By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – Kaduna State Community and Social Development Agency, has applauded the group, Good Deeds Day, (GDD) for the launch of its initiative in the state, saying it was needful citizens are encourage to do good to one another and their communities.
Head of Operations of the Agency, Abubakar Maman, stated this at the launch of the initiative in Kaduna on Thursday, August 25, 2022.
Maman said his organization also engaged communities in trying to bring out the good virtues in people, especially as the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, is passionate about building communities as developing local government areas will transform the state.
According to him, since the Government is saddled with so many things at the moment, it then behoves on citizens to follow suit such as the GDD’s initiative bringing CSOs’ together to collaborate and show ways of doing good in the society.
“Like I earlier said, the Agency gives voice to the voiceless thereby helping them to do good to people, themselves and the community at large. It therefore intervenes in four thematic areas – education, health, water and sanitation; and nutrition,” he explained.
Maman further explained that the Agency through it’s Community Driven Development (CDD) approach try to bring out the good in people, make them participate, take ownership for sustainability, and allow them come up with ideas for development.
The Country Lead for GDD, Mr. Adetola Bamidele, informed that the event was the official launch of GDD in Kaduna, a global movement based in Israel which is aimed at promoting volunteerism and improve the planet Earth.
He said Nigeria joined the GDD movement in 2018, and presently it has network in 12 states of the Federation with others in view.
According to the Country Lead, at the event, Kaduna would be presented a Certificate of Excellence for coming 3rd out of the 12 states that took part in the global celebration this year.
He said the event will enable the group plan its network for global celebration of good deeds for 2023, hence invitations were extended to different stakeholders to key into the vision, stressing that the mission is to help good governance and make life better for citizens.
“At the end of the event, we want to seek collaboration with Government, individuals, philanthropists, because the movement is about thinking and doing good, thereby making life better for the people. So, we want more partnerships, collaborations in terms of resources and materials. This will make governance easier and more closer to the people at the grassroots,” he added.
Earlier, in her opening remarks, state Coordinator of GDD, Itama Okhuelegbe, said the objectives of the meeting was to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders in the 21st Century approach to GDD’s activities in the state.
She explained that while the meeting will avail the stakeholders develop a strategic plan for GDD; it will also assist them, “build effective partnership for change through promotion of Youth Volunteerism, and marshal a proposed social impact of GDD and it’s sustainability in the state.
“The role of stakeholders collaboration for GDD sustainability, referencing their NGOs’ thematic areas and the need for collaboration.”