As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence anniversary, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has called on Nigerians to renew their commitment to empathy, solidarity and shared responsibility, particularly towards vulnerable members of society.
The Minister said Independence Day should be an occasion not only to celebrate Nigeria’s sovereignty, but also to reflect on the values that bind citizens together and the collective responsibility to build a society in which no one is left behind.
This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Senior Technical Adviser on Information Systems and Data Analysis to the Minister, Dr. Abimbola Fasanu.
Dr. Doro said government has a fundamental responsibility to protect vulnerable citizens and create opportunities for them to improve their lives, while individuals, families, communities, civil society, the private sector and development partners also have important roles to play.
“Across our communities, Nigerians have always demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to stand with one another in times of difficulty. As we celebrate 66 years of independence, we must strengthen that spirit of solidarity and continue to be our brother’s keeper,” he said.
The Minister also called for greater attention to humanitarian values in schools, saying children should be taught from an early age the importance of empathy, service, responsibility and respect for human dignity.
“Our faith and our values should find expression in how we treat one another, particularly the poor, displaced persons, persons with disabilities, older persons, children and families facing hardship. The strength of any society is reflected in how it treats those who are most vulnerable,” Dr. Doro said.
He noted that supporting vulnerable people must go beyond meeting immediate needs to creating opportunities that enable individuals and households to rebuild their lives and become self-reliant.
According to him, this philosophy underpins the Federal Government’s efforts to move humanitarian and social protection interventions from palliatives to pathways, connecting immediate assistance with recovery, empowerment and sustainable economic participation.
“Our responsibility is not only to help people through today’s difficulties. We must also create pathways that enable them to face tomorrow with dignity, become more resilient and ultimately self-reliant,” he said.
Dr. Doro called for stronger collaboration among government, communities, citizens, civil society, the private sector and development partners in addressing humanitarian challenges and reducing poverty.
He congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Nigerians at home and in the diaspora on the country’s 66th Independence anniversary, expressing confidence in the collective capacity of Nigerians to build a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous nation.
“At 66, let us renew not only our hope in Nigeria, but also our responsibility towards one another. Nation-building is ultimately about people, and the strength of our country will always be reflected in how we protect the vulnerable, support one another and create opportunities for every Nigerian to live with dignity.”