The Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria has called for urgent national reorientation and stronger collaboration between leaders and citizens to address the country’s socio-political challenges and promote sustainable development.
The appeal followed a closed-door meeting with former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in Abuja, where members of the forum briefed him on preparations for their fifth annual conference scheduled for October.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Chairman of the forum, Dr. Chris Akomas, said leadership should not be viewed as the exclusive responsibility of elected or appointed public officials, stressing that every Nigerian has a role to play in nation-building.
According to him, leadership begins in homes, communities and institutions, adding that collective responsibility is crucial to closing existing leadership gaps and driving national progress.
Akomas also disclosed that recommendations from previous editions of the forum’s annual conference have influenced government policies. He cited the Federal Government’s recent distribution of hybrid cocoa seedlings as one of the forum’s proposals that has now been implemented.
On the nation’s security and political challenges, the forum urged Nigerians to remain united and embrace peaceful coexistence regardless of ethnic, religious or political differences.
He emphasised that citizens must continue to support one another, noting that unity, patriotism and shared responsibility are indispensable to building a peaceful and prosperous nation.
The forum also commended Jonathan for his continued support as its Grand Patron and expressed optimism that this year’s conference would produce practical recommendations to strengthen governance, rebuild public trust and advance sustainable national development.
Akomas said the conference, themed “Rethinking Nation Building: Bridging the Leadership-Citizen Disconnect Through Culture, Orientation, Character and Tradition for Sustainable Development,” would bring together stakeholders from across various sectors to examine the widening gap between leaders and citizens and propose workable solutions for improved governance and nation-building.
