The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasized the need for community-driven strategies to combat poverty and address pressing socio-economic challenges in Nigeria.
Speaking during the inauguration of the House Committee on the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) and the NG-CARES initiative in Abuja, Speaker Abbas, represented by the Minority Whip, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, advocated for grassroots-focused policies to reduce social inequality and promote inclusive national growth.
“Community and social development occupy a foundational place in the architecture of national advancement. They serve as primary conduits to actualise inclusive growth, distributive equity, and societal cohesion,” Abbas said.
He highlighted the importance of decentralizing development initiatives, especially in a nation as diverse and economically segmented as Nigeria, to ensure equitable access to progress across all regions.
The Speaker urged stakeholders to strategically channel resources into community-based interventions that can deliver essential services and empower local populations. He noted that institutions like the CSDA and NG-CARES are crucial in Nigeria’s post-pandemic recovery, especially amid inflation and economic vulnerability.
“NG-CARES, supported by the World Bank, has already impacted over two million Nigerians through livelihood grants, social transfers, and access to basic services—demonstrating the power of localized development efforts to cushion systemic shocks,” he added.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abubakar Kusada, affirmed that the NG-CARES initiative offers a practical platform to transform well-meaning government policies into real-world benefits for vulnerable citizens.
He further revealed that the Committee had developed a comprehensive work plan to guide its oversight duties, ensure effective legislative support, and foster collaboration with key stakeholders to fulfill the CSDA’s mandate.