By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Ibrahim Suleiman, has called on Local Government Chairmen across Nigeria to intensify grassroots-driven social protection and inclusive development initiatives in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister made the call while addressing a Stakeholder Engagement with Local Government Chairmen organized by the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Suleiman described the engagement as timely and significant, noting that Nigeria was at a “defining moment” in its pursuit of inclusive governance, social equity, and sustainable national development.
She commended the organizers for convening the forum and emphasized that the theme, “Strengthening Local Government Leadership for Inclusive Development and Social Protection Delivery,” underscored the collective responsibility of leaders to prioritize the welfare of vulnerable citizens.
According to the Minister, Local Governments remain the closest tier of government to the people and are strategic partners in delivering impactful governance and social services to communities nationwide.
“Your offices remain the first point of contact for millions of Nigerians seeking hope, protection, empowerment, and access to critical social services,” she told the council chairmen.
Suleiman stated that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development was fully committed to programmes that promote women’s empowerment, poverty alleviation, youth development, and sustainable family support systems across the country’s 774 Local Government Areas.
She highlighted the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774) as one of the Ministry’s flagship programmes aimed at strengthening grassroots empowerment and expanding opportunities for women and vulnerable groups nationwide.
“The programme reflects the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the dividends of democracy reach every ward, every household, and every community across Nigeria,” she said.
The Minister stressed that Local Government Chairmen play a vital role in identifying vulnerable households, supporting women-led initiatives, and ensuring that social intervention programmes reach those most in need.
She also spoke on the importance of the National Social Safety Nets Project-Scale Up (NASSP-SU), noting that the credibility of the National Social Register depends on accurate and transparent community-level data collection.
Suleiman further urged Local Government leaders to promote the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) into the social protection framework to reduce exclusion among women, persons with disabilities, rural dwellers, and marginalized populations.
She called for intensified grassroots sensitization and enrollment campaigns to ensure eligible citizens benefit from government interventions and social safety programmes.
The Minister also linked the engagement to the National Women Mega Empowerment and Rally initiative launched by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, under the theme, “The Power of 10 Million: One Voice, One Movement, One Choice.”
She described the initiative as a nationwide grassroots mobilization platform designed to empower women, strengthen families, and promote inclusive development in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Suleiman appealed to Local Government Chairmen across the federation to actively support the initiative and collaborate with the Federal Government in building a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Nigeria.
The statement was issued by Ahmed Lawan Danbazau, Head of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
