Minister Urges Nigerians to Support Vulnerable Citizens as Nigeria Marks 66th Independence Anniversary

As Nigeria celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has called on Nigerians to strengthen solidarity and shared responsibility, particularly towards vulnerable members of society.

Doro said the anniversary offers an opportunity for Nigerians to celebrate the country’s independence while also reflecting on their collective responsibility to build a more inclusive society where vulnerable people are protected, supported and given opportunities to improve their lives.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by his Senior Technical Adviser on Information Systems and Data Analysis, Dr. Abimbola Fasanu, the minister said protecting vulnerable citizens and creating opportunities for them remained a fundamental responsibility of government.

He, however, stressed that government could not address the challenges alone, noting that families, communities, civil society organisations, the private sector and development partners all have important roles to play in supporting people facing hardship.

Doro said Nigerians had consistently demonstrated a strong spirit of solidarity, particularly during difficult periods, and urged citizens to sustain that culture of caring for one another.

“Across our communities, Nigerians have always demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to stand with one another in times of difficulty. As we celebrate 66 years of independence, we must strengthen that spirit of solidarity and continue to be our brother’s keeper,” he said.

The minister also called for greater emphasis on humanitarian values in schools, urging educators and parents to teach children from an early age about empathy, service, responsibility and respect for human dignity.

According to him, the way vulnerable Nigerians are treated should reflect the country’s values and its commitment to protecting human dignity.

He specifically identified poor and vulnerable people, displaced persons, persons with disabilities, older citizens, children and families experiencing hardship as groups requiring greater attention and support.

“Our faith and our values should find expression in how we treat one another, particularly the poor, displaced persons, persons with disabilities, older persons, children and families facing hardship.

“The strength of any society is reflected in how it treats those who are most vulnerable,” Doro said.

The minister explained that assistance to vulnerable Nigerians should not be limited to addressing their immediate needs.

He said government and other stakeholders must also create opportunities that would enable individuals and families to rebuild their lives, improve their resilience and eventually become self-reliant.

He said this approach forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to move humanitarian and social protection interventions beyond short-term palliatives towards sustainable pathways that connect immediate assistance with recovery, empowerment and economic participation.

“Our responsibility is not only to help people through today’s difficulties. We must also create pathways that enable them to face tomorrow with dignity, become more resilient and ultimately self-reliant,” he said.

Doro further called for stronger cooperation among government agencies, communities, citizens, civil society organisations, the private sector and development partners to tackle humanitarian challenges and reduce poverty across the country.

He congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians at home and in the diaspora on the 66th Independence Anniversary, expressing confidence in the ability of Nigerians to work collectively towards building a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous nation.

“At 66, let us renew not only our hope in Nigeria, but also our responsibility towards one another. Nation-building is ultimately about people, and the strength of our country will always be reflected in how we protect the vulnerable, support one another and create opportunities for every Nigerian to live with dignity,” Doro said.

He wished Nigerians a happy Independence Anniversary and urged citizens to continue promoting compassion, solidarity and shared responsibility as part of efforts to build a stronger and more inclusive Nigeria.

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