Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has said that more collaboration between the state government and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) will enhance the general performance and successful delivery of good governance to the people of Nigeria.
Dr. Hamzat who made these remarks today at the All Nigeria Rotary Convention, themed “Hope without Borders” held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos said the call for collaboration becomes imperative simply because the government lacks the entire resources needed for the social-economic needs of the citizenry.
The Deputy Governor noted that while the government is building up a new Nigeria, reality dictates that other non-government actors must make the necessary changes that support the drive of government.
According to him, no government in the world possesses all the necessary capacity to fulfill the developmental needs of her people. “Hence, in areas where government intervention is inadequate due to lack of sufficient resources, non-governmental organizations have always tried to fill the gap by contributing towards the development of such areas” he said.
He added that despite the insufficient resources, the number of things competing for the attention of the government are numerous, and the needs of the citizenry far outweighs the time and resources available. “What we are left with is to prioritize. It means some things may not be done. The lacuna offers opportunities for groups like yours to intervene” he concluded.
He however urged the Non-Government Organisations to engage in dialogues that will ensure that the society reap the benefits of better coordinated and deliverable programmes.
The Deputy Governor commended the club for their services, noting that the club is committed to global peace, starting from the local level, which is the various communities, he added for more than 110 years, Rotarians have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, adding that “they always work to better our world, and stay committed up till today”.
The Deputy Governor listed various projects and initiatives embarked upon by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, which covers educational development, health service delivery, infrastructure provisions, among others.
In her Opening Remarks, Rotarian Ofeyinwa Rita Ejezie stated that the purpose of the club is to serve, which can be seen through its different projects done across the country.
“We live by our motto which is service above self, this we do by the number of countless projects that we embarked upon in various communities across the country and of reference is our global polio eradication project, which is a signatory project of the Rotary Foundation”.
While commending the members of the club, Ejezie appreciated them for all their contributions to the Rotary Foundation, adding that “No doubt, work of service through Rotary has grown phenomenally in Nigeria”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the convention, Senator Olanrewaju Solomon stated that the convention provides the opportunity for Rotarians who represent various walks of life to converge together and to enrich the Rotary Journey.
Saying that “this convention marks a significant milestone, bringing together Rotarians from four vibrant districts: District 9110, District 9125,District 9141, and District 9142”.
