Foundation to host govt-citizen engagement to review past electoral promises

From:Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) has concluded arrangements to host a two-day interactive session scheduled for mid-May to evaluate the progress made on electoral promises by the president, deepen government-citizen engagement, and promote transparency ahead of the 2027 elections across the country.

In a statement released in Kaduna yesterday, the Foundation’s Director-General, Abubakar Umar, said the event is designed to also bridge the gap between policy implementation and public perception, dispel misinformation, and address misconceptions about the administration’s initiatives.

“As the country continues to navigate its development challenges, such events are crucial in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance,” Umar said.

He added that the session will feature high-level presentations and interactive sessions with key Federal Government representatives, focusing on critical sectors such as national security, agriculture and food security, infrastructure and social services, and governance and economy.

“This landmark event builds on the Foundation’s successful engagement on 17th October 2022, where frontline presidential candidates, including then-candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, presented their manifestos and made commitments towards the development of Northern Nigeria,” Umar said.

He noted that the event will examine the progress made in various sectors by President Bola Tinubu’s administration including, “assessing efforts to enhance safety and stability across the nation, evaluating initiatives to boost agricultural productivity and ensure food sufficiency, reviewing advancements in physical infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other essential services as well as examining policies aimed at fostering economic growth, transparency, and effective governance.”

The Foundation believes that such interactions are vital for sustaining trust between the government and its citizens, fostering unity, and promoting informed public discourse.

“We believe that such interactions are vital for sustaining trust between the government and its citizens, fostering unity, and promoting informed public discourse,” Umar said.

Similarly, Shehu Usman Osidi, MD/CEO, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria(FMBN) will bag Doctor of Banking and Finance(honoris causa), as Florentina Agu, founder and Creative Director of Hertunba is expected to bag doctor of Fashion and Designs(honoris causa).

Also listed for the honor by the institution were the Managing/CEO of Rural Electrification Agency, Engr. Abba Aliyu who will bag honorary doctorate degree in Human Development and Strategic Management at the summit precedimg the awards ceremony.