The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard M. Doro, has urged Nigerians to strengthen solidarity and collective responsibility towards vulnerable people as the country celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary.
Doro said the anniversary should serve as a period for Nigerians to reflect not only on the country’s independence but also on their shared duty to promote an inclusive society where people facing hardship receive adequate support.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by his Senior Technical Adviser on Information Systems and Data Analysis, Dr Abimbola Fasanu, the minister said protecting vulnerable citizens and providing opportunities for them to improve their livelihoods remained a fundamental responsibility of government.
He, however, noted that government could not address humanitarian challenges alone, stressing the importance of contributions from families, communities, civil society organisations, the private sector and development partners.
“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,” Doro said.
The minister also advocated greater attention to humanitarian values in schools, urging educators to teach children empathy, service, responsibility and respect for human dignity from an early age.
According to him, the manner in which vulnerable Nigerians are treated should reflect the country’s values and its commitment to 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.
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The strength of any society is reflected in how it treats those who are most vulnerable,” he said.
Doro said interventions for vulnerable Nigerians should not be limited to providing immediate relief, arguing that affected individuals and families also needed opportunities to rebuild their lives, develop resilience and achieve self-reliance.
He said this approach informed the Federal Government’s efforts to transition humanitarian and social protection programmes from palliatives to sustainable pathways by connecting immediate assistance with recovery, empowerment and participation in the economy.
“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,” the minister said.
He called for closer cooperation among government agencies, communities, citizens, civil society organisations, private-sector players and development partners in tackling humanitarian challenges and reducing poverty.
Doro congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians in the country and abroad on the 66th Independence Anniversary, expressing confidence that Nigerians could collectively 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.”
He wished Nigerians a happy Independence Anniversary and urged them to continue promoting compassion, solidarity and shared responsibility in the task of nation-building.