In a statement made by Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) the federal government has implored patriotic Nigerians to contribute their to the country’s progress by engaging in voluntary services across various industries to support government nation-building efforts. This call to action was made during the commemoration event of the 2023 International Volunteer Day (IVD) in Abuja, organized by the Nigerian National Volunteer Service (NNVS) department under the jurisdiction of the SGF office.
Akume, who spoke through Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye, Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, stated that President Tinubu administration acknowledged volunteerism as a powerful catalyst for socio-economic progress in Nigeria. He emphasized that volunteerism is a widely acknowledged instrument for societal development, particularly in rural areas. Akume said the government faces numerous challenges in achieving its developmental agenda due to the current economic downturn and harsh circumstances. Thereby, citizens must join forces in a collaborative manner to tackle these issues.
‘Inclusive Volunteerism’ policy shows govt dedication.
Immense potential of volunteering is undeniable when it comes to fostering development and executing both domestic and foreign initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Volunteers not only contribute to a large pool of human resources and social capital but also play a pivotal role in fueling social investments and facilitating job opportunities. Akume elucidated that it also presents opportunities to utilize both tangible and monetary assets that can be employed for aiding the government in diverse social interventions and endeavors.
Incumbent government, he said, would benefit from a harmonious volunteer effort particularly on its ‘Eight-Point’ development goals outlined in the Renewed Hope Agenda. This applies to areas like alleviating poverty, ensuring food security, contributing to economic growth and the creation of employment opportunities, enhancing security and fostering inclusivity for all individuals to actively engage in the nation’s development endeavors. Akume said the government’s unwavering dedication to promote volunteerism was showcased through the enforcement of the ‘Inclusive Volunteerism’ National Policy, solidifying its stance on the importance of volunteers.
Global communities have greatly benefited from the initiative.
According to him, the main purpose of this policy is to foster a framework to effectively manage and organize volunteer efforts for development. Furthermore, various objectives of the policy have been disseminated nationwide through decentralized workshops, sensitization programs, and national policy documents in order to gain the support and involvement of stakeholders during its implementation. Also speaking, Mrs. O.T Olusola-Dada, Director of NNVS, stated that the inception of IVD by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1985 has proven to be an effective platform for mobilizing people to combat development challenges and revolutionize the speed and character of development.
Olusola expressed that the global communities, as well as individuals and collectives, have greatly benefited from the initiative by actively engaging in creating positive transformations within their localities. She stressed that this platform allows people from various backgrounds and with diverse expertise to partake in a comprehensive and inclusive manner. She remarked that this year’s event focuses on rallying people together to promote understanding of volunteers for collective effort in working towards a brighter future.
IVD promotes government support for volunteer initiatives.
Additionally, volunteerism plays a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) worldwide, following the principle of ensuring equality and inclusivity. Olusola asserts that volunteerism acts as a platform for individuals from diverse backgrounds, those who are vulnerable and actively contribute in solving developmental issues within their communities. Generally, IVD presents avenues for nations to foster volunteerism, promote governments support for volunteer initiatives and acknowledge their contributions in attaining the SDGs on local, national, and global scales.
Related Link
NNVS: Website
