President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Community Development, Abiodun Essiet, has reiterated Tinubu’s commitment to grassroots governance.
Speaking at the Society Roundtable Discussion on deepening grassroots engagement in Nigeria, organized by ActionAid Nigeria in Abuja yesterday, December 1.
Essiet commended President Tinubu for establishing the offices of the SSA of community engagement, marking a significant first in Nigeria.
She said :” President’s dedication to reaching the grassroots, engaging diverse committees, including private sector representatives and civil society organizations, to gather insights.
“Tinubu is a progressive mind, and we advocate for a bottom-up approach to governance rather than a top-down one,” she stated.
Highlighting the importance of people-driven progress, Essiet stressed, “We want the governance of a bottom-up approach, letting the people drive our progress because democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
In his welcome remarks, ActionAid Deputy Director, Suwaiba Muhammad stated that the organization has supported numerous communities in establishing sources of livelihood, forming cooperatives, and promoting agriculture.
Muhammad, represented by Acting Head of Program Celestine Okwudili said “We not only support communities in these endeavors but also ensure that they understand and take ownership.
“However, due to changing paradigms, donor funding is no longer as readily available as before,”
Muhammad further explained the organization’s past involvement in broader community development, including the construction of schools, infrastructure, hospitals, and community centers.”
