By FOLASADE AKPAN

The Presidency has urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to complement government efforts in tackling Nigeria’s economic, social and humanitarian challenges through stronger partnerships that promote sustainable development and improve the wellbeing of vulnerable communities.

Speaking at the investiture of Mr Sikiru Owonikoko as Rotary International District 9127 Governor on Saturday in Abuja, Dr Amina Kabir, Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, emphasised shared responsibility.

She said government alone could not address the country’s growing challenges and urged organisations such as Rotary International to sustain interventions that improved lives and strengthened support for vulnerable communities nationwide.

“When government is stretched, civil society must be strong. When communities are hurting, service organisations must be present.

“Instead of asking who will fix the country, we must ask, ‘What is my own part in building the country?’” she said.

Kabir said leadership was not defined by public office but by individuals’ willingness to make positive contributions, noting that service, integrity and responsibility remained essential drivers of national development efforts.

She said teachers, healthcare workers, civil servants, parents and volunteers all had important roles in national development, adding that meaningful progress depended on collective commitment to service and accountability.

Kabir urged Rotary members to prioritise measurable outcomes, emphasising that interventions should deliver lasting benefits rather than merely attracting attention through project inaugurations and ceremonial activities nationwide.

“Our service must be strategic. Service must go beyond inaugurating programmes; it must deliver. We must invest in our young people, restore dignity to our communities and lead with integrity, empathy and excellence,” she said.

She added that the true measure of impact was reflected in lasting improvements in people’s lives, particularly where interventions created opportunities, restored hope and strengthened confidence in leadership.

“The real question is what has changed. Lasting impact is not noise; it is legacy. It is what remains after the cameras leave. It is the child who stays in school.”

“It is the community that gets clean water, the young person who chooses hope, and the citizen who begins to believe again because leadership became honest and human,” she added.

Kabir described Owonikoko as a leader whose life exemplified selfless service, noting that his humanitarian contributions had positively affected many lives beyond public recognition and acknowledgement.

Former Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, commended Rotary International for its humanitarian contributions, particularly its support for Nigeria’s successful polio eradication campaign and public health interventions nationwide.

Ganduje, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, recalled that decisive measures during Kano’s immunisation campaign helped reverse resistance and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s polio-free certification.

“We had to enforce compliance with the rules for polio eradication. At the end of it, people became convinced that prevention is better than cure, and we succeeded.

“Kano ceased to be the epicentre of polio as it once was. When Nigeria exited the list of polio-endemic countries, we celebrated because Kano contributed significantly to that achievement,” Ganduje added.

He emphasised that prevailing security and economic challenges required stronger collaboration between government and humanitarian organisations, noting that collective action remained essential to addressing current national concerns.

“We have insecurity and economic challenges, and humanitarian services are needed now more than ever. Rotary is at the centre of this effort,” Ganduje said.

Speaking after his investiture, Owonikoko said his administration would focus on membership expansion, digital transformation and increased support for members to strengthen Rotary’s impact and operational efficiency.

“We need to increase our membership like never before. We are also deploying information technology tools to improve our operations and will place strong emphasis on celebrating our members,” he said.

“This is because when members are appreciated, they are motivated to do even more,” Owonikoko added while reaffirming Rotary’s commitment to its seven areas of focus and community service mission.

He said Rotary would continue advancing peacebuilding, disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, education, economic development and environmental protection programmes.

In her valedictory address, outgoing District Governor, Dr Joy Okoro, said the district executed more than 1,000 community service projects while recording growth in membership and foundation contributions.

Okoro said the district also strengthened interventions in maternal and child health, education, youth development, polio eradication and community service in spite of funding and logistical challenges during her tenure. (NAN)

Update news