest, consider your reasoning and better alternatives. Remember to aim for results, not what suits everyone individually. We hope that God will guide us and protect those of us who strive to change this country for the better.
“The reality is that there is no single way to address the myriad problems facing our country. Tackling high rates of multidimensional poverty, security challenges, health and education issues, and other aspects of human capital development requires diverse efforts, capacities, and capabilities at both state and national levels.
“We are a diverse nation with different views, perspectives, and ways of looking at things. Nigeria is not a country for one person but a country for all of us. Our constitution grants us the right to participate in our democracy, which is meant to be a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
“The primary responsibility of our government should be the security and welfare of its citizens; otherwise, it fails to uphold the principles of government.
“As Nigerians, we need to sit down and have honest conversations about what is best for our country. We must understand that we cannot achieve the results we desire as citizens and as a government without sincerity of purpose, responsibility, and a collective commitment to fighting corruption.
“We share a common goal for Nigeria to be united, economically stable, and developed, but there are countless ways and strategies to achieve that vision.
“Our government, civil servants, women, youth, persons with disabilities, students, teachers, economists, sociologists, scientists, entrepreneurs, media, and everyone else have roles to play through their thoughts and actions.
” If you oppose this protest due to personal interests rather than the interest of a better country, you are failing as a citizen and contributing to the nation’s problems. Regardless of whether you benefit from the current system, you are jeopardizing the future for generations to come, knowingly or unknowingly, directly or indirectly.
“One of our country’s greatest problems is the lack of sincerity and the prevalence of personal interests. We urgently need people who are not driven by what they can gain.
” This protest may or may not be a solution, but only if we think beyond ourselves. Nigeria is a diverse country with different cultures, ways of life, and perspectives. We should embrace this diversity and utilize it to support our country.
“According to the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index survey, 63% of Nigerians (133 million people) are multidimensionally poor. This alone should give us sleepless nights and make us think beyond ourselves but the entire country’s progress. Dependency rates, unemployment, underemployment, out-of-school children, malnutrition, and inadequate infrastructure are issues that require urgent attention.
“Today, how many of us contribute to bad governance by blindly following our leaders? How many of us actively engage in promoting good governance? How many of our leaders are willing to change this country for the better? How many are fulfilling their mandates? As citizens, do we know the duties and responsibilities of our institutions and elected leaders? How actively are we engaging with our governance system?
“Nigeria’s issues are critical, and we must address them with determination. Massive thinking, partnerships, and action are needed. Our religious and traditional leaders are not exempt from this responsibility. We should all be good representatives of ourselves and our dear country. We must put Nigeria first and set aside personal interests if we want to see change.
“Our government must re-strategize and align its policies and programs with current realities. This involves carrying everyone along, being accountable and responsible, and committing to actions that benefit all states and localities. It is imperative to focus on the agenda of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure that interventions and programs are effective.
“Governments at all levels must concentrate on outcomes by evaluating how building schools has reduced the number of out-of-school children, how health interventions and hospitals have improved health outcomes and reduced mortality rates, and how agricultural development has transformed the sector and contributed to economic stability. Social protection interventions, including palliatives, must reach the right beneficiaries.
“Civil society, student unions, youth groups, and persons with disabilities must engage actively in issues affecting their communities and advocate for the voiceless. Strengthening systems and institutions is crucial.”
