Government alone can’t tackle Nigeria’s challenges, says Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has highlighted the limitations of government in addressing the country's extensive social and economic problems. Speaking at the launch of the KSM Endowment Fund and Charity Initiative in Abuja, Abbas, represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Christian Pilgrims, Festus Adefiranye, stressed the necessity of robust collaborations with non-governmental entities.

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The House of Representatives recognises and celebrates this invaluable contribution. Government alone cannot solve every social challenge confronting our nation. Sustainable national development requires a genuine partnership among public institutions, faith-based organisations, the private sector, and civil society.

Abbas lauded the Catholic organization, the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, for its foresight in creating an endowment fund. He described the initiative as a model for responsible stewardship, designed to sustain humanitarian efforts and meet future challenges. The Speaker acknowledged the organization's long-standing dedication to serving God and humanity through charity, compassion, justice, youth development, and support for the vulnerable.

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The establishment of an endowment fund dedicated to sustaining humanitarian services demonstrates remarkable foresight. It reflects the timeless wisdom that charity should not merely respond to today’s needs, but should be instrumentalised to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

He noted that the humanitarian work undertaken by religious organizations significantly complements government initiatives in providing social services and fostering national development. Abbas pointed out that religious bodies hold a unique position in nation-building due to their public trust, influence on moral values, promotion of social cohesion, and ability to reach communities often underserved by other institutions.

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Religious organisations, in particular, occupy a unique position in nation building because they command public trust, shape moral values, promote social cohesion, and reach communities that former institutions often struggle to serve.

The launch of the endowment fund, according to Abbas, transcends a mere fundraising event. He characterized it as a reaffirmation of core values such as compassion, sacrifice, stewardship, and solidarity, which are fundamental to building a post-colonial society. He also referenced the constitutional guarantee of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion as a cornerstone of Nigerian democracy and its pluralistic nature.

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Today’s event, therefore, goes beyond the unveiling of an endowment fund. It is a reaffirmation of the enduring values of compassion, sacrifice, stewardship, and solidarity upon which every post-colonial society is built.