Recap - "State of the Nation: A Citizen's Perspective"

“A critical mass of citizens who truly understand the issues and are ready to put in the work is required to drive broader civic engagement.”

'Yemi Adamolekun

(Executive Director, EiE Nigeria)

Dear Active Citizen,

The "State of the Nation: A Citizen's Perspective" was a special occasion as we marked our 14^th anniversary. Key thought leaders and engaged citizens came together for an insightful discussion on the challenges facing our nation and the path forward.

The session kicked off with Seyi Awojulugbe presenting data-driven insights on the economy, security and other pressing issues impacting Nigerians. But it wasn't all gloom and doom. Our indefatigable Executive Director 'Yemi Adamolekun rallied the troops, reminding us that the power lies in our hands as citizens and employers of the elected officials.

Veteran activist Dr. Abiola Akiyode delivered a rousing call to move from "elitism to pragmatism" and connect with all sectors of society. In her words, "In poverty, we are still quiet!" - a wake-up call if there ever was one.

Vahyala Kwaga challenged CSOs to innovate their outreach strategies and explore traditional channels to boost engagement. After all, not everyone is glued to social media like us!

Dr. Anto Lecky, the activist and entrepreneur, stressed the importance of leveraging cultural, religious and traditional spheres of influence to spread awareness and drive participation at the grassroots level.

Of course, no event is complete without an interactive audience. The real MVPs showed up with thought-provoking questions and insights. One participant summed it up perfectly - "The level of your participation will translate to how you enjoy governance."

While the current state of our nation poses significant challenges, the event reinforced a message of HOPE - that collaborative efforts by all citizens can chart a new course. The speakers have issued a call to action - it is now upon us to foster civic literacy, community engagement and hold leaders accountable.

As we celebrate 14 years of impactful work, let's channel the energy from this forum into constructive efforts to create the nation we aspire to see. The path to progress begins with our participation.

Have a great weekend and happy Easter!
The EiE Nigeria Team.