The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday officially Launched the Citezens’ Assembly FCT, a volunteering initiative to bridge the gaps in governance.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), Mrs Abiodun Essiet,who is the convener, described the initiative as “a significant milestone in our journey towards fostering inclusivity and grassroots representation in governance.”
She said, “This strategic initiative underscores President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to integrating diverse voices and perspectives into our decision-making processes, thereby enhancing community development and cohesion.”
According to her, surveys carried out by her office showed that the government was too far to the people indicating a substantial deficit in trust and communication between the government and the people in the North-Central.
“The Citizens’ Assembly was created to collectively tackle community problems and foster an inclusive society where every voice is heard. It offers structures across communities where residents can express their thoughts, share ideas, table pleas, and collaborate on lasting solutions to existing problems, while also planning proactively for future challenges.
“The Citizens’ Assembly provides a tremendous opportunity for citizen engagement, dialogue, collaboration, and peaceful resolution. It is committed to ensuring swift information dissemination, stakeholder engagement, project participation, and continuous deliberations for meaningful outcomes,” she added.
She noted that “Nearly a thousand indigenes and settlers from the North Central region applied to volunteer for this noble cause. After a rigorous selection process, volunteers were chosen to represent at least one ward across the six states in the North Central Region and the FCT.
“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,” Essiet added.
One of the volunteers who spoke on behalf of all volunteers, Alex Emmanuel Tersur , recounted his encounter with the SSA to the president and how she speedily intervened in a case he randomly posted on social media.
He appreciated and commended the efforts of Abiodun Essiet for the profound initiative, as he urged all volunteers to put in their best foot forward as they embark on the remarkable journey.