From Terhemba Daka, Abuja
The Presidency, yesterday, inaugurated a National Community Engagement Framework Drafting Committee, describing the body as a critical vehicle for bringing federal policies closer to the grassroots across the federation.
After the ceremony at the State House, Abuja, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North West), Abdullahi Yakasai, said the framework would embody the spirit of partnership and collective action. His words: “The framework drafting committee we are launching today (yesterday) embodies the spirit of partnership and collective action, ensuring that progress is shared responsibility.
“Our nation is at an important juncture, where every decision must prioritise the wellbeing of our citizens.
“First, you will dialogue and have a meaningful conversation and action. It will present a new chapter in our nation’s history that is built on the principles of inclusivity and equity.”
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Mrs Abiodun Essiet, said the framework would serve as a blueprint for action to ensure that no citizen feels excluded from national decision making.
“Today (yesterday) is not just a ceremony; it is a call to serve, to innovate, and to rise to the occasion,” she told committee members and invited dignitaries
Essiet added: “This framework reflects our collective commitment to make sure no voice is left unheard, no community left behind, and every citizen feels seen, valued, and empowered.”
She urged members – drawn from government, civil society, and the private sector – to act as “bridges between policy and people,” stressing that their task goes beyond representation to inspiring trust and driving impact.
Under the directive of President Bola Tinubu, the committee would draft guidelines for collaborative governance, inclusive decision making, and citizen empowerment, she explained.
Once completed, the framework is to formalise channels for regular dialogue between federal agencies and local communities with a view to improving service delivery and boosting public confidence in government programmes.
Its first assignments include mapping existing community engagement efforts, identifying gaps, and proposing clear metrics for measuring impact. Essiet said the committee would work “with courage, commitment, and clarity of purpose to deliver results swiftly.”
“Nigeria is counting on us. Let us rise to the call,” she urged.State House Permanent Secretary, Temitope Fashedemi, emphasised the importance of the committee’s assignment and its impact on communities nationwide.
A consultant and CEO at Environmental Harmony Limited, Mrs. Kitan Oluwagbuyi, charged committee members on the task ahead, adding that the panel has six weeks to draft the framework. She explained that the framework is to “provide a structured approach to stakeholder identification, mapping, and engagement.”
