By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
The Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, and its partners have presented the final report emanating from the National Citizens Summit for implementable policy interventions by the governments at various levels, relevant private sector players and other stakeholders.
The national summit started in 2021 with Zonal Dialogue Series held across the six (6) geo-political zones of the country to offer opportunity for expanded participation by Nigerians in the different parts of the country and culminated with a grand finale in August, last year in Abuja.
Presenting the report to the public in Abuja, the President NIPR, Muktar Sirajo, said the urgent need for a new approach to consensus building among citizens and between citizens and the leadership as well as need to widen the space for inclusion and participation in national conversation and foster mutual understanding among the various segments of the country informed the national summit.
According to him, the report will be an opportunity for Nigerian Citizens, at home and in the Diaspora yearning for a platform to peacefully ventilate their concerns, and contribute to the dialogue on nation building to proffer realistic solutions to identified challenges confronting the nation.
Earlier, the chairman, National Planning Committee, Citizens Summit, Dr. Ike Neliaku, the chairman on the occassion, Chief Tony Akiotu, harped on the need for Nigerians to go back to the Nigeria of yester years as there can be no new Nigeria without first having, new Nigerians. In their messages, the Executive Director, Institute of Strategic and Development Communication, Professor Samuel Dandaura, President Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chris Isiguzo, the Public Relations Officer, Department of State Services, Dr Peter Afunanya, Jake Epelle of Albino Foundation among others called for all hands to be on deck in the quest for a better country.
Chairman Citizens Summit Report Writing Committee, Professor Andrew Haruna, had earlier presented the final report titled Rebooting Nigeria 2.0, to the NIPR President Sirajo.